⚡ TL;DR
- Pass choice: Eurail Scandinavia Pass (€198/5 days) covers all three countries; single-country passes cheaper for one destination
- Must-ride routes: Øresund Bridge (Copenhagen-Malmö), Flåm Railway (Norway in a Nutshell), MÄLAREN lake views
- Reservations: Swedish high-speed €5-20, most Danish/Norwegian trains free
- Best time: Summer polar day for midnight sun, winter polar night for Northern Lights
- Money tip: Regular tickets are crazy expensive (€100+ one-way), passes are the value king
Scandinavian Rail Overview
Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark) offers Europe's most beautiful rail scenery — and highest ticket prices. The Øresund Bridge connects Denmark to Sweden with trains running directly over the sea. Norway's fjord railways are among the world's most stunning.
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | SJ high-speed (Stockholm-Gothenburg 3h), MÄLAREN lake views |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Flåm Railway, Bergen Line (Oslo-Bergen 7h), world's most beautiful fjords |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | IC trains, Copenhagen hub, Øresund Bridge direct to Sweden |
| 💰 Price level | Europe's most expensive (Stockholm-Oslo €100+) |
| 🎫 Pass advantage | Exceptional value — 5 days €198 vs €100+ per trip |
💰 Pass Options & Price Comparison
| Pass Type | 3 days | 5 days | 8 days | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurail Scandinavia Pass | €170 | €198 | €226 | Sweden + Norway + Denmark |
| Eurail Sweden Pass | €141 | €165 | €192 | Sweden only |
| Eurail Norway Pass | €178 | €208 | €243 | Norway only |
| Eurail Denmark Pass | €128 | €149 | €173 | Denmark only |
| Eurail Global Pass | €211 | €249 | €296 | 33 countries |
2nd class adult prices, valid 1 month. Source: eurail.com (Feb 2026)
💡 Pass advice: Multi-country trips → Scandinavia Pass; single-country deep dive → individual country pass; visiting other European countries too → Global Pass. Regular Scandinavian tickets are so expensive that passes almost always save money.
🚂 Must-Ride Iconic Routes
Øresund Bridge: Copenhagen → Malmö
20minTrain runs directly over the sea, connecting Denmark and Sweden. Europe's most spectacular railway bridge, featured in TV series "The Bridge." Every 20 minutes.
Free with pass, €12 single
Flåm Railway: Flåm → Myrdal
1hOne of the world's most beautiful railways through Norwegian fjords. 863m vertical drop, 55‰ gradient, waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. Classic "Norway in a Nutshell" route.
10% off with pass, €45 single
Bergen Line: Oslo → Bergen
7hNorway's most beautiful long-distance route across Hardangervidda plateau. Europe's highest railway (1,222m), Finse station featured in Harry Potter as Hogwarts Express.
Free with pass, €90 single
MÄLAREN Line: Stockholm → Västerås
1hSwedish lake railway through MÄLAREN's countless islands. Stunning in spring/summer, a local's secret gem. Modern comfortable SJ trains.
Free with pass, €25 single
🌞❄️ Seasonal Considerations
🌞 Summer (Jun-Aug)
- Polar day: 24h sunlight in Arctic Circle
- Midnight sun trains: Night journeys in bright light
- Peak prices: Hotels expensive, train fares up
- Best for: Flåm Railway, Bergen Line
- Tip: Book early, bring eye mask for sleep
❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)
- Polar night: Weeks without sun in north
- Northern Lights: Aurora visible from trains
- Snow scenery: Norwegian fjords magical
- Punctuality: Nordic trains handle snow well
- Tip: Warm clothes, check weather updates
🎒 Practical Tips
- 📱 Essential apps: SJ (Sweden), VY (Norway), DSB (Denmark) — all have English versions
- 💳 Payment: Scandinavia is nearly cashless — bring a chip credit/debit card
- 🍽️ Food: Train dining cars are expensive, buy food at stations. 7-Eleven, Pressbyrån have sandwiches
- 🧳 Luggage: No restrictions but limited overhead space — store large bags beside seats
- ⚡ Charging: Most trains have USB ports and power outlets
- 🌡️ Temperature: Trains well-heated but platforms cold — layer up
- 🕐 Punctuality: Scandinavian trains extremely punctual — arrive at platform early
- 👥 Reservations: Though mostly optional, book in peak season to guarantee seats
🛂 Border Crossings & Documents
All three Scandinavian countries are Schengen members — free movement with Schengen visa. Øresund Bridge trains don't stop for checks, but occasional random ID checks occur, so carry your passport.
✅ Visa-free/Schengen: Chinese passport needs Schengen visa. US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea passports get 90-day visa-free. UK passport post-Brexit requires checks but usually no issues.
Is a pass worth it for your Scandinavia trip?
Enter your Scandinavian routes, compare pass vs individual ticket costs.
🔍 Calculate Now — Free🌐What Real Travelers Say
Aggregated from Reddit, Seat61, TripAdvisor & travel forums (updated 2026-03-08)
💡 “SJ high-speed in Sweden requires mandatory reservation (SEK 78-108). Book at sj.se with your Interrail/Eurail pass number.”
— r/Interrail · 2025-10
✨ “Norway's Bergen Railway (Oslo-Bergen) is one of Europe's most scenic rides. VY operates it, reservation mandatory ~€5.”
— r/Interrail · 2025-09
⚠️ “SJ website often bugs out with Interrail codes. If it fails, try the Rail Planner app link or call SJ customer service.”
— r/Interrail · 2025-08
⚠️ “Stockholm-Narvik night train is incredible but books out months ahead in summer. Reserve ASAP.”
— r/Interrail · 2025-02
💡 “First class in Scandinavia is barely different from second class. Don't bother upgrading.”
— r/Interrail · 2024-11
⚠️ Common Complaints
- SJ website bugs with pass codes
- Night trains book out early
- Expensive overall even with pass
Reddit Consensus: mixed — great scenery but reservation hassles and high overall costs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need reservations in Scandinavia with Eurail Pass?
Swedish SJ high-speed and night trains require reservations (€5-20), but most Danish and Norwegian trains don't. However, book seats in peak season, especially cross-border routes like Stockholm-Copenhagen.
Is the Eurail Scandinavia Pass worth it?
Absolutely! Regular Scandinavian tickets are very expensive (Stockholm-Oslo €100+), while a 5-day pass at €198 gives unlimited travel across three countries. For single country visits, individual country passes are cheaper.
Are Scandinavian trains delayed in winter?
Scandinavian rail systems are designed for harsh winters with relatively few delays. However, blizzards can affect services — check national rail websites. Sweden SJ, Denmark DSB, and Norway VY all have English apps with real-time updates.
How do train schedules differ during polar day in summer?
Train schedules don't change for polar day, but night trains run through "endless daylight" — quite an experience! Bring an eye mask. Arctic Circle trains (like the Narvik line) offer stunning midnight sun views.
How does the train cross the Øresund Bridge?
The Øresund train from Copenhagen to Malmö runs directly on the bridge — 20 minutes crossing. No need to get off, the train goes straight from Denmark to Sweden. One of Europe's most beautiful railway bridges! Fully covered by rail passes.