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Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Southern Sweden – Steam, Trams & Trains

Fifteen-day rail tour through Germany, Denmark, and Sweden with steam railways and trams

Illustration of Southern Sweden – Steam, Trams & Trains

Ffestiniog Travel operates this 15-day escorted rail journey from Cologne to Malmö through Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. A tour leader accompanies you from London throughout, and the itinerary balances structured heritage-railway excursions with free time in major cities. You travel partly on mainline trains and partly on heritage railways: the Lennakatten Steam Railway in Uppsala carries you into Swedish countryside, while the Mariefred steam train returns you to Stockholm by boat. Other highlights include private rides on vintage trams in Gothenburg and Malmö, a visit to Skansen Open-Air Museum, a dinner cruise through the Stockholm Archipelago, and a tour of Miniatur Wunderland, the world's largest model train exhibition. An InterRail Pass gives unlimited rail access during unscheduled time. Accommodation is in three to four-star hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis. This tour suits rail enthusiasts with prior train travel experience, history lovers interested in rail heritage, and couples seeking a well-guided mix of exploration and leisure.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is published: June 2027 at GBP 3,095. Confirm availability and dates with Ffestiniog Travel before booking.
  • The from-price covers rail travel in Standard Class using an InterRail Pass; a first-class upgrade is available on request subject to availability.
  • Day 8 in Stockholm is free time; the itinerary notes you may use your InterRail Pass to travel independently that day.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    To Cologne

    Boarding a mid-morning Eurostar service, we travel to Brussels before taking an onward train to Cologne for a 1-night stay.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Copenhagen

    On to Scandinavia

    A full day’s rail travel to Copenhagen via Hamburg for a 1-night stay.

  3. Day 3overnight: Stockholm

    Copenhagen to Stockholm

    After a free morning to explore Copenhagen, we make our way into Sweden to Stockholm, our base for the next 6 nights.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Stockholm

    Lennakatten Railway

    We travel to Uppsala by regional mainline train before transferring onto the Lennakatten Steam Railway for a return journey between Uppsala and Faringe.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Stockholm

    Mariefred

    From Stockholm we take the fast train on the Svland line to Läggesta before boarding the steam train to Mariefred, then set sail on the S/S Mariefred back to Stockholm.

  6. Day 6overnight: Stockholm

    Skansen Open-Air Museum

    We visit the Skansen Open-Air Museum, the oldest open-air museum in the world, founded in 1891. In the evening we enjoy a boat cruise through the Stockholm Archipelago with dinner included onboard.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Stockholm

    National Railway Museum

    A day trip out to Gävle by rail to visit the recently reopened National Railway Museum, with its collection of historic British-built locomotives dating back to 1856.

  8. Day 8overnight: Stockholm

    Stockholm at Leisure

    A day to relax and reflect, explore more of the city or travel further afield with your InterRail Pass.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Gothenburg

    Rail to Gothenburg

    A morning train takes us directly to Gothenburg for a lunchtime arrival, afternoon at leisure and a 2-night stay, known for its maritime history, Dutch-style canals and vibrant culture.

  10. Day 10overnight: Gothenburg

    Gothenburg Trams

    A day sampling the city’s public transport system, with journeys on trams, ferries and buses, plus a private journey on a vintage tram and a visit to the Göteborgs Spårvägsmuseum (tram museum).

  11. Day 11railovernight: Malmö

    Continue to Malmö

    We take a direct train to Malmö, our base for the next 2 nights. Malmö is Sweden’s third-largest city, featuring historic areas like Gamla Väster alongside modern architecture such as the Turning Torso.

  12. Day 12overnight: Malmö

    Malmö Trams

    A private journey on the Malmö Museum Tramway followed by a visit to the city’s tram museum – Museispårvägen Malmö.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Hamburg

    Return to Hamburg

    A full day’s travel back to Hamburg, our hotel conveniently located close to the railway station.

  14. Day 14railovernight: Cologne

    Return to Cologne

    A morning visit to Miniatur Wunderland – the world’s largest model train exhibition – before a direct train takes us back to Cologne.

  15. Day 15rail

    To London

    Morning ICE to Brussels where we connect with the Eurostar service to London, arriving mid-afternoon.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Travel by regional mainline train to Uppsala, then board the Lennakatten Steam Railway for a return journey between Uppsala and Faringe.
  • Day 5Take the Svland line to Läggesta, ride the steam train to Mariefred, and sail back to Stockholm aboard the S/S Mariefred.
  • Day 6Visit Skansen, the oldest open-air museum in the world, then enjoy a dinner cruise through the Stockholm Archipelago aboard a boat.
  • Day 10Journey on vintage trams in Gothenburg and visit the Göteborgs Spårvägsmuseum to explore the city's public transport heritage.
  • Day 12Ride a private tram on the Malmö Museum Tramway and tour the Museispårvägen Malmö tram museum.

Included

  • All rail travel as stated in Standard Class (using InterRail Pass)
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • All excursions as detailed
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour

Questions travellers ask

Is all rail travel included?
Yes. The tour includes an InterRail Pass for unlimited rail travel in Standard Class during the entire 15 days, covering all scheduled rail legs and free time explorations.
Will I ride steam trains?
Yes. You travel on the Lennakatten Steam Railway between Uppsala and Faringe on Day 4, and on the Mariefried steam train on Day 5, plus return by steamboat to Stockholm.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Ffestiniog Travel provides a tour leader from London who accompanies the group throughout the 15 days.
What standard of accommodation can I expect?
Hotels are described as good quality. Named properties include the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel in Stockholm (6 nights), Axel Guldsmeden in Copenhagen, Clarion Hotel Post in Gothenburg, and Elite Hotel Savoy in Malmö.
What is not included?
Meals other than bed and breakfast are not included, except for a dinner cruise on Day 6 in Stockholm.
When does this tour depart?
Ffestiniog Travel has published one departure for June 2027 at GBP 3,095 per person.

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