What are trains in Sweden like?

$Sweden has a great efficient and scenic railway network. Fast igh-speed trains connect major cities within Sweden and abroad in Norway and Denmark, and great scenic railways like the Inlandsbanen are rated amongst the best in Europe. You can read all about the different train types serving Sweden on this page, as well as how to book them.

Eurail passes as bought via Happyrail are valid on all trains in Sweden, including the Arctic Circle Train and Inlandsbanen.
Read all about making reservations for Swedish trains: Sweden Eurail Reservations

Happyrail offers multiple Rail Tour package deals to Sweden and Norway featuring the best railways and cities that these countries have to offer.

They can be booked starting in Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, or other cities on request.
These package holidays feature a day-to-day itinerary planned and booked by us, including all train tickets, hotels, seat reservations, airport transfers, daily guides and more.

Swedish train types

High-speed trains (Snabbtag / X2 / X2000 /SJ 3000)

High-speed trains (X2, X2000, SJ 3000) connect Stockholm to major cities like Mälmo, Lund and Göteborg, as well as internationally to Copenhagen and Oslo. They are operated by Swedish state railways SJ. The trains are supremely comfortable in both 1st and 2nd class, feature Scandinavian-designed electronically adjustable seats and a high-quality bistro carriage.

The images shown below are of an X2/X2000 train. SJ 3000 trains are similar but the seating layout may differ (1st class features 2+2 seating on some trains). The offered amenities are the same.

In the 2025 timetable direct Copenhagen-Stockholm services are temporarily suspended. You can take X2 trains to Mälmo where you change for a regional Oresundstag (see below) to Copenhagen. Oresundstag are regional trains that run very frequently, and a reservation is not necessary. The Mälmo-Copenhagen journey takes just 40 minutes by Oresundstag.

A reservation is mandatory. Read all about making reservations on board of Swedish trains on Sweden: Eurail Reservations.
Eurail passes as bought via Happyrail are valid on all X2 trains.
Second class features comfortable, electronically adjustable chairs in a 2+2 configuration. Wifi and power sockets are available at every seat. One coach is designated as quiet coach. A restaurant car is available for drinks, snacks and pre-made but good quality meals.
First class features even more comfortable adjustable seats in a 2+1 configuration, with wider seats, bigger pitch and more legroom. Free tea, coffee and snacks is available in the coach. Meals can be pre-ordered, but the restaurant car is otherwise also open for first class passengers.

IC long-distance trains

Regular-speed long-distance trains are named Intercity (or IC) and are also operated by state operator SJ. They are operated by comfortable single-deck or double-deck trains with 1st and 2nd class, although a few routes have only 2nd class available (in this case your 1st class Eurail pass is also valid in 2nd class).

A reservation is mandatory. Read all about making reservations on board of Swedish trains on Sweden: Eurail Reservations.
Eurail passes as bought via Happyrail are valid on all IC trains.
A bistro car is available on some routes for drinks, snacks and simple meals. Some shorter IC routes don't have catering options; check your train type and catering options at the station or in the SJ website/app.
Second class features comfortable djustable chairs in either a 2+2 or 2+3 configuration. First class features wider, more comfortable seats in a 2+2 or 2+1 confuguration. Power sockets are available at every seat, wifi is available in most IC trains, with the exception of a few older train types. Pictured: second class in a double-decker IC train. Picture credits: SJ.

Arlanda Express (airport-city train)

Arlanda Express is the name of the frequent high-speed train running from Arlanda airport Södra (south) and Arlanda Nörra (north) stations to the city center. Trains run every 20 minutes from both stations and reach the city enter within half an hour or less.

Eurail passes as bought via Happyrail are valid on all Arlanda Express trains. Seperate tickets can also be bought upon arrival.
Arlanda Express features no reserved seats, nor can trains sell out. Just turn up and take the train that you want!

Arlanda has a third station, Arlanda Central, for IC trains to the north of Sweden. You cannot take trains from Arlanda Central to Stockholm city center with your Eurail pass. Both Arlanda Södra and Arlanda Nörra stations, from where you can use your Eurail pass on Arlanda Express, are less than a 10-minute walk away within the airport.

Arlanda Express features second class obly, with comfortable seats in a 2+2 configuration with extra large luggage compartments at various points in each coach. Free wifi

Sleeper trains (including Arctic Circle Train)

State operator SJ operators sleeper trains within Sweden, including the famous Arctic Circle Express from Stockholm to Narvik in Norway. Eurail passes as booked via Happyrail are valid on all Swedish sleeper trains, including the Arctic Circle Train.

For a one-click holiday, customizable in length, including the Arctic Circle sleeper train, please see our Scandinavian Grand Tour.

A dining car with the same meals as on high-speed trains is available. On the Arctic Circle train a full dining car is available for dinner whereas only a smaller bistro/café is available for breakfast.
Second-class seating is similar to seating on IC trains (see above) with comfortable adjustable seats, power outlets and free wi-fi.
Couchette, hard sleeper, features 4 to 6 beds in one compartment. Bedding is included. Beds can either be booked seperately in a shared compartment, or a whole couchette compartment can be booked privately for a group of up to 6 people. Breakfast is not included but can be bought seperately in the dining car/bistro.
2nd class sleeper features compartments with soft, comfortable beds, bedding included, for up to 3 people per cabin. Beds can either be booked seperately in a compartment shared with others, or a compartment can be booked privately for one to three people. Each cabin has a sink available, with towels included, and power outlets are available as well.
1st class sleeper has similar soft, comfortable beds to second class sleeper, but is sold as a private compartment (for up to two persons) only and has an ensuite WC and shower available in each compartment. Soaps and towels are provided. Bedding is included and a power outlet is available. Breakfast is included in the fare and can be picked up from the dining/bistro car (and either eaten there or be brought back to your cabin).

Inlandsbanen scenic railway

The Inlandsbanen railway is a seasonal scenic railway, with trains running only during summer months through the heart of Sweden. The train ride is an all-inclusive experience, with planned stops both for small scenic excursions and for meals (included in the trip).

The Inlandsbanen has very limited availability and is quickly sold out. Happyrail is an official partner of the railway, and we sell the train journey in our Inlandsbanen Rail Tour. We have crafted an itinerary where the full 14-hour train journey is divided up into parts on three seperate days, so you have all the time in the world to enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.

You can read all about the Inlandsbanen train and how to book it here.

Euronight (EN) and Snälltaget sleeper trains Germany-Sweden

Travelling between Germany and Sweden, you have a choice between two sleeper trains: the Euronight (EN) train operated by Swedish railways SJ, and the Snälltaget private sleeper train. Eurail passes as booked via Happyrail are valid on both trains.

Reservations for seats or sleeping options can be booked via the Eurail app after booking your pass via Happyrail.
Couchette compartments (up to 6 people) can be booked either shared or privately on both trains. Soft sleeper compartments on the Euronight train can be booked either shared or privately.

	Euronight (EN)	Snälltaget
Routes	Berlin - Hamburg - Mälmo - Stockholm	(Dresden* -) Berlin - Hamburg - Mälmo -Stockholm
Eurail pass valid	Yes	Yes
2nd class seating	Yes	Yes
Couchette (hard sleeper) compartments	Yes (shared or private)	Yes (shared or private)
Soft sleeper compartments	Yes (choice between 2nd and 1st class, the latter with ensuite bathroom)	No
Onboard catering	Breakfast (included in fare) and mini-buffet in soft sleeper No catering options in couchette or 2nd class seating	Restaurant car available to all passengers, breakfast available for an extra surcharge

*To/from Dresden on some dates only.

Snälltaget features second-class seating, generally in open-plan carriages. Free wifi is available to all passengers.
Euronight train features second-class seating in closed or semi-open compartments. Power sockets are available. Wifi is not available. Pictured underneath: Euronight 2nd class seating. Picture credit: Swedish Railways SJ.
Both Euronight and Snälltaget feature couchette (hard sleeper) coaches feature shared sleeping compartments for up to 6 people. Bedding is always included in the price or reservation. Both mixed, men-only and women-only shared compartments are available.
Pictured: a 6-person couchette coach in a central-European Euronight train. The Germany-Sweden Euronight and Snälltaget trains features the same type of couchette car, details may be different.
Euronight second-class sleeper coaches feature more comfortable sleeping compartments for 1 to 3 people, booked either shared or privately. The beds are made of real matrasses, more comfortable than in couchette. Bedding and a small breakfast served before arrival are included. included. Each compartment as a power outlet and a sink. Pictured is a ÖBB Nightjet sleeping compartment. Euronight Germany-Sweden uses similar coaches, details may differ.
Euronight first-class sleeper compartments feature wider beds and an ensuite shower and WC in each compartment. Like in second-class sleeper compartments, bedding and breakfast are included.

Oresundstag trains Sweden-Denmark

Oresundstag is the name for regional trains running between Sweden and Denmark using the Oresund bridge. They connect major cities like Malmo, Lund and Helsingborg in Sweden to Copenhagen and Copenhagen Airport.

Eurail passes as bought via Happyrail are valid on all Oresundstag trains. Reservations are technically available but rarely made; just take any free seat.
Oresundstag trains run very frequently, up to every 20 minutes on the core route between Copenhagen and Malmo.
Second class features comfortable chairs in a 2+2 configuration with free wifi available. At least one coach per train (and often two coaches each train) features a special low-floor entrance with a dedicated luggage space area; useful for example when travelling to/from the airport in Copenhagen with luggage.
First class features more comfortable seats with extra padding, more adjustment and more legroom. First class is generally quieter.