Search

Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday

Copenhagen and Stockholm by Rail

London to Cologne via Scandinavia on ten-day self-guided rail holiday

Illustration of Copenhagen and Stockholm by Rail

Tailor Made Rail's ten-day Copenhagen and Stockholm by Rail package connects London to Cologne through northern Europe's most vibrant rail networks and cities. Starting with the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, the route travels overland through Hamburg and into Scandinavia, reaching Stockholm for a three-night stay. From there, the sleek SJ2000 train carries you south to Copenhagen, where you spend another three nights exploring a city celebrated for its Michelin-starred restaurants and the colourful harborside of Nyhavn. The return journey reverses through Hamburg and Cologne, a historic cathedral city on the Rhine. This self-guided itinerary suits independent travellers and couples who prefer to set their own pace, with free days built into each Scandinavian capital and all standard-class rail travel, seat reservations, and hotel breakfast included. The modern high-speed trains and handpicked three- and four-star hotels throughout make this accessible to first-time rail travellers while offering seasoned explorers a flexible, route-focused escape into Northern Europe.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a self-guided tour, not escorted; you navigate between trains and hotels independently with travel documentation provided
  • Day 2 involves a quick train change in Cologne en route to Hamburg; Day 9 returns through Hamburg again, so the routing is a point-and-back loop rather than a simple linear journey
  • The package does not include meals except hotel breakfast; dining in restaurants is your own cost and choice

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Brussels

    London to Brussels

    Catch the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels in just under 2 hours and check in for an overnight stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Hamburg

    Brussels to Hamburg

    Board the ICE service for Cologne with a quick change onwards to Hamburg. Dine in the city centre or at the hotel restaurant.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Stockholm

    Hamburg to Stockholm

    Train north to Scandinavia with a short change in Copenhagen onto the train to Stockholm for a 3-night stay.

  4. Day 4overnight: Stockholm

    Stockholm

    Explore the colourful streets of Gamla Stan, the Stockholm archipelago, around 100 museums, the Nationalmuseum and the Vasa Museum.

  5. Day 5overnight: Stockholm

    Stockholm

    Further free time in Stockholm; TMR recommends extending to Sweden's western coast and the city of Gothenburg.

  6. Day 6overnight: Copenhagen

    Stockholm to Copenhagen

    Catch the sleek SJ2000 service back to Copenhagen, arriving in time for dinner, for a 3-night stay near the colourful Nyhavn harbour.

  7. Day 7overnight: Copenhagen

    Copenhagen

    Explore Denmark's capital, a gourmet hub with more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other Scandinavian city, and visit the Little Mermaid statue.

  8. Day 8overnight: Copenhagen

    Copenhagen

    Further sightseeing including the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek gallery and the historic Carlsberg brewery.

  9. Day 9overnight: Cologne

    Copenhagen to Cologne

    Return journey down the Jutland Peninsula via Hamburg to Cologne, with the evening free in the historic Rhineland city.

  10. Day 10rail

    Cologne to London

    Leisurely start with time to visit Cologne Cathedral before returning to the station for the connection to Brussels and the return Eurostar to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St Pancras for Brussels in under two hours
  • Day 3Train from Copenhagen to Stockholm marks entry into Scandinavia
  • Day 4Free exploration of Gamla Stan, Stockholm's colourful old town, and the Vasa Museum
  • Day 6SJ2000 sleek high-speed train from Stockholm to Copenhagen, arriving in time for dinner near Nyhavn harbour
  • Day 9Return journey via Hamburg to Cologne, with an evening to visit the cathedral

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 8 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. All rail journeys between London, Brussels, Hamburg, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Cologne are included in standard class with seat reservations. First-class upgrades are available for an extra £200 per person.
Is this an escorted tour or self-guided?
This is a self-guided rail holiday. Tailor Made Rail provides easy-to-follow travel documentation and proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions, but there is no tour guide accompanying you.
Which trains are used?
The itinerary includes Eurostar (London to Brussels), ICE service (through Germany), the SJ2000 high-speed train (Stockholm to Copenhagen), and regional services between stops.
What hotels are included?
Eight nights across five handpicked hotels: one night each in Brussels, Hamburg, and Cologne, and three nights each in Stockholm and Copenhagen. Breakfast is included daily.
When does the tour run and what does it cost?
The tour runs year-round. Low season (November to March) starts from £1,499 per person for two sharing; high season (April to October) from £1,699. Standard class rail and seat reservations are included at both rates.
How much free time is there to explore?
Days 4 and 5 are entirely free in Stockholm; days 7 and 8 are free in Copenhagen. Day 6, the travel day from Stockholm to Copenhagen, allows evening exploration after arrival. Days 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10 include some free time but are also travel days.

Similar journeys