
Stockholm to Oslo Trains

Stockholm to Oslo Trains
Traveling by train from Stockholm to Oslo offers a scenic journey through forests and lakes, linking Sweden's capital with the capital of Norway in around five and a half hours. The route typically offers views of scenic landscapes including forests and lakes on both sides of the border. The Stockholm to Oslo train runs from Stockholm Central Station to Oslo Central Station, crossing the Swedish countryside via Västerås and Karlstad before entering Norway. SJ operates most train services on the route, while Vy offers limited services, and on the Swedish side SJ's high speed trains reach a maximum speed of 200 km/h.
The Oslo Stockholm connection, operated for decades by Swedish and Norwegian railways, is one of the most popular rail routes in Scandinavia, and the train takes you straight from one city center to the other, so you avoid airport transfers and security hassles. Onboard, you can relax in spacious seats with free WiFi and power sockets, and the restaurant car serves Swedish food and drinks. Exploring Europe's well-developed rail networks has never been simpler, but the journey is just the beginning of your adventure: start planning your Norway itinerary now and make the most of your Scandinavia tour.



Direct train journeys from Stockholm Central Station to Oslo Central Station are approximately 5 to 6 hours long. The fastest train covers the distance in 5 hours 20 minutes, and SJ trains typically take around 5 hours 20 minutes to Oslo, while the fastest trip on our current timetable takes 5 hours 38 minutes. The average travel time is around 6 hours 5 minutes, and a typical train journey takes about 5 hours 59 minutes. Travel time for direct trains varies slightly depending on the departure schedule, and some connections with a change take up to 10 hours. The rail route covers around 520 km, while the distance between Stockholm and Oslo in a straight line is about 416 km.
Yes. SJ runs a direct train from Stockholm to Oslo several times a day, and direct train services minimize the need for connections or additional transfers. Trains from Stockholm to Oslo run approximately 4 times per day as direct services, while our timetable shows 9 departures in total, including connections via Karlstad or Gothenburg. Vy operates one train daily from Stockholm to Oslo, and SJ operates most of the other services. Taking a direct train means you keep your seat and luggage with you for the whole trip, which is especially convenient if you travel with family or lots of bags.
Trains generally run multiple times daily between Stockholm and Oslo. There are 4 trains per day on direct services, operated mainly by SJ, and our timetable shows 9 departures in total, including connecting trains via Karlstad and Gothenburg. Most departures leave in the morning, with seven trains between 05:32 and 11:20, while the afternoon and evening have one train each. The journey time on direct trains is around five and a half to six hours, arriving in Oslo in the early afternoon, late afternoon or evening depending on your departure. On summer weekends and holidays, extra trains may be added, but seats still sell out quickly, so book early to get the departure you want.
The earliest train departs Stockholm at 05:32 on our timetable, and on some days the first train departs Stockholm at 05:40 AM. There are seven morning departures between 05:32 and 11:20, one afternoon train at 15:27 and one evening train at 18:19. Some timetables also list a late connection leaving Stockholm at 11:57 PM, which arrives in Oslo the next day after a change. If you want to spend the afternoon in Oslo, take an earlier train in the morning; if you prefer a relaxed start, the afternoon and evening trains arrive in Oslo in time for dinner or a late night out.
SJ trains on the Stockholm Oslo route are modern high speed train sets with a maximum speed of 200 km/h on the Swedish main lines. On the Norwegian side, the line is slower and more winding, but it offers some of the most beautiful scenery in Scandinavia. SJ operates most train services from Stockholm to Oslo, and you'll also find regional trains connecting smaller towns along the route. The trains are comfortable and quiet, with onboard amenities that include spacious seats and WCs, making the journey much more pleasant than driving by car.
The cheapest way to travel from Stockholm to Oslo is usually to book train tickets well in advance. The cheapest train ticket from Stockholm to Oslo is around €8 on promotional fares, and tickets starting from around $95 are available on our site. The average ticket price is around €74 if bought on the day, so booking in advance can save money on train tickets. Discounts are available for travelers under 26 and over 65, and children travel at reduced prices. Buses are another low-cost option, but they take longer and offer less space than the train. Public transport in both cities makes it easy to reach the stations.
You can book train tickets on our website by choosing your date, comparing SJ and Vy departures and paying in a few clicks. Tickets can also be purchased from the SJ website or the SJ app, which is a free app for iOS and Android. Your ticket is sent by email and stored in the app, so you just show the QR code when the conductor checks tickets on board. Seat reservations are included in every ticket on this route, and booking early gives you a better choice of seats.
Stockholm Centralstation, also called Stockholm C, is located in Norrmalm in the city center, a 10-minute walk from Gamla Stan and close to the shopping streets around Drottninggatan. It's the country's busiest train station, with numerous shops, restaurants and cafés, luggage lockers and waiting areas. The station is linked to the T-Centralen metro station and to the commuter trains, and the Arlanda Express leaves from here to Stockholm Arlanda Airport every 15 minutes. Arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes before departure to find your platform on the boards.
Every Oslo train arrives at Oslo Central Station, known as Oslo S, located in the city center next to the Opera House and the Barcode district. From the station, you can walk to Karl Johans gate, the Royal Palace and the Aker Brygge waterfront in minutes, or take the metro, trams and buses to the rest of the city. Oslo S is also the starting point for trains to Bergen and the Airport Express Train to Oslo Airport. Norway's capital combines a charming old town area around Akershus Fortress with modern architecture, museums and easy access to outdoor activities in the surrounding forests and fjords.
A flight from Stockholm Arlanda Airport to Oslo Airport takes about an hour, but both airports are located outside the cities. You need around 20 minutes on the Arlanda Express to reach Stockholm Arlanda Airport, plus check-in and security, and about 20 minutes on the Airport Express Train from Oslo Airport into the centre. Once you add these transfers, the total travel time is similar to the train. Traveling by train avoids airport transfers and security hassles, offers more legroom and free WiFi, and produces far lower emissions than flying.
Trains offer free WiFi and power sockets at every seat, and onboard amenities include spacious seats and WCs. Trains provide several travel classes for comfort: 2nd class has comfortable seats and plenty of luggage space, while 1st class adds wider seats, more legroom and complimentary coffee or tea. Onboard amenities may include a bistro car serving food and drinks, and a restaurant car serves Swedish food and drinks, from sandwiches and salads to hot meals. Toilets are available onboard the trains, and there are areas for large luggage at the end of each carriage.
Oslo is a compact, green capital that's easy to explore on foot or by public transport. Start at the Opera House, where you can walk on the roof for views over the Oslofjord, then continue to Akershus Fortress and the Aker Brygge waterfront. The Munch Museum, the National Museum and Vigeland Sculpture Park are highlights for art lovers, while the Fram Museum and Kon-Tiki Museum on Bygdøy tell the story of Norway's seafaring history. Oslo blends historic charm with modern design, and forests, lakes and hiking trails are only a short metro ride from the center, so outdoor activities are part of daily life. After your train from Stockholm, it's easy to spend two or three days in the city before continuing to Bergen or the fjords.
Luggage rules on SJ trains are generous. You can bring up to three pieces of luggage, including one large suitcase, as long as you can carry them yourself and store them on the racks above your seat or in the luggage areas at the end of each carriage. There are no weight limits like on flights, which makes the train ideal for long trips around Scandinavia. Pets are allowed in certain carriages, and bikes can travel on some regional trains with a reservation. Label your bags and keep valuables with you during the journey.
Yes. Oslo is the starting point of the Bergen Railway, often described as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, crossing the Hardangervidda mountain plateau on its way to the west coast and the fjords. The journey time from Oslo to Bergen is around seven hours, and many travelers combine it with the famous Flåm Railway. If you're heading south instead, trains from Oslo run to Gothenburg, where you can change for Copenhagen, so it's easy to plan a longer train trip around Scandinavia, arriving in three capitals without taking a single flight.
Sweden and Norway are both part of the Schengen Area, so there are usually no passport checks at the border. However, you should always carry a valid passport or national ID card, as random checks can take place and you may need to show ID when checking in to accommodation. If you are connecting with trains to Copenhagen or other destinations in Europe, the same rules apply within the Schengen Area.