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Is one of Europe's most legendary night trains disappearing? For years, the Stockholm-Narvik, also known as the Arctic Circle Train, has been the stuff of dreams for travelers in search of the northern lights and Arctic landscapes. But in 2026, the situation has changed: service has been reduced, construction work is disrupting the line and its future is uncertain. So, can we still take this train today? And above all, what do you need to know before embarking on this journey? We explain.
The Stockholm-Narvik night train will still be running in 2026, but in deteriorated conditions. Service has been reduced in northern Sweden, and construction work is temporarily affecting connections, notably at Boden. The journey is still possible, but less direct than before. The future of the line after December 2026 is uncertain, due to operating and financing difficulties.
Good news: yes, the train is still running. The line operated by SJ still links Stockholm in northern Sweden with Kiruna, Abisko and Narvik in Norway. So, in theory, it's still possible to reach the Arctic Circle by night train.
But in practice, the experience isn't quite the same as before. The journey can be less fluid, less frequent and sometimes less direct, depending on the period.
Since 2025, the Swedish government, via Trafikverket, has reduced the funding allocated to certain night train lines. What does this mean in practice? This has led to a reduction in the number of trains running to the north of the country.
Some rotations have been discontinued, and the overall offer is now more limited than before, particularly on the more northerly sections of the route. This does not mean that the line has disappeared altogether, but rather that the service is more fragile and less flexible for passengers.
In addition to this reduction in service, infrastructure work in northern Sweden is having a direct impact on train operations.
Between April and August 2026, this work will entail major adaptations. Certain sections of the line will no longer run continuously, forcing passengers to make a connection, usually at Boden, instead of staying on the same train to Narvik.
This means that the direct Stockholm-Narvik route is not always possible during this period. The trip is still feasible, but requires a little more forethought.
The operation of night trains relies heavily on public funding. These lines, often long and less profitable than high-speed trains, need support to be maintained.
In Sweden, recent budget cuts have led to a reduction in the resources allocated to certain long-distance lines. This has had a direct impact on service to the north of the country, with fewer trains and less robust service.
Another worrying sign is the difficulties encountered in tendering for the operation of the line.
According to The Rail Agenda, several procedures were unsuccessful. No operator bid for certain contracts, and a tender for new rolling stock (including locomotives and night coaches) was cancelled in 2025 for lack of compliant bids.
The current contract with SJ runs until December 2026, but no clear solution has yet emerged for the future. This uncertainty weighs directly on the future of the line.
This situation is all the more paradoxical given that the line rests partly on the Malmbanan, an essential rail link for the transport of iron ore between Sweden and Norway.
In other words, infrastructure is economically strategic. However, from the passenger's point of view, supply remains vulnerable and dependent on political and financial choices.
In the vast majority of cases, the trip is still possible. You simply have to accept a few adaptations to the "ideal" experience.
It is now often necessary to make a connection, particularly at Boden. Timetables may also vary according to construction work and the time of year, and the number of available seats may be more limited.
This does not call into question the feasibility of the trip, but it does mean that you need to check the itineraries carefully when you book, and anticipate them more than before.
Despite these constraints, the magic of the journey remains intact. The journey passes through spectacular landscapes, with boreal forests, snow-covered expanses, mountains and fjords. The gradual arrival in the Arctic regions remains a unique experience in Europe.
If you want to plan your trip in detail, find out about stops, comfort options or possible routes, you can consult our complete guide dedicated to this line:
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Arctic Circle Train: the magic of the Stockholm-Narvik night train through Swedish Lapland
Fortunately, it's still possible to reach Scandinavia by train from France. Connections via Germany have recently been strengthened, notably Hamburg with the European Sleeper's new Paris-Hamburg night train. This makes it possible to build coherent, plane-free routes to Sweden or Norway.
If you want an overview of your options, we explain everything in our guide to Scandinavia by train:
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Traveling to Scandinavia by train: Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Lapland from France (2026 guide)
It's hard to be categorical at this stage. Several factors suggest that the line could evolve over the next few years. On the one hand, the uncertainties surrounding operations after 2026 remain high. On the other, there are plans to renew the rolling stock, notably with Talgo, which could improve the attractiveness of the service in the medium term.
In reality, the future of the line will largely depend on the political decisions and investment choices made in the years to come...
The Stockholm-Narvik is not just a train. It's an emblematic experience of travel in Europe, a gateway to the Arctic, but also a revelation of the current fragility of long-distance rail. The journey is still possible today, and still worth the detour. But it requires a little more forethought than before, and reminds us that even the most mythical lines are never completely taken for granted.
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.
