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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, 2026the arrival of a direct daytime train Hamburg-Copenhagen-Stockholm operated by Snälltåget, the strengthening of connections between Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, and the announced return of the direct high-speed train Copenhagen-Stockholm by SJ (autumn 2026), the North is more accessible than ever without a plane.
Copenhagen in 24 hours, Stockholm or Oslo in 36 to 48 hours, Lapland in two nights (sometimes with connections depending on the period)... 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.
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).
The main change in 2026 is the simplification of connections: Stockholm will gradually become accessible with far fewer changes than before!
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
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:
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. Some orders of magnitude:
| Destination | Distance "as the crow flies | Train (≈ 3.3 g/km) | Plane (≈ 187 g/km) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen | 1028 km | ~3.4 kg CO₂e | ~192 kg CO₂e | ~57× |
| Oslo | 1343 km | ~4.4 kg CO₂e | ~251 kg CO₂e | ~57× |
| Stockholm | 1545 km | ~5.1 kg CO₂e | ~289 kg CO₂e | ~57× |
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.
Denmark, Sweden and Norway have never been so accessible by train from France!
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 :
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
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Pretty Hamburg by night
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 :
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 :
All without an intermediate hotel night if you optimize your connections.
If you prefer to travel by day, Hamburg is also accessible by high-speed train.
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.
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
Yes, it is possible to travel to Stockholm by train from France without taking a plane. And above all, journeys are much simpler than they used to be.
Since May 2026, Swedish operator Snälltåget has been offering a direct daytime trains between Hamburg, Copenhagen and Stockholm, with no changes. A major breakthrough for travellers from France: it is now possible to reach the Swedish capital via a much clearer itinerary, with only one major connection in Hamburg from Paris.
The Paris-Stockholm itinerary, via our HOURRAIL app!
For those wishing to stop over in Denmark, it is of course still possible to reach Malmö from Copenhagen on the Øresundståg trains, which cross the spectacular Øresund Bridge in around 35 minutes.
From autumn 2026, SJ also plans to relaunch its X2000 direct high-speed train between Copenhagen and Stockholm, with no connection at Malmö. A major improvement that will further simplify rail journeys to Sweden.
The famous Øresund Bridge, between Sweden and Denmark
From Malmö, SJ long-distance trains connect Stockholm in about 5 a.m. to 5.30 a.m. depending on the type of service (fast X2000 or InterCity).
From autumn 2026 onwards, SJ will also be offering fast direct connections between Copenhagen and Stockholm avoiding the connection to Malmö.
Malmö and its lighthouse
Stockholm can now be reached in just one extra day after Hamburg.
Getting to Oslo by train from Paris is now perfectly feasible by combining Hamburg, Copenhagen and Malmö.
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
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 historic village of Bergen, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Scandinavia's rail network remains very reliable overall, but some lines, particularly to northern Sweden, are currently undergoing work and adjustments to their services.
👉 As a result, some journeys may take a little longer or be less direct than before, but are still perfectly feasible.
| Final destination | Main route from Hamburg | Approximate duration | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen | DB / DSB direct train | ~4h30-5h | Deutsche BahnDSB |
| Malmö | Hamburg → Copenhagen → Malmö | ~5h | Deutsche BahnØresundståg |
| Stockholm | Hamburg → Stockholm (Snälltåget direct) or Hamburg → Copenhagen → Stockholm | ~10-11h depending on itinerary | SJ / Snälltåget |
| Oslo | Hamburg → Copenhagen → Malmö → Oslo | ~10-12h | SnälltågetVy |
| Lapland (Abisko) | Hamburg → Copenhagen → Stockholm → night train | ~1 day + 1 night | SJ Night 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 northern reaches of Sweden and even Norway, and turn your journey into an adventure. Our recommended route: Paris → Germany → Denmark → Sweden → Arctic Circle.
From summer 2026, a rail link between Sweden and Finland will enable people to reach Finnish Lapland by train, via the border between Haparanda (Sweden) and Tornio (Finland). This missing link reconnects Finland to the European rail network and paves the way for long-distance routes to the north of the country, with a simple connection at the border between VR Group and Norrtåg trains. A promising option for varied itineraries to the Far North, always without air travel.
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.
⚠️ In 2026 The overnight service to northern Sweden is currently experiencing disruptions.
👉 The train is still running, but be sure to check your itinerary when booking.
What does this say about rail in Europe? These recent adjustments illustrate a broader reality: despite their comeback in Europe, night trains are still dependent on political decisions and public investment.
Article
Arctic Circle Train: the magic of the Stockholm-Narvik night train through Swedish Lapland
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.
Article
Abisko: the ultimate guide to organise your trip
In practical terms, this means less cloud cover, less light pollution, and direct viewing from Abisko National Park.
From Paris :
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
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).
⚠️ By 2026, direct access to Narvik by night train will be possible. temporarily disrupted by roadworks in northern Sweden.
👉 Some routes require a connection, which can slightly lengthen the journey.
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.
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.
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.
In the morning, cross the Øresund bridge into Sweden before continuing on to Stockholm.
From autumn 2026, SJ also plans to relaunch a direct high-speed train between Copenhagen and Stockholm, with no connection at Malmö.
If you prefer to optimize your journey from Germany, you can also take the direct train Snälltåget Hamburg-Stockholm, without changing trains.
Explore Gamla Stan, museums (Vasa, ABBA), city ferries and Nordic cafés. Stockholm is an ideal place to slow down before heading up to the Arctic.
Evening departure with SJ Night Train. Sleeper cabin, cosy atmosphere, and in the early morning: snow-covered landscapes (depending on the season) and arrival in Swedish Lapland!
⚠️ In 2026, this route may include a connection (notably at Boden) due to line works.
On the program: hiking, polar silence, and in the evening... hunting at dawn.
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.
Comfortable 4h30-5h30 journey with SJ, with the option of a stopover in Gothenburg if you want to split the trip.
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.
Back south via Gothenburg and Copenhagen, then Hamburg. An ideal transition day for a final German stopover before France.
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!
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.
To conclude this guide, you'll have understood: going to Scandinavia by train is not choosing the fastest solution, but it is choosing the most progressive and richest in discoveries. But as the current situation in northern Sweden shows, these routes are still fragile. All the more reason to use them and support their development!
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.
