Arctic Circle Train: the magic of the Stockholm-Narvik night train through Swedish Lapland

Written by Sophie Renassia

Published on January 23, 2025

Dreaming of sumptuous snowy landscapes? Would you like to chase the Northern Lights or discover the Arctic Circle? Then the Arctic Circle night train is for you! Not only does this train, operated by the Swedish company SJ, cross the whole of Sweden from the south coast to beyond the Arctic Circle, it also passes through the legendary Iron Ore Line, the railway that runs through wild Lapland, offering you breathtaking scenery.

In practice, the line allows you to reach Abisko (Sweden) or Narvik (Norway), its terminus, from Stockholm (which you can easily reach from France via a Paris-Berlin train and then a Berlin-Stockholm night train).

Timetables, duration, reservations, prices, comfort... In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about this mythical journey to the Arctic Circle!

Stockholm-Narvik: one of Europe's finest train journeys

As well as being your ticket to the Arctic Circle, this overnight train is renowned for its exceptional scenery. Benjamin, a.k.a. Tolt, had the opportunity to take in some of the sights on his family's journey to Laponie suédoise:

From Umeå to Boden, the train passes through the magnificent landscapes of the Norrland region, with its vast coniferous forests and ponds. From Boden, it then takes the famous iron ore line (built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries), passing through the mining towns of Gällivare and Kiruna and the winter resort and national park of Abisko (renowned for its aurora borealis viewing from September to March).

What makes this line so spectacular? The wilderness of Swedish Lapland through which it passes. Once inhabited by the nomadic Sami people, the lands of wild Lapland offer enchanting landscapes of valleys, mountains and white expanses as far as the eye can see. We dare you to take your eyes off the window!

Which cities are served?

With over 25 stations served, this night train allows you to discover a large part of Sweden, all the way to Narvik in Norway, beyond the Arctic Circle. Services include Stockholm (departing at 6:11 pm), Arlanda, Uppsala, Gävle, Söderhamn, Sundsvall, Härnösand, Örnsköldsvik, Umeå, Bastuträsk, Älvsbyn, Boden, Murjek, Gällivare, Kiruna, Abisko, Riksgränsen and Narvik (arriving at 12:54 pm the following day).

Map : © Interrail

How do I get to Abisko (Sweden) by train from France, via the Stockholm-Narvik line?

From France, you have several options:

• 100% night train itinerary (from Paris): - Night train Paris-Berlin (Nightjet ÖBB)- Night train Berlin-Stockholm (via SJ or Snalltaget)- Night train Stockholm-Narvik, stopping at Abisko. This is the most economical option, as you won't have to book hotel nights!
• Day trains from Germany:
  • High-speed train Paris-Berlin (SNCF and DB),
  • Berlin-Hamburg via Cologne or Frankfurt, for example,
  • Night train Stockholm-Narvik, stopping at Abisko.

For detailed itineraries from several major French cities, click here:

Please note that there are two stations in Abisko: Abisko Östra and Abisko turiststation. They're about 30 minutes' walk from each other, so nothing insurmountable, but it's best not to take the wrong route with your suitcases! To find out more, Tolt helps you choose where to stay in this article.

How do I get to Narvik (Norway) by train from France, via the Stockholm-Narvik line?

From France, the options are exactly the same as for Abisko (below), since Narvik is the terminus of the final Stockholm-Narvik leg.

For detailed itineraries from several major French cities, click here:

Tolt's route to hunt the Northern Lights in Abisko:

What are the times and frequency of the Stockholm-Narvik night train?

The Stockholm-Narvik night train runs daily in both directions.

• Stockholm-Narvik direction: departs Stockholm Central at 6:09pm, arriving in Narvik at 12:45pm the following day.
• Narvik-Stockholm direction: Departure from Narvik at 3:11pm, arrival at Stockholm Central at 10:17am the following day.

How long is the journey?

• Stockholm-Abisko: approx. 17 hours.
• Stockholm-Narvik: approx. 19h.

Is the Interrail Pass valid for this line?

Yes, if you have an Interrail Global Pass, the journey is valid, but you still need to book in advance via the official Interrail website.

Please note, however, that additional booking fees apply if you book via Interrail: €4 for a seat, €23 for a couchette car and €46 for a sleeper car! (For tips on how to save money when traveling with Interrail, click here).

How much do tickets cost?

Prices vary according to the level of comfort chosen. Excluding Interrail Pass :

• Seat: from €50
• Sleeper in a mixed compartment: €70
• Sleeper in a private compartment: €175

Please note that prices vary according to the date of travel and the time of booking. As a general rule: the earlier you book, the cheaper your ticket!

How do I book tickets?

Reservations can be made :

• Via the official SJ website (sj.se)
• Via Interrail if you have a pass
• Via alternative booking platforms (such as Omio)

When to book to get the best prices?

As usual, to get the best prices, the earlier the better. Here are a few tips for saving money:

• Ideally, book at least 3 months in advance.
• Keep an eye on booking sites and, if you can, choose to travel at the beginning of the week (Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday), when there are generally fewer travellers.

What level of comfort should I expect on board?

The most affordable option is a seat: for sleeping, comfort in the seated position is relative. But the seats are still very pleasant, and if you're on a budget, this is the ideal option!

Of course, if you can, the ideal is to book a berth in a 6-person compartment (3 on each side).

Finally, the most comfortable option is the sleeper car, which offers you greater privacy: a private compartment for 1, 2 or 3 people (unused beds are closed), with a spacious shower in the corridor and all equipment provided (sheets, towel...).

Note that there are also first-class compartments for one or two people, where you can enjoy an individual shower.

For a better idea, take a look at the photos of the different options at the end of this page!

Are pets allowed on board?

Yes, cats and dogs are allowed on board, in areas specially reserved for them. If your four-legged companion is on board, be sure to check this option when you make your reservation.

Stockholm-Narvik: train vs. plane

By the way, why not fly to Swedish Lapland or Narvik instead?

Time and scenic beauty

The journey time by train is certainly longer, but that's the beauty of the night train: once you're in your seat, you can enjoy the evening working, watching a film or reading a book, before falling peacefully asleep to wake up the next morning at your destination. But between you and me, given the beauty of the scenery, chances are you'll have your nose glued to the window for a good part of the journey (and that's priceless)!

“It's truly magical. In winter, the sun doesn't really come up, so it's a wonderful glow. In my opinion, it's one of the most magical night trains in the world, and beyond any environmental considerations, the experience alone is worth not flying.” - Tolt

Discovering towns in between

By taking the train to Narvik, you can multiply your discoveries and enrich your trip by adding Stockholm or Abisko to your itinerary. Why not take the opportunity to discover a little more of Sweden?

Budget

Of course, you'll be able to find cheaper tickets by plane, but be sure to factor in hidden costs such as extra baggage or transportation to and from the airport! To get an idea, take a look at this detailed comparison of door-to-door TGV vs. air travel to several major European cities.

Carbon footprint

And of course, one of the big advantages of train travel over air travel is that it emits far fewer greenhouse gases. According to our comparator (which is one of the most accurate, since it takes into account the impact of infrastructure and equipment manufacture, as well as the specificities of electricity production in the countries crossed), the Paris-Narvik journey via the Stockholm-Narvik night train emits 5 times less CO2 equivalent than by plane! A more than welcome reduction when you consider that we need to divide our current carbon footprint by 5 by 2050 to achieve our climate objectives.