Hello all. I'm planning on spending a few days in Copenhagen, then a few days in Stockholm. At first I liked the extremely budget-minded recommendation to take the sleeper train. But then I started to consider: it arrives into Stockholm at 6:15AM. What is open in Stockholm from, say, 6:30 - 9:30? Places to eat? Museums? I'm wondering if I might not be happier spending more for an extra night in a Copenhagen hotel . . . any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks!
Posted by
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
1743 posts
Assuming you can stow your luggage somewhere, I think it would be lovely to enjoy Stockholm early in the morning before the cruise ships arrive and the crowds inundate the city. You might not find things open (though I'm sure you can find an early morning breakfast spot), but Stockholm is a great walking city, so just roam around and enjoy the peace and quiet while you have it! Maybe walk around the Kungsträdgården, or find a spot overlooking the harbor to sit and enjoy watching the city come to life.
Posted by
Maryland, USA
533 posts
If you're visiting in June, July, or August, the Vasa Museum opens at 8:30: http://www.vasamuseet.se/en/visit Other museums typically open at 10:00 or later.
I don't know about specific restaurants, but I can't imagine there won't be some places serving breakfast somewhere.
Posted by
OP
Orlando. FL
9 posts
Hmmmm, thank you both for your thoughts. The flip side of my wondering is how much of my last day in Copenhagen I'll lose by needing to be in Malmo for the 10:30 (or thereabouts) night train to Stockholm. I've only been to Europe a few times, and this will be my first train experience, so I'm very green here. Thanks!
Posted by
Maryland, USA
533 posts
For what it's worth, I'm planning a similar trip to yours (but in the opposite order). I considered taking the night train, but I decided against it for a few reasons. First, a couchette or sleeper bunk on the night train does not save that much money compared to an extra night in the (budget) hotels I'm staying in (whereas tickets on the daytime trains can be quite cheap if you buy them far enough in advance). Second, the overnight train is barely long enough to get a good night's sleep, and that's even if you can sleep well on a moving train. Third, taking the night train means I don't have a hotel room to relax in for most of the day before and the day after. I figured that the risk of making myself miserable and exhausted for two full days was not worth saving maybe $50 and 4-5 extra hours of daylight sightseeing.
Obviously, you don't have to come to the same conclusion as I did, and I haven't been there yet, so I might be wrong about something. But that was my thought process.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5516 posts
I'm not a fan of overnight trains (I can't sleep on them), but arriving early is not necessarily a problem.
Depending on where you are staying, you can also go directly to your hotel and drop your bag off there. Alternatively, there are luggage lockers in the Central Station. The grocery store in T-Centralen opens at 6am and various other services will likely open by 7am.
If the weather is nice, I'd suggest you just take a walk. Head over to Gamla Stan and walk through the old town. Walk along the water's edge. Find a bakery or coffee place to get a coffee and kanelbullar (cinnamon bun) or a breakfast sandwich.
What day of the week are you arriving? Things will open later on Sunday.
Posted by
OP
Orlando. FL
9 posts
Comfort is an issue. I'm wondering how much I'll enjoy those first 8 hours (before checking into my airbnb, so no early storage of luggage the) if I don't sleep well on that train, wondering how happy I will be wandering around unshowered. I'm not sure the savings are worth it, and I'm staying at a budget hotel in Copenhagen. Thank you all for your thoughts. I think I will contact my hotel in Copenhagen and add one night