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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Scandinavia in a Nutshell

Rail and fjord ferry circuit through Denmark, Norway, and Sweden

Illustration of Scandinavia in a Nutshell

Railbookers operates this 11-day independent rail vacation across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, starting in Copenhagen and ending in Stockholm. Rather than following a guide, travelers use hop-on hop-off sightseeing passes to explore Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm at their own pace, while the route itself supplies the structure: a train over the Oresund Bridge to Gothenburg, the Flam Railway's steep 2,824-foot drop from Myrdal to Flam, a ferry cruise into the UNESCO-listed Naeroyfjord, and the Bergen Line back across Northern Europe's highest mainline route to Oslo. Hotels change roughly every one to two nights, so the week suits travelers who enjoy movement and don't mind packing up often. History and museum lovers have plenty to see, from Copenhagen's Rosenborg Castle to Stockholm's Vasa and Viking museums, and the Flam Railway alone is worth camera-ready attention, as the operator's own highlights point out.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence pack does not list specific departure dates for this tour; confirm current availability and seasonal timing with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Copenhagen

    Your Journey Begins in Copenhagen

    Welcome to Denmark! Once checked in at your city centre hotel head out to enjoy the city. Perhaps a stroll through the historic Tivoli Gardens, open between April and September. (Overnight Copenhagen)

  2. Day 2overnight: Copenhagen

    Copenhagen

    Continue to make use of your great travel pass today and enjoy the opportunity to hop on or off at any of the 30 stops across the city at your own pace. Visit the iconic Little Mermaid, stroll the colour waterways of Nyhavn, or perhaps visit the historic Rosenborg Castle - home to the Danish Royal family. (Overnight Copenhagen)

  3. Day 3railovernight: Gothenburg

    Gothenburg

    Hop onto the train and enjoy the amazing scenery from the huge Oresund Bridge linking Denmark and Sweden, en-route to Gothenburg for an overnight stay. A wonderfully warm and walkable city, Gothenburg was founded in 1621 and boasts a great selection of fantastic restaurants in its historic inner harbour area for dinner. (Overnight Gothenburg)

  4. Day 4railovernight: Oslo

    Oslo

    Following breakfast at your hotel, make your way to the station and board a direct train to Oslo for a two-night stay. Once you've checked in, take the rest of the day to start exploring the city at your own pace, whether that’s visiting a museum, strolling along the waterfront, or relaxing at a local café. (Overnight in Oslo)

  5. Day 5overnight: Oslo

    Oslo

    Today is a day for sightseeing. Head up to the Akershus Festning, a medieval castle which offers breath-taking views over the Oslofjord. Alternatively, visit one of Oslo's wide choice of museums. Take a boat out to the Bygdoy Peninsula or stay in the centre of town and see Edvard Munch's the Scream at the National Gallery. (Overnight Oslo)

  6. Day 6railovernight: Flam

    The Flamsbana Railway

    Take an early train from Oslo to Myrdal and then connect with the world-famous Flam Railway. The journey from the mountain station of Myrdal down to Flam deep in the fjord has been voted the most scenic rail journey in the world and is one of the steepest normal track railway lines in the world, dropping 2,824 feet in just under an hour. Take in the awe-inspiring views of rugged mountains, deep valleys, and thundering waterfalls as you descend into the Aurlandsfjord. On arrival in Flam, check in at your hotel for an overnight stay and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure in this idyllic village. (Overnight Flam)

  7. Day 7railovernight: Bergen

    Flam to Bergen

    Your onward journey begins this morning with a ferry ride into the UNESCO World Heritage listed Naeroyfjord, the narrowest fjord in the world. This branch of the Sognefjord is spectacularly beautiful with its high peaks framing the narrow thread of water. Watch goats grazing along the banks and seals lying on the rocks before mooring at Gudvangen. Here, transfer onto a bus which will take you up the winding bends of the Stalheimskleiva to a lookout point above the Stalheimsfossen and Sivlefossen waterfalls. You'll make a brief stop to admire the view before continuing to Voss, where you transfer to the station for your onward train journey to Bergen. On arrival in Bergen, check in at your hotel for an overnight stay. You have an afternoon here to explore Norway's second city. Why not discover the colourful Hanseatic buildings of Bryggen and Vagen harbours or take the Flaibanen up to the top of Floyen for spectacular views? (Overnight in Bergen)

  8. Day 8railovernight: Oslo

    Bergen to Oslo

    After breakfast at your hotel, head back to the station for your scenic journey from Bergen back to Oslo along the Bergen Line, the highest mainline rail line in Northern Europe. On arrival in Oslo, check in at your hotel for the last night of your holiday. If the weather is fine this evening, why not go to the waterfront area of Aker Brygge where there are many bars and restaurants overlooking the harbour. Alternatively, head to the Oslo Opera House, an amazing building constructed to resemble a glacier emerging from the water. The building is worth a visit, even if you don't go for a performance. (Overnight in Oslo)

  9. Day 9railovernight: Stockholm

    Oslo to Stockholm

    Enjoy the direct train to Stockholm and on arrival, check into your hotel for a two-night stay. In recent years Stockholm has become a gastronomic capital of the world and there is a huge choice for dinner in the Galma Stan (old Town) area of the city. (Overnight in Stockholm)

  10. Day 10overnight: Stockholm

    Stockholm

    The city of Stockholm is spread across an unbelievable archipelago of 30,000 islands, many of which can be explore thanks to your extensive sightseeing pass which includes Hop-on Hop off boat rides. One of the largest and most central islands is Djurgarden - home to the fascinating Vasa, Viking, and ABBA museums. (Overnight in Stockholm)

  11. Day 11

    Your Journey Ends in Stockholm

    Check out of your hotel and make your way to the airport for your flight home or do speak to any of our Travel Consultants about extending your trip elsewhere. B View The Full Map

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 5Oslo sightseeing options include the medieval Akershus Festning, which offers views over the Oslofjord, or Edvard Munch's The Scream at the National Gallery.
  • Day 6The Flam Railway descends from the mountain station of Myrdal down to Flam, dropping 2,824 feet in just under an hour on one of the steepest normal-track rail lines in the world.
  • Day 7A ferry carries travelers into the UNESCO World Heritage listed Naeroyfjord, the narrowest fjord in the world, passing goats grazing on the banks and seals on the rocks.
  • Day 8The return journey from Bergen to Oslo runs along the Bergen Line, the highest mainline rail line in Northern Europe.
  • Day 10Stockholm's Djurgarden island, reachable on the included sightseeing pass, is home to the Vasa, Viking, and ABBA museums.

Included

  • All rail and bus transport as per the itinerary, including the Flamsbana line Fjord cruise from Flam to Gudvangen
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Copenhagen
  • 1 night's hotel accommodation with breakfast in Gothenburg
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Oslo
  • 1 night's hotel accommodation with breakfast in Flam
  • 1 night's hotel accommodation with breakfast in Bergen
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Stockholm
  • Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing pass in Copenhagen
  • Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing pass in Oslo
  • Sightseeing Pass in Stockholm including: The Vasa Museum The Viking Museum Nobel Prize Museum
  • Hop-on Hop-off bus and boat pass Much, Much More!

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Railbookers includes all rail and bus transport in the itinerary, including the Flamsbana line and the fjord cruise from Flam to Gudvangen.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. Sightseeing in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm is self-paced using hop-on hop-off passes rather than a guide.
Which trains are included?
The route includes a train over the Oresund Bridge to Gothenburg, a direct train to Oslo, the Flam Railway from Myrdal to Flam, the Bergen Line back to Oslo, and a direct train on to Stockholm.
What is included in the price?
Railbookers includes 10 nights of hotel accommodation with breakfast, all rail and bus transport in the itinerary, and sightseeing passes in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes self-paced city sightseeing in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm using hop-on hop-off passes, plus a visit to the hilltop Akershus Festning in Oslo.

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