Dreaming of sumptuous snowy landscapes? You want to hunting the northern lights or discover the arctic circle? Then the arctic circle night train (Arctic Circle Train) is for you! Operated by Swedish Railways (SJ), it crosses the whole of Sweden from the capital to beyond the Arctic Circle and into Norway via the legendary Malmbanan (or iron ore line), to offer you the landscapes of Wild Lapland breathtaking.
In practice, the line takes you to Abisko (Sweden) and Narvik (Norway), its terminus, from Stockholm (which you can easily reach from France by train). Paris-Berlin then an overnight train Berlin-Stockholm).
Schedules, duration, reservations, prices, comfort... In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about this mythical journey to the Arctic Circle!
Updated April 2026. This legendary train is currently going through a period of uncertainty. Between reduced service in northern Sweden and work on the line, the journey is now sometimes less direct than before (with possible connections).
- The offer has been in northern Swedenwith less traffic than before.
- The major works until summer 2026 disrupted the line: the direct train to Narvik was temporarily suspended, with a connection at Boden.
- Finally, the future of the line after December 2026 remains uncertainfor lack of a candidate to operate it.
👉 In concrete terms: the train still runs, but it is less frequent and sometimes less direct. We'll tell you all about it below.
As well as being your ticket to the Arctic Circle, this night train is renowned for its exceptional scenery. Benjamin, a.k.a. Tolt, has the opportunity to take in some of the sights on his family's journey to the Arctic Circle. Swedish Lapland :
From Umeå to Boden, the train traverses the magnificent landscapes of the Norrland region, between vast coniferous forests and ponds. From Boden, it then takes the famous iron ore line (built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries), passing through the mining towns of Gällivare and Kiruna and the winter resort and national park of Abisko (renowned for its aurora borealis viewing from September to March).
⚠️ Please note: in 2026, this section between Boden and Narvik is particularly sensitive. Construction work and reduced service may lead to a connection at Boden instead of a direct journey.
What makes this line so spectacular? The wilds of Swedish Lapland it crosses. Once inhabited by the nomadic Sami people, the wilderness of Lapland offers a magical landscape of valleys, mountains and endless white expanses. We dare you to take your eyes off the window!
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With over 25 stations served, this night train allows you to discover a large part of Sweden, all the way to Narvik in Norway, beyond the Arctic Circle. Services include: the Swedish capital Stockholm, Uppsala (a historic university town), Sundsvall (an important coastal town in northern Sweden), Umeå (the largest city in northern Sweden), Boden (a strategic railway junction in the north), Gällivare and Kiruna (famous for their iron mines), Abisko (a must for Northern Lights lovers and hikers, near Abisko National Park), Riksgränsen (on the Norwegian border) and Narvik the arrival point in Norway, renowned for its spectacular views over the fjords.
All departure and arrival times for the various cities served are listed below. here !
Map: © Interrail
From France, you have several options:
For detailed itineraries from several of France's major cities, click here :
Please note two stations in Abisko Abisko Östra and Abisko turiststation. They're both about 30 minutes' walk from each other, so there's nothing insurmountable about them, but it's best not to take any chances with your suitcases! To find out more, Tolt helps you choose where to stay in this article.
From France, the options are exactly the same as for Abisko (below), since Narvik is the terminus of the final Stockholm-Narvik leg.
For detailed itineraries from several of France's major cities, click here :
Tolt's route to hunt the northern lights at Abisko :
⚠️ Please note: in 2026, this section between Boden and Narvik is particularly sensitive, with infrastructure works and a reduced train offer. As a result, some routes now require a connection, which can slightly lengthen the journey, but without detracting from the spectacular beauty of the line.
Stockholm-Narvik night train now running every day in both directions.
2026 - Frequency and timetables (beware of disruptions)
Under normal circumstances, the Stockholm-Narvik night train runs daily in both directions.
⚠️ But in 2026, the situation is disrupted: some trains have been withdrawn, and construction work up to summer 2026 may require a connection at Boden instead of a direct journey.
👉 So it's essential to check the exact times when you book.
⚠️ In the case of connecting trains (especially in 2026), journey times may be slightly longer.
Yes! If you have an Interrail Global Pass, the journey is valid, but you still have to book in advance via the Interrail official website.
Beware, however, of additional booking fees apply if you book via Interrail: €4 for a seat, €23 for a couchette car and €46 for a sleeper car! (For tips on how to save money when travelling with Interrail, go to here.)
Crazy landscapes through windows
Prices vary according to the level of comfort chosen. Excluding Interrail Pass :
Please note that prices vary according to the date of travel and the time of booking. As a general rule: the earlier you book, the cheaper your ticket!
Reservations can be made :
As usual, to get the best prices, the sooner the better. Tips for saving money :
💡 Board 2026 :with reduced service on certain sections, trains fill up more quickly, especially in winter for the Northern Lights. Reserve as soon as possible and stay flexible on your dates.
The most affordable option is the seating position When it comes to sleeping, comfort in the seated position is relative. But the seats are still very pleasant, and if you're on a budget, this is the ideal option!
Of course, if you can, the best thing to do is to book a sleeper in a 6-person compartment (3 on each side).
The sleeper compartment aboard the Arctic Circle Train
Finally, the most comfortable option remains the sleeper which offers you greater privacy: a private compartment for 1, 2 or 3 people (unused beds are closed), with a spacious shower in the corridor and all equipment provided (sheets, towels...).
Note that there are also first-class compartments for one or two people, including an individual shower.
To get a better idea, take a look at the photos of the different options at the end of this page. this page !
The train is also equipped with a dining car where you'll find a wide choice of drinks and meals.
Yes, cats and dogs are allowed on board, in areas specially reserved for them. If your four-legged companion is on board, be sure to check this option when you make your reservation.
By the way, why not fly to Swedish Lapland or Narvik instead?
The train journey is from city center to city center. So there's no need to plan 1h30 in advance and add extra costs for the journey from the airport to the city center! In practice, Narvik/Harstad airport (EVE) is (very) out of the way, which makes access complicated. The journey from the airport to downtown Narvik takes around 1h30 and costs 329 NOK (about €30).
Not to mention the notion of useful time It's a long train journey, but that's the beauty of the night train. Once you're comfortably seated, you can enjoy the evening working, watching a film or reading a book, before drifting off to sleep peacefully and waking up the next morning at your destination.
Between us, given the scenic beauty chances are you'll have your nose glued to the window for a good part of the journey (and that's priceless)!
"It's really magical. In winter, the sun doesn't really come up, so it makes for beautiful incandescent tones. In my opinion, it's one of the world's most magical night trains and environmental considerations aside, the experience alone is worth not flying." - Tolt
By taking the train to Narvik, you can multiply your discoveries and enrich your trip by adding Stockholm or Abisko to your itinerary. Why not take the opportunity to discover a little more of Sweden?
Of course, you'll be able to find cheaper tickets by plane, but be sure to factor in hidden costs such as extra luggage or transportation to and from the airport! To get an idea, take a look at this detailed comparison of door-to-door TGV vs. air travel to several major European cities.
And of course, one of the great advantages of rail over air travel is that it emits far fewer greenhouse gases. According to our comparator (which is one of the most accurate, since it takes into account the impact of infrastructure and equipment manufacture, as well as the specificities of electricity production in the countries crossed), the journey Paris-Narvik via Stockholm-Narvik night train emits 5 times less CO2 equivalent than by plane ! A more than welcome reduction, given that we need to divide our current carbon footprint by 5 by 2050 to meet our climate targets.
Updated April 2026. Behind this unique experience lies a more fragile reality: like many night trains in Europe, the Stockholm-Narvik line is heavily dependent on political decisions and public funding.
The recent reduction in supply and the uncertainties surrounding its future show the extent to which even the most emblematic lines are not guaranteed over time.
All the more reason to borrow them while they still exist, and to defend 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.
