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PTG Tours · Escorted tour

By Train to the Midnight Sun

Escorted 15-day rail journey through five countries to the Arctic Circle and back.

Illustration of By Train to the Midnight Sun

PTG Tours' 15-day escorted rail journey travels through Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, beginning in Cologne and concluding in Hamburg. Travellers reach Narvik above the Arctic Circle during permanent daylight, then return via an overnight sleeper train to Stockholm and the Scandinavian capitals. The itinerary balances major cities (Cologne, Copenhagen, Oslo, Trondheim, Stockholm, Malmo, Hamburg) with narrower escapes: a narrow-gauge steam railway ride to Gripsholm Castle across Lake Malaren, a coal-fired steamship voyage, and a visit to the Norwegian National Rail Museum. Most rail travel is first class; accommodation is in named 3 to 4-star hotels. The tour includes all meals shown, a tour manager, and heritage railway excursions. Departing in July 2026, it suits rail enthusiasts and those seeking a no-fly grand tour through Scandinavia and across the Arctic threshold.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 9 includes a coach transfer from Bodo to Narvik because the rail line does not reach Narvik.
  • The Stockholm hotel is listed as TBC (to be confirmed); confirm the final accommodation name with PTG Tours before booking.
  • Only one departure is listed: July 2026. Verify current availability.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    London - Brussels - Cologne

    Eurostar from St Pancras to Brussels then ICE to Cologne (arr 18:15). Interrail pass valid from home UK station to London. Alternative direct flights to Copenhagen from Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh next day.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Copenhagen (2 nights)

    Cologne - Copenhagen

    Train via Hamburg to Copenhagen, arriving early evening. Possible to join today via direct flights from Bristol, Manchester or Edinburgh.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Copenhagen

    Copenhagen

    City tour and harbour boat trip, the Little Mermaid statue. Options: rail to Helsingor for Elsinore Castle, or for rail enthusiasts the National Railway Museum at Odense and the Danish Tramways Museum. Welcome dinner.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Oslo (2 nights)

    Copenhagen - Malmo - Gothenburg - Oslo

    Train across the Oresund fixed link to Malmo, up the Swedish west coast through Gothenburg (chartered historic tram tour), crossing into southern Norway to Oslo.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Oslo

    Oslo (free day)

    Free day in Oslo; optional Ljabru tram ride, or a railfan excursion on the Kroderbanen preserved steam railway.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Trondheim (2 nights)

    Oslo - Hamar - Trondheim

    Train journey north, breaking at Hamar to visit the Norwegian National Rail Museum (750mm gauge steam tank engine). Continue to Trondheim.

  7. Day 7overnight: Trondheim

    Trondheim

    Sightseeing day: Gothic Cathedral, Norwegian Crown Jewels, and a ride on Trondheim's tram route climbing the escarpment above the city.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Bodo

    Trondheim - Bodo

    Daytime train service crossing the Arctic Circle (permanent daylight); hauled by diesel locomotive on the non-electrified line.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Narvik

    Bodo - Narvik

    Coach transfer to Narvik (the rail line never reached Narvik). Free afternoon; museums on iron ore mining and WWII history; railway enthusiasts can watch the iron-ore trains.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Sleeper train

    Narvik - overnight sleeper to Stockholm

    Overnight sleeper train (Train 93) from Narvik to Stockholm, with an open seating carriage for the scenic early stretch before moving to twin-berth sleeper cabins.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Stockholm (2 nights)

    Stockholm

    Arrive Stockholm early morning. Optional excursion to the Swedish National Railway Museum at Gavle, or the Lennakatten narrow-gauge steam railway from Uppsala.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Stockholm

    Stockholm - Mariefred

    Coal-fired steamship 'Mariefred' across Lake Malaren to Mariefred, for Gripsholm Castle and a ride on the 600mm narrow-gauge Ostra Sodermanlands Jarnvag (OSlJ) steam railway.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Malmo

    Stockholm - Malmo

    Free morning in Stockholm (Wasa Museum, canal boat tour, historic tram route), then train south to Malmo.

  14. Day 14railovernight: Hamburg

    Malmo - Hamburg

    Free morning in Malmo or an excursion to Ystad. Afternoon train via Copenhagen to Hamburg. Farewell dinner.

  15. Day 15rail

    Hamburg - London

    Train via Cologne and Brussels back to London St Pancras (arr 16:57), using the Interrail pass onward to your home station. Alternative direct flights back to Manchester and Edinburgh.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Train crosses the Oresund fixed link from Copenhagen to Malmo, then rides a chartered historic tram tour through Gothenburg.
  • Day 8Daytime train service crosses the Arctic Circle on the Trondheim-Bodo line under permanent daylight, hauled by a diesel locomotive.
  • Day 10Overnight sleeper train (Train 93) departs Narvik for Stockholm in twin-berth cabins after scenic open-seating early hours.
  • Day 12Coal-fired steamship Mariefred crosses Lake Malaren to Mariefred, followed by a ride on the 600mm narrow-gauge Ostra Sodermanlands Jarnvag steam railway to Gripsholm Castle.

Included

  • All travel and excursions as outlined in the itinerary
  • Good quality en-suite accommodation
  • Meals as shown in the itinerary; B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
  • Services of tour manager
  • Holiday is fully escorted

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. All rail travel is included, predominantly in first class where available. This includes Eurostar, ICE, regional trains, an overnight sleeper (Train 93), and heritage steam and narrow-gauge railways.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. PTG Tours provides a tour manager throughout the 15 days. Day 5 in Oslo and the morning of Day 13 in Stockholm are free time.
What is included in the price?
All rail travel, good quality en-suite accommodation, meals as shown in the itinerary, excursions, and the tour manager's services. The from-price is GBP 3,450 (July 2026); higher prices apply if joining by air from Bristol, Manchester, or Edinburgh, or by rail from London.
Does the train cross the Arctic Circle?
Yes. On Day 8, the daytime train from Trondheim to Bodo crosses the Arctic Circle under permanent daylight, hauled by a diesel locomotive.
Is there an overnight sleeper train?
Yes. Night 10, the sleeper train (Train 93) departs Narvik for Stockholm with twin-berth cabins. Passengers enjoy open seating for the scenic early hours before moving to their berths.
How many countries does the tour visit?
Five: Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. The journey starts in Cologne and ends in Hamburg.

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