Hi- My family of 5 got Scandinavia rail pass for use this July. We are arranging to do a long travel day going Stockholm to Bergen. The Norway Rail system was easy to reserve and we have reservations for Oslo to Bergen night train already. Our issue is the Stockholm to Oslo segment. Finally the high speed train schedule is showing, but there is rail work being done so we cannot get the high speed train directly from Stockholm central to Oslo. Instead we have to take commuter trains first to Flemingsburg then catch high speed train. We have first class rail passes and need to pay about 500Kr to reserve high speed train segment run by SJ and only 2nd class available. And for the about 20 minute commuter train segment to go from central Stockholm to Flemingsburg run by SL, it seems that we can NOT use rail pass so just have to buy a ticket for that segment which is about 200 Kr for all 5. Does this make sense? Will our Scandinavia Rail pass not cover the commuter run trains? Also this time table gives us about 45 minutes between arrival of high speed train into Oslo and departure of the night train from Oslo, is that enough of a buffer time? thanks so much for any advice!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
SL commuter transport is not covered by the Eurail pass. But the SJ site will sell you that ticket in conjunction with your seat reservation. Notice that passholder reservation prices are higher if you choose Stockholm Central station as a starting point (includes ticket) versus if you choose Flemingsburg (if you already have a local transit pass). I do see 1st class reservations available on my test date of July 12 at 186 kr per person instead of 106.
45 minutes is enough time to make the train connection and hopefully also a potty stop. I would want to shop for food in Stockholm (e.g. dinner to bring on board and some extra snacks) so that's not an additional issue at the transfer point.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5846 posts
How long will you be in Stockholm. If you happen to buy an SL card for your time in Stockholm, it will cover your transit on the commuter train (pendeltåg) from Stockholm City station to Flemingsberg.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you for responses!
We arrive 7/20 and travel to Oslo on 7/26/18 and on that date did not see 5 seats in first class, but that is ok if not available. Good idea about doing the ticket reservation from Flemingsburg to Oslo to avoid paying the extra for commuter train with them and just using SL commuter card.
We will be in Stockholm for 6 days and will be visiting folks in Trosa and considering a trip to Uppsala too. Given there will be 5 of us- I haven't fully thought thru if best to get SL card or use HOHO bus and attractions with Stockholm card.....trying to not over think our trip but be prepared!!!!! Thanks for any further thoughts , ( will be 3 adults and a 7yo and 13 yo traveling), Tak!
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5846 posts
I just looked up the price of the HOHO bus and a 24 hour ticket costs more than a 7 day SL card. Personally, I’d skip the HOHO (I admit I am biased and I hate HOHO buses) and just use the local transit.
Posted by
383 posts
In Sweden now. Good idea to buy the SL transfer pass. Also includes some ferries as well as train, metro, trams, buses.