Scandinavia Trip 2023

[matt]

I thinking of a trip to the Scandinavian countries at the end of March, beginning of April. Does anyone have any recommendations of must do lines? I assume an interrail plus reservation fees is likely to be most cost effective?

 

[30907]

For scenery and traffic - Narvik (go one way by bus from/to Fauske).
For scenery - Bergen, Flåm and Trondheim-Bodø (diesel). By comparison, the Stavanger route I found disappointing, and I have little memory of Trondheim-Røros-Oslo.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to do any of the Inlandsbane at that time..

It is 40 years since I did these; the Åndalsnes branch is reputedly pretty spectacular but I've not done it or the main line.

A caution: distances are vast, and be prepared in Sweden for endless forests. I'd be tempted to use a sleeper to get North!

 

[Iskra]

(Stockholm) Kiruna-Narvik on the Arctic Circle Night train is worth doing.

I just bought point to point tickets which was cost effective in the end as I got full refunds in both directions due to delays!

 

[Cheshire Scot]

For scenery and traffic - Narvik (go one way by bus from/to Fauske).
For scenery - Bergen, Flåm and Trondheim-Bodø (diesel). By comparison, the Stavanger route I found disappointing, and I have little memory of Trondheim-Røros-Oslo.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to do any of the Inlandsbane at that time..

It is 40 years since I did these; the Åndalsnes branch is reputedly pretty spectacular but I've not done it or the main line.

100% agree with these including Andalsnes and Roros.

In comparison I found routes in Sweden and Finland to be generally pleasant rather than spectacular - and lots of trees (in both) as noted above - but still worth a look. If including Finland a Baltic Ferry crossing is worth a thought, the sail out of Stockholm is quite spectacular.

 

[rg177]

Åndalsnes starts out quite flat and dull from Dombås before suddenly becoming rather spectacular indeed. Definitely worth a trip. Trondheim to Bodø is also a must-do.

Will agree that Stavanger was pretty dull. I did the line via Rorøs from Hamar to Trondheim on account of the mainline being shut and it was quite pleasant but a bit of a long trip on a DMU.

Bergen is indeed a spectacular trip in places too. Essentially most of Norway is worth doing but Stavanger is probably the one to drop if you're short on time.

I did Luleå to Stockholm on day trains a few months ago and while Luleå to Umeå was quite pretty, it wasn't all that spectacular once you were past Sundsvall.

 

[ABB125]

Something I'd quite like to do is a loop Stockholm Narvik Bodo (bus) Bergen Oslo (or the other direction). This might be something to consider (though I have no idea if this is the kind of thing you're interested in)

 

[matt]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I've come up with a rough itinerary including the lines to Bergen and Trondheim as well as the Flam and Åndalsnes lines.

Has anyone ever used the Kiel to Oslo overnight ferry and that looks an interesting way to get there. The approach to Oslo through the Fjords is supposed to be pretty good.

 

[Cheshire Scot]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I've come up with a rough itinerary including the lines to Bergen and Trondheim as well as the Flam and Åndalsnes lines.

Has anyone ever used the Kiel to Oslo overnight ferry and that looks an interesting way to get there. The approach to Oslo through the Fjords is supposed to be pretty good.

I have a friend who has used Kiel to Oslo several times and speaks very highly of it. Whilst Oslo Fjord is not a spectacular as some further north such as Geirangerfjord, and Sognefjord and it's branch Aurlands Fjord, it is a very pleasant and scenic way to arrive in Oslo.

If you have time Bergen also has the funicular Floibanen up to a viewpoint high above the city.

 

[Watershed]

Narvik to Kiruna is one of the most spectacular journeys I've ever done. The coach journey from Fauske to Narvik is also rather scenic, although if time doesn't permit, you could fly to Narvik instead.

The Flam railway is also definitely worth doing if you have time. However IIRC it doesn't accept Interrail passes, and the connecting trains to/from Oslo are reservation compulsory and can sell out fairly early. So best to plan ahead of time.

 

[Gloster]

You could also try the Hurtigruten coastal steamer between Trondheim and Bergen. Two nights northbound, one southbound. Or get a bus from Åndalsnes to Ålesund and pick the ship up there in one direction. Beware when searching for it on the internet: it just loves to send anyone from outside Norway to the cruise section. Try ‘ hurtigruten.no ruteplan ‘ for the timetable.

 

[Shinkansenfan]

You could also try the Hurtigruten coastal steamer between Trondheim and Bergen. Two nights northbound, one southbound.

Highly endorse the Hurtigruten coastal ship voyage! Well worth sailing on a segment or the entire run. Also recommend the Silja Line ship from Stockholm to Helsinki. The indoor atrium was industry leading and gave birth to cruise ships with this concept.

IMO the new commuter railroad tunnel under the Stockholm city center is also worth visiting--sort of a mini-Elizabeth Line to ease train congestion through Stockholm Central Station.

 

[jamesontheroad]

I thinking of a trip to the Scandinavian countries at the end of March, beginning of April. Does anyone have any recommendations of must do lines? I assume an interrail plus reservation fees is likely to be most cost effective?

In Sweden, you can price up and buy Interrail reservations on SJ.se - but its a little hidden. When you select the type of passenger (adult/child/pensioner) at the beginning of a search, there is a space to enter a SJ Prio or commuter card number. Select this pulldown, scroll down, and then select Interrail/Eurail. Enter your pass number and phone number. Then you’ll see prices just for seat reservations or sleeper accommodations. Seat reservations are around 50kr / €5.

Seat reservations are required on Intercity and X2000/X3000 high speed trains. They are not required on local trains, and if you have the time and interest in seeing small towns along the way, you can usually make long distance journeys (eg Stockholm-Luleå) by piecing together trips on the neighbouring regions local train systems.

Bear in mind that the Swedish transport authority has been quite bad at long term planning of track work, so you might find trains aren’t bookable as little as 30 days in advance.

You will come at a good time of year in terms of daylight (check sunrise and sunset times in Narvik in April, for example) because the days will be getting longer and fast enough that you’ll perceive the difference every day. It will be cold at night, however, and snow will still be on the ground in the far north.

I recommend Abisko tourist station, which is on the railway between Narvik and Luleå, for an overnight stop. It’s got self catering hostel accommodation and a really beautiful setting against the shores of Lake Torneträsk with the famous “gates of Lapland” in the opposite direction.

 

[matt]

For Norway whats the best way for getting reservations in advance?

 

[jamesontheroad]

For Norway whats the best way for getting reservations in advance?

Sadly not online from either Entur or the operators themselves. Seat61 recommends you call or use a travel agent. Info: https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm#Norway

 

[rg177]

For Norway whats the best way for getting reservations in advance?

I rang Entur when I wanted them and there was an option to press for English.

The guy I spoke to did everything as asked and was really friendly, giving out different bits of advice for each trip. I was then given a code to collect them in Oslo.

 

[matt]

I saw Entur mentioned. It mentions a booking fee, is it a per reservation fee or a per transaction. I assume they could book the Flam railway too?

 

[dutchflyer]

as always: community.eurail.com has this info- incl a long list any new one gets by anna B from Sverige, useful advice, incl on how to de RES
NOte that this is by far not a good time of yr-in normal times it means winter has not ceased yet but spring not yet arrived- snow thaws at day and re-freezes at night-not very inviting. A little later in april however means Paske=Easter, heavy traffic just before and after and much less traffic on the days itself in many cases.
Skip the sideway to Bodoe, unless you are a real ´have to do all the line´ type-best point for change coming BUS of Narvik to train is Fauske, Bodoe is just a tiny fishery/ferry port. To Bergen by train means go in+out same way.

 

[rg177]

I saw Entur mentioned. It mentions a booking fee, is it a per reservation fee or a per transaction. I assume they could book the Flam railway too?

I see Interrail do a fee of 2€ but other than a steep fee for booking with Entur at the station I can't see any for booking by phone.

Notably, you can buy a second class pass and bump yourself up to "Komfort" for about a tenner a journey. First Class passholders get a reservation here for free.

 

[Watershed]

For Norway whats the best way for getting reservations in advance?

Unless you're getting your reservation as part of a ticket purchase, AFAIK the only way to get them is to phone Entur, the agency that sells tickets for all Norwegian operators. Otherwise you have to get them at one of the handful of ticket offices in person.

 

[rvdborgt]

I saw Entur mentioned. It mentions a booking fee, is it a per reservation fee or a per transaction. I assume they could book the Flam railway too?

AFAIK there's no extra booking fee when booking via Entur.
And yes, they also sell ticket for the Flåm railway (30% discount with Interrail).
They can also email tickets and reservations. If you create an Entur account in advance, then you just need to give them that account.

 

[JonasB]

A less known branch line that still is worth a trip is (Karlstad-)Kil-Torsby. Charming scenery as the railway runs along the sides of the Fryken lakes.

 

[Gordon]

For Norway what's the best way for getting reservations in advance?

The only things I would add about Norway that haven't been said so far are:

• if you are into rolling stock it's a bit 'boring' these days, with many Swiss Flirts etc instead of the old Scandinavian design trains such as the BM69 commuter EMUs.
• re the above, try and establish which trains are EL18 (Swiss 'Lok 2000') and Di4 hauled as opposed to MU (Flaam is EL18)

 

[Gloster]

I think that the Di.4 are only used on the Trondheim-Bodø day and night services.

 

[Gordon]

I think that the Di.4 are only used on the Trondheim-Bodø day and night services.

Yes that is correct

 

[Gloster]

Further searching suggests that the El.18 are still used on the three main routes out of Oslo. However, on the Sørlandbanen they are probably only used on the night trains to Stavanger, while on the Dovrebanen to Trondheim I think they are limited to one day and the night trains. They still work, as far as I know, the majority of the trains on the Bergensbanen: although it is supposed to be a dedicated fleet of El.18 on the Flåm line, they do interchange a bit with the Bergensbanen’s locos.

 

[Gordon]

Further searching suggests that the El.18 are still used on the three main routes out of Oslo. However, on the Sørlandbanen they are probably only used on the night trains to Stavanger, while on the Dovrebanen to Trondheim I think they are limited to one day and the night trains. They still work, as far as I know, the majority of the trains on the Bergensbanen: although it is supposed to be a dedicated fleet of El.18 on the Flåm line, they do interchange a bit with the Bergensbanen’s locos.

Yes, some EL18 are allocated to the Stavanger line's non 'NSB' opeartor

 

[jb]

Has anyone ever used the Kiel to Oslo overnight ferry and that looks an interesting way to get there. The approach to Oslo through the Fjords is supposed to be pretty good.

Kiel to Oslo is good, but expensive. Oslo approach is most interesting inasmuch as a very big boat fits through a seemingly very narrow gap at Drøbak.

I live near Oslo and I’m planning on going in the other direction this summer via Stockholm and the new SJ night train to Hamburg.