Need advice for family trip to Sweden/Denmark

For travel between Stockholm-Jönköping and Jönköping-Copenhagen, what
would be your recommended method of travel? I'm planning on taking the
train but wanted to ask some experts.

Yes, take the train. There are a few direct trains between Stockholm and Jönköping (twice a day I think) but most will require a change in Nässjö. Jönköping to Copenhagen always require a change in Nässjö.

If the train is recommended, is there any discount or regional tickets
I should look for or just purchase point to point when they are
avialable?

SJ uses dynamic pricing so buy in advance as soon as they go on sale. And for two single trips, just book two single tickets.

What are you accommodations recommendations for a family of 6?
Currently I'm planning on a family room in a hostel or using AirBnB
for an apartment.

A family room in a hostel can be a very affordable option. In Stockholm I can recommend Af Chapman if you want something special, especially if you stay on the boat.

I have to ask, why Jönköping? It's not usually on the list of most tourists.

I have to ask, why Jönköping? It's not usually on the list of most tourists.

We are really, really into matches and chainsaws.

Just kidding, my wife's Grandfather is originally from Jönköping.

DJ

Thanks Badger for your replies,

We will stick with my plans for taking the train and the hostel I was considering was Af Chapman (although it looks like the family rooms are full already but I'll call to confirm).

Thanks again!

DJ

We are really, really into matches and chainsaws. Just kidding, my
wife's Grandfather is originally from Jönköping.

I suspected there was some kind of family connection, since Jönköping is not the most popular destination. But it is not that bad, just remember that the chainsaws are made in Husqvarna and not Jönköping! While the two towns have de facto and de jure joined, there is still an identity of the two being separate towns.

However, Jönköping is not that bad. And if you are looking for daytrips, Gränna and Eksjö are two cute small towns closeby that are easy to reach by public transport. Especially Gränna might be popular for the children (the town is famous for its candy).

We are really, really into matches and chainsaws.
Just kidding, my wife's Grandfather is originally from Jönköping.

Well they used to make rifles there as well, so thats something.
I’ve been to Jönköping a few times some years ago, but all I remember is the kebab place were we had lunch. I can only second Badgers suggestions for day trips by train. To get elsewhere you will probably need a car.

Well they used to make rifles there as well, so thats something.

And motorcycles and lawn mowers.

I’ve been to Jönköping a few times some years ago, but all I remember
is the kebab place were we had lunch. I can only second Badgers
suggestions for day trips by train. To get elsewhere you will probably
need a car.

I've been to Jönköping for conferences a few times and there are some nice parts. And a walk along the lake can be enjoyable, or a swim for the brave… (The lake is deep, so it doesn't get very warm even in the summer.)

Part of my family is also from that area. Mine are from Jönköping County vs Jönköping Municipality. If it turns out your family is from Jönköping County, then consider staying in Eksjö or just visit it anyway. I believe Eksjö has the largest gamla stam of wooden buildings in Smaland. I used Eksjö as a base while visiting the smaller towns in the area from where my relatives originated. I took the train directly from Stockholm, and then a fairly quick bus ride from the station to Eksjö. I thought I'd mention this just in case your family was actually from the county. Eksjö has (2015) a genealogical research office that went above and beyond what I expected, as did their tourist office. Sweden loves their "lost cousins".

Also, I understand Gränna, which is on the lake, is a good place to visit as well. Granna was recommended to me, but I did not actually visit.

Edit: Whoops, I see Badger beat me to it.

Edit: Whoops, I see Badger beat me to it.

I'm happy you confirmed my recommendations! :-)

1. Before, for the person to bring with them. If he had moved within Sweden he would have presented it to the priest in his new parish.

2. Drängen Per Alfred Petersson. Dräng is a title, meaning (male) farm worker. (-en is the definite article.)

3. Fyrtiotvå (fortytwo)

4. It is Horn's parish and not Horn town (village), but in this case it seems like the parish and the town has the same name (it's quite common in the country side)

5. Sjuthio (seventy)

Thanks again everyone for your advice. We were able to book the Af Chapman in Stockholm, an apartment in Jönköping, and one in Copenhagen that are suitable for small children. We also booked the train tickets while the prices were still reasonable.

I also appreciate the links to the Swedish Emigration Museum. My wife's grandfather is from Jönköping Municipality (my wife remembers him telling stories of how cold the lake was for swimming) but we actually don't have much additional information other than one address of a house that has since been torn down. He emigrated alone at the age of 12 to avoid working in the match factory. It is quite the story and I'm hoping to fill in some gaps while we are in Sweden.

DJ

The church looks unchanged in 150 years.

It is a pretty modern church so it probably hasn't changed much since it was built in the 18th century.

Thank you! I didn't realize that this was a religious document, I
thought it had something to do with notifying the police of a move to
a new town. So this is something that a parishioner would bring to a
new church to prove baptism and previous membership in a Lutheran
church.

It is not primarily a religious document, but the church took care of the civil registration and the priest was responsible for keeping a record of all births, deaths, marriages etc in his parish. Including emigration and immigration. (Keep in mind that freedom of religion was very limited at this time and almost everyone was a member of the church of Sweden). And when somebody moved to a different parish, they had to get one of these papers from the priest. And the priest would make a note in his book that the person had left the parish. This is something that the church took care of until 1991, when the task was moved to the Tax agency.

I also appreciate the links to the Swedish Emigration Museum. My
wife's grandfather is from Jönköping Municipality (my wife remembers
him telling stories of how cold the lake was for swimming) but we
actually don't have much additional information other than one address
of a house that has since been torn down. He emigrated alone at the
age of 12 to avoid working in the match factory. It is quite the story
and I'm hoping to fill in some gaps while we are in Sweden.

In that case you should really visit the match museum as well as the county museum. They might help you fill a few gaps. I hope you enjoy your trip!

The trains are very clean and comfortable in Sweden but not exactly bullet trains. Stockholm to Copenhagen is about 7 hours if I remember right. Are you sure you want to spend that much time in a train?

Marcodiobohlo, Stockholm to Copenhagen is under 5.5 hours on an X2000 fast train (snabbtåg).

The fastet trains do it in less than 5 hours actually. But since the OP is planning a stop in Jönköping that is really not relevant to the thread.

Thanks everyone for you advice unfortunately we are in the process of unwinding this trip. Looks like I'll be able to back out of most of my reservations except the non-rebookable train tickets and half the amount of the accommodations in Copenhagen.

If anyone is in Jönköping this summer jump in the lake for me!

DJ

Not surprising in the current situation. However, SJ offers rebooking for all tickets booked until 17/5, and I guess that period will be extended. While you will not get your money back, you will get a voucher that can be used for future trips.

Unfortunately for me on my non-rebookable train tickets they are just using the same policy as rebookable ticket :"you can cancel the ticket and use the value within 180 days".

The earliest I can get back to Sweden would be next summer so even if I cancel the tickets at the last possible minute the 180 days will expire before they will release tickets for next June. I'm still going to cancel them and hope for the best but I plan on having to lose that money.

DJ

Have you asked the customer service department if they can give you an extended voucher given your situation? Since most of their passengers are locals that will probably just reschedule their trip a few months 180 days will be more than fine for most. But if you speak to someone in person they might be able to help you.

P.S. I'll make sure not to jump in the lake, it will probably be way too cold for me :)

Just a short update in case someone else is in the same "boat" as me. Per Badger's advice I contacted the rail company (SJ) directly and it was no problem to make an exception to give me a almost a full refund rather than a credit. There was one segment operated by Västtrafik that they could not refund me for but it was only 212 SEK for all 6 of us. They recommended I contact Västtrafik to refund this segment but I might just consider this a donation to the Swedish economy ;)

DJ

When we had to cancel our May trip to Scandinavia, I was able to get back all most all my money except for SJ and a bus. SJ offered a voucher good for four months and wouldn't push it out. When I asked if I could rebook with a changeable trip and then keep changing it until I get to the right timing, the SJ person said that would work.

Just a short update in case someone else is in the same "boat" as me.
Per Badger's advice I contacted the rail company (SJ) directly and it
was no problem to make an exception to give me a almost a full refund
rather than a credit.

That's even better than I expected, they are usually very helpful in my experience. Glad it worked out for you!