Northern Europe offers railway routes passing through huge mountain ranges, remote forests, and beautiful coastlines. While Norway is particularly famous for its scenic trains, other countries offer railway experiences through historic cities and even Arctic wilderness. Some routes were designed specifically for sightseeing, and a few provide overnight accommodations. Several of these train trips are particularly beautiful during winter, with snow-covered landscapes as far as the eye can see. However, summer has its own benefits, including long daylight hours. Here are eight of the best train trips through Northern Europe, featuring established railway services across several different countries.
Caledonian Sleeper — Scotland and England
Duration: 12 hours, 45 minutes | Route: London to Fort William
The Caledonian Sleeper is an incredible overnight railway trip, connecting London with the Scottish Highlands. Leaving from London Euston in the evening, passengers tuck into private sleeping compartments and wake up to spectacular Scottish scenery. The route travels north through England and Scotland and into the famous West Highland Line. One of the most talked about sections passes through Rannoch Moor, a wilderness region filled with mountains, lochs, and peat bogs. The train also stops at Corrour, one of Britain’s most remote railway stations, which is not even accessible by public road. The trip comes to an end in Fort William, a town near Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. The final approach through the Highlands is quite stunning.
Santa Claus Express — Finland
Duration: Approximately 12 hours overnight | Route: Helsinki to Rovaniemi
Finland’s Santa Claus Express is probably Northern Europe’s most magical railway journey. It goes from Helsinki into the center of Finnish Lapland. The train departs the capital and travels north through snowy forests, small communities, and landscapes that become more and more remote. During winter, passengers wake up to beautiful snow-covered scenery as the train moves toward the Arctic Circle. Some of the private sleeping compartments have their own showers, making the experience much more comfortable than an average overnight ride. The train comes to a final stop in Rovaniemi, which is widely known for its Santa Claus Village, reindeer excursions, husky sledding, and Northern Lights viewing. This place simply couldn’t be any more magical!
Flåm Railway — Norway
Duration: Approximately 55 minutes | Route: Myrdal to Flåm
The Flåm Railway is a short ride, but it’s also one of Norway’s most famous, descending through a mountain valley straight toward the Aurlandsfjord. Despite being only about 12 miles long, the route passes through the country’s most gorgeous landscapes. Sit back and watch towering cliffs, rushing rivers, green hillsides, and cascading waterfalls. One of the highlights is Kjosfossen, where the train makes a short stop so passengers can see the powerful waterfall up close. The journey concludes in Flåm, a small village surrounded by mountains and fjords. At only an hour long, this is one train ride you don’t want to miss if you’re visiting western Norway.
Bergen Railway — Norway
Many train enthusiasts consider Norway’s Bergen Railway one of Europe’s most beautiful train journeys. The route connects Oslo with the seaside city of Bergen and travels through a variety of different landscapes, like forests, tucked-away valleys, alpine lakes, snow-covered peaks, and the expansive Hardangervidda plateau. One of the most interesting stops is Finse, a mountain station which lies at more than 4,000 feet above sea level. The surrounding landscape is famous for being the filming location of the desolate planet Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back. During colder months, the route becomes a winter wonderland, while summer offers bright green valleys and lush mountainsides. If you’re into train travel, there is no better way to experience Norway’s beauty than the Bergen Railway.
Inlandsbanan — Sweden
Duration: Approximately 2 days with an overnight stop | Route: Mora to Gällivare, via Östersund
Sweden’s Inlandsbanan navigates the country’s remote interior, passing through forests, near lakes, and alongside isolated towns. This journey is definitely far removed from major tourist destinations. The railway covers much of Sweden, although its services operate on specific sections of the route depending on the season. One popular journey starts in Mora and moves toward Östersund before continuing north to Gällivare, crossing the Arctic Circle along the way. Inlandsbanan is designed for passengers intent on taking in as much of the scenery as possible, with scheduled stops for meals and sightseeing. Wildlife is another attraction, as the remote areas are home to moose, reindeer, and tons of bird species. This option is really great for travelers wanting to experience Sweden’s quieter, less developed natural areas. Note that seasonal schedules vary, and the full route requires separate travel days instead of one continuous train ride.
Rauma Railway — Norway
Duration: 1 hour, 40 minutes | Route: Dombås to Åndalsnes
Norway’s Rauma Railway is maybe Scandinavia’s most scenery-packed short railway adventure. It connects the mountain town of Dombås with Åndalsnes near the coast. The route meanders through the Romsdal Valley, where mountains rise above rivers and quaint communities. Tourists love the Kylling Bridge, a beautiful, curved stone structure that crosses a deep gorge. Another highlight is Trollveggen, a huge rock face popular with mountain climbers. The railway makes its way through forests, over rushing rivers, and alongside mountain peaks before reaching the Romsdalsfjord, where Åndalsnes is located. Interestingly, parts of this route were used during the filming of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This one is not to be missed.
Öresundståg — Denmark and Sweden
Duration: Approximately 3 hours, 45 minutes | Route: Copenhagen to Gothenburg
The Öresundståg is one of Scandinavia’s most convenient international railways, connecting Denmark with southern Sweden. The trip begins in Copenhagen before traveling through a tunnel and crossing the Øresund Bridge, a massive engineering achievement connecting Denmark and Sweden. It then continues north through the Swedish countryside, passing historic cities and beautiful coastlines. One especially scenic section travels through Skåne and Halland, regions known for their farmland and seaside villages. Passengers have the opportunity to stop in Helsingborg and Halmstad before making their way toward Gothenburg, famous for its canals, historic neighborhoods, and archipelago. This journey offers an easy way to experience two Scandinavian countries in a single day.
Wilderness Train — Sweden
Duration: 9 days | Route: Round trip from Stockholm through northern Sweden
Sweden’s Wilderness Train is a nine-day adventure. Its historic carriages take passengers through the country’s remote northern regions. Starting in Stockholm, the route continues through several destinations, including Mora, Östersund, Arvidsjaur, Jokkmokk, and Gällivare. Passengers eventually reach the Arctic region around Abisko and Kiruna before returning south through Umeå. The train features vintage first-class carriages from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, creating a truly nostalgic vibe. The railway makes its way through forests, mountains, and remote communities, with opportunities to explore both cultural and natural attractions. The journey is unbeatable during fall, when the countryside is covered in gold and red. The Wilderness Train operates as a special tour with planned excursions and hotel stays in between. Its 2026 itinerary ran from September 10 through September 18.