It’s easy to be romantic about train travel, and hard not to when you’re onboard Sweden’s latest new route to Oslo.
On June 15th, Swedish rail operator Snälltåget launched a new direct rail service stretching nearly 360 miles across some of the country’s most diverse landscapes.
The 6.5-hour journey connects Malmö in southern Sweden with Oslo, the capital of Norway, taking travelers from sandy coastlines and medieval landmarks to vast inland lakes and deep Nordic forests—all without changing trains.
The route offers one of Scandinavia’s most varied rail experiences, providing a unique window into Sweden’s nature, culture, and regional food traditions, and showcasing agricultural plains and seaside towns to vast lakes and remote wilderness.
The route unfolds across 3 dramatically different regions, offering a visual guide to southern Sweden’s changing geography.
Departing Malmö, the train journey’s first stage travels through the open landscapes of Skåne before reaching Halland’s coastline of sandy beaches, wetlands, and seaside towns.
Highlights of this part include Apelviken Bay, a popular destination for windsurfing and beach life; Varberg Fortress, dramatically positioned above the Kattegat Sea; and the Lund Cathedral, one of Scandinavia’s oldest stone churches and featured in GNN’s “On this Day in History” column.
North of Gothenburg, the journey’s second stage sees the train turn inland to follow the Göta Älv Valley toward Lake Vänern, the centerpiece of Sweden’s Great Lake Region and Europe’s third-largest lake.
This time the windows offer views onto Gothenburg’s skyline and iconic Liseberg amusement park, the Bohus Fortress, a medieval stronghold dating back to the 1300s, and the town of Trollhättan with its historic canal system and locks.
The final stage enters Dalsland, a region known for its vast forests, crystal-clear lakes, and extensive network of hiking trails and outdoor experiences.
Here, the railway cuts through granite formations, ancient pine forests, and glacial waterways before continuing into Norway and onward to Oslo.
Onboard the Malmö to Oslo route is a special Nordic dining experience inside a dedicated restaurant car called Krogen, with dishes made from ingredients and culinary traditions sourced from places along the line.
Travelers need not only fly to Malmö to begin their journey, but can also connect to the city from continental Europe via Hamburg.
SHARE This Perfect Excuse To Plan A Summer Vacation In Sweden This Year…