Vacations By Rail
Grand Tour of Norway & Sweden (Arctic Circle Express)
17 daysfrom $6,399
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
Grand Tour of Norway & Sweden
Enjoy a Nordic adventure on this 17-day escorted rail tour visiting Norway and Sweden, riding the Bergen, Rauma, Flåm and Ofoten railways.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Stockholm
Welcome to Stockholm
Your Scandinavian holiday starts at London Heathrow, where you meet the Tour Manager before boarding a direct flight to Stockholm. Arriving in the late afternoon, you are transferred to your central hotel for two nights. There's time to get to know the local area independently before dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2overnight: Stockholm
Guided tour of Stockholm, the 'city between the bridges'
A guided sightseeing tour of Stockholm covering City Hall, the Baroque royal residence, Östermalm, Långholm, Djurgården and Gamla Stan. Stop for 'fika' during the tour. Free afternoon to explore independently. Dine independently this evening.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3railovernight: Östersund
To lakeside Östersund
Board an InterCity train to Östersund, set on the shores of Storsjön Lake and Sweden's only UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Free time to explore the lake, visit Frösön island's northernmost runestone or Jamtli Museum. Dine independently tonight.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4overnight: Arjeplog
Through Swedish Lapland to a Sámi village
After an early breakfast, travel by the scenic Inlandsbanan (or coach for departures before mid-June and after mid-August) through pine and birch forests of Swedish Lapland. Arrive in Sorsele, visit the Inlandsbanan Museum, then travel by coach to a nearby Sámi village. Continue to Arjeplog for two nights. Enjoy an authentic Sámi dinner in a tipi around a campfire.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: Arjeplog
Into the Arctic Circle for a Sámi experience
All-day excursion by coach to Jokkmokk, crossing the Arctic Circle with a small ceremony. Visit the Ájtte Sámi Museum to see historic artefacts and learn about Sámi traditions. Free time for lunch independently. Return to Arjeplog for dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: Bodø
The Silver Road to Bodø, northern Norway
Travel by coach along the Silver Road (Silvervägen) through the Arjeplog mountains, forests, rolling hills, crystalline lakes and the Saltdal Fjord to Bodø. Visit the Norwegian Jekt Trade Museum and view the historic boat Anna Karoline (built 1876). Free afternoon to explore Bodø. Dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: Bodø
Embarking on a cruise to Beiar fjord
Visit the Norwegian Aviation Museum. Free time for independent lunch. Afternoon four-hour boat tour on a hybrid-electric ship visiting the Saltstraumen maelstrom and Beiar fjord. Dine independently tonight.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8railovernight: Trondheim
The Polar Express to Viking Trondheim
Leisurely morning in Bodø before boarding the Nordlandsbanen ('Polar Express') south to Trondheim. The 453-mile journey crosses the Arctic Circle and passes fjords, mountains, deep valleys and the Svartisen Glacier. Lunch and dinner are independent. Arrive in Trondheim late evening.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 9overnight: Trondheim
Guided tour of Trondheim, the ancient Viking capital
Guided tour of Trondheim covering the Old Quarter, colourful Bakklandet waterfront houses and the Royal Residence. Free afternoon to visit attractions such as the Ringve Music Museum, Archbishop's Palace Museum or Nidaros Cathedral. Dine independently.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 10railovernight: Geiranger
Aboard the spectacular Rauma Railway
Travel by train from Trondheim to Dombås, then board the Rauma Railway through Romsdalen Valley past the Kylling Bridge, Verma waterfall and Trollveggen (Troll Wall). Arrive at Åndalsnes, then travel by coach up the Troll's Ladder, cross Norddalsfjord by ferry and continue to Geiranger. Buffet dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 11overnight: Geiranger
Cruising Norway's superb Geirangerfjord
After breakfast, embark on a relaxing fjord cruise across Geirangerfjord (UNESCO World Heritage site). Disembark in Hellesylt and take a scenic drive to Hornindalsvatn, Europe's deepest lake. Return to Geiranger for dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 12overnight: Flåm
A journey through Norway's fjord country to Flåm
Leave Geirangerfjord by coach, stopping at the Dalsnibba viewing point for panoramic views. Travel through fjord country, stopping at the ancient Kaupanger Stave Church (or Hopperstad Stave Church for off-season departures). Board a ferry at Mannheller across Sognefjord, then travel through the world's longest road tunnel to Flåm. Dinner at the four-star hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 13railovernight: Bergen
A fjord cruise and a ride on the Flåm Railway
Morning fjord cruise on a luxury eco boat across Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen. Return to Flåm by coach, then board the iconic Flåm Railway to Myrdal, stopping at Kjosfossen Falls. Return to Flåm and transfer by coach to Bergen for two nights. Dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 14overnight: Bergen
Exploring the Hanseatic city of Bergen
Guided tour of Bergen by coach and on foot, visiting the UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf, Klosteret area and Nordnes peninsula. Tour ends at the fish market. Free afternoon and evening to explore independently, visit Bryggens Museum or take the Fløibanen funicular.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 15railovernight: Oslo
An iconic trip on the Bergen Railway to Oslo
Travel to Oslo aboard the Bergen Railway, northern Europe's highest railway line, passing the Hallingdal Valley, Norefjell mountain, Hardangerjøkule Glacier and resort towns including Geilo, Gol and Flå. Check in to a central hotel in Oslo. Free evening to dine independently.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 16overnight: Oslo
Uncovering Oslo's history and culture
Guided coach tour of Oslo visiting the modern Opera House and Royal Palace. Free afternoon to visit the Munch Museum, National Museum, take a cruise around Oslofjord or visit the Fram Museum or Norsk Folk Museum. Celebratory three-course dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 17
Homeward bound
Relaxed morning in Oslo before heading to the airport for the flight back to London Heathrow or regional airport. Holiday ends on arrival.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 16 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
- Premium & Standard Class rail travel
- All rail, cruise, ferry and coach travel throughout the tour
- Flights from London Heathrow to Stockholm, Oslo to London Heathrow
- Regional departures available
- Breakfast each day
- 1 lunch
- 11 dinners
- Group luggage transfers between hotels from Stockholm to Arjeplog, Bodø to Geiranger, Bergen to Oslo
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
