Transport

Rail travel

For the long distances involved in travelling Sweden’s landscape, trains are the best option. Sweden is the fifth-biggest European country by area and, because of its roughly oblong shape, north-south distances are extensive. Sweden measures more than 1,600km from north to south.

Train services are divided among the state-owned rail operator SJ (formerly Statens Järnvägar) and companies with a more regional focus, usually run by county transport authorities or consortiums.

Luggage on SJ trains: The basic SJ luggage rule is that passengers can take only as much as they readily can carry and store larger items in the baggage area and small items in overhead racks. However, for SN EuroNight trains between Sweden and Germany, see the entry below.

Bicycles on SJ trains: Bicycles and electric or manual scooters can be carried free on SJ trains, but only if they are folded or disassembled and placed in a bag. Maximum dimensions are 140x85x30cm and maximum weight is 25kg, including the bag. The bag must be placed on vacant floor space (such as under the seat in front) or in the luggage area as instructed by the train crew. For details of carriage on privately operated trains, check the relevant sections.

Wi-fi: To use SJ onboard wi-fi, select the SJ option on the device and log in or consult ombord.sj.se/index.english.html. Quality is variable and connections may be lost on some stretches. To use Jernhusen wi-fi at stations, select “all station guests” and sign into the Telia-operated network.

SJ trains

X2000: The X2000 or X2 express (snabbtåg, usually described by Swedes speaking English as high-speed trains) tilt trains run on the main lines between Stockholm and Gothenburg, Stockholm and Malmö (with a transfer for Copenhagen) and, often, Stockholm-Oslo. Second-class calm (lugn) area seats are bookable. Food can be ordered when booking and first-class passengers get complimentary breakfast on departures before 9.00 and access to coffee, tea and fruit. On lines such as Stockholm-Malmö and Stockholm-Oslo bookings in second-class calm areas also get a small breakfast and free coffee or tea in the bistro car. This car, with an extensive meal, sandwich, snack and drinks menu, forms part of the airconditioned train, which operates at speeds up to 200km/h. Wi-fi is available.

SJ3000: The SJ3000 express runs between Umeå and Stockholm at speeds up to 200km/h. The onboard offering is similar to that on the X2000.

Regina: The Regina or (X50-55 model) trains operate on the Karlstad-Gothenburg line at up to 200km/h.

X40: This double-deck airconditioned train operates on the Gävle-Linköping and Stockholm-Västerås-Örebro-Gothenburg lines at speeds up to 200km/h.

InterCity: Sweden’s IC trains, hauled by standard Rc-class locomotives, have first and second-class and bistro carriages and run at up to 160km/h. Some services have the same bistro menu as the X2000.

SJ Regionaltåg: The regional trains – in black livery – usually have two classes but are not catered. The longest routes are Stockholm-Gothenburg (a cheaper but slower service than the express trains), Gothenburg-Karlstad and Gothenburg-Kalmar. Top speed is 160km/h

Overnight trains within Sweden

SJ Nattåg: SJ operates Gothenburg-Stockholm-Duved/Åre and Stockholm-Luleå night trains and is running Luleå-Kiruna-Narvik night trains during 2025. Reservations at a fee are compulsory, even for holders of Eurail and Interrail passes.

A first-class sleeper (sovvagn) compartment comprises two made-up beds with private shower and toilet and breakfast included. A second-class sleeper comprises three made-up beds (bookable shared or private) with shower and toilet access in the carriage. A second-class couchette compartment (liggvagn) comprises six beds with bedding to make up. The compartment is bookable as shared or private and a toilet is accessible in each carriage. First-class sleeper cars and bistro cars are airconditioned.

Second-class cars with seats (sittvagn) have a toilet in the carriage, but are not attached to all trains.

A bistro car with an extensive meal, sandwich, snack and drinks menu forms part of night trains on the Gothenburg-Stockholm-Duved/Åre and Stockholm-Luleå routes. A more limited kiosk food offer is on the Luleå-Narvik route and there is no food on the shorter Stockholm-Malmö train. The availability of wi-fi varies.

Snälltåget: The Snälltåget twice-weekly Stockholm-Malmö night service is not operated by SJ. It offers second and first-class seats and six-berth private or shared compartments.

Snälltåget winter sport-oriented trains run between Malmö and Jämtland and Härjedalen three times a week from Christmas until early May and from late June until late September. The principal destination is the ski resort at Åre. These trains run via Linköping, Stockholm, Uppsala and Östersund. Budget seats, first-class seats, and shared or reserved sleeping compartments and a restaurant car with table bookings and breakfast options are available on these trips. A single early-March service covers the Vasaloppet between Mora and Sälen.

Buy tickets at the Snälltåget website or call Snälltåget customer service (+46 040-6696200, email [email protected], M-Su 9-18). A fee of 100kr applies to phone bookings that are available online.

For the Snälltåget overnight Stockholm-Copenhagen-Berlin service, see Cross-border trains below.

Cross-border trains

SJ Denmark trains: The fastest Stockholm-Malmö rail connection uses X2000 trains, but in 2025 Copenhagen/Köpenhamn/København passengers had to transfer to or from Øresundståg trains at Malmö Central, or make a further change involving a Skånetrafiken connection between Malmö Central and Hyllie. Overnight links use SJ Nattåget. Journey times vary between 5½ and 9 hours.

Germany trains: Sweden-Germany direct trains travel via Denmark as overnight services, entering Germany at Flensburg. For faster connections see the Air travel or Ferry travel sections below.

SJ EuroNight: The SJ-Deutsche Bahn EN service from Stockholm to Berlin (15¾ hours) via Copenhagen and Hamburg (12½ hours) picks up passengers at Swedish stops only and sometimes involves transfers at Linköping. Standard couchette or sleeper (liggvagn or sovvagn) and seats are available. Bistro cars are open between Stockholm and Malmö and at other times a kiosk serves hot and cold snacks and drinks. Booked breakfasts are available on board, but there is no wi-fi access. Eurail and Interrail passes are accepted for travel, but seats and sleeping compartments must be booked. Top speed in Sweden is 160km/h. SJ recommends transfers of no less than two hours in meeting other European trains.

Passport controls apply at the Danish and German borders. Entering Sweden, there could be checks on the train or at Hyllie station near Malmö. Luggage is limited to one piece no larger than 80x50x35cm and hand luggage. No heavy luggage area is on specialist night trains.

Sleeper compartments in first class (with private shower and toilet, three made-up beds and breakfast, plus SJ Lounge access) and second class (with two beds, basin and toilet access in the carriage) are available. Second-class compartments can be shared or booked privately and passengers can eat breakfast in the bistro car.

There are also second-class couchette compartments (bookable separate or shared) for up to six passengers with bedding provided and toilet access in the carriage. At the budget end, sittvagn second-class seating in compartments or open carriages is available.

Snälltåget Denmark, Germany & Austria trains: From mid-April to October, overnight trains run Stockholm-Malmö-Copenhagen/København-Hamburg-Berlin (15-16 hours) on varying frequency up to six times a week with some journeys extending to Dresden. Interrail and Eurail passes are accepted, but the mandatory seat or berth reservations cost extra. Connecting buses run from Jönköping and Växjö.

Winter and summer trains via Salzburg and as far as Innsbruck include stops at Austrian alpine destinations. Interrail and Eurail passes are normally valid in seats only for travel on Snälltåget trains to and from Austria. For a few exceptions, check when booking.

The restaurant car (open between Malmö and Stockholm) has reservable seats and breakfast bags can be ordered in advance to collect at the snack bar (open between Malmö and Berlin).

Norway trains: Passengers travelling between Sweden and Norway can use three main lines, Oslo, Trondheim and Narvik in the far north.

Trains to and from Oslo: Stockholm-Oslo connections involve combinations of

X2000, SJ3000, SJ InterCity, SJ Regional and Vy Norge trains running via Örebro and Karlstad. The four daily direct connections use SJ3000 or IC trains (5¾ hours) and connections with changes (some including Vy Bus4You buses) take up to 8½ hours.

There are up to six daily Gothenburg-Oslo direct rail connections (about 3½ hours) run by Vy Norge. Other connections involve SJ Regional and SJ3000 trains (about 6 hours) and a transfer at Karlstad.

Trains to and from Trondheim: This connection involves Vy Norrtåg and SJ Nord trains a transfer at Storlien near the Norwegian border. Stockholm passengers need to transfer to or from SJ3000 trains at Sundsvall or IC trains at Ånge. The Stockholm-Trondheim trip varies between 10½ and 12¾ hours.

Trains to and from Narvik: Luleå-Narvik direct services are run by SJ Nattåg or SJ InterCity trains (7½ or 7¾ hours). Other connections, run by Vy Norrtåg and SJ Nattåg (7¾ hours), involve a transfer at Boden.

Trains to and from Finland: The joint city Haparanda-Tornio lies on the Sweden-Finland border but there is no through rail line. The Swedish Haparanda rail station and the Finnish Tornio-Itänien rail halt (which does not have a station building) are about 5km apart.

On the Swedish side, Norrtåg operates three trains a day to Haparanda and on the Finnish side VR runs trains to Tornio-Itänien. But VR trains between Tornio and Kemi run daily only and local tourist authorities recommend passengers travelling between Haparanda and Rovaniemi or other Finnish cities use Matkahuolto’s buses between the bus station Haparanda-Tornio Resecentrum/Matkakeskus (on the Swedish side of the border) and Kemi (several times daily, about 35 minutes). Länstrafiken Norrbotten’s bus 11 runs between the Haparanda-Tornio bus station and Luleå, accepting Eurail and Interrail passes. Check whether rail passes will be accepted by buses on the Finnish side.

Ringlinjen/Kaupunkilinja buses (M-F) connect Haparanda rail station with the bus station.

SJ Comfort classes

First class: In high-speed (Snabbtåg) trains, seat width and leg room is superior. Seats include wi-fi access of variable accessibility and plug-in recharging stations, free coffee and snacks, and a free breakfast offer on departures before 9.00. Other meals can be booked. Seat bookings with tables are offered subject to availability. SJ Lounge access in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö on the day of travel is included.

In InterCity and SJ Regional trains, seats are at a high comfort level and wi-fi access and the early breakfast and SJ Lounge offers apply. In Norrland, SJ first-class carriages can be old, but offer plenty of room. On double-deck RE trains, the first-class section could be upstairs.

Second class: Second-class calm (lugn) areas require mobile phones to be set to silent and quiet conversation. A small free breakfast offer on departures before 9.00 applies. Order food in advance and fetch it from the onboard bistro using booking details.

In standard second-class seats on high-speed trains, passengers can order food in advance and fetch it from the onboard bistro using booking details, or select from other bistro drinks and snacks.

In InterCity and SJ Regional trains, no other offer is attached.

SJ rail tickets & bookings

SJ tickets have to be booked at SJ.se or its associated app or through approved resellers such as Pressbyrån, some 7-Eleven stores (where markups of the order of 100kr apply) and some travel agencies. Some regional transport authorities also sell SJ tickets through apps and on their websites. There are no SJ ticket machines.

Travellers can sign up at the SJ website as an SJ Prio member (accumulating bonus points), but the login process requires an active smartphone number to confirm. Booking through the SJ app, which offers alternative tickets and transfers involving other operators, might be easier.

Travellers without a Swedish 12-digit ID number have to contact SJ using the SJ app to open an SJ.se Prio account, which then enables the full booking suite.

The SJ website also offers combination fares with other operators, as well as other operators’ alternatives.

Online resellers offering a wide suite of SJ tickets are few. Markups can be small (such as at Omio.com, a good second option if there are problems with card acceptance at SJ’s site) but can be more than 50% (such as some offers at Rail Ninja’s Scandictrains.com site).

Seat reservation is included with SJ first-class tickets, but for first-class rail pass holders, seat reservations cost an extra fee. Reservations are possible from a seat plan.

Rail-pass holders cannot book in the Eurail app.

At less popular travel times, such as early-morning or mid-afternoon departures, tickets can be considerably cheaper. The same applies to fixed (non-refundable) bookings, compared with full-price flexible bookings, and sometimes to journeys combining two or three operators. See also the Last-minute tickets entry below.

Youth discounts: Up to two children aged between one and 15 years travel at 15% discount in second-class seats when with an adult (infants aged up to 1 year travel ticket-free on a parent’s knee). A parent or other adult travelling on SJ day trains with two children gets an 85% discount on their tickets. The third or further children travel at a 15% discount.

Passengers under 15 travel at 50% discount in second-class sleeping compartments with adults on SJ Nattåg and EuroNight trains, while children 6 and under sharing a sleeping place on night trains need no ticket. Infants under age 2 who travel on a parent or adult’s knee travel free. Passengers 10 or older may not travel in a night-train compartment with the opposite sex unless families book their own compartment.

Senior discounts: Passengers 65 and over can claim 10% fare discounts on production of valid ID. This also applies to 30-day cards (see below).

Discount rail tickets

Members of STF can claim 10% discounts on SJ rail tickets, discounts on Snälltåget tickets and 15% on Norrtåg tickets. See the Hostels section above and Other rail networks below.

Last-minute tickets: These tickets offer 10% discounts for passengers 25 or younger, 65 or over, or students with valid ID and are released 24 hours before departure at a special page. They cannot be rebooked or refunded and are marked in orange on SJ timetables.

SJ 10-cards & 20-cards: These cards allow 10 journeys or 20 journeys between two cities using SJ Regional trains over 90 days. Conditions include making seat reservations.

SJ 30-day card: For a month’s unlimited travel between two cities only, examine the benefits of SJ’s 30-day card.

Cards are available for first-class travel in SJ High-speed trains (or second-class calm zones), first-class carriages in SJ InterCity or Regional trains, for second-class travel in SJ High-speed trains (second-class calm reservations require an extra fee), and for second-class travel in SJ InterCity or Regional trains.

Seniors can claim a 10% discount on SJ 30-day cards. Students and youths (aged 16-25) get a 15% discount on the SJ 30-day card, valid for travel in second class.

Reservations for relevant trains (such as express trains) are still required (use the SJ app) but are cost-free. A 30-day card covers seats only in SJ Nattåg trains.

SJ 90-day cards: These cards are available for unlimited travel on high-speed trains between Stockholm and Gothenburg in either first or second class or SJ Nattåg second-class seats.

Other ticket platforms

Resplus
The Resplus system allows passengers to plan and book their whole journey, including local connections, with various operators on a combined ticket. The Samtrafiken website includes downloadable terms and conditions in English. Sellers include SJ, Øresundståg, Norrtåg, Pressbyrån and 7-Eleven stores. The Resrobot web page (see the introduction to the Transport section) is a good planning aid. The Resrobot search link can be used to search and buy tickets.

Movingo
The Movingo second-class ticket purchase is sponsored by Mälardalstrafik, a consortium of the Mälardalen region public transport authorities SL, UL, VL, Östgötatrafiken, Sörmlandstrafiken and Länstrafiken Örebro, as well as parts of the Tåg i Bergslagen and Trosabussen networks.

Movingo is valid on SJ Regional and local transport can be used in the Movingo app or SJ app. Movingo all routes tickets can be used on SJ InterCity trains running on the Linköping-Norrköping-Södertälje Syd-Stockholm-Arlanda-Uppsala-Tierp route.

Movingo 30-day, 90-day and one-year tickets are available and Movingo 5/30 allows five days of 24-hour travel within 30 days (but cannot be used on SJ services). The Movingo 30-day ticket includes almost unlimited travel on all routes in Mälärdalen, including public transport, and costs 3,540kr.

Movingo tickets are also available at the SJ.se app.

Rail passes
Eurail (for non-European residents) or Interrail (for Europeans, including UK residents) Sweden single-country passes are available as Flexi Passes for a set number of travel days per month. Up to two child passes are available free with each adult pass, but need to be carried for validation. Spring 15% discounts are available during March. A third child must carry a youth pass.

The 2025 Sweden Flexi Pass euro prices are shown below, although passes are available in US, Canadian or Australian dollars:

Youth (ages 12 to 27)
three days in a month (first class €184, second class €145),
four days (first class €213, second class €167)
five days (first class €238, second class €188)
six days (first class €262, second class €206)
eight days (first class €303, second class €239)

Adult (ages 28-59)
three days in a month (first class €245, second class €193),
four days (first class €284, second class €223)
five days (first class €317, second class €250)
six days (first class €349, second class €274)
eight days (first class €404, second class €318)

Senior (ages 60 plus)
three days in a month (first class €220, second class €174),
four days (first class €256, second class €201)
five days (first class €286, second class €226)
six days (first class €314, second class €247)
eight days (first class €364, second class €287)

Other rail networks

A range of private rail companies and regional transport networks provide train services on regional lines or as alternatives to SJ services. Some of these journeys (or combinations) also appear as options at SJ.se.

Each of these networks runs a website, but most suggest booking in the associated smartphone apps. Tickets bought using these apps must be activated before departure time to be valid. Passengers should check on rules for bicycles and luggage at each website. 

Øresundståg/Öresundståg: From Østerport station in Copenhagen, the extensive Øresundståg network crosses the Öresund to Malmö, running as far east as Kalmar (via the rail junction at Alvesta) and Karlskrona, and north along Sweden’s west coast to Gothenburg. Rail passes are accepted. There are two comfort classes and seat reservations were expected to be available from spring 2025. Onboard services include toilets and large luggage racks on trains. Pågatågen: Operated by Skanetrafiken, these lines criss-cross the southern province of Skåne, reaching the southern ports as far as Karlshamn and mirroring some Øresundståg routes. Trains also extend into Halland as far north as Halmstad (linking with Øresundståg and Krösatågen) and the rail junction at Hässleholm (where there is a link with Krösatågen trains) and a branch line runs to Markaryd.

Västtågen: These trains, operated by Västtrafik, converge on Gothenburg and run south to Kungsbacka (linking with Øresundståg), north-east to Alingsås and north to Älvängen.

Krösatågen: The Krösatågen network is collectively owned by six regional transport authorities and interlinks southern and south-eastern Sweden with several lines converging on the key rail junctions at Alvesta and Nässjö. These are: Kalmar-Linköping and Västervik-Linköping (both linking with Östgötapendeln), Kalmar-Alvesta via Växjö, Alvesta-Halmstad (linking with Øresundståg), Alvesta-Hässleholm (linking with Pågatågen), Nässjö-Eksjö (linking with Västtågen), Nässjö-Halmstad (linking with Øresundståg and Pågatågen), Nässjö-Vetlanda (linking with Västtågen), Nässjö-Alvesta-Växjö (linking with Øresundståg and Västtågen), Jönköping-Tranås (linking with Östgötapendeln and Västtågen), Jönköping-Växjö (linking with Västtågen and Øresundståg), Växjö-Hässleholm (linking with Øresundståg and Pågatågen) and Emmaboda-Karlskrona (linking with Øresundståg). Direct Växjö-Emmaboda-Kalmar trains shuttle on the main eastern line.

Östgötapendeln: This part of the Östgötatrafiken regional transport network runs on the main north-south line between Norrköping and Tranås (where it links with Krösatågen) via Linköping and Mjölby (where it links with the Tåg i Bergslagen network).

Mälartåg: The six Mälartåg lines encircling the Mälaren lakeland interlink Stockholm, Uppsala, Västerås and Sweden’s central provinces. They are: Norrköping-Nyköping-Stockholm (linking with Östgötapendeln at Norrköping), Linköping-Katrineholm-Eskilstuna-Västerås-Sala-Uppsala (linking with Östgötapendeln at Linköping), Uppsala-Tierp-Gävle, Örebro-Eskilstuna-Stockholm-Arlanda airport-Uppsala (linking with Tåg i Bergslagen at Örebro) and Hallsberg-Katrineholm-Stockholm. A direct Stockholm-Märsta-Uppsala train replaced the former Stockholm-Uppsala commuter train late in 2024.

Wi-fi connections, charging stations and seats with tables are provided. There are some double-deck trains, which accept bicycles (folding only, in bags) on board and travel at up to 200km/h. All trains have good bulky baggage provision. Up to two children aged 6 and under travel free with adults. Movingo tickets are accepted, but no seat bookings are possible.

SL Pendeltåg: The commuter rail network converging on Stockholm serves Uppsala, Arlanda airport, Märsta, Bålsta, Södertälje, Gnesta and Nynäshamn, where a terminal handles Gotland ferries. These interlink with other Storstockholms Lokaltrafik services, including the Stockholm metro, light rail and tram networks and run on common ticketing. Tickets as far as Arlanda and Uppsala, however, require fare supplements.

Tåg i Bergslagen: Four interlinking Tåg i Bergslagen lines – Gävle-Mjölby via Örebro, Gävle-Örebro via Fagersta, Västerås-Ludvika and Sala-Morastrand – cross the provinces of Västmanland, Gästrikland, Dalarna, Närke and Södermanland and extend into Östergötland. Tickets can bought in the SJ app and Eurail and Interrail passes and Movingo tickets are accepted. No seat bookings are available. Onboard services include wi-fi, some snack sales, toilets and good bulky luggage racks.

Värmlandstrafiken: The small Värmland regional network of three lines in central western Sweden uses trains operated by Vy Tåg.

Norrtåg: The northern regions of Sweden are known simply as Norrland. Norrtåg brands the network and Vy Tåg runs the trains in this vast space, interconnecting the small Bothnian cities of Sundsvall, Umeå and Luleå and reaching as far as Storlien near the Norwegian border on the Trondheim line and Kiruna on the line running towards Narvik in northern Norway. Services into Norway on this line are provided by SJ. Onboard services include toilets, snacks and light meals, but there is little provision for bulky baggage. Eurail and Interrail passes are accepted.

SJ Nord: This SJ Norwegian network runs trains into Norway on the Östersund-Åre-Storlien-Trondheim line and several routes within Norway. Trains use an open wi-fi network, but connections could be unreliable in some remote mountain areas. Cafe cars are on the main Trondheim route and regional trains have hot and cold drinks and vending machines for snacks. Tickets are booked in the Entur platform and Interrail and Eurail passes are accepted.

Snälltåget: On cost alone, these daily trains compare very favourably with SJ fares on the Copenhagen-Stockholm route and off-peak fares are especially attractive. Discount offers are available and private compartments or restaurant tables are bookable. Snacks and drinks are available on board. For winter services to Jämtland and Härjedalen and other offers, see the Overnight trains or Cross-border trains sections above.

X-tåget: This branch of the X-trafik transport authority brands the network and from June 2025 VR will run the trains between Gävle and Sundsvall along Sweden’s east coast.

Vy Tåg: The Swedish branch of Vy sells discounted seats for some trains on the Karlstad-Stockholm route and runs some trains on the Luleå-Boden route as Vy Norrtåg.

VR Snabbtåg: The VR Sverige arm of the Finnish national rail corporation is the operator of several Swedish train networks, most prominently the Stockholm-Gothenburg service (formerly MTRX) in competition with SJ, using Swiss X74 trains travelling at up to 200km/h.

Inlandståg: The traditional Inlandsbanan tourist railway from central to northern Sweden has faced survival challenges for 40 years but has been reinvigorated by tourist packages. The classic journey between Mora and Gällivare is organised as a relaxed six-day tour with departures from mid-June to mid-August. But trip versions vary and some begin from Kristinehamn on the shore of Vänern.

Rail stations

Jernhusen owns more than 30 of Sweden's large, medium-sized and junction rail stations and transport hubs and operates more than 130 waiting areas through Svenska Reseterminaler. Cafes, convenience stores and snacks are usual in small cities.

Jernhusen offers wi-fi connections through its "All station guests" portal, provided by Telia. Log in with an email address or by SMS.

Public toilets

Card-operated toilets are a common sight in shopping arcades, transport hubs and other public places. The common costs are 5kr, 10kr or 15kr per visit. Touch or insert a card to the card reader and an electronic voice replies “vänligen vänta” (please wait), while the payment is approved. An audible click means the door is ready to open. Don’t forget to lock after entering.

Occasional toilets demand a text-message code instead.

Luggage storage: Central Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö transport hubs have plenty of lockers, but luggage storage at many Swedish rail stations is limited. Sometimes access to lockers is limited by station opening hours. Left-luggage counters are at the Stockholm and Malmö central stations. Locker users pay the full 25% value-added tax rate on luggage fees.

Speed International, the company with the contract to supply storage space in Swedish transport hubs, offers debit or credit card-operated lockers, for which the travellers pays for the first hour. The traveller collects a receipt showing a code to reopen the locker.

When retrieving the luggage, the traveller pays any outstanding amount, receiving a second receipt. Rates per hour for large or ski lockers in 2024 were 59-79kr per hour (up to 249 or 299kr for 24 hours), for medium-sized lockers 29-49kr per hour (up to 149 or 199kr). Lockers are available for up to seven days. For a list of locations or further details, visit the Speed International website. 

Bus travel

International and interregional buses operate in Sweden, but most bus services from large cities are operated by the regional länstrafik authorities, which are integrated with regional rail and city transit. Luggage storage lockers are available at Stockholm’s Cityterminalen and Gothenburg’s Nils Ericson Terminalen bus stations.

FlixBus: FlixBus, the dominant European bus network, claims more than 100 Swedish destinations as far north as Umeå (9½ hours direct from Stockholm) and has connections with Scandinavian and other European neighbours.

Stockholm-Oslo (7½ hours) and Stockholm-Copenhagen (9-10 hours) buses are regular and direct Stockholm-Gothenburg buses take 6½ hours.

Vy Bus4You: The Vy-operated fleet claims more than 1400 stops in Scandinavia and sells tickets online with selectable seat plans.

Stockholm-Oslo direct buses (bus 850, 7½-8½ hours via Karlstad or Örebro) run daily weekdays and Saturdays, twice on Sundays and three times on Fridays. Other connections require a change at Gothenburg and are considerably more expensive. Stockholm-Gothenburg direct buses (bus 400, 6½-6¾ hours) run three to six times daily most days but more frequent Friday and Sunday services include overnight trips.

Gothenburg-Copenhagen direct buses (bus 600, 4¼ hours via Helsingborg and Malmö) runs four or five times daily and may use Gothenburg’s Åkareplatsen stop.

Vy Flygbussarna: Vy’s airport coaches connect Arlanda airport with central Stockholm’s Cityterminalen, Bromma with Cityterminalen, Landvetter with Gothenburg’s Nils Ericson Terminalen, Malmö’s Sturup airport with the city centre, Västerås airport with central Stockholm, Nyköping’s Stockholm Skavsta airport with central Stockholm and Visby’s airport with the town centre. The Flygbussarna website has details of other stops and offers tickets.

Ybuss: Ybuss travels north-south along Sweden’s Bothnian coast from Stockholm’s Cityterminalen as far as Umeå (about 7½ hours) and Sollefteå, with stops including Arlanda airport, at Gränby near Uppsala, Gävle, Hudiksvall, Sundsvall and Örnsköldsvik. Journeys take place on Fridays and Sundays. 

Car & motorbike

Swedish motorists drive on the right with signs and rules following wider European conventions. The minimum driving age is 18. Drivers from outside Europe should carry an international permit.

Speed zones are signed, but limits in built-up areas are between 60km/h and 100km/h. On motorways the limit is 120km/h. The drink-driving law is strict. The blood-alcohol limit for all drivers is 0.02%.

Standard fines for minor infringements start at 4,000kr. Cars should be covered by third-party insurance recognised in Sweden.

Toll roads include the road on Öresundsbron, the long bridge between Sweden and Denmark. The early 2025 price for ordinary passenger cars is 460 Danish kronor, motorcycles 235kr. Have valid identification documents ready for checking.

Seat belts are compulsory for drivers and passengers and helmets for motorcyclists and riders of other two-wheeled vehicles.

Special warnings: The presence of elk or moose (both referred to as älg) around remote northern roadways demands care. These native animals are present in large numbers – more than 300,000 – and are often not quick to clear the roadway. 

Bicycles on transport

Bicycles and electric or manual scooters can be carried free on SJ trains (see above). For details of carriage on privately operated trains, check the relevant operator sections.

Air travel

Stockholm’s Arlanda airport (ARN, between Stockholm and Uppsala) is the chief international hub.

Gothenburg’s Landvetter and Malmö’s Sturup accept European flights, but there are also useful air services to Luleå and Visby. Bromma airport is a secondary option for Stockholm passengers. For more details on links, visit the Swedavia website.

Speed International luggage lockers (see Rail stations above) are available at the Arlanda, Landvetter and Sturup airports.

Ferry travel

Cruise ferries in the Baltic Sea are important connections for travellers between Sweden and other parts of Europe. Competition is intense on the chief routes.

To/from Denmark: Stena Line sails between Gothenburg and Frederikshavn (3¼-3½ hours)
three or four times a day and between Halmstad and Grena/Grenå (4½ hours) 10 times a week.

To/from Finland & Åland: Viking Line and Tallink Silja Line operate on multiple Sweden-Finland routes. Viking Line sails between Stockholm and Helsinki (17¾ hours) six times a week, and between Stockholm and Turku (11 hours) 13 times a week. There are also seven weekly Stockholm-Langnäs (Åland, 6¼ hours) services and 17 Stockholm-Mariehamn (5¾ hours) services a week.

Tallink Silja sails between Stockholm and Helsinki (18 hours) seven times a week, between Stockholm and Turku/Åbo (about 11 hours) six times a week, between Stockholm and Mariehamn on Åland (6 hours) twice daily, and between Stockholm and Langnäs (just over 9 hours) weekly.

Finnlines sails Kapellskär-Langnäs (3¼ hours) 13 times a week and Kapellskär-Naantali/Nådendal (8½ hours) 13 times a week. Eckerö Linjen sails between Grisslehamn and Eckerö (Åland, 2 hours) three times daily. Viking Line has a twice-weekly Mariehamn-Visby (12½ hours) service.

To/from Germany: Finnlines sails between Travemünde, near Lübeck, and Malmö (9 hours) 18 times a week. Stena Line sails Gothenburg-Kiel (14½ hours) seven times a week and between Trelleborg and Rostock (6 hours) three times a day.

TT-Line sails Trelleborg-Rostock (6½ hours) three times daily, Trelleborg-Travemünde (8¾ hours) three times a day and Karlshamn-Travemünde (16¼ hours) twice a week.

To/from Poland: Finnlines sails between Malmö and Świnoujście (9 hours) seven times weekly. TT-Line sails the Trelleborg-Travemünde route (8¾ hours) two to four times a day and the Trelleborg-Świnoujście route (7 hours) 11 times a week. Stena Line sails between Karlskrona and Gdynia, near Gdańsk (10 hours) twice daily.

To/from Estonia: Tallink Silja Line sails between Stockholm and Tallinn (16¼ hours) three times weekly. It also sails between Kapellskär and Paldiski/Rågervik (10 hours) five times a week and DFDS operates five weekly services on the same route. Viking Line sails Stockholm-Tallinn (20¼ hours) seven times a week.

To/from Lithuania: DFDS sails between Karlshamn and Klaipėda (13½ hours) six times a week. TT-Line sails Trelleborg-Klaipėda (22 hours) twice weekly.

To/from Gotland: Destination Gotland sails between Nynäshamn, south of Stockholm, and Visby (3¼ hours) twice daily and between Oskarshamn and Visby six times a week. Viking Line has twice-weekly services between Stockholm and Visby (20½ hours).

Urban transport

Buses and bicycles are the staple Swedish public transport mode in most cities and towns. Only Stockholm, Gothenburg and Norrköping offer substantial alternative networks.

Metro rail: Stockholm’s tunnelbana (T-bana) system is the key rapid-transit mode and its three networks (red, green and blue) reach out into 11 branches. These converge at T-centralen under Stockholm’s central station.

Gothenburg’s limited metro has limited capacity, which will be extended by the construction of a western underground link.

Bus: Always enter public buses at the forward door. Seat belts are fitted on public buses and blinking onboard signs indicate that all passengers should use them, but compliance seems to be the exception.

Some public bus systems are made easier to use by the ability to tap a card at a scanner window beside the driver. In small towns bus drivers sometimes sell tickets onboard.

Tram & light rail: Several tram and light-rail lines operate in parts of Stockholm, but the most extensive tram network is Gothenburg’s blue trams, which form the basis of the inner-urban network. Norrköping has three lines and Lund has a single line with nine stops only.

Ferries: These are useful in the Stockholm and Gothenburg public transport networks, which are shaped by archipelago formations. Gothenburg has three commuter ferry routes, Stockholm five.

Bicycles & electric scooters: These are part of the communal transport systems of most Swedish cities, with hubs in public places and at rail stations.