I am researching the possibility of catching a train between Oslo and Stockholm but dates for May/June /July indicate that it is train for part of the way then about 3.5 hours on a bus.
Can anyone throw any light on what is happening? I know that there are plans to upgrade to high-speed rail. Are these issues connected?
Thanks in advance.
What are your dates? I checked for a random date in May and there were indeed many train+bus combos, but also two direct trains - one very early, and one late.
Thank you. I am also just looking at random dates at this stage as there are no solid plans. :) I tried another date and did find some through trains as you did. Thanks.
There is a bit of work planned on the line this summer, so for some days the trains will be replaced by buses. Is this a question for a trip this summer or just in general how it works between the cities? And are you looking for trains at sj.se or some 3rd party website?
I am just looking in general at the moment - hopefully for travel in 2023.
I had checked sj.se as well as a couple of other sites and they all seemed to be telling the same story. Hopefully, the work may be finished by next year.
Thanks again for your help.
In that case the current situation is pretty bad, one or two daily intercity trains in each direction that take around 6 hours. SJ had plans to replace them with high speed trains, which would have cut the travel time to 4:30, by now and increase the frequency, but then the pandemic arrived and Norway closed the borders.
SJ has hinted that they still have those plans but with no set date, I guess it depends on how fast the passengers return on the route.
Thank you.
I'm planning to take this route in early May. Does anyone know if after booking I can change my assigned seats? I'm traveling in business class. I plan to book direct with SJ trains.
I plan to take the early direct train.
And....how is the scenery? On of the reasons I like trains is the ability to enjoy the scenery. If it's not very exciting, I might just fly.
You can select your seat when buying tickets, but there is no seat map available so you have to know what seat you want. Otherwise you can just choose window/aisle and so on.
Regarding the scenery, it varies. There are some really great parts, like around Karlstad when trains runs close to lake Vänern, and hundreds of smaller lakes you encounter. As well as the views of Stockholm when arriving/departing. Or when you follow the river Glomma in Norway. On the other hand there are also parts with nothing but endless forests.
Badger, I have been to Stockholm and liked it which is why I am returning. Perhaps spending a couple off extra days visiting places close to Stockholm and then just fly to Oslo. It's only an hour flight rather than six hours on the train.
I tried doing a booking and wanted the solo seat. But, it kept giving me one of the two seats side by side.
Welcome back! Just remember that a 1 hour flight does not mean 1 hour travel time. The train takes 5:30 so flying will be a bit faster, but I'd be surprised if you save more than 45 minutes by flying. The train will also be cheaper.
Just remember that a 1 hour flight does not mean 1 hour travel time. The train takes 5:30 so flying will be a bit faster, but I'd be surprised if you save more than 45 minutes by flying
True, but I won't have to get up very early to make a 7:30 AM train. :) (I'd prefer a direct train rather than switching and definitely not a bus.)
