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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Grand Tour of Norway & Sweden

17-day Nordic rail loop through Sweden and Norway, five named trains

Illustration of Grand Tour of Norway & Sweden

Great Rail Journeys operates this 17-day escorted tour combining Sweden and Norway from London Heathrow to Oslo, with a UK Tour Manager accompanying you throughout. You depart in late afternoon, flying to Stockholm for two nights, then travel by InterCity train to Östersund before boarding the Inlandsbanan through Swedish Lapland to meet Sámi people at an authentic village. The journey continues across the Arctic Circle to Bodø, where you board the Polar Express (Nordland Railway) to Trondheim, riding 453 miles past the Svartisen Glacier and Arctic landscapes. You then experience three of Scandinavia's finest scenic railways: the Rauma Railway through Romsdalen Valley, the Flåm Railway, one of the world's steepest standard gauge lines, and the Bergen Railway, northern Europe's highest rail line, on the final leg to Oslo. Along the way, you cruise Geirangerfjord and explore Stockholm, Trondheim, Bergen and Oslo on guided tours. Most hotels are 3 and 4-star; meals include breakfast daily, 11 dinners, and one lunch, with other meals independent or at your choice.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is GBP 1300, bringing the single price to GBP 6099 (roughly 127% of the double-occupancy per-person rate).
  • Day 4 uses the Inlandsbanan by coach for departures before mid-June and after mid-August; only peak-season departures ride the full scenic train.
  • Lunch is included only once over 17 days; most other meals are independent or require separate restaurant booking.

Day by day

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Day 4: Travel by the Inlandsbanan through pine and birch forests of Swedish Lapland to Sorsele, then visit a Sámi village for an authentic dinner in a tipi around a campfire.
  • Day 8Day 8: Board the Polar Express (Nordland Railway) from Bodø to Trondheim on a 453-mile journey across the Arctic Circle past fjords, mountains and the Svartisen Glacier.
  • Day 10Day 10: Ride the Rauma Railway through Romsdalen Valley past Kylling Bridge, Verma waterfall and Trollveggen, then ascend the Troll's Ladder by coach to Geiranger.
  • Day 13Day 13: Board the Flåm Railway from Myrdal to Flåm, one of the world's steepest standard gauge railways, with a stop at Kjosfossen Falls.
  • Day 15Day 15: Travel to Oslo on the Bergen Railway, northern Europe's highest railway line, passing the Hallingdal Valley, Norefjell mountain and Hardangerjøkule Glacier.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes all rail travel on the Inlandsbanan, Nordland Railway (Polar Express), Rauma Railway, Flåm Railway, Bergen Railway and InterCity trains, plus all coach and ferry transfers, boat tours and flights from London Heathrow.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from London to Oslo. Guided city tours are provided in Stockholm, Trondheim, Bergen and Oslo; other time is free to explore independently.
What kind of accommodation?
You stay in 16 nights of 3 and 4-star hotels, including the Scandic Continental in Stockholm, Clarion Hotel Grand in Östersund, Fretheim Hotel (4-star) in Flåm, Scandic Neptune in Bergen and Thon Hotel Opera in Oslo. Hotels are typically in city centres or lakeside locations.
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers five departures between May and September 2027: May, June, July, August and September.
How much walking is involved?
Guided city tours include walking through Stockholm's Gamla Stan, Trondheim's Old Quarter, Bergen's Bryggen and Oslo's city centre. You also walk at train stations, museums and viewing points. Free afternoons allow rest days in most locations.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance are not included. Most lunches and some dinners are independent. Optional extras include flight upgrades, London hotel stays before or after the tour, and UK rail connections from your local station.

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