Traveling to Scandinavia by train: Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Lapland from France (2026 guide)
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Is it really possible to travel to Scandinavia by train from France? Yes, it is possible to go to Norway by train, to go to Sweden by train and even to go to Denmark by train from France, without taking a plane. And it's getting easier all the time! With the launch of the Paris-Hamburg night train with European Sleeper from July 13, 2026and the stronger links between Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway Copenhagen in 24 hours, Stockholm or Oslo in 36 to 48 hours, Lapland in two nights... Scandinavia by train is no longer a utopia reserved for rail enthusiasts, it's now a real travel option. And best of all, the journey is an integral part of the adventure Crossing Germany at dawn, crossing the Øresund bridge between Copenhagen and Malmö, climbing into the snowy forests of northern Sweden, gradually discovering the fjords, the Nordic capitals, and maybe even the Northern Lights...
This comprehensive guide to travelling to Scandinavia by train from France explains step-by-step how to reach Norway, Sweden or Denmark without flying.
How long does it take to get to Scandinavia by train from France?
- Copenhagen : from 16 to 20h
- Stockholm: about 20 to 30h
- Oslo : approximately 28 to 40h
- Swedish Lapland : 2 days + 1 night train
It's perfectly possible to travel to Scandinavia by train from Paris without a plane, in 24 to 48 hours depending on destination and connections.
Why go to Scandinavia by train (rather than by plane)?
Scandinavia in 48 hours by train from France
Let's be clear: yes, it takes longer than flying. But it's doable, and increasingly easy via Germany (especially Hamburg). To give you some pointers, here are some indicative times from booking platforms (which vary, of course, according to itinerary, connections and season).
On average 48 hours from France including: departure at the end of the day, an overnight stay on the night train or in a hotel, connections, and possibly a "pleasure" stopover (discover Hamburg, Copenhagen or Malmö along the way).
In other words, in less than two days, you can be in Oslo or Stockholm without hurrying, without getting up at 4 a.m. to go to the airport, and discovering a few nuggets along the way!
Stockholm, the Swedish capital accessible by train from France
A journey that's part of the trip
That's the big bonus: Scandinavia by train, it's a progressive journey where the journey is an integral part of the adventure. You don't "teleport" yourself to the North: you see Europe change through the window, passing successively through Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, each stage bringing its own set of landscapes and atmospheres. And you can even add a few intermediate stops to discover Nordic cities!
Here are just a few of the benefits you'll enjoy:
- The pleasure of the hub Hamburg is a natural crossroads to Denmark and Sweden. Even on 100% day routes, it's a great destination for a break (and an overnight stay) before setting off again.
- Tilting landscapes You go from the plains of Western Europe to the Nordic atmosphere (forests, water everywhere, long lights, and that feeling that "this is it, we're going up").
- Rulings worth a micro-adventure in themselves If you want to cut out your journey intelligently, you can make logical stops at the main gates, which are Hamburg, Copenhagen and Malmö before moving on to Stockholm or Oslo (and then the great Norwegian classics by train).
- The comfort of a city-center gateway You arrive right in the center, put your bag down, and you're already on your way, where the plane adds shuttles, controls and peripheries.
Environment: what do you (really) gain over flying?
To give you an idea, the TGV in France emits an average of 3.3 gCO₂e / passenger / km, while the medium-haul plane (1000-3500 km) emits an average of 187 gCO₂e / passenger / km.
Stage 1: Getting to Hamburg, the North European hub
If there's one key city to travel to Scandinavia by train from France, it's Hamburg. Located in the north of Germany, it is today's main rail hub to Copenhagen, Malmö, Stockholm and Oslo and the natural tipping point between continental Europe and Scandinavia.
In practice, Hamburg also allows you to :
- Split your trip to Scandinavia intelligently
- A cultural and urban stopover in Germany
- Secure long-distance connections
- Reduce the fatigue of a continuous journey
Whether you're heading for Denmark, Sweden or Norway, your itinerary will almost always pass through here! A concrete example of an itinerary to Sweden:
Day 1 : Paris → Hamburg (+/) with discovery of Hamburg)
Day 2 morning : Hamburg → Copenhagen
Day 2 afternoon : Copenhagen → Malmö
And you're already in Sweden in less than 24 hours, without a plane!
In a nutshell, Hamburg is
- Direct connection to Denmark via the Hamburg-Copenhagen line (DB / DSB)
- A natural gateway to the Øresund Bridge (Copenhagen-Malmö)
- Simplified access to Swedish long-distance trains (SJ)
- Connections to Norway via Göteborg or Malmö
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Pretty Hamburg by night
Paris-Hamburg night train (European Sleeper)
New for 2026: from July 13, 2026the European company European Sleeper will link Paris to Hamburg by night train on its Paris-Berlin route.
In concrete terms, this means :
- Evening departure from Paris
- Night on board (berths or compartments)
- Morning arrival in Hamburg
- Immediate connections to Denmark and Scandinavia
The train transforms Hamburg into a rail gateway to the North, with no stopovers and no need to wake up at dawn for a low-cost flight.
Why is this great news for your plane-free Scandinavian travels? Because arriving in Hamburg at 7 or 9 a.m. allows you to fly directly to :
- 🚄 Copenhagen (approx. 4h30-5h)
- 🚄 Malmö (via Copenhagen)
- 🚄 Stockholm (via Copenhagen or Malmö)
- 🚄 Oslo (via Göteborg or Malmö)
All without an intermediate hotel night if you optimize your connections.
Daytime alternative: ICE from Paris or Brussels
If you prefer to travel by day, Hamburg is also accessible by high-speed train.
From Paris
- TGV/ICE to Frankfurt or Karlsruhe
- ICE connection to Hamburg
- Total travel time: variable according to connections (generally around 8-10h)
From Brussels
- ICE direct to Hamburg
- Travel time: approx. 6h30-7h
Stage 2: from Hamburg, three gateways to Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, Norway)
Once you've arrived in Hamburg, there are three main directions you can take: Denmark, Sweden and Norway. This is where the journey becomes fully Nordic.
Getting to Denmark by train: Hamburg - Copenhagen
The train to Copenhagen from France is the most direct route to Scandinavia without flying.
From Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, direct trains operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB) and DSB Danish Railways link Copenhagen in about 4h30 to 5h (depending on services and work in progress), with several trains a day. No complex intermediate connections: you get on in Hamburg, you get off in Copenhagen.
The charm of Copenhagen
Travelling to Sweden by train (Copenhagen - Malmö and Stockholm)
Yes, it is possible to travel to Stockholm by train from France without taking a plane. In fact, the train to Stockholm from Paris is one of the most beautiful rail crossings in Northern Europe.
Once in Copenhagen, the Swedish border is literally a few minutes away. Øresundståg from Copenhagen to Malmö in about 35 minutes (with several trains per hour). In less than half an hour, you're on your way from Denmark to Sweden, via the spectacular Øresund Bridge (one of Northern Europe's most emblematic rail crossings).
The famous Øresund Bridge, between Sweden and Denmark
Malmö - Stockholm by train
From Malmö, long-distance trains operated by the Swedish company SJ link Stockholm in about 4h30 to 5h30 depending on the type of service (express or InterCity).
Malmö and its lighthouse
Stockholm can now be reached in just one extra day after Hamburg.
Norway by train (Malmö - Oslo and Oslo - Bergen)
Getting to Oslo by train from Paris is now perfectly feasible by combining Hamburg, Copenhagen and Malmö.
Malmö - Oslo by train
From June 15, 2026the Swedish company Snälltåget will launch a daily daytime service : Malmö - Göteborg - Oslo for a journey of approx. 6.30 a.m. to 7 a.m..
The Norwegian company Vy also operates direct daytime services, mainly on weekends and public holidays, between Oslo and Malmö.
Welcome to the Port of Oslo
From Oslo: the legendary Bergensbanen
Once in Oslo, it's impossible not to mention the Bergensbanen the railway line between Oslo and Bergen, operated by Vy linking Oslo and Bergen in 6.30 a.m. to 7 a.m..
It's one of Europe's most famous rail routes, and it's easy to see why: the line crosses mountain plateaus, fjords and spectacular Nordic landscapes.
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The UNESCO-listed historic village of Bergen
See the northern lights by train
It's one of Europe's finest rail journeys! Instead of taking a direct flight to Lapland, you can travel gradually up to the Arctic Circle by train, to the northernmost reaches of Sweden and even Norway, and turn your journey into an adventure. Our recommended route: Paris → Germany → Denmark → Sweden → Arctic Circle.
Stockholm - Abisko by night train (SJ)
Swedish company SJ (Statens Järnvägar) operates the Stockholm-Abisko-Kiruna-Narvik night train. A very comfortable night train (with sleeping cars and couchettes) that takes you from Stockholm in the evening to Lapland the following morning.
Why is Abisko one of the best places to see the Northern Lights?
Abisko is renowned for its particularly favorable weather conditions for viewing the Northern Lights. The Swedish Tourist Association (STF) points out that the region often enjoys a climatic "blue hole", with clearer skies than in other parts of Lapland.
In practical terms, this means less cloud cover, less light pollution, and direct viewing from Abisko National Park.
How long does it take to see the Northern Lights by train?
From Paris :
- Day 1: Paris → Hamburg by train
- Day 2: Hamburg → Stockholm by train
- Night 2: Stockholm → Abisko night train
- Day 3 morning: arrival in Lapland
That's about 2 days + 1 night train to reach the Arctic without a plane.
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The northern lights of Abisko: a magical spectacle
Alternative via Narvik (Norway)
The SJ night train doesn't stop at Abisko: it goes on to Narvik which lies on the edge of a fjord, north of the Arctic Circle. From Narvik, you can reach Tromsø by regional bus (operated by Troms fylkestrafikk).
A turnkey tour of Scandinavia by train (10-12 days)
Focus on an itinerary that's 100% feasible by train via European Sleeper, Deutsche Bahn, DSB, SJ, Snälltåget and Vy, combining Nordic capitals with Arctic nature and alternating day and night trains to optimize time. A tour that allows you to see the northern lights without a plane turning the trip into a real adventure in Northern Europe.
🚆 Day 1: Paris → Hamburg (overnight train)
You leave Paris in the evening on board the European Sleeper night train. Settle into a couchette or cabin, enjoy a light supper, then spend the night lulled to sleep by the rails. When you wake up, you can already see North Germany through the window.
🇩🇪🇩🇰 Day 2: Hamburg → Copenhagen
Breakfast in Hamburg or direct connection to Denmark. In around 4? hours, you'll arrive in Copenhagen, a human-sized capital of Scandinavian design, canals and ubiquitous bicycles.
🇩🇰🇸🇪 Day 3: Copenhagen → Malmö → Stockholm
In the morning, cross the Øresund bridge by train (35 min) to Malmö, then continue on to Stockholm (4h30-5h30). The arrival in the Swedish capital, between islands and the ever-present water, is spectacular.
🇸🇪 Days 4-5: Stockholm
Explore Gamla Stan, museums (Vasa, ABBA), city ferries and Nordic cafés. Stockholm is ideal for slowing down before heading up to the Arctic.
🌙 Night 5: Night train to Abisko
Evening departure with SJ Night Train. Sleeper cabin, cosy atmosphere, and in the early morning: snowy landscapes (depending on the season) and arrival in Swedish Lapland!
🌌 Days 6-7: Northern lights at Abisko
On the program: hiking, polar silence, and in the evening... hunting at dawn.
🌙 Night 7: Return to Stockholm
Then head back south by night train. An opportunity to take in one last view of the Arctic landscape before returning to the Swedish capital.
🚄 Day 8: Stockholm → Malmö
Comfortable 4h30-5h30 journey with SJ, with the option of a stopover in Gothenburg if you want to split the trip.
🇸🇪🇳🇴 Day 9: Malmö → Oslo
Direct train to Snälltåget (from June 15, 2026) or link via Göteborg. Around 6h30-7h to reach Norway and discover Oslo, the capital between fjord and wooded hills.
🇳🇴 Day 10: Oslo → Hamburg
Back south via Gothenburg and Copenhagen, then Hamburg. An ideal transition day for a final German stopover before France.
🚆 Day 11: Hamburg → Paris
And finally, night train or daytime ICE to Paris. The end of a journey that will have taken you through five European countries without a plane!
To conclude this guide, you'll have understood: going to Scandinavia by train isn't about choosing the fastest solution, but it is about choosing the most progressive and richest in discoveries. From the Paris-Hamburg night train to the Arctic landscapes of Lapland, it's now possible to reach Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen or Abisko without a plane.
❓ FAQ - Scandinavia by train
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
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