Sweden has a new, international, coastal train connecting Malmö to Oslo in neighbouring Norway. Launched on 15 June, the service from rail operator Snälltåget will run once a day, giving passengers some of the best window seats in the Nordics for viewing seascapes and historic monuments.
One-way fares start as low as 149 SEK (€13.59), which includes a reserved seat, two pieces of hand luggage and a small personal item. Folding bicycles are also permitted on the train. Alternatively, Interrail or Eurail Global Passes are accepted currency too, but passengers will need to buy a seat reservation on top, costing five euros. Either way, it’s a bargain for the 600-km scenic trip, taking in shorelines, lakes, canyons, and castles.
The timetable schedules departure from Malmö at 6:38 am (or 7:05 am on Sundays) and sees the train pull into Oslo at 1:16 pm, with calls along the way at Gothenburg, as well as stops such as Lund, Helsingborg, Halmstad, Varberg, Trollhättan, Sarpsborg, and Fredrikstad. Travelling in the other direction is an afternoon and evening affair, leaving the Norwegian capital at 2:48 pm and arriving in Malmö at 9:25 pm.
For those who want to take in the spectacular views, the Swedish tourist board recommends sitting on the train’s left side between Malmö and Gothenburg in order to catch sight of Varberg Fortress, while from the right-hand side, Lund Cathedral, one of Scandinavia’s oldest stone churches, will be visible. Between Gothenburg and Mellerud, those who remain on the right will be treated to lake and river vistas, including Göta Älv Valley, and vast Lake Vänern, the third-largest lake in Europe.
From either side, the Mellerud to the Kornsjö Border stage of the journey is a feast for the eyes as the train weaves through the Granite Canyons, while high ridge rails in the locality of Ed give views of Lake Stora Le.
There’s no need to worry about what you’ll eat along the way since the train boasts a dining car, as explained by Marco Andersson, Snälltåget’s commercial manager, who said in a statement: “We believe that direct trains, improved comfort in carriages designed for long-distance travel, and a restaurant carriage are crucial for the train to gain market share on this route.”
And for lovers of train travel, Andersson hinted at further service developments to come, saying: “We see a potential in increased train travel in the corridor Copenhagen – Malmö – Gothenburg – Oslo, not least for tourist travel.”
