Forget the jarring bus rides and the steep prices of domestic flights: if you’re eager to explore Sweden in comfort, with a refreshing beer in hand, Interrailing is your best bet. The extensive train system weaves through the entire country, offering reliable service—even in the far northern reaches, where snow and ice often reign.
But what can you expect on your journey? How do the sleeper carriages fare in terms of comfort? And is investing in an Interrail or Eurail pass truly worthwhile? Let’s uncover the answers together!
What are the trains like?
Interrailing in Sweden is a remarkably hassle-free experience. With just a week or two to spare, you can effortlessly explore the country’s three largest cities—Malmö, Gothenburg, and Stockholm—without needing to book overnight journeys. The trains are not only frequent and fast but also quite comfortable, even in standard class.
If your adventures lead you further north—towards the central regions or popular ski resorts—you’ll likely find yourself on a sleeper train. But more on that later.
Keep in mind that Sweden is expansive, so journey times can be quite long. What seems like a short distance on a map might translate into a ten-hour trek.
Here are some illustrative journey times:
| Stockholm | Gothenburg | 400 km | 2hr 50min–4hr 40min |
| Kiruna | Stockholm | 955 km | 16hr 30min–17hr 30min |
| Malmö | Gothenburg | 240 km | 2hr 20min–3hr 20min |
| Stockholm | Umeå | 630 km | 6hr 20min–9hr 10min |
While you could purchase individual tickets for each leg of your Swedish journey, an Interrail or Eurail pass might be the more economical choice if you plan to hop between cities regularly.
Interrail or Eurail?
Confusingly, there are two distinct rail passes for foreign travelers wishing to traverse Sweden by train. Unfortunately for locals, these passes aren’t available for domestic use!
Interrail passes cater to European citizens and residents of Europe, while Eurail passes are designed for everyone else. Prices vary based on age, with discounts available for those 25 and under.
With either pass, you can choose to travel exclusively within Sweden or expand your horizons to multiple countries. Opt for a multi-country pass, and once you’ve soaked in the Swedish sights, you can venture into neighboring Norway, Finland, and Denmark—a highlight of any Interrailing adventure. Ticket prices can be checked on the ACP Rail website.
How do the passes work?
A variety of Interrail and Eurail passes are at your disposal. The more affordable options allow travel for a limited number of days within one country, while the premium passes offer the luxury of unlimited train travel across Europe for up to three months.
You’re free to journey as far as you like each day, but be aware that your pass may be stamped with each use, necessitating careful planning of your routes. It might prove more economical to cover significant distances on just a couple of longer trips than to scatter short hops across your itinerary.
Which Swedish trains can you use?
Your Interrail or Eurail tickets are valid on almost all Swedish railway routes, including night trains and high-speed services operated by the state-owned company SJ.
The passes are also accepted on many private train routes, such as the Arlanda Express airport shuttle in Stockholm and the Öresundståg connecting Copenhagen and Malmö. However, exceptions do exist—you won’t be able to use your pass on the MTR Express service between Stockholm and Gothenburg.
The main types of trains
Commuter trains: These trains (commuter fog) serve the vicinity of major cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg. They don’t feature a buffet car, and there’s no need to pre-book a seat.
Inter-city trains: Covering longer distances, these trains have designated first- and second-class sections and offer on-board bistros with a variety of snacks and beverages.
High-speed trains: Sweden’s fastest trains, known as X 2000 or SJ 3000, operate on popular routes, such as Gothenburg to Stockholm, and come equipped with onboard Wi-Fi.
Night trains: Long-distance night trains, featuring sleeper carriages, traverse routes like Stockholm to Kiruna. Passengers can choose between a regular seat or a lie-flat bed for the journey.
Reserving seats and cabins
Even with a rail pass in hand, some Swedish trains require you to reserve a seat.
As a general guideline, reservations are mandatory on all long-distance trains, high-speed services, and night trains. Although not compulsory, it’s advisable to secure a place if you’re traveling on an inter-city train for a few hours or more.
Each reservation incurs a fee, ranging from 35 SEK for short trips to around 375 SEK for night trains. Making these reservations can be a bit challenging—you can either contact SJ at +46 771 757 575, use the ACP Rail website (which may have an added fee), or visit a nearby Swedish train station.
Time tables
The best resource for planning your train journeys in Sweden is SJ.se, which is available in English. It outlines the routes eligible for Interrail and Eurail passes, as well as connections into Denmark and Norway.
Night trains in Sweden
SJ’s night trains offer a variety of sleeper carriages, each differing in comfort. The most common option for those with Interrail and Eurail passes is the six-person “couchette” cabin, known in Swedish as a pram compartment.
While these cabins can feel cramped—especially if you share with noisy passengers—at least they allow you to lie flat and catch some sleep. Sheets are provided, and you can choose between mixed and single-sex cabins.
For a touch more space and convenience, consider the three-bed compartments with luggage racks and sinks (toilets are shared outside). For the ultimate luxury, booking a private cabin is your best bet.
Keep in mind, if you hold a standard rail pass, opting for anything other than the most basic sleeping arrangement comes with an extra charge, and reservations are essential.
If you’re content to forgo sleeping cars, you can always settle into a regular train seat for your journey.
Food and drink
On most long-distance trains in Sweden, you’ll find a selection of drinks, snacks, and even full meals. When reserving a seat, keep an eye out for the knife-and-fork symbol—these services typically provide refreshments.
Traveling with a bike
Standard bicycles aren’t permitted on SJ trains; however, folding bikes are welcome aboard.
Is it worth buying an Interrail pass?
If you plan on making multiple train trips—or even just a couple of long hauls—investing in an Interrail or Eurail pass is a wise choice.
A single journey from Stockholm to northern Sweden could easily set you back 800 SEK, equating to roughly half the cost of the most economical one-country Interrail or Eurail pass. Therefore, even one additional long trip within Sweden could justify the cost.
Another significant advantage of purchasing a rail pass is that you insulate yourself from fluctuating ticket prices—most rail fares in Sweden, much like airfares, tend to rise as the departure date approaches.
Additionally, perks include discounted ferry rides, complimentary routes to Copenhagen and its airport, and even free bus services in areas lacking train connections—such as the land between Luleå and Haparanda, right at the Finnish border. Plus, you’ll find discounts on journeys from Malmö to Berlin via the Berlin Night Express during summer.
How much do Interrail passes cost?
For current prices or to purchase a train pass, simply visit the ACP Rail website.
Interrail itineraries within Sweden
Here are a few suggested itineraries to help you experience the best of Sweden with your train pass.
The big three
Days of rail travel allowed: 3
Validity period: 1 month
Rail pass cost: around $200
Dive into Sweden’s three largest cities—Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö—staying as long as you wish.
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Central Sweden
Days of rail travel allowed: 4
Validity period: 1 month
Rail pass cost: around $220
Travel along the picturesque Inlandsbanan train line, stopping at charming towns like Kristinehamn, Mora, Östersund, and Gällivare.
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End to End
Days of rail travel allowed: 8
Validity period: 1 month
Rail pass cost: around $340
Journey the full length of the country, from the lush farmlands of the south to the breathtaking landscapes of Swedish Lapland.
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Interrail trips through Scandinavia
If you’re keen to cover all the Scandinavian countries in one grand train journey, consider the following itineraries. A global or multi-country pass will be necessary for these adventures.
Scandinavian cities
Days of rail travel allowed: 5
Validity period: 15 days
Rail pass cost: around $300
Visit some of the finest Nordic cities, including Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Oslo.
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Norway, Sweden, and Denmark
Days of rail travel allowed: 6
Validity period: 2 months
Rail pass cost: around $420
Marvel at the northern lights, explore art galleries, photograph fjords, or indulge in wild camping.
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