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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Scenic Sweden: The Inlandsbanan

London to Swedish Arctic on Inlandsbanan, Stockholm to Kiruna, eight days

Illustration of Scenic Sweden: The Inlandsbanan

Tailor Made Rail's Scenic Sweden journey is an eight-day summer holiday that departs London and travels north through continental Europe before reaching Swedish Lapland. You take Eurostar and a series of regional trains through Cologne and Hamburg, arriving in Stockholm for a full free day to explore the historic Gamla Stan district, the Vasa Museum, or a boat trip through the archipelago. The heart of the trip is Day 6 aboard the Inlandsbanan, a specialist scenic line that departs Östersund at dawn and travels through Swedish forests and lakes to Jokkmokk, crossing the Arctic Circle with guided commentary in Swedish and English, photo stops, and meals provided en route. The final leg carries you by coach and train through mining country to Kiruna, where you board a flight home. A return economy flight to London is included in the price. The operator offers the choice to extend the journey further north into Norway, visiting Narvik and Tromsø. This trip suits travellers comfortable with multiple train changes, those seeking a mix of city exploration and remote natural landscape, and photographers keen to capture the Arctic landscape.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotel names are marked 'or similar'; your final accommodation depends on availability and tier selected
  • The journey extends over four countries with multiple train changes; confirm the routing and any overnight journeys with Tailor Made Rail before booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    London to Cologne

    A late-morning Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then a platform change to a German ICE service east to Cologne, arriving in time for dinner. Stay at the Mondial am Dom MGallery (or similar), beside the city's twin-spired cathedral, with an evening option of the Old Town or a Rhine dinner cruise.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Hamburg

    Cologne to Hamburg

    A rail journey north to Hamburg, arriving early afternoon. Check in at the Reichshof Hamburg Hotel (or similar) and explore the historic Altstadt or the harbour waterfront.

  3. Day 3overnight: Stockholm

    Hamburg to Stockholm

    Travel to Stockholm on the new Snälltåget direct service, or with a change in Copenhagen. Arrive in the evening and check in at the Freys Hotel (or similar) for a 2-night stay.

  4. Day 4overnight: Stockholm

    Stockholm

    A full day at leisure to explore Stockholm, built across a series of islands - wander Gamla Stan, visit the Vasa Museum, or take a boat trip through the archipelago.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Östersund

    Stockholm to Östersund

    A relaxed morning before boarding a train after lunch, travelling north through forests and lakes to Östersund. Check in at the Clarion Hotel Grand Östersund (or similar) for an overnight stay.

  6. Day 6overnight: Jokkmokk

    Östersund to Jokkmokk aboard the Inlandsbanan

    A full day on the Inlandsbanan from around 7am, guided with Swedish/English commentary and regular photo stops, lunch at Vilhelmina Norra beside the Smokery Restaurant, a stop at the Inlandsbanan Museum in Sorsele, pre-ordered dinner delivered at Arvidsjaur, crossing the Piteälvsbron bridge and the Arctic Circle, with possible reindeer-herding encounters. Arrive in Jokkmokk around 7:30pm and check in at the Hotel Akerlund (or similar).

  7. Day 7railovernight: Kiruna

    Jokkmokk to Kiruna

    Visit the Ajtte Museum and Ajtte Fjällträdgård botanic garden, stroll the lake and see the historic wooden church - Jokkmokk is also the start of the Nordenskiöldsloppet Arctic ski race. Continue along the scenic E10 highway to Gällivare, passing the Porjus hydroelectric plant, then take the train from Gällivare to Kiruna through mining landscape. Stay at the Scandic Kiruna (or similar) for the last night.

  8. Day 8

    Kiruna to London

    Leave Kiruna for the flight back to London, via Stockholm. The journey can also be extended north into Norway, with visits to Narvik and Tromsø.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: board the new Snälltåget direct train from Hamburg to Stockholm, or route via Copenhagen, arriving in the Swedish capital at evening
  • Day 6Day 6: the full-day Inlandsbanan journey from Östersund to Jokkmokk with Swedish and English guided commentary, lunch at the Smokery Restaurant in Vilhelmina Norra, the Inlandsbanan Museum stop in Sorsele, crossing the Arctic Circle, and possible encounters with reindeer herds
  • Day 7Day 7: visit Jokkmokk's Ajtte Museum and historic wooden church, then travel by coach and train through mining landscape toward Kiruna

Included

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The price from GBP 1599 includes all rail journeys in standard class from London to Kiruna, seat reservations, and the return flight to London in Economy Class.
What is the Inlandsbanan?
A scenic rail line running through central Sweden from Östersund toward the Arctic. On Day 6, you travel the full route from around 7am to 7:30pm with guided Swedish and English commentary, photo stops, lunch, and dinner included.
Do you cross the Arctic Circle?
Yes. The Inlandsbanan journey on Day 6 crosses the Arctic Circle; the itinerary notes possible midnight sun experiences in summer.
How much free time is there?
Day 4 is a full free day in Stockholm. Day 7 includes visits to the Ajtte Museum and Jokkmokk town, though the timing is fixed as part of the coach and train schedule to Kiruna.
Can I extend the trip?
Yes. An optional extension is available to continue north into Norway with visits to Narvik and Tromsø; enquire with Tailor Made Rail for details and pricing.
What is included in the price?
All rail journeys in standard class, seat reservations, eight nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast, the return economy flight from Kiruna to London, travel documentation, and email ticket despatch. Lunch and dinner are provided on the Inlandsbanan day.

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