I want to go from Stockholm to...

This page explains how to travel by train or ferry from Stockholm to other key European cities, and how to buy tickets the cheapest way. Information current for 2024.

Before you buy your tickets

Take a moment to read these tips for buying European train tickets. It answers all the usual questions, "Must I book in advance or can I buy at the station?", "Can I stop off?", "Are there Senior fares?" and that old favourite, "Should I buy an $800 railpass or a €35 point-to-point ticket?". How far ahead can you buy train tickets?

European train travel FAQ

An introduction to European train travel	Senior fares (over 60)	Guide to Eurail passes (overseas visitors)
Important tips for buying European train tickets	Youth fares (under 26)	Guide to Interrail passes (for Europeans)
How to check European train times	Child fares & child age limits	Couchettes & sleepers on night trains
Do I need to book in advance?	Luggage on European trains	Train seat numbering plans
How far ahead can I book?	Luggage storage at stations	Wheelchairs & special needs
Can I stop off on the way?	Taking a bike by train	Real-time service updates
Should I travel 1st or 2nd class?	Taking a car by train	Hotels & accommodation
How long to allow for connections?	Taking dogs & pets by train	Changing stations in Paris by metro or taxi
How early to arrive at the station?	Maps of the European rail network	What to do when things go wrong...

Stockholm to Gothenburg, Malmö & other destinations in Sweden

Most Swedish trains are run by national operator SJ, which originally stood for Statens Järnvägar or Swedish State Railways. However, private operators MTRX and Flixtrain now compete with SJ on the premier Stockholm-Gothenburg route and Snälltåget competes between Stockholm Central & Malmö Central. Some sleeper trains to northern Sweden have been outsourced to Vy (formerly NSB, Norwegian State Railways).
Seat reservation is compulsory for almost all Swedish long-distance trains, and SJ has airline-style dynamic pricing so book in advance for the cheaper fares, more expensive fares apply if you buy on the day of travel.
You can check Swedish train times and buy tickets at the following websites:
- Omio.com which links directly to the SJ (Swedish Railways) ticketing system, same prices as SJ, quick & easy to use, small booking fee, readily accepts overseas credit cards no problem, you can pay in various currencies including Swedish Kr, £, € and $. Can also sell MTRX trains, but not Flixtrain.

- SJ's own site www.sj.se, you pay in Swedish Krona, no booking fee, you can usually choose a specific seat from a seating plan, but it can sometimes be fussy with overseas credit cards. For advice on using sj.se, see here.

Whichever site you buy from, You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Booking doesn't open a set number of days ahead: SJ releases tickets in blocks 4 times a year, for example in early December for the period from early April to mid-June, in early April for the period from mid-June to mid-August and in mid-May for the mid-August to mid-December. The exact dates are shown on www.sj.se on their FAQ page.
You can also try Swedish booking site www.snalltaget.se or call SJ telesales on +46 771 75 75 75 (there's a phone menu option for English).

Stockholm to Gothenburg: SJ or VR?

SJ (Swedish Railways) operate their fast X2000 & SJ3000 trains on this premier route, usually leaving every hour taking 3h01.

More about SJ's X2000 trains. Check times & buy tickets at either Omio.com (small booking fee, happily accepts overseas credit cards, you can pay in Swedish Kr, £, € or $) or www.sj.se (in Swedish Krona, no booking fee, you can usually choose a specific seat from a seating plan, but it can sometimes be fussy with overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).

VR (Finnish Railways, vrresa.se/en) competes with SJ on this route. Private company MTRX started this service in 2015, they were acquired by VR (Finnish Railways) in 2024 and the service has now been rebranded. VR offers half a dozen daily Stockholm-Gothenburg departures taking 3h18. Standard class offers fixed or flexible fares. In 1 Klass Plus (1st class) the seats are identical but you get a complimentary light meal, tea & coffee and access to a lounge at Stockholm Central. Both classes offer free WiFi. If you use Omio.com it lists both SJ and VR/MTRX trains, you can buy tickets for either operator in SEK, £, €, $, small booking fee.
Flixtrain no longer operates. Flixtrain started low-cost train services between Stockholm & Gothenburg in 2021, but all services were withdrawn in April 2024 and Flixtrain has now quit Sweden. You should use SJ or VR instead.


On board an MTRX train to Gothenburg.		An MTRX train at Gothenburg. Courtesy of Staffan Rosvall.

Stockholm to Malmö: SJ or Snälltåget?

SJ (Swedish Railways) operate their fast X2000 trains between Stockholm Central & Malmö Central, trains leave roughly hourly taking around 4h26.

More about SJ's X2000 trains. Check times & buy tickets at either Omio.com (small booking fee, happily accepts overseas credit cards, you can pay in Swedish Kr, £, € or $) or www.sj.se (in Swedish Krona, no booking fee, you can usually choose a specific seat from a seating plan, but it can sometimes be fussy with overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).

Snälltåget operates a couple of Stockholm-Malmö trains per day, www.snalltaget.se, it can also be booked at Omio.com.

Snalltaget train to Stockholm at Malmo Central station

A Snälltåget train to Stockholm at Malmö Central station.


Snälltåget's excellent restaurant car, called the Krogen.		Seating on a Snälltåget train to Malmö.

Stockholm to London

See the London-Sweden page for train travel between Sweden & the UK in either direction.

Stockholm to Paris

Option 1, Stockholm to Paris using the Stockholm-Hamburg sleeper train

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg by SJ sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 17:34, arriving Hamburg Hbf 06:00 (09:00 Sundays).
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Stockholm & Malmö selling meals, snacks, beer & wine. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

Book at SJ's website www.sj.se.

Booking opens several months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Paris by train, leaving Hamburg Hbf 08:24, change at Mannheim, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 16:52.

On Sundays when the sleeper arrives later, leave Hamburg Hbf at 11:24, change at Karlsruhe, arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 20:43.

You travel from Hamburg to Mannheim by superb ICE with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Mannheim to Paris by impressive double-deck TGV Duplex with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Tip: Allow at least 1 hour between trains in Hamburg when connecting out of the sleeper, ideally more.

Tip: I recommend travelling via Mannheim rather than using Eurostar (formerly Thalys) from Cologne to Paris, because via Mannheim you get a through ticket with cast-iron passenger rights that protect you in the event of a missed connection in Mannheim. And it's usually cheaper.

Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

Hamburg-StockholmSJ EuroNight at Hamburg Altona

6-berth couchette on the Hamburg-Stockholm SJ night train

Step 1, Stockholm to Hamburg by sleeper. This is the inaugural Hamburg-Stockholm train at Hamburg Altona on 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure. More about this train.

6-berth couchettes.

Larger photo.


2-bed sleeper. Larger photo.		The inaugural train from Hamburg to Stockholm calls at Padborg, just after entering Denmark.

Step 2, Hamburg to Paris by ICE & TGV Duplex. This is a TGV Duplex at Paris Est. More about TGV Duplex.


Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.		2nd class seats on upper deck. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.


1st class upper deck seats, club duo on the left, club quatre on the right. 360º photo.		A TGV Duplex. The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.

Option 2, Stockholm to Paris using the Hamburg-Karlsruhe Nightjet sleeper train

Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg leaving Stockholm Central at 09:22, change at Copenhagen, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:04.

You travel from Stockholm to Copenhagen by 200 km/h X2000 train with bistro, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, using the impressive Öresund fixed link between Sweden & Denmark. You then travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by comfortable EuroCity train,

Fares start at €56.90 2nd class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you see no cheap prices, split the booking: Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at sj.se or Omio.com, then Copenhagen-Hamburg at int.bahn.de.

Day 1, travel from Hamburg to Karlsruhe by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 22:07 and arriving Karlsruhe Hbf at 06:02.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two double-deck sleeping-cars with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, 1 or 2 berth deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, single deck sleeper with 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin and 1, 2 & 3 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, and couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments. More about Nightjet trains.

Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €69.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €89.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this sleeper train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead and you print your own ticket.

Day 2, travel from Karlsruhe to Paris by high-speed TGV Duplex, leaving Karlsruhe Hbf at 07:32 Mondays-Saturdays arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 10:13. On Sundays, you leave Karlsruhe Hbf at 08:06 arriving Paris Est at 10:38.
The train has 1st & 2nd class seats and a cafe-bar. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views. You've time for breakfast in Karlsruhe between trains.
Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

Step 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.

1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.

2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.

Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

Step 2, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Intercity train. From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

1st class seats are in 6-seat compartments.

2nd class is open-plan.

Step 3, Hamburg to Karlsruhe by Nightjet. More about Nightjets. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.

2-berth sleeper on the lower deck.

Stairs down to pair of lower compartments.

1 or 2-bed sleeper on lower deck with washbasin, viewed through window. Set up as 1-bed. Note how compact the compartment is.

Nightjet couchette car.

6-berth couchettes.

4-berth couchettes.

Step 4, Karlsruhe to Paris by TGV Duplex. More about TGV Duplex.

Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved hot dishes.

2nd class seats on upper deck. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating. 360º photo.

1st class upper deck seats, club duo on the left, club quatre on the right. 360º photo.

A TGV Duplex. The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.

Option 3, Stockholm to Paris with overnight stop in Hamburg

Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Paris by comfortable daytime trains, for example leaving Hamburg Hbf by ICE at 08:24, change at Mannheim onto a TGV Duplex arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 16:52. There are earlier or later journeys, check online for your date of travel.

ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. TGV Duplex have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi

Fares start at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Step 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.


1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.


Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

Step 2, Copenhagen to Hamburg by Intercity train. From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

1st class seats are in 6-seat compartments.

2nd class is open-plan.

TGV Duplex from Paris Gare de l'Est to Stuttgart & Munich

Step 3, Hamburg to Paris by ICE & TGV Duplex. Pictured above, a TGV Duplex at Paris Est. These impressive 320 km/h double-deck trains have 1st & 2nd class & cafe-bar.


Cafe-bar on upper deck in car 4 (or 14), serving tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, snacks & microwaved dishes.		2nd class seats, this is upper deck seating. There's a mix or tables for 4 and unidirectional seating.


1st class upper deck, a club duo on the left, a club quatre on the right.		A TGV Duplex. The 1 next to the door indicates 1st class, a 2 indicates 2nd class.

Stockholm to Brussels or Bruges from €69.90

Option 1, Stockholm to Brussels using the Stockholm-Hamburg sleeper train.

Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg by sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 17:34 arriving Hamburg Hbf 06:00 (09:00 Sundays)
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Stockholm & Malmö selling meals, snacks, beer & wine. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

Book tickets at SJ's website www.sj.se.

Booking opens several months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Brussels, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:45, change at Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 15:35.

On Sundays when the sleeper arrives later, leave Hamburg Hbf at 10:45, change at Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 17:35.

You travel on comfortable ICE trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Tip: Allow at least 1 hour between trains in Hamburg when connecting out of the sleeper, ideally more.

Tip: An earlier arrival is possible using Eurostar (formerly Thalys) between Cologne & Brussels, but using the service shown gets you a cheaper price and a through ticket with cast-iron passenger rights in the event of a delay and missed connection in Cologne.

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

Step 1, Stockholm to Hamburg by sleeper. This is the inaugural Hamburg-Stockholm train at Hamburg Altona, 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure. More about this train.

6-berth couchettes.

Larger photo.


2-bed sleeper. Larger photo.		The inaugural train from Hamburg to Stockholm calls at Padborg, just after entering Denmark.

Step 2, Hamburg to Cologne to Brussels by ICE. More about ICE trains. Above, an ICE3neo at Brussels Midi. Photo courtesy of Christian Hunt.


The restaurant car. See current month's menu.		1st class seats on an ICE3neo. Larger photo.


2nd class seats on an ICE3neo. Larger photo.		Lunch: I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

Option 2, Stockholm to Brussels with overnight stop in Hamburg, from €69.90

Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg leaving Stockholm Central at 09:22, change at Copenhagen, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:04.

You travel from Stockholm to Copenhagen by 200 km/h X2000 train with bistro, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, using the impressive Öresund fixed link between Sweden & Denmark. You then travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by comfortable EuroCity train,
Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Brussels by train:

Leave Hamburg Hbf at 06:45, change Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi at 13:35.

Leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:45, change Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi at 15:35.

Leave Hamburg Hbf at 10:45, change Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi at 17:35.

You travel from Hamburg to Cologne by ICE4 and Cologne to Brussels by ICE3, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm to Brussels starts at €69.90 with a German Railways Sparpreis ticket.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets

Book from Stockholm to Brussels at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg Hbf with length of stay (say) 12:00 hours.

To get a later morning train from Hamburg to Brussels, increase the length of stay, to get an earlier one, shorten it.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you see no cheap prices, split the booking: Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at www.sj.se or Omio.com, Copenhagen-Hamburg at int.bahn.de then Hamburg to Brussels at int.bahn.de.

Option 3, Stockholm to Brussels with overnight stop in Copenhagen, from €59.90

Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Copenhagen by X2000, leaving Stockholm Central at 16:11, arriving Copenhagen 21:25.

By all means book an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Copenhagen. The X2000 train has a bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It uses the impressive Öresund fixed link between Sweden & Denmark.

Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).
Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Brussels, leaving Copenhagen at 07:26, change Hamburg Hbf & Cologne Hbf, arriving Brussels Midi 19:35.

You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train with refreshments, power sockets at all seats. You travel from Hamburg to Cologne by ICE4 and Cologne to Brussels by ICE3, with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm to Brussels starts at €69.90 with a German Railways Sparpreis ticket.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets

Book from Stockholm to Brussels at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

To get the overnight stop in Copenhagen, click Stopovers and enter Copenhagen with length of stay of (say) 09:00 hours.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you see no cheap prices, split the booking. Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at sj.se or Omio.com, then Copenhagen-Brussels at int.bahn.de.

Step 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.


1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.


Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.


1st class seats are in 6-seat compartments.		2nd class is open-plan.

Step 3, Hamburg to Cologne & Cologne to Brussels by ICE. This is an ICE3neo at Brussels Midi with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about ICE trains. Photo courtesy of Christian Hunt.


The restaurant car. See current month's menu.		1st class seats on an ICE3neo. Larger photo.


.2nd class seats on an ICE3neo. Larger photo.		Lunch and a beer.

Stockholm to Amsterdam

Option 1, Stockholm to Amsterdam using the Stockholm-Hamburg sleeper train, daily all year.

Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg by SJ sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 17:34, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 06:00 (09:00 Sundays).
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Stockholm & Malmö selling meals, snacks, beer & wine. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

Book this train at SJ's website www.sj.se.

Booking opens several months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Amsterdam, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:45, change at Osnabrück, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 14:00.

On Sundays when the sleeper arrives later, leave Hamburg Hbf 10:45, change at Osnabrück arriving Amsterdam Centraal 16:00.

You travel from Hamburg to Osnabrück by ICE4 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then by Intercity train with power sockets at all seats & refreshments trolley.

Tip: Allow at least 1 hour between trains in Hamburg when connecting out of the sleeper, ideally more.

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

Step 1, Stockholm to Hamburg by sleeper. This is the inaugural Hamburg-Stockholm train at Hamburg Altona, 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure. More about this train.

6-berth couchettes.

Larger photo.


2-bed sleeper. Larger photo.		The inaugural train from Hamburg to Stockholm calls at Padborg, just after entering Denmark.

Step 2, Hamburg to Osnabrück by ICE4. These come with a waiter-service restaurant car, cafe counter, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about ICEs.


1st class on an ICE4.		Restaurant car on an ICE4. Sample menu.


Bar counter at the other end of the kitchen.		2nd class seats on an ICE4.

Step 3, Osnabrück to Amsterdam by Intercity train, seen here arrived at Amsterdam Centraal. Power sockets at all seats and a refreshment trolley. More about these Intercity trains.


1st class seats are in 6-seat compartments.		2nd class is open-plan.

Option 2, Stockholm to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Hamburg, from €56.90

Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Amsterdam with one easy change at Osnabrück:

Leave Hamburg Hbf at 06:45, change at Osnabrück, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 12:00.

Leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:45, change at Osnabrück, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 14:00.

Leave Hamburg Hbf at 10:45, change at Osnabrück, arriving Amsterdam Centraal 16:00.

You travel from Hamburg to Osnabrück by ICE4 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Osnabrück to Amsterdam by Intercity train with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm to Amsterdam starts at €56.90 with a German Railways Sparpreis ticket.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets

Book from Stockholm to Amsterdam at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 11:00. To get a later morning train from Hamburg to Amsterdam, increase the length of stay, to get the earlier one, shorten it.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you see no cheap prices, split the booking: Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at www.sj.se or Omio.com, then Copenhagen-Hamburg at int.bahn.de, then Hamburg to Amsterdam at int.bahn.de.

Option 3, Stockholm to Amsterdam with overnight stop in Copenhagen, from €56.90

Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Copenhagen by X2000, leaving Stockholm Central at 15:21 arriving Copenhagen 20:33.

Later departures are possible with a change at Lund or Malmö Central. Or book an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Copenhagen.

The X2000 train has a bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It uses the impressive Öresund fixed link between Sweden & Denmark.

Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).
Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Amsterdam by train in a single day, leaving Copenhagen at 07:26, change Hamburg Hbf & Osnabruck, arriving Amsterdam Centraal at 18:00.

Or have a leisurely breakfast and take the later 09:26 departure, change at Hamburg & Osnabrück, arriving Amsterdam 20:00.

You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, Hamburg to Osnabruck by ICE4 with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, then Osnabruck to Amsterdam by Intercity train with power sockets at all seats & refreshment trolley.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm to Amsterdam starts at €56.90 with a German Railways Sparpreis fare.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets

Book from Stockholm to Amsterdam at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

To get the overnight stop in Copenhagen, click Stopovers and enter Copenhagen with a length of stay of (say) 09:00. Look in the search results for the option with fewest changes.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you see no cheap prices, split the booking. Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at www.sj.se or Omio.com, then Copenhagen-Amsterdam at int.bahn.de.

Step 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.


1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.


Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.


1st class seats are in 6-seat compartments.		2nd class is open-plan.

Step 3, Hamburg to Osnabruck by ICE4. These come with a waiter-service restaurant car, cafe counter, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about ICEs.


1st class on an ICE4.		Restaurant car on an ICE4. Sample menu.


Bar counter at the other end of the kitchen.		2nd class seats on an ICE4.

Step 4, Osnabrück to Amsterdam by Intercity train, seen here arrived at Amsterdam Centraal. Power sockets at all seats and a refreshment trolley. More about these Intercity trains.


1st class seats are in 6-seat compartments.		2nd class is open-plan.

Stockholm to Luxembourg

Option 1, Stockholm to Luxembourg using the Stockholm-Hamburg sleeper train, daily all year

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg by SJ sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 17:34 arriving Hamburg Hbf 06:00 (09:00 Sundays).
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Stockholm & Malmö selling meals, snacks, beer & wine. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

Book tickets at SJ's website www.sj.se.

Booking opens several months ahead, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.
Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Luxembourg, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 07:54, change at Cologne Hbf & Koblenz, arriving Luxembourg 16:23.

On Sundays when the sleeper arrives later, leave Hamburg Hbf 10:45, change at Cologne Hbf & Koblenz, arriving Luxembourg 19:23.

You travel on a comfortable ICE trains with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi to Cologne and on to Koblenz, then by regional train. Enjoy the ride along the Moselle valley from Koblenz to Luxembourg.

Allow at least 1 hour between trains in Hamburg when connecting out of the sleeper, ideally more.

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Before running the enquiry, I'd change Transfer time from normal to 20 minutes.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train in Hamburg on 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure. More about this train.

6-berth couchettes.

Larger photo.


*2-bed sleeper. Larger photo.*		Inaugural Hamburg-Stockholm train at Padborg.

Option 2, Stockholm to Luxembourg with overnight stop in Hamburg, from €69.90

Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Luxembourg, for example leaving Hamburg Hbf at 06:45, change at Koblenz, arriving Luxembourg at 14:23. But by all means take a later train.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm to Luxembourg starts at €69.90 with a German Railways Sparpreis fare.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets

Book from Stockholm to Luxembourg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 11:00 hours.

To get a later morning train from Hamburg to Luxembourg, increase the length of stay, to get an earlier one, shorten it.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you see no cheap prices, split the booking. Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at www.sj.se or Omio.com, Copenhagen-Hamburg at int.bahn.de then Hamburg-Luxembourg at int.bahn.de.

Step 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.


1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.


Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.


1st class seats are in 6-seat compartments.		2nd class is open-plan.

Double-deck train between Koblenz, Trier & Luxembourg

Step 3, Hamburg to Koblenz by Intercity train, Koblenz to Luxembourg by double deck regional train. This is a CFL double-decker at Luxembourg.


1st class on the upper deck. Larger photo.		2nd class on the upper deck. Larger photo.

Scenery along the Moselle between Koblenz & Luxembourg in the morning sun, the mists still clearing. For the best river views, sit on the left hand side going west from Koblenz.

Option 3, Stockholm to Luxembourg with overnight stop in Copenhagen, from €59.90

Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Copenhagen by X2000, leaving Stockholm Central at 15:21 arriving Copenhagen 20:33.

Later departures are possible with a change at Lund or Malmö Central. Or book an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Copenhagen.

The X2000 train has a bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It uses the impressive Öresund fixed link between Sweden & Denmark.

Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).
Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Luxembourg, leaving Copenhagen at 07:26, change at Hamburg Hbf, Essen & Koblenz, arriving Luxembourg 21:29.

Times may vary. You travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, Hamburg to Essen to Koblenz by ICE or Intercity train, then Koblenz to Luxembourg along the Moselle valley by double-deck regional train.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm to Luxembourg starts at €69.90 with a German Railways Sparpreis fare.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets

Book from Stockholm to Luxembourg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

To get the overnight stop in Copenhagen, click Stopovers and enter Copenhagen with a length of stay of (say) 09:00 hours.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you see no cheap prices, split the booking. Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at www.sj.se or Omio.com, then Copenhagen-Luxembourg at int.bahn.de.

Stockholm to Basel, Zurich & Switzerland from €66

Option 1, Stockholm to Switzerland using the Stockholm-Hamburg sleeper train

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg by SJ sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 17:34 arriving Hamburg Hbf 06:00 (09:00 Sundays).
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Stockholm & Malmö selling meals, snacks, beer & wine. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

Book tickets at SJ's website www.sj.se.

Booking opens several months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Switzerland by train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:24, arriving Basel SBB 15:47.

On Sundays when the sleeper arrives later, leave Hamburg Hbf at 11:24, arriving Basel SBB 18:55.

This is a comfortable ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Exact times may vary, allow at least 1 hour between trains in Hamburg when connecting out of the sleeper, ideally more. Change in Basel for destinations all over Switzerland.

Fares start at €35.90 in 2nd class or €56.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book from Hamburg to anywhere in Switzerland at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train in Hamburg on 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure. More about this train.

6-berth couchettes.
Larger photo.

2-bed sleeper. Larger photo.

Inaugural Hamburg-Stockholm train at Padborg.

Option 2, Stockholm to Italy using the Hamburg-Zurich sleeper - time-effective & scenic.

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg leaving Stockholm Central at 09:22, change at Copenhagen, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 20:04.

You travel from Stockholm to Copenhagen by 200 km/h X2000 train with bistro, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, using the impressive Öresund fixed link between Sweden & Denmark. You then travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by comfortable EuroCity train,

Fares start at €56.90 2nd class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you see no cheap prices, split the booking: Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at sj.se or Omio.com, then Copenhagen-Hamburg at int.bahn.de.

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Switzerland by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 22:07, arriving Basel SBB 08:20 & Zurich HB 10:05.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned double-deck sleeping-cars (1 & 2 bed compartments with washbasin, 1 & 2 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, plus a few 3-berth compartments with washbasin), couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments & ordinary seats. The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee in the morning. More about Nightjets.

Change at Basel SBB for Bern, Luzern, Lausanne, Montreux, Geneva, Zermatt. Change at Zurich HB for Chur & St Moritz.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €79.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Step 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.


1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.


Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

1st class comparment on a Berlin to Amsterdam train

1st class 6-seat compartment on a Berlin to Amsterdam train

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.

Double-deck sleeping-car on a Nightjet at Zurich

Step 3, Hamburg to Basel or Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train. This is a double-deck sleeping-car arrived at Zurich HB. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.


2-berth sleeper on the lower deck.		Stairs down to pair of lower compartments.		1 or 2-bed sleeper on lower deck with washbasin, viewed through window. Set up as 1-bed. Note how compact the compartment is.


Couchette car.		6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.

Option 3, Stockholm to Switzerland with overnight stop in Hamburg

Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to anywhere in Switzerland, check times at int.bahn.de.

For example, a direct ICE train usually leaves Hamburg Hbf at 08:24 arriving Basel SBB 15:47, but times vary.

ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. Change at Basel for anywhere in Switzerland.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm to Hamburg starts at €56.90 with a German Railways Sparpreis fare.

Hamburg to destinations in Switzerland starts at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

Bought as a through ticket, Stockholm to destinations in Switzerland starts at €79.90.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets

Step 1, use the German Railways website int.bahn.de to book Stockholm to Hamburg on day 1, looking for a convenient 1-change option.

Step 2, now use int.bahn.de again to book from Hamburg Hbf to anywhere in Switzerland on day 2.

You can also book from Stockholm to Switzerland in one go, and a through ticket may be cheaper. To get the overnight stop in Hamburg, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg Hbf with a suitable length of stay, say 12 hours. Adjust the departure time & length of stay until you get the trains you want either side of Hamburg with a Sparpreis fare shown. However, you may not find any 1st class fares this way.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you see no cheap prices or want to go 1st class, split the booking. Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at www.sj.se or Omio.com, Copenhagen-Hamburg at int.bahn.de, then Hamburg-Switzerland at int.bahn.de.

Step 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.


1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.


Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

Step 2, Copenhagen to Copenhagen by Intercity train. From June 2023, these trains are temporarily being operated by former German Railways intercity cars and a Danish electric locomotive, until new trains being built by Talgo arrive in 2024. The current trains have 1st & 2nd class, power sockets at seats, but no catering so bring your own food & drink. More about the Hamburg-Copenhagen journey.

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.

Step 3, Hamburg to Switzerland by ICE. This is an ICE4 at Hamburg Altona, most Hamburg-Switzerland ICEs are now ICE4. Click on the interior images below for larger photos.


1st class on an ICE4.		Restaurant car. See current month's menu


The bar counter, other end of the restaurant car.		2nd class seats on an ICE4.

Option 4, Stockholm to Switzerland with overnight stop In Copenhagen

Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Copenhagen by X2000, leaving Stockholm Central at 15:21 arriving Copenhagen 20:33.

Later departures are possible with a change at Lund or Malmö Central. Or book an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Copenhagen.

The X2000 train has a bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It uses the impressive Öresund fixed link between Sweden & Denmark.

Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).
Day 2, take a comfortable EuroCity train from Copenhagen to Hamburg and an ICE train to Switzerland.

For example, the 07:26 from Copenhagen will get you to Basel SBB around 19:47 or to Zurich HB around 22:00.

There's also an 09:26 departure if you prefer. Change in Basel for other destinations in Switzerland.

The EuroCity train has a refreshment trolley, ICE trains have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm to Switzerland starts at €56.90 with a German Railways Sparpreis fare.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

Go to the German Railways website int.bahn.de and book from Stockholm to your Swiss destination.

To get the overnight stop in Copenhagen, click Stopovers, enter Copenhagen and a suitable length of stay, say 12 hours. Adjust the departure time & length of stay until you get the trains you want either side of Copenhagen with a Sparpreis fare shown.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you see no cheap prices or want to go 1st class, split the booking. Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at www.sj.se or Omio.com, then Copenhagen-Switzerland at int.bahn.de.

Stockholm to Venice, Florence, Rome, Milan & Italy

Option 1, Stockholm to Milan using the Stockholm-Hamburg sleeper train, daily all year.

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg by SJ sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 17:34 arriving Hamburg Hbf 06:00 (09:00 Sundays).
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Stockholm & Malmö selling meals, snacks, beer & wine. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

Book this at the Swedish Railways website www.sj.se.

Booking opens several months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Basel by ICE train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:24 and arriving Basel SBB at 15:47.

On Sundays when the sleeper arrives later, there's no connection that will get you to Italy the same day.

This is a comfortable ICE train with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

Step 3, travel from Basel to Milan by EuroCity train, leaving Basel SBB at 17:28 and arriving Milan Centrale at 21:40.
The EuroCity train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In summer when it's light there is superb scenery through the lakes & mountains of Switzerland, see the scenery photos here.
Fares start at €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
Buy tickets at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee).
Booking opens up to 4 months head. It's ticketless, you print your booking reference or show it on your phone.
Stay overnight in Milan and take onward trains to Venice, Florence, Rome or Naples next morning.

The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train in Hamburg on 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure. More about this train.

6-berth couchettes.
Larger photo.

2-bed sleeper. Larger photo.

Inaugural Hamburg-Stockholm train at Padborg.

Option 2, Stockholm to Italy with overnight stop in Hamburg

Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Milan by train through the Alps. There are various options, check times for your date at int.bahn.de.

For example, an ICE train leaves Hamburg Hbf at 08:24 arriving Basel SBB at 15:47, change onto the 17:28 EuroCity train with restaurant car through the Alps to Milan, arriving at the magnificent Milan Centrale at 21:40.

Stay overnight in Milan, continue to Venice, Rome, Naples next day. Check times at www.trenitalia.com.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm to Hamburg starts at €56.90 with a German Railways Sparpreis fare.

Hamburg to Basel starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

Basel to Milan starts at €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead for Stockholm-Hamburg-Basel, up to 4 months ahead for Basel-Italy.

Step 1, go to int.bahn.de and book from Stockholm to Hamburg on day 1, looking for a convenient option with 1 change.

Step 2, use int.bahn.de again to book from Hamburg to Basel on day 2. Look for an option with 0 changes. You print your own ticket.

Step 3, use www.italiarail.com, www.thetrainline.com, www.raileurope.com or www.trenitalia.com to book from Zurich to Milan. Allow at least 45 minutes in Basel between trains. www.italiarail.com lets you select your seat from a seat map & will refund its booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com.

Step 4, use www.italiarail.com, www.thetrainline.com, www.raileurope.com or www.trenitalia.com again to book from Milan to anywhere in Italy.

Step 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.


1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.


Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.

Step 3, Hamburg to Switzerland by ICE. This is an ICE4 arrived at Zurich HB, most Hamburg-Switzerland ICEs are now ICE4. Click on the interior images below for larger photos.


1st class on an ICE4.		Restaurant car. See current month's menu


The bar counter, other end of the restaurant car.		2nd class seats on an ICE4.

EuroCity train from Zurich to Milan at Zurich HB

Step 4, Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train. This is an SBB Giruno train about to leave Zurich HB. More about Zurich-Milan EuroCity trains.


Giruno, 1st class. Larger photo.		Restaurant car with bar counter. Larger photo.


Giruno 2nd class. Larger photo		Level boarding. Note the destination screen in the door.

Lake Lugano, seen from a Milan to Zurich train on the Gotthard route. On the Zurich-Milan Gotthard route you'll also pass the Zugersee & the Vierwaldstattersee in Switzerland, and if it's a train routed via Como, you'll glimpse Lake Como too.

Option 3, Stockholm to Italy using the Hamburg-Zurich sleeper - time-effective & scenic.

Day 1, travel from Hamburg to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 22:07 & arriving Zurich HB at 10:05 next morning.

This comfortable Austrian Nightjet train has two air-conditioned double-deck sleeping-cars (1 & 2 bed compartments with washbasin, 1 & 2 bed deluxe compartments with shower & toilet, plus a few 3-berth compartments with washbasin), couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments & ordinary seats. The sleeper & couchette fares include a light breakfast with tea or coffee in the morning. More about Nightjets.
Fares start at €49.90 in 6-berth couchettes, €59.90 in 4-berth couchettes, €79.90 in a 3-bed sleeper, €99.90 in a 2-bed sleeper or €139.90 in a single-bed sleeper, all per person per berth. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this train at www.thetrainline.com (easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at (in €, same prices). Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket.

Day 2, travel from Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train via the scenic Gotthard route, leaving Zurich HB at 11:33 & arriving Milan Centrale 14:50.

A restaurant car is available for lunch, there are power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about this route.

Change in Milan for onward Italian trains to Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples.

Fares from Zurich to Milan start at €29 in 2nd class or €49 in 1st class.
Milan to Florence starts at €19.90 2nd class or €29.90 1st class. Milan to Rome or Naples starts at €29.90 2nd class or €39.90 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book from Zurich to any Italian destination at www.thetrainline.com or www.italiarail.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or at www.trenitalia.com (in €). www.italiarail.com lets you select your seat from a seat map & will refund its booking fee if you email them at seat61@italiarail.com.

Step 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.


1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.


Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.

Step 3, Hamburg to Zurich by Nightjet sleeper train. This is a double-deck sleeping-car arrived at Zurich HB. Courtesy of DiscoverbyRail.com.


2-berth sleeper on the lower deck.		Stairs down to pair of lower compartments.		1 or 2-bed sleeper on lower deck with washbasin, viewed through window. Set up as 1-bed. Note how compact the compartment is.


Couchette car.		6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.

Step 4, Zurich to Milan by EuroCity train. This is an SBB Giruno train about to leave Zurich HB. More about Zurich-Milan EuroCity trains.


Giruno, 1st class. Larger photo.		Restaurant car with bar counter. Larger photo.


Giruno 2nd class. Larger photo		Level boarding. Note the destination screen in the door.

Stockholm to Barcelona, Madrid & Spain

Option 1, Stockholm to Spain using the Stockholm-Hamburg sleeper

Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Paris, leaving Stockholm Central at 17:34 on the Stockholm-Hamburg sleeper and arriving in Paris in the evening of day 2, as shown in the Stockholm to Paris section. Book this as shown.

Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de l'Est to Gare de Lyon.

Stay overnight in Paris. The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon station complex, ideal for an early train next morning. See other suggested hotels near the Gare de l'Est & Gare de Lyon.

Day 3, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:31.

From 15 December 2024 the timetable changes, leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.

This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

It's a scenic ride, the train passes Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the lakes between Montpelier & Narbonne, the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks before Perpignan, with great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees. More about the Paris-Barcelona journey.

Fares start at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com.

Booking opens up to 4 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone. If you don't see any cheap prices, it might be cheaper to split the booking at Perpignan, see the advice here.

Day 3, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, Seville, Malaga and so on by high-speed train.

Until 14 December 2024:

A high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:25, arriving Madrid Atocha 20:55, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

A fast Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:15 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 21:07 & Alicante 23:40.

For Granada, Seville, Cordoba & Malaga, stay in Barcelona overnight, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants inside the station. Next morning direct high-speed AVE trains leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 for Granada and 08:35 for Cordoba, Seville Santa Justa & Malaga Maria Zambrano.

From 15 December 2024:

For Madrid, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:25 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Madrid Atocha 17:55.

Another AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:00 every day, arriving Madrid Atocha 19:12.

For Cordoba & Seville, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Cordoba 20:10, Seville Santa Justa 21:25.

For Malaga, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano 21:45.

For Valencia & Alicante, a fast Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 19:02 & Alicante 21:34.

All these trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Buy tickets at www.aileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com (in £ or €, both easy to use, small booking fee) or www.petrabax.com (in $, small mark-up, easy to use) or the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, in €).

You print your own ticket. Allow at least 60 minutes between trains in Barcelona for connections. Booking for Spanish trains opens 60 days ahead, but this varies greatly.

Option 2, Stockholm to Spain with overnight stops in Hamburg & Paris

Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Paris by comfortable daytime trains, for example, leaving Hamburg Hbf by ICE at 08:24, change at Mannheim onto a TGV Duplex arriving Paris Gare de l'Est at 16:54, but many other options are possible leaving earlier or later, just check online.

Change stations in Paris by metro or taxi from the Gare de l'Est to Gare de Lyon.

Stay overnight in Paris. The Mercure Paris Gare De Lyon is part of the Gare de Lyon, next to the station's famous clock tower and ideal for an early train next morning. Other suggested hotels near the Gare de l'Est & Gare de Lyon.

Day 3, travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex, leaving Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:42 and arriving Barcelona Sants at 16:31.

From 15 December 2024 the timetable changes, leave Paris Gare de Lyon at 07:42, arriving Barcelona Sants 14:29.

This impressive 320 km/h (199 mph) double-deck TGV Duplex has a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. I recommend an upper deck seat for the best views, any seat number >60 is upper deck.

It's a scenic ride, the train passes Béziers cathedral, flamingos on the lakes between Montpelier & Narbonne, the historic Fort de Salses right by the tracks before Perpignan, with great views of the imposing 2,784m Mt Canigou as the train rounds the southern end of the Pyrenees. More about the Paris-Barcelona journey.

Day 3, travel from Barcelona to Madrid, Valencia, Alicante and so on by high-speed train.

Until 14 December 2024:

A high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:25, arriving Madrid Atocha 20:55, with cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

A fast Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 18:15 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 21:07 & Alicante 23:40.

For Granada, Seville, Cordoba & Malaga, stay in Barcelona overnight, I recommend the Hotel Barcelo Sants inside the station. Next morning direct high-speed AVE trains leave Barcelona Sants at 06:45 for Granada and 08:35 for Cordoba, Seville Santa Justa & Malaga Maria Zambrano.

From 15 December 2024:

For Madrid, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:25 Mondays-Fridays, arriving Madrid Atocha 17:55.

Another AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:00 every day, arriving Madrid Atocha 19:12.

For Cordoba & Seville, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Cordoba 20:10, Seville Santa Justa 21:25.

For Malaga, a high-speed AVE leaves Barcelona Sants at 15:15, arriving Malaga Maria Zambrano 21:45.

For Valencia & Alicante, a fast Euromed train leaves Barcelona Sants at 16:10 arriving Valencia Joaquin Sorolla 19:02 & Alicante 21:34.

All these trains have a cafe-bar, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm to Hamburg starts at €56.90.

Hamburg to Paris starts at €39.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class.

Paris to Barcelona starts at €39 in 2nd class or €59 in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

Step 1, book from Stockholm to Hamburg at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Step 2, book from Hamburg to Paris as a 2nd transaction at int.bahn.de.

Step 3, book from Paris to Barcelona at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com (both easy to use, in €, £ or $, overseas credit cards no problem, small booking fee) or www.sncf-connect.com (in €, no booking fee).

If you don't see any cheap prices, it might be cheaper to split the booking at Perpignan, see the advice here.

Step 4, book from Barcelona to other Spanish cities at www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com, or at the Spanish Railways website www.renfe.com (in €, much more fiddly, may reject some overseas credit cards, see advice on using it).

Booking for Stockholm-Hamburg-Paris opens up to 6 months ahead. Booking for Paris-Barcelona opens up to 4 months ahead. Spanish trains open anything from 15 days to 11 months ahead, it varies.

You print your own ticket or can show a mobile ticket on your phone.

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Stockholm to Lisbon & Portugal

Travel from Stockholm to Paris as shown here.
Travel from Paris to Lisbon & Portugal as shown here.

Back to top

Stockholm to Hamburg or Berlin from €44.90

Option 1, Stockholm to Hamburg & Berlin in a single day

You can travel from Stockholm to Hamburg or even Berlin in a single day by fast & comfortable trains, from €56.90:

Travel from Stockholm to Copenhagen by X2000 train, leaving Stockholm Central at 08:20, arriving Copenhagen 13:33.

Travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train, leaving Copenhagen 15:26, arriving Hamburg Hbf 20:04.

Travel from Hamburg to Berlin by ICE train, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 20:34, arriving Berlin Hbf 22:23.

The X2000 has a bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi, it crosses from Sweden to Denmark over the impressive Öresund fixed link. The EuroCity train has a refreshment trolley & power sockets at all seats. The ICE has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about the Copenhagen-Hamburg journey.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö to Hamburg, Berlin or anywhere in Germany starts at €56.90.

Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you see no cheap prices, split the booking: Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at www.sj.se or Omio.com, then Copenhagen-Germany at int.bahn.de.
Overnight stop in Copenhagen or Hamburg?

To build in an overnight stop, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg or Copenhagen and a suitable length of stay, say 12 hours.

Step 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.


1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.


Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.

Step 3, Hamburg to Berlin by ICE. Various types operate between Hamburg & Berlin, this is an ICE-T. More about ICE trains.


Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration. There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant. In 1st class you can choose to be served at your seat. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!


You can see into the cab at each end of the train.		Comfortable 2nd class seats on an ICE-T.

Option 2, Stockholm to Hamburg & Berlin by direct sleeper train, daily all year round

A sleeper train leaves Stockholm Central at 17:34 every day and arrives Hamburg Hbf 06:00 & Berlin Hbf 09:25.
On Sundays it arrives later, Hamburg Hbf at 08:56 & Berlin Gesundbrunnen at 12:12.
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Stockholm & Malmö selling meals, snacks, beer & wine. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.

Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.
Book tickets at SJ's website www.sj.se.

Booking opens several months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train in Hamburg on 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure. More about this train.

6-berth couchettes.

Larger photo.


2-bed sleeper. Larger photo.		Inaugural Hamburg-Stockholm train at Padborg.

Option 3, Stockholm & Malmö to Hamburg & Berlin by Snälltåget sleeper train, daily except Saturdays 31 March to 1 November 2024

Private operator www.snalltaget.se runs a sleeper train from Stockholm & Malmö to Hamburg & Berlin.
The sleeper train runs daily except Saturdays from 31 March to 1 November 2024. It also runs over Christmas & New Year.

It leaves Stockholm Central at 16:20 & Malmö Central at 22:25 and arrives Hamburg Hbf at 05:30 & Berlin Hbf at 07:46.
Check dates & times at www.snalltaget.se.
The train has 6-berth couchette compartments and ordinary seats, but no sleepers.

Couchettes can be booked individually in shared compartments, or you can pay a fixed price for a whole couchette compartment for private occupancy by 1-6 people, the same price for 1 person or any number of people up to 6.

A restaurant car is attached between Stockholm & Malmo, called the Krogen.

The train normally consists of 2 couchette cars and 1 seats car going Stockholm-Berlin attached to the rear of a Snälltåget daytime train from Stockholm to Malmo. At Malmö Central, the 3 through cars are detached and added to 2 Malmo-Berlin cars for the overnight run to Germany.
Fares start at 499 SEK (about €49) per person with a seat, 749 SEK (€74) per person with a couchette in a shared 6-berth compartment, or 2999 SEK (€295) for sole occupancy of a whole couchette compartment for any number of people between 1 & 6.
See www.snalltaget.se for operating dates, times, fares & to buy tickets.

The Snalltaget sleeper toHamburg & Berlin, at Stockholm Central

The Snälltåget sleeper from Stockholm to Hamburg & Berlin, seen at Stockholm Central about to make its inaugural departure on 28 June 2021. Courtesy of Robert Enskog.


The Snälltåget sleeper train uses ex-German Railways couchettes, sold as a whole private compartment for up to 6 people. Bedding is provided, toilets & washrooms are at the end of the corridor. Photos courtesy of Snalltaget.

Option 4, Stockholm to Germany using the Stockholm-Malmo sleeper

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Malmö by sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 23:10 every day except Saturdays arriving Malmö Central around 06:59. There's no sleeper on Saturday nights. Exact times may vary.

The train has 1st class sleeping-cars with private 1 & 2 bed sleeper compartments with en suite shower & toilet, 2nd class sleeping-cars with shared single-gender 3-berth sleeper compartments with washbasin, a 2nd class couchette car with shared 6-berth compartments, and a seats car.

Step 2, travel from Malmö Central to Copenhagen by Öresund train. These turn-up-and-go local trains leave Malmö every 20-30 minutes, you should make the 07:20 arriving Copenhagen at 08:00.

Step 3, travel from Copenhagen to anywhere in Germany. For example, you can take the 09:26 EuroCity train from Copenhagen to Hamburg Hbf and change for an ICE train to Berlin Hbf arriving 16:20. See the Copenhagen-Hamburg timetable.
How to buy tickets

Step 1, buy tickets from Stockholm to Copenhagen as one transaction at the Swedish railways website www.sj.se (in Krona, no booking fee, can sometimes struggle with overseas credit cards). Look for an evening departure with 1 change, using this sleeper train.

Tip: You can also book from Stockholm to Malmo at Omio.com (in SEK, €, £ or $, overseas cards no problem, small booking fee), but it'll only book seats or couchettes on the night train, not a sleeper. Look for the overnight train on the last page of the search results when sorted by departure time, obviously. Then use Omio.com again to add a Malmo to Copenhagen ticket.

Step 2, buy tickets from Copenhagen to anywhere in Germany from €27.90 at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Sleeper train to Malmo at Stockholm Central

The overnight sleeper to Malmö, about to leave Stockholm Central. Courtesy of Andrew Henry.


1st class sleeper with en suite shower & toilet, shown in day mode (above left) and night mode set up as a single with upper berth folded against the wall (above centre). Courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com. Click the images for larger photos.


6-berth couchettes - the economy option. Larger photo.		The sleeper at Malmö Central. This is the sleeping-car with private 1 or 2-berth compartments with en suite shower & toilet. Courtesy of Ivor Morgan.

Option 5, Stockholm to Germany with an overnight stop in Copenhagen

Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Copenhagen by X2000, leaving Stockholm Central at 15:21 arriving Copenhagen 20:33.

Later departures are possible with a change at Lund or Malmö Central. Or book an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Copenhagen.

The X2000 has a bistro, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It crosses from Sweden to Denmark on the impressive Öresund fixed link.

Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).
Day 2, travel from Copenhagen to Hamburg by EuroCity train leaving Copenhagen at 07:26 and arriving Hamburg Hbf at 12:06, then from Hamburg to Berlin by ICE train leaving Hamburg Hbf at 12:34 arriving Berlin Hbf at 14:20.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö to Hamburg, Berlin or anywhere in Germany starts at €56.90.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

To get the overnight stop in Copenhagen, click Stopovers, enter Copenhagen with a length of stay of (say) 10 hours. Adjust departure time and length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Copenhagen, a little trial and error may be needed!

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you see no cheap prices or want to go 1st class, split the booking: Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at www.sj.se or Omio.com, then Copenhagen-Germany at int.bahn.de.

Stockholm to Düsseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich & Germany from €56.90

Option 1, Stockholm to Germany using the Stockholm-Hamburg/Berlin sleeper train, daily all year

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg by SJ sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 17:34 arriving Hamburg Hbf 06:00 (09:00 Sundays).
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Stockholm & Malmö selling meals, snacks, beer & wine. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed, fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

Book this train at SJ's website www.sj.se.

Booking opens several months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to anywhere in Germany, allowing allowing at least 1 hour between trains in Hamburg, ideally more.

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book from Hamburg to anywhere in Germany at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

For destinations such as Dresden or Leipzig, you may prefer to change in Berlin instead of Hamburg, see the Stockholm-Berlin sleeper page.

The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train in Hamburg on 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure. More about this train.

6-berth couchettes.
Larger photo.

2-bed sleeper. Larger photo.

Inaugural Hamburg-Stockholm train at Padborg.

Option 2, Stockholm to Germany with overnight stop In Copenhagen, from €56.90

Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Copenhagen by X2000, leaving Stockholm Central at 15:21 arriving Copenhagen 20:33.

Later departures are possible with a change at Lund or Malmö Central. Or book an earlier train and spend a pleasant evening in Copenhagen.

The X2000 train has a bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. It uses the impressive Öresund fixed link between Sweden & Denmark.

Stay overnight in Copenhagen. The friendly Astoria Hotel is a 1930s design classic right outside Copenhagen station main entrance, see photos & information here. Other hotels near the station with good reviews include the Nimb Hotel (5-star luxe), Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (5-star), Axel Guldsmeden (4-star), Andersen Boutique Hotel, First Hotel Mayfair (3-star), Hotel Ansgar (3-star), City Hotel Nebo (2-star).
Day 2, take a comfortable EuroCity train from Copenhagen to Hamburg and an onward IC or ICE train to Dusseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich or anywhere else in Germany.

For example, the 07:26 from Copenhagen will get you to Cologne Hbf around 16:50, Frankfurt (Main) Hbf around 16:00, Munich Hbf around 18:42. Or there are later 09:26 & 11:26 departures from Copenhagen to Hamburg for onward connections.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm, Gothenburg & Malmo to Germany starts at €56.90.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Before running the enquiry, click Stopovers, enter Copenhagen and a length of stay of (say) 10 hours. This will give you a Sparpreis Sweden through ticket from €56.90 with a 10-hour stopover in Copenhagen. Adjust departure time and length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Copenhagen, a little trial & error may be needed.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you see no cheap prices or want to go 1st class, split the booking: Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at www.sj.se or Omio.com, then Copenhagen-Germany at int.bahn.de.

Option 3, Stockholm to Germany with overnight stop In Hamburg, from €56.90

Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to anywhere in Germany by comfortable Intercity or ICE train.

Check times to suit you online, trains run frequently on all routes, but if you left Hamburg Hbf at 07:30 you could arrive Cologne Hbf around 11:46, Frankfurt around 11:45, Munich Hbf around 14:00. By all means have a leisurely breakfast and take a later train.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm, Gothenburg & Malmo to Germany starts at €56.90.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets

Book from Stockholm to anywhere in Germany at the German Railways site int.bahn.de.

To get the overnight stop in Hamburg click Stopovers, enter Hamburg Hbf and a length of stay of (say) 09:00 hours. This gets you a Sparpreis Sweden through ticket with a stopover in Hamburg. You can have any length of stopover up to 48 hours. Adjust length of stay to get the train you want from Hamburg onwards, a little trial & error is sometimes needed.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

If you see no cheap prices or want to go 1st class, split the booking: Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at www.sj.se or Omio.com, then Copenhagen-Hamburg at int.bahn.de then Hamburg to any German destination also at int.bahn.de.

Step 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.


1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.


Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.

Step 3, Hamburg to anywhere in Germany by ICE or IC train. Various types of train operate between Hamburg & the rest of Germany, this is an ICE-T. More about ICE trains.


Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration. There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant. In 1st class you can choose to be served at your seat. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!


You can see into the cab at each end of the train.		Comfortable 2nd class seats on an ICE-T.

Option 4, Stockholm to Germany using the Stockholm-Malmo sleeper

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Malmö by sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 23:10 every day except Saturdays arriving Malmö Central at 06:59, the exact times vary. There's no sleeper on Saturday nights.

The train has 1st class sleeping-cars with private 1 & 2 bed sleeper compartments with en suite shower & toilet, 2nd class sleeping-cars with shared single-gender 3-berth sleeper compartments with washbasin, a 2nd class couchette car with shared 6-berth compartments, and a seats car.
Step 2, travel from Malmo to Copenhagen by Öresund train.

These local trains leave Malmö Central every 20-30 minutes, you should make the 07:20 arriving Copenhagen at 08:00.

Step 3, travel on from Copenhagen to anywhere you like in Germany from €27.90.

You can take the 09:26 from Copenhagen to Hamburg Hbf arriving 14:06, change there for other German destinations.

To buy tickets

Step 1, buy tickets from Stockholm to Copenhagen as one transaction at the Swedish railways website www.sj.se (in Krona, no booking fee, can sometimes struggle with overseas credit cards). Look for an evening departure with 1 change, using this sleeper train

Tip: You can also book from Stockholm to Malmo at Omio.com (in SEK, €, £ or $, overseas cards no problem, small booking fee), but it'll only book seats or couchettes on this night train, not a sleeper. Look for the overnight train on the last page of the search results when sorted by departure time, obviously. Then use Omio.com again to add a ticket from Malmo to Copenhagen.

Step 2, buy tickets from Copenhagen to anywhere in Germany from €29.90 at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Stockholm to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Austria from €79.90

Option 1, Stockholm to Vienna using the Stockholm-Hamburg sleeper train, daily all year

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg by SJ sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 17:34 arriving Hamburg Hbf 06:00 (09:00 Sundays).
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Stockholm & Malmö selling meals, snacks, beer & wine. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

Book tickets at SJ's website www.sj.se.

Booking opens several months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Vienna by ICE, leaving Hamburg Hbf at 08:01 arriving Vienna Hbf 16:47.

On Sundays when the sleeper arrives later, leave Hamburg Hbf 12:04, arriving Vienna Hbf 21:47.

This comfortable ICE train has a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book from Hamburg to anywhere in Austria at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Make sure you allow at least 1 hour between trains when connecting out of the sleeper, ideally more.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train in Hamburg on 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure. More about this train.

6-berth couchettes.
Larger photo.

2-bed sleeper. Larger photo.

Inaugural Hamburg-Stockholm train at Padborg.

Option 2, Stockholm to Vienna with overnight stop in Hamburg, from €79

Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Austria by comfortable daytime trains, just check times for your date of travel at int.bahn.de.

For Vienna, a superb German ICE-T train leaves Hamburg Hbf at 08:01 arriving Vienna Hbf at 16:47.

For Salzburg, leave Hamburg Hbf at 07:36, change at Munich Hbf arriving Salzburg Hbf at 15:59.

For Innsbruck, leave Hamburg Hbf at 09:01, change at Munich Hbf arriving Innsbruck Hbf at 17:18.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm to Vienna or Salzburg starts at €79.90 2nd class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets

Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Enter Stockholm to your Austrian destination, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 11 hours and run the enquiry. Adjust departure time and length of stay to get trains you like either side of Hamburg. You may not find any 1st class fares, though.

If you see no cheap prices or want to go 1st class, split the booking: Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at www.sj.se or Omio.com, then Copenhagen-Hamburg at int.bahn.de, then Hamburg-Austria at int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Step 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.


1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.


Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.

Step 3, Hamburg to Vienna by ICE-T. This is an ICE-T at Vienna Hbf. More about ICE trains.


Table for two in 1st class, my favourite configuration. There are also tables for four in both classes.		Lunch in the restaurant. In 1st class you can choose to be served at your seat. I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!


You can see into the cab at each end of the train.		Comfortable 2nd class seats on an ICE-T.

Stockholm to Copenhagen from 346 SEK (€31)

Option 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen in as little as 4h52 by 200 km/h X2000 train

Every few hours, a 200km/h (125 mph) tilting X2000 train links Stockholm Central with Copenhagen in around 5h15.

With no check-in to worry about, from city centre to city centre it takes little longer than flying, and it's a lot more comfortable. The trains have a bistro car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. More about X2000 trains.

These trains cross from Sweden to Denmark over the Öresund fixed link, a massive bridge-tunnel-bridge structure, it's like flying a hundred feet above the sea, quite an experience.

1st class passengers can use the SJ 1st class lounge at Stockholm Central, see opening hours here. In Copenhagen, 1st class passengers can use the DSB first class lounge.
How much does it cost?

Fares start at 346 SEK (€31) in 2nd class or 525 SEK (€47) in 1st class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets
You can buy tickets at Omio.com which links directly to the SJ (Swedish Railways) ticketing system, same prices as SJ, quick & easy to use, small booking fee, no problem with overseas credit cards, you can pay in various currencies including Swedish Kr, £, € and $.

Or buy using SJ's own website www.sj.se. You pay in Swedish krona, no booking fee, you can usually select your seat from a seat map, but it can sometimes be fussy with overseas credit cards. See advice on using sj.se.

Whichever site you buy from, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

You can also try Swedish booking site www.snalltaget.se, or call SJ telesales on +46 771 75 75 75 (there's a phone menu option for English).
Tip: Booking doesn't open a set number of days ahead: Instead, SJ releases tickets in blocks 4 times a year, for example in early December for the period from early April to mid-June, in early April for the period from mid-June to mid-August and in mid-May for the mid-August to mid-December. You can see the exact dates on www.sj.se on their FAQ page.

Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.


1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.


Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

Option 2, Stockholm to Copenhagen by Snälltåget daytime train - in competition with SJ in summer 2024!

From 16 May to 29 September 2024, open-access operator Snälltåget will operate two trains a day from Stockholm to Copenhagen most days:
A morning train leaves Stockholm Central at 09:33 arriving Copenhagen main station at 15:05.

An afternoon train leaves Stockholm Central at 16:20, arriving Copenhagen Ørestad station (well south of the city centre) at 22:53.

The trains are one class only and feature Snälltåget's excellent restaurant car called the Krogen.
Although not as swish as SJ's X2000 trains, these classic cars offer spacious old-school comfort and cheaper fares, with the added attraction of delicious Swedish meatballs and a beer or two in the Krogen.

Fares start at only 299 SEK, about €26.
Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Buy tickets at www.snalltaget.se/en.
You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

A Snälltåget train at Malmö Central station.

Snälltåget's excellent restaurant, the Krogen.

Seating on a Snälltåget train.

Option 3, Stockholm to Copenhagen by sleeper train - the time-effective way

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Malmö by sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 23:10 every day except Saturdays arriving Malmö Central at 06:59, the exact times vary. There's no sleeper on Saturday nights.

The train has 1st class sleeping-cars with private 1 & 2 bed sleeper compartments with en suite shower & toilet, 2nd class sleeping-cars with shared single-gender 3-berth sleeper compartments with washbasin, a 2nd class couchette car with shared 6-berth compartments, and a seats car.

Step 2, travel from Malmö Central to Copenhagen by Öresund train. These turn-up-and-go local trains leave Malmö every 20-30 minutes, you should make the 07:20 arriving Copenhagen at 08:00.
Buy tickets from Stockholm to Copenhagen at the Swedish railways website www.sj.se.

Look for the late night departure with 1 change.

SJ.se is sometimes fussy with overseas credit cards, if you have any payment problems try alternative sites www.snalltaget.se or agency site www.acprail.com, which can sell the same cheap fares with just a small fee. Or you can book by phone, calling SJ telesales on +46 771 75 75 75, there's a phone menu option for English.

You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. The ticket allows you to take any Oresund train from Malmo to Copenhagen, not just the one shown when you book, so by all means take a later one and have breakfast in Malmo.

Alternatively, you can easily book a seat or couchette on the Malmo-Stockholm sleeper train at Omio.com, overseas cards accepted, although this cannot book sleepers. You first need to book Stockholm to Malmö and look on the last page of the search results for the overnight train. Book that, then add a Malmo to Copenhagen ticket. You can pay in £, €, $ or Krona, there's a small booking fee, You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

The overnight sleeper to Malmö, about to leave Stockholm Central. Courtesy of Andrew Henry.


1st class sleeper with en suite shower & toilet, shown in day mode (above left) and night mode set up as a single with upper berth folded against the wall (above centre). Courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com. Click the images for larger photos.


6-berth couchettes - the economy option. Larger photo.		The sleeper at Malmö Central. This is the sleeping-car with private 1 or 2-berth compartments with en suite shower & toilet. Courtesy of Ivor Morgan.

Stockholm to Oslo

SJ (Swedish Railways) runs up to 5 trains a day from Stockholm to Oslo, 2 Intercity trains taking 5h31-5h47 and 3 modern SJ3000 trains taking as little as 5h07.

Both types of train have 1st & 2nd class and a bistro selling snacks, meals and drinks.
How much does it cost?

Fares start at 195 SEK (€18) in 2nd class 465 SEK (€42) in 1st class

Fares vary like air fare, so book ahead.

How to buy tickets
You can buy at Omio.com, this links directly to the SJ ticketing system, same prices as SJ, quick & easy to use, small booking fee, no problem with overseas credit cards, you can pay in various currencies including Swedish Kr, £, € and $.

Or buy from SJ's own website www.sj.se, you pay in Swedish krona, no booking fee, you can usually choose select your seat from a seat map, but it can occasionally be fussy with overseas credit cards. See advice on using sj.se.

You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Fares work like air fares, so book ahead. Reservation is compulsory.

Tip: 1st class passengers can use the SJ 1st class lounge at Stockholm Central - see opening hours here.

What are the SJ3000 trains like?


2nd class on an SJ3000 train. Larger photo.		An SJ3000 train. Larger photo.


Bistro on an SJ3000 train. Larger photo		1st class on an SJ3000 train. Larger photo

What are the Intercity trains like?

A Stockholm to Oslo train, at Stockholm Central.


2nd class on a Stockholm to Oslo train. Larger photo.		1st class on a Stockholm to Oslo train. Larger photo.


Luggage racks on a Stockholm to Oslo train.		Photo courtesy of Dr James Benedict Brown.

Stockholm to Narvik

A sleeper train runs from Stockholm Central to Kiruna and Narvik in Norway. In 2024 it's run by www.vy.se, a subsidiary of the former Norwegian State Railways which won the operating contract, but SJ (www.sj.se) has won back the contract from 15 December 2024.
The trains have 1st class 1 & 2 berth sleepers with private toilet & shower, 2nd class 3 bed sleepers with washbasin, 6-berth couchettes, ordinary seats, cafe car.


1st class sleeper with en suite shower & toilet, shown in day mode (above left) and night mode set up as a single with upper berth folded against the wall (above centre). Courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com. Click the images for larger photos.

Scenery from the Stockholm to Narvik train

Scenery from the train between Stockholm & Narvik. Photo courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com.

Stockholm to Helsinki

Option 1, Stockholm to Helsinki by direct overnight ferry - a great experience, recommended

This is the nicest and most laid-back experience. Boarding is a relaxed affair, starting 1½ hours before sailing time. You've the whole evening to enjoy on the ferry as she sails out of Stockholm through various Swedish islands. Next morning you can have a lie-in and leisurely breakfast before a punctual mid-morning arrival into Helsinki past the fortress island of Suomenlinna. These ships have a reputation as party boats, especially at weekends, but you don't need to party if you don't want to. Two competing ferry companies sail overnight every day, Silja Line and Viking Line.

Option 2, Stockholm to Turku by overnight ferry then train to Helsinki - also overnight, but faster & cheaper

This is significantly cheaper and several hours faster, with an evening departure from Stockholm and mid-morning arrival by train at Helsinki's magnificent central station. There's also the option of a Stockholm-Turku-Helsinki daytime service, see option 3. Only Viking Line now operates this route, with both a daytime and overnight crossing with tight turn-rounds so boarding may start as little as 15 minutes before sailing time with staff still finishing cleaning cabins. The ferry arrives in Turku early morning, you may be asked to vacate your cabin even earlier so cleaning can start. This route is faster and cheaper, but the direct Stockholm-Helsinki ferries are definitely more relaxed. Having said that, enjoying a (tax-free, affordable) beer at the outdoor but sheltered Vista Bar as the Viking Glory sails into the sunset is such a great experience.

Option 3, using the daytime ferry from Stockholm to Turku then train to Helsinki - the leisurely daytime option.

Option 4, by train around the top of the Gulf of Bothnia - a long way round taking 2 nights, but all train, no ferry

This takes two nights and a day using two sleeper trains in a row, it involves a 4.6 km walk from Sweden into Finland. The ferry options are obviously much faster, but if you prefer trains to ferries and want an adventure, this is it!

Option 1, Stockholm to Helsinki by direct overnight ferry

Two ferry companies run luxurious overnight cruise ferries from Stockholm to Helsinki.
Silja Line sails from Stockholm Värtahamnen ferry terminal at 16:45 every day arriving Helsinki Olympia ferry terminal at 10:30.

Viking Line sails from Stockholm Stadsgården ferry terminal at 16:30 every day arriving Helsinki Katajanokka ferry terminal at 10:10.

Silja Line's ships are the superb Silja Serenade & Silja Symphony, entering service in 1990. Viking Line's ships are the Gabriella & Cinderella.

This is the nicest most leisurely option, with time to chill out all evening on the cruise ferry - or dance the night away, and no need to get up early next morning. You travel in a cosy en suite cabin, there are restaurants, bars, nightclub, and so on. The morning arrival into Helsinki past Suomenlinna fortress is superb, make sure you're on deck with your camera.

Fares start at around €85 including private cabin with shower & toilet, but fares vary by season & day of the week.
Book the ferry at the Direct Ferries website, this can book both Silja & Viking, or see www.sales.vikingline.com & www.tallinksilja.com.
Cabins: A, B & C class cabins are all virtually identical, but A-class is topsides (decks 5-11) with window, B-class is topsides without window, and C-class is underneath the car deck on deck 2 without window. All have 1-4 berths and en suite toilet & shower. Promenade cabins are similar to A-class but with a window overlooking the big central promenade. Deluxe cabins are more like a hotel room with twin/double bed, shower/toilet and complimentary minibar. Commodore class suites gives access to the exclusive Commodore class lounge with complimentary refreshments & a sauna. The Suites also give access to the Commodore lounge & sauna.

In Stockholm, the easy way to reach Silja Line's Värtahamnen terminal is to take the Tunnelbana (metro) from T-Centralen (Stockholm Central) to Gärdet, just 3 stops on line T13 towards Ropsten. The Tunnelbana accepts contactless bank cards, you just touch in & out. From Gärdet station it's an easy well-signed 1km 12-minute walk to the Värtahamnen ferry terminal, see walking map. You won't be the only person walking!
Alternatively, Silja Line operates a transfer bus from Stockholm Cityterminal (next to Stockholm Central) to the terminal, buy tickets from the ticket machines or from the driver, check times at the Silja Line website. Or take a taxi.

At the Värtahamnen terminal, check-in for the ferry is painless: Walk up to one of the self-service check-in machines, click the touch screen for English, scan the ferry ticket barcode on your phone or printout, click to confirm and out pops your ferry boarding pass which is also your cabin key. Go through the automatic gates using the boarding pass and walk onto the ferry.

See map of Stockholm showing ferry terminals. See map of Helsinki showing ferry terminals.

In Helsinki, it's a 23-minute 1.8 km walk from Silja Line's Olympia ferry terminal to Helsinki station, see walking map.
Or take a tram: Walk out of the terminal and turn right and you'll see the tram terminus for trams 2 & 3. Buy a ticket from the machine using a contactless bank card, tram 2 will get you to a stop in the city centre called Lasipalatsi a block away from Helsinki station (you'll glimpse the station on your right before arriving at that stop), tram 3 takes a longer route but goes to the tram stop right outside the station. Helsinki's iconic cathedral is a 1.3 km 16-minute walk from the ferry terminal.

Silja Line ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki

The Silja Serenade at the Värtahamnen terminal in Stockholm, seen from the walkway across the port to the terminal. Sister ship Silja Symphony is almost identical. Entering service in 1990, the vast central promenade was a major innovation at the time, since copied by almost every cruise ship.


A class cabin on Silja Serenade. Larger photo.		Deluxe cabin on Silja Serenade. Larger photo.


Grande Buffet on the Silja Serenade.		Central promenade on Silja Serenade. Larger photo.

Sunset as the Silja Line ferry sails out of Stockholm for Helsinki

Good night Sweden! Sunset as the Silja Serenade sails slowly past the many islands out of Stockholm into the Baltic.

Good morning Finland! Make sure you're on deck for the approach to Helsinki. The ships sails past the King's Steps on the fortress of Suomenlinna, past the Finnish WW2 submarine Vesikko and through a remarkably narrow gap between Suomenlinna and neighbouring island Vallisaari to reach Helsinki harbour. This photo was indeed taken from the Silja Serenade!

The view as the ferry docks in Helsinki. The ferry terminal is walking distance from all the sights, or a number 2 or 3 tram will take you from the terminal to Helsinki station in the city centre.

The Silja Serenade at her berth in Helsinki.

Viking Line also sails overnight from Stockholm to Helsinki to a similar schedule, with the Gabriella & Cinderella.

Viking Line ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki

Option 2, Stockholm to Turku by overnight ferry + train to Helsinki - sleep your way from Stockholm to Finland

Step 1, sail from Stockholm to Turku by Viking Line ferry.
The ferry sails from Stockholm Stadsgården ferry terminal at 20:00 every day, arriving Turku at 07:35.
The ferry has a wide range of standard & deluxe cabins, restaurants, bars, cinema, lounges & open deck. A cabin is compulsory on the night crossing. See map of Stockholm showing ferry terminals.

In Turku it's just 100m from the Viking Line ferry terminal to Turku Port station, see map.

Fares start at €42 including a private cabin with shower & toilet, a bargain. However, fares vary by season & day of the week, with Fridays and the summer months usually more expensive.

Book the ferry at the Direct Ferries website or at www.sales.vikingline.com. Print out your ticket or show it on your phone.

Step 2, travel from Turku to Helsinki by double-deck Intercity train leaving Turku Port (Turku Satama) at 08:05, arriving Helsinki station 10:40.

This is a boat train specifically timed to connect with the ferry from Stockholm. It has Eko (2nd) & Ekstra (1st) class, a bistro, playroom & various seating options. More about this Intercity train.

Fares start at €7.90 in Eco class, €18.80 in Ekstra class.
Book from Turku Port to Helsinki at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi & print your ticket or show it on your phone.

Option 3, Stockholm to Turku by daytime ferry + train to Helsinki

Step 1, sail from Stockholm to Turku by Viking Line ferry.
The ferry sails from Stockholm Stadsgården ferry terminal at 07:45 every day, arriving Turku Port at 19:50.
The ferry has a wide range of standard & deluxe cabins, restaurants, bars, cinema, lounges & open deck. A cabin is optional on the day crossing, but I recommend one as somewhere to nap, shower, relax in private. See map of Stockholm showing ferry terminals.

In Turku it's just 100m from the Viking Line ferry terminal to Turku Port station, see map.

Fares start at €25 including a private cabin with shower & toilet, a bargain. However, fares vary by season & day of the week with Fridays and the summer months usually more expensive.

Book the ferry at the Direct Ferries website or at www.sales.vikingline.com. Print your ticket or show it on your phone.
Step 2, travel from Turku to Helsinki by Intercity train leaving Turku Port (Turku Satama) at 20:30 every day, arriving Helsinki station at 23:10.

This is a boat train specifically timed to connect with the ferry from Stockholm. It has Eko (2nd) & Ekstra (1st) class, a bistro, playroom & various seating options. More about this Intercity train.

Fares start at €7.90 in Eco class, €18.80 in Ekstra class.
Book from Turku Port to Helsinki at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi & print your ticket or show it on your phone.

Viking Line ferry from Stockholm to Turku

The Viking Glory at her berth in Stockholm. Launched in 2021, she has bars, restaurants, shops & free WiFi. The other ship on this route is the Viking Grace, launched in 2013.


Seaside cabin on Viking Glory. Larger photo.		A beer at sunset at the vista bar on Viking Glory.

Sunset from the Viking Glory. A beautiful way to travel.

The Viking Glory docked at Turku. Turku Port station is a minute or two walk away.

Turku to Helsinki by Intercity train: This is a double-deck push-pull Intercity train at Helsinki, with restaurant car, power outlets at all seats & free WiFi.

The train would normally go direct from Turku Port station just 100m from the Viking Line terminal, but from 2022 for a couple of years long-term construction work means a bus transfer from Turku Port station to Kupittaa (in eastern Turku). However, the bus transfer is well-signed and well-organised.


Ekstra (1st) class. Larger photo.		Eco (2nd) class. Larger photo.

Journey's end: The magnificent Helsinki station.

Option 4, Stockholm to Helsinki by train - a long way round, but all train, no ferry

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Boden by sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 21:55 & arriving Boden at 10:51.
Sleeper train D92 has 1st class 1 & 2 berth sleepers with toilet & shower, 2nd class 3 bed sleepers with washbasin, 6-berth couchettes, ordinary seats, cafe car.
Step 2, travel from Boden to Haparanda by regional train, leaving Boden at 11:51 and arriving Haparanda close to the Finnish border at 13:17.

Step 3, walk from Haparanda across the border to Tornio Itäinen station, see walking route.

It's a 4.6 km walk taking just over an hour. Remember the 1 hour time difference between Sweden and Finland!
Or take a taxi, this costs around 250 SEK (€22, 2024 price), you can pre-book a taxi at www.taxihaparanda.se.
Tornio Itäinen means Tornio East, it's a local halt in an industrial area without facilities, so only head there in the evening. Have dinner and buy food for the journey in downtown Tornio.
There are long-term plans to resume a train service between Haparanda, Tornio main station and Oulu, but nothing yet.
Step 4, travel from Tornio to Helsinki by sleeper train, leaving Tornio Itäinen at 22:16 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays, arriving Helsinki station at 10:45 next morning.

The sleeper train has impressive double-deck sleeping-cars, with 1 & 2 bed compartments, some with shower & toilet. There's a restaurant car and ordinary seats.
How to buy tickets

Book from Stockholm to Haparanda at the Swedish Railways website www.sj.se.

Book from Tornio Itäinen to Helsinki at the Finnish Railways website www.vr.fi.

In both cases, you print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. Booking opens several months ahead, this varies.
Alternatively, it's a 39-minute walk from Haparanda station to Tornio town hall, see walking map. Catch a bus from the Kaupungintalo bus stop to Kemi, buses run every hour or two taking 35 minutes, fare around €9, see www.matkahuolto.fi. A sleeper train leaves Kemi at 19:24 every day, arriving Helsinki station at 06:27.

Stockholm to Boden by Swedish sleeper train: This is a 1st class sleeper with shower & toilet, shown in day mode (above left) and night mode set up as a single with upper berth folded against the wall (above centre). Courtesy of Discoverbyrail.com. Click the images for larger photos.

Tornio to Helsinki by double-deck Finnish sleeper train. Photos courtesy of Sunil S Mehta. Click the interior image for larger photo.

Stockholm to Prague, Bratislava & Budapest from €79.90

Option 1, Stockholm to Prague, Bratislava & Budapest using the Stockholm-Hamburg sleeper train, daily all year

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Germany by SJ sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central 17:34, arriving Hamburg Hbf 06:00 & Berlin Hbf 09:25.

On Sundays the sleeper arrives later, arriving Hamburg Hbf at 08:56 & Berlin Gesundbrunnen at 12:12.
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Stockholm & Malmö selling meals, snacks, beer & wine. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

Book tickets at SJ's website www.sj.se.

Booking opens several months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Step 2, travel from Hamburg to Bratislava & Budapest, or from Berlin to Prague:

For Bratislava, leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:01 by ICE, change at Vienna Hbf onto a regional express arriving Bratislava hl.n 18:26.

For Budapest, leave Hamburg Hbf 08:01 by ICE, change Vienna Hbf onto a railjet train & arrive Budapest Keleti 20:19.

For Prague, stay on the sleeper to Berlin, then travel Berlin to Prague by EuroCity train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 11:16, arriving Prague Hlavni 15:24.

On Sundays the sleeper arrives later, so check connecting times at int.bahn.de. For example, a EuroCity train leaves Hamburg Hbf at 10:51, arriving Prague Hlavni 17:24. Connections to Bratislava & Budapest may not be possible.

Fares start at €37.90 in 2nd class or €69.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book these trains at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

Step 1, Stockholm to Hamburg by sleeper. This is the inaugural northbound train at Hamburg Altona on 1 September 2022. More about this train.

6-berth couchettes.
Larger photo.

Couchettes in day mode. Larger photo.

Inaugural Hamburg-Stockholm train at Padborg.

EuroCity train to Prague about to leave Berlin

Step 2, Hamburg to Prague by EuroCity train, seen here at Berlin Hbf. Or take trains from Hamburg to Bratislava or Budapest.


1st class seats.		2nd class seats in a compartment car.


So civilised! A meal in the Czech restaurant car as the Berlin-Prague express snakes along the beautiful Elbe river south of Dresden. Most Berlin-Prague trains use Czech carriages like this, a few use Hungarian air-conditioned carriages. More about the journey from Berlin to Prague. Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

Scenery along the Elbe river between Dresden & Prague.

Option 2, Stockholm to Prague, Bratislava or Budapest with overnight stop in Hamburg, from €79

Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Prague or Budapest by comfortable daytime trains.

For Prague, leave Hamburg Hbf at 06:48 by EuroCity train with restaurant car arriving Prague Hlavni 13:24, or a later train leaves Hamburg Hbf at 08:51 arriving Prague Hlavni 15:24. The scenery between Dresden & Prague along the Elbe river valley is lovely, see the photos here.

For Bratislava, leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:01 by ICE, change at Vienna Hbf, onto a regional express, arrive Bratislava Hlavna 18:10.

For Budapest, leave Hamburg Hbf at 08:01 by ICE, change at Vienna Hbf onto a railjet, arrive Budapest Keleti 20:19.

There are earlier and later departures and times may vary, so check times for your date at int.bahn.de.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm to Prague, Bratislava or Budapest starts at €79.90 2nd class.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets

Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Enter Stockholm to Prague, Bratislava or Budapest, click Stopovers, enter Hamburg Hbf with a length of stay of (say) 10 hours and run the enquiry. Adjust departure time & length of stay until you get trains you like either side of Hamburg. You may not find any 1st class fares, though.

If you see no cheap prices or want to go 1st class, split the booking. Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at www.sj.se or Omio.com, then Copenhagen-Hamburg at int.bahn.de, then Hamburg to Prague, Bratislava or Budapest also at int.bahn.de.

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Step 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.

1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.

2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.

Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.

Step 3, Hamburg to Prague by EuroCity train, seen here at Berlin Hbf. Or take trains from Hamburg to Bratislava or Budapest.


1st class seats.		2nd class seats in a compartment car.


So civilised! A meal in the Czech restaurant car as the Berlin-Prague express snakes along the beautiful Elbe river south of Dresden. Most Berlin-Prague trains use Czech carriages like this, a few use Hungarian air-conditioned carriages. See more photos, tips & info for the Berlin to Prague train ride. Photo courtesy of Philip Dyer-Perry.

Scenery along the Elbe river between Dresden & Prague.

Stockholm to Bucharest & Romania

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Vienna with overnight stop in Hamburg as shown in the Stockholm to Vienna section.
Step 2, travel from Vienna to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest by sleeper train Dacia Express as shown in the Vienna to Romania section.

Stockholm to Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade, Montenegro

Option 1

Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Hamburg by SJ EuroNight sleeper as shown above.
Day 2, take a daytime train from Hamburg to Stuttgart then the EuroNight sleeper from Stuttgart to Ljubljana & Zagreb as shown here.

Option 2

Day 1 & 2, travel from Stockholm to Vienna as shown in the Stockholm to Vienna section.
Stay overnight in Vienna. Hotels near the station with good reviews include the Motel One Vienna Hbf, GraetzlHotel, Hotel Schani Wien.
Day 3, travel from Vienna to Ljubljana or Zagreb as shown in the Vienna to Ljubljana section or Vienna to Zagreb section.

Stockholm to Belgrade & Montenegro

Option 1, via Budapest - starts running from 24 November 2024

Day 1 & 2, travel from Stockholm to Budapest using any of the options shown above.

Stay overnight in Budapest. Top choice for an inexpensive stay next to Budapest Keleti is the Intercity Hotel just across the square in front of the station. Also try the Royal Park Boutique Hotel, the inexpensive Baross City Hotel across the road or the Elit Hotel two minutes walk away. Of course, if you want to push the boat out, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel opened in 1896 was almost certainly the inspiration for the 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, 20 minutes walk or 9 minutes by taxi from Keleti station. More hotels in Budapest.

Day 3, travel from Budapest to Belgrade, leaving Budapest Nyugati 05:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 12:38.
Or if you'd prefer a later departure, leave Budapest Nyugati 11:50, changing at Szeged & Subotica, arriving Belgrade Centar 18:38.
You take a Hungarian Intercity train from Budapest to Szeged, a local train across the border to Subotica and a 200 km/h SOKO train to Belgrade. This service starts running from 24 November 2024, for full details see the Budapest to Belgrade page.
Fares start at around €23, see more about fares.
Buy tickets as shown on the Belgrade to Budapest page.
For onward trains to Montenegro, see the Belgrade to Podgorica & Bar page.

Stockholm to Warsaw & Krakow from €79.90

Option 1, Stockholm to Warsaw or Krakow using the Stockholm-Hamburg sleeper train

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Berlin by SJ sleeper train, leaving Stockholm Central at 17:34 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 09:25.
Run by SJ (Swedish Railways), the train has one or two sleeping-cars with compact 1 & 2 berth compartments with washbasin, several 1, 2 or 3 bed deluxe compartments with en suite toilet & shower, couchette cars with 4 & 6 berth compartments, and ordinary seats. A bistro car is attached between Stockholm & Malmö selling meals, snacks, beer & wine. More about the Hamburg-Stockholm sleeper train.
Fares start at €44.90 with a couchette in 6-berth, €69.90 with a couchette in 4-berth, €79.90 with a bed in a 2-bed sleeper or €164.90 with a single-bed sleeper all to yourself. All prices per person per bed. Fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

Book this at SJ's website www.sj.se.

Booking opens several months ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Step 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw or Krakow as follows:

For Krakow, leave Berlin Hbf at 10:52 by EuroCity train and arrive Wroclaw Glowny at 15:05 & Krakow Glowny at 18:07.

The timetable changes from 15 December 2024: Travel from Berlin to Krakow by EuroCity train Galicija, leaving Berlin Hbf at 12:52, arriving Wroclaw 16:54, Katowice 19:13 & Krakow Glowny 20:07. Later trains are available, see timetable.

For Warsaw, leave Berlin Hbf at 11:52 by EuroCity train and arrive Warsaw Centralna at 17:14.

Fares start at €27.99 in 2nd class or €39.99 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.

Book this at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Booking to Poland opens up to 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.

Step 1, Stockholm to Hamburg by sleeper. This is the inaugural northbound sleeper at Hamburg Altona on 1 September 2022. More about this train.

6-berth couchettes.
Larger photo.

Couchettes in day mode. Larger photo.

Inaugural Hamburg-Stockholm train at Padborg.

Step 2, Hamburg to Berlin by ICE and Berlin to Warsaw or Krakow by EuroCity train. This is the Wawel from Berlin to Krakow on platform 11 at Berlin Hbf.

2nd class compartment.

1st class compartment.

Restaurant car. You don't need to reserve a table, just go along and sit down.

Option 2, Stockholm to Warsaw or Krakow by train

Stay overnight in Hamburg. The Hotel Reichshof Hamburg is top choice here, just across the road 100m from the station's Kirchenallee exit, with art deco-based design and great reviews. Other hotels near Hamburg Hbf with good or great reviews include (starting with the cheapest) the Hotel Continental Novum, Hotel Furst Bismarck, Hotel Europaischer Hof, Hotel Atlantic Kempinski. If you're on a budget, cheap private rooms in the A&O Hotel near Hamburg Hbf can be booked at www.hostelworld.com.
Day 2, travel from Hamburg to Poland by ICE & EuroCity train:
For Warsaw, leave Hamburg Hbf at 06:34 by ICE train, change at Berlin Hbf onto a EuroCity train, arriving Warsaw Centralna 15:14.
For Krakow, leave Hamburg Hbf at 07:38 ICE train, change at Berlin Hbf onto a EuroCity train, arriving Krakow Glowny at 18:07.
Or there are later trains if you prefer. Check times for your date at int.bahn.de.

How much does it cost?

Stockholm to Warsaw or Krakow starts at €79.90.

Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
How to buy tickets

Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

Set up an enquiry from Stockholm to Warsaw or Krakow, click Stopovers and enter Hamburg Hbf and a suitable length of stay, (say) 10 hours. I'd also change Transfer time from normal to 20 minutes, to avoid risky 9 minute connections in Berlin.

Run the enquiry, adjust departure time & length of stay to get the trains you want either side of Hamburg. A little trial & error may be needed!

You may not find any 1st class fares this way. If you see no cheap prices or want to go 1st class, split the booking: Book Stockholm-Copenhagen at www.sj.se or Omio.com, Copenhagen-Hamburg at int.bahn.de then Hamburg to Poland also at int.bahn.de.

Booking to Poland opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

Tip: You can book Stockholm-Hamburg up to 6 months ahead, then book Hamburg-Warsaw when booking opens, 60 days ahead.

Step 1, Stockholm to Copenhagen by tilting 200km/h X2000, seen at Stockholm Central. More about X2000 trains.


1st class on an X2000. Larger photo.		2nd class on an X2000. Larger photo.


Bistro seating on an X2000 train. Larger photo.		Bistro on an X2000 train. Larger photo.

Crossing the impressive Öresund bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

2nd class seats are almost all open-plan like this. There are a handful of 6-seat 2nd class compartments in one of the coaches, but only a few.

The 1st class car has 6-seater compartments like this. Larger photo. Larger photo.

Step 3, Hamburg to Berlin by ICE and Berlin to Warsaw or Krakow by EuroCity train. This is the Wawel from Berlin to Krakow on platform 11 at Berlin Hbf.


2nd class compartment.		1st class compartment.

Restaurant car on the Berlin to Warsaw train

Restaurant car. You don't need to reserve a table, just go along and sit down.

Option 3, Stockholm to Gdynia, Gdansk, Warsaw or Krakow by overnight ferry from Sweden to Poland

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Karlskrona by train, leaving Stockholm Central early afternoon.
Book the train at www.sj.se and print your own ticket.

Tip: Book the ferry first and confirm ferry times, then book a train that arrives in Karlskrona Central at least 2-3 hours before the ferry sails.

In Karlskrona the ferry terminal is 10 Km from the station & city, see port-station map. Bus number 6 runs 2 or 3 times an hour from Karlskrona Central station to the Stena Line ferry terminal (Verkö färjeterminalen), taking 23 minutes, see blekingetrafiken.se. Or take a taxi.

Step 2, sail overnight from Karlskrona to Gdynia by comfortable Stena Line ferry.
There are 2 or 3 sailings a day, the overnight one typically sails at around 21:00 and arrives around 07:30, but times may vary.

The ferry is a floating hotel with restaurants & bars, all passengers travel in a cosy private cabin with en suite toilet & shower.

Fares vary, you might pay €39 per passenger as basic fare plus €79-€89 per cabin for a private 1 or 2 bed room.

Book the ferry at www.stenaline.com and print your own ticket or show it on your phone.
Step 3, travel from Gdynia to Gdansk, Warsaw or Krakow by train.

In Gdynia , the ferry terminal is 5.5 Km from Gdynia Glowna (main station), see station-port map, either take a taxi or use bus 150. Bus 150 runs every 15-20 minutes and takes 10 minutes. You pay the bus driver or can pay using the Jakdojade app.

Gdynia to Gdansk takes 25-35 minutes, trains leave regularly, in this case I'd buy at the station when you get there.

Gdynia to Warsaw takes around 3 hours, you'll normally find one leaving Gydnia around 09:30 and arriving Warsaw Centralna around 12:35.

Gdynia to Krakow takes around 6 hours, you'll normally find one leaving Gydnia around 10:30 and arriving Krakow Glowny around 16:30.

Book at the Polish Railways site www.intercity.pl. You print your own ticket.


The ferry Stena Spirit, at Gdynia. Photos courtesy of railguideeurope.com.		2-berth cabin. Larger photo.

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Stockholm to Tallinn

A Tallink cruise ferry sails from Stockholm Värtahamnen terminal at 18:00 every second day, arriving Tallinn at 10:30 next morning.
The ferry has bars, restaurants, lounges, reclining seats or a range of shared or private cabins with shower & toilet.

To check sailing dates, times & book tickets, use the Direct Ferries website or see www.tallinksilja.com.

To reach the Värtahamnen terminal in Stockholm, to take the Tunnelbana (metro) from T-Centralen (Stockholm Central) to Gärdet, just 3 stops on line T13 towards Ropsten. The Tunnelbana accepts contactless bank cards, you just touch in & out. From Gärdet station it's an easy well-signed 1km 12-minute walk to the Värtahamnen ferry terminal, see walking map.
Alternatively, Tallink run a transfer bus from the Cityterminal (the bus station next to Stockholm Central). Buses leave around 2h before sailing time, check times with Tallink.

Map of Tallinn showing ferry terminal.

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Stockholm to Riga

Option 1, Stockholm to Riga by direct ferry

A Tallink cruise ferry sails overnight from Stockholm every day at 17:00, arriving at Riga passenger port at 11:00 next morning.
To buy tickets, use the Direct Ferries website or go to www.tallink.lv or www.tallink.se.. Map of Riga showing ferry terminal.
Update: This ferry was suspended in March 2020 due to covid-19 and it remains suspended in 2022 with no sign of resuming.

Option 2, Stockholm to Riga using the Stockholm-Tallinn ferry

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Tallinn by ferry, as shown above.

Step 2, take train or bus from Tallinn to Riga as shown here.

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Stockholm to Vilnius

Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Karlshamn by train, leaving Stockholm Central at 08:20, change at Hässleholm, arriving Karlshamn 14:20.

Times may vary, just look for a journey with 1 change, taking a 200 km/h X2000 train from Stockholm Central to Hässleholm, then an Öresund train from Hässleholm to Karlshamn. Don't cut it fine, allow several hours in Karlshamn between train and ferry in case of delay.

You might typically pay 850 SEK (about €70) if you book in advance, but prices vary.

Book the train at www.sj.se.

If you have any problems with sj.se you can also book at Omio.com.

In Karlshamn, the ferry terminal is 3 km outside the town, a 40 minute walk (see walking map) or take a taxi for about €20. If you want a taxi, pre-book one from either Karlshamns Taxi +46 454 150 65 or Sverigetaxi +46 454 122 67).

Day 1, sail from Karlshamn to Klaipeda by comfortable overnight ferry.

Two ferry lines operate this route, DFDS and TT Line. DFDS have the more modern ships with the better facilities, they sail daily, typically leaving Karlshamn at 19:00 and arriving Klaipeda at 09:00. TT line also sail daily with more basic ships, typically sailing at 20:00 and arriving 10:00. Check-in closes 1h before sailing time.

There is a restaurant and a range of cosy shared or private cabins, all with en suite toilet & shower.

Fares start at just €60 with a bed in a shared cabin.

Book the ferry at the Direct Ferries website (which can compare and book both TT Lines and DFDS) or book DFDS at www.dfds.com.

Day 2, travel from Klaipeda to Vilnius by train.

In Klaipeda, the station is 5 km from the DFDS ferry terminal. It’s a short walk from the terminal to the main road where bus 9 leaves from the Strėvos Street stop on the opposite side of the road roughly every 15 minutes to the city centre, taking around 11 minutes. Fare €1, pay the driver or tap a debit/credit card on the reader. See walking map from ferry terminal to Strėvos Street bus stop. Or take a taxi. The TT ferry arrives further away, 8.4 km from Klaipeda station.

If you arrive at 09:00 by DFDS and take a taxi, you should make a train leaving Klaipeda at 11:00 on most days and arriving Vilnius at 15:11, or there are later trains, check times at ltglink.lt.

The fare is €24.80 in 2nd class, €35.30 in 1st class.

Book the train at the station, check times & prices at ltglink.lt, you can buy online if you like.

DFDS ferry Luna Seaways (on the right) arrived at Klaipeda. Photo courtesy of Matias Lq.

Step 3, take a train from Klaipeda to Vilnius. Above left, Klaipeda station. Above right, the express train to Vilnius. Photos courtesy of Lewis Baston.

Vilnius station. Photo courtesy of Yuk Wah Chu.

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Stockholm to St Petersburg & Moscow

Option 1, Stockholm to St Petersburg by direct cruise ferry

A cruise ferry links Stockholm with St Petersburg twice a week, see www.stpeterline.com for days, times and online booking.
This ferry appears to be suspended due to Covid-19 and now sanctions.

You can then taken a train from St Petersburg to Moscow, either a sleeper or a Sapsan fast train in 3h50, see the Train Travel in Russia page.

Option 2, Stockholm to St Petersburg by ferry to Finland then train from Helsinki to St Petersburg & Moscow

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Helsinki, either on one of the two daily competing overnight ferries from Stockholm to Helsinki (www.tallinksilja.com, for English, change locale=de to locale=en in your browser address bar, or www.sales.vikingline.com) or on the cheaper daytime or overnight ferry+train service via Turku explained above.

Step 2, take a fast Allegro train from Helsinki to St Petersburg or the overnight sleeper train Tolstoi from Helsinki to Moscow.
Both these train services are currently suspended due to Covid-19 and now sanctions & the war in Ukraine.

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Stockholm to Athens & Greece

Step 1, travel from Stockholm to Milan as shown in the Stockholm to Italy section.
You leave Stockholm in the morning on Day 1, stay overnight in Hamburg, and reach Milan in the evening on Day 2.

Stay overnight in Milan: Affordable hotels with good or great reviews just outside Milan Centrale include the Hotel Bristol, Hotel Bernina, 43 Station Hotel, B&B Hotel Milano Central Station, Guesthouse Teodora. Pricier more upmarket hotels include HD8 Hotel, Glam Hotel, Made to Measure Business, Starhotel Echo or Starhotel Anderson.

Step 2, travel from Milan to Athens as shown on the Italy to Athens page.
You take a morning train from Milan to Bari on Day 3, sail overnight in a cosy cabin with Superfast Ferries to Patras in Greece, and take a connecting bus/train combo to Athens, arriving lunchtime on Day 4.

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Stockholm to Sofia & Istanbul

Day 1, travel from Stockholm to Vienna with overnight stop in Hamburg as shown in the Stockholm to Vienna section.

Day 2, travel from Vienna to Sighisoara, Brasov & Bucharest by sleeper train Dacia Express as shown in the Vienna to Romania section.

Day 3, stay overnight in Bucharest. The Hotel MyContinental Bucuresti Gara de Nord is walking distance from the station, inexpensive and gets great reviews.

Day 4, travel from Bucharest to Sofia by day train as shown here or travel from Bucharest to Istanbul overnight as shown here.

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Hotels in Stockholm

For good hotels near Stockholm Central, see here.

My favourite hotel search: www.booking.com

Booking.com is my favourite hotel booking site and I generally use it to book all my hotels in one place. I've come to trust booking.com's review scores, you won't be disappointed with any hotel that scores 8.0 or more. Crucially, booking.com usually lets you book with free cancellation, which means you can confirm accommodation risk-free before train booking opens and/or you can hold accommodation while you finalise your itinerary and alter your plans as they evolve - a feature I use all the time when planning a trip. I never book hotels non-refundably!

Backpacker hostels

www.hostelworld.com: If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels. Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in most cities at rock-bottom prices.

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Travel insurance & VPN

Always take out travel insurance

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover. It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself. Here are some suggested insurers. Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

www.staysure.co.uk offers enhanced Covid-19 protection & gets 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot.

www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.

If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected. Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list. Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing. The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works: 1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader. The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out). I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing. Why you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure. A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi. It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply. See VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription. I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged. I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet. Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from buy from Amazon.com.

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Nightjet couchette car.		6-berth couchettes.		4-berth couchettes.


The inaugural Hamburg to Stockholm SJ EuroNight train in Hamburg on 1 September 2022. The author rode this first departure. More about this train.		6-berth couchettes. Larger photo.


Snälltåget's excellent restaurant, the Krogen.		Seating on a Snälltåget train.


Couchettes in day mode. Larger photo.		Inaugural Hamburg-Stockholm train at Padborg.

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Hotels in Stockholm

My favourite hotel search: www.booking.com

Backpacker hostels

Travel insurance & VPN

Always take out travel insurance

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Get a VPN for safe browsing. Why you need a VPN

Carry an Anker powerbank

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