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Life is busy, and not everyone is able to find time to arrange their train tickets in advance and so get the best fares.
As discussed in our recent blog post about public transport in Sweden, Swedish rail operator SJ releases the most affordable tickets 90 days before travel. These fares are then sold on a “first come, first served” basis, meaning fares will tend to increase steadily the closer to your date of travel you book.
If you are able to make your train bookings well in advance, there are some excellent deals available. But for various reasons, this may not always be possible. Perhaps you are booking your holiday in Sweden at the last minute, or perhaps you have been meaning to get around to booking your train tickets for weeks but other things somehow took priority.
Whatever the reason, it’s worth considering the Swedish bus network as both a cost-effective and comfortable alternative. Sweden is a vast country, and its extensive rail network serves many destinations in even the remotest areas. But there are necessarily huge areas of the country where bus is by far the most frequent or convenient option.
Local bus services (on which we are always happy to advise clients travelling with us) are run by regional operators. Swebus – www.swebusexpress.se – operates regular coach services covering much of the country, with very affordable prices.
For example, if you are travelling from Gothenburg to Karlstad for one of our canoeing holidays in Sweden, current fares for one of the regular direct buses with Swebus cost just £15/adult/way and take around 4 hours.
To book your bus tickets with Swebus, go to www.swebusexpress.se. Click “English” in the top left corner and select your departure point and destination. You can then choose from a variety of ticket options (price depending on flexibility required). You can also call them on +46 (0)771 – 218 218.
You should also note that some bus connections, both Swebus services and local bus services, are listed as part of the timetable information when checking train connections on Swedish rail operator SJ’s website www.sj.se. When these services are listed, tickets for travel can also be purchased through the SJ website. This is often a very convenient way to buy a ticket valid for your whole journey right through to your final destination, perhaps combining the main part of a longer journey by train with the last section by bus. You may also find in some cases that Swebus may offer a more convenient service than the train for the outward journey, but that you wish to take a train for your return. Once again, as long as the bus services are listed by SJ you will be able to buy a ticket for both journeys at the SJ website.
Sweden is a wonderful country to travel in by public transport, whether you are taking a night train up north for one of our hiking holidays in Lapland or over to the Norwegian border for one of our dog sledding tours in Sweden, or a bus to the archipelago to go on a sea kayaking tour! And with Swebus, you can even leave it to the last minute to organise your journey and still get affordable fares!
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
Sweden’s reputation for reliable and efficient public transport networks is well-deserved. Despite the vast distances involved and the remote nature of much of Sweden, its web of well-organised public transport links offers regular connections to even the furthest reaches of the country. Where it is necessary to take a combination of train and bus to reach your destination, bus timetables are often thoughtfully coordinated with train arrival and departure times.
As well as being a convenient, comfortable and environmentally-friendly option, travelling by train and bus in Sweden offers a wonderful opportunity to see the landscape of this beautiful country and can really add to your enjoyment of your trip.
How to check train timetables and purchase tickets for public transport in Sweden
On the website of Swedish national rail operator SJ, you can check connections and book your tickets online. You can check times and purchase tickets for the complete route, including any sections where it is necessary to travel by bus.
To see timetables and to book your tickets, go to www.sj.se. Click “In English” in the top right corner. Type in your start point and your destination. If you have difficulties, you can also call them on +46 (0) 771-75 75 75. Wait for the message to say ”For information in English, press…”
Many Swedish place names will use the Swedish characters å, ä and ö. If you do not have these characters on your keyboard, you can replace them with the English characters a and o. The system will usually make a guess as to the place name you require and ask you to confirm your choice. If you have difficulties, you can also copy and paste these characters from the sentence above. If travelling to or from Gothenburg, you should also bear in mind that the Swedish name for Gothenburg is Göteborg. In all place names, “C” signifies the central station (e.g. Stockholm C = Stockholm Central).
It is much cheaper to buy your tickets in advance. You should note that the most affordable tickets are only released 90 days before travel. If you are checking connections many months in advance, timetable information for your chosen dates may not be published yet. In this case, use sample earlier dates to get an idea of likely connections. For group bookings, SJ offers special group rates for groups of 10 or more persons – for a quotation, email gruppresor@sj.se.
One important point when purchasing your tickets online: the English version of the SJ website is still under development (in fact this bug has already been present for some time – we have discussed the matter with SJ but no changes have been made as of the time of writing). When you come to the booking page, the form will ask for your telephone number. This field is not yet set up properly to accept overseas numbers. Instead, use the following number as a “dummy”: 0870 12345678. This number is not important to your booking and will not be used for contact purposes.
Taking a night train in Sweden
If travelling to one of our guided hiking tours in Lapland or our dog sledding holidays in Jämtland, taking a night train is often the most convenient option. Sweden’s long distance rail routes take you through some of the most remote and beautiful parts of the country, and a journey by night train is a real experience, delivering you to your destination refreshed and ready to begin your holiday adventure! There are a choice of sleeping arrangements to suit all tastes and budgets, from couchettes to private en-suite compartments.
Buying the most affordable train tickets in Sweden
As mentioned above, the most affordable tickets are released 90 days before travel, and it is usually possible to get very good prices for your chosen route. If you are willing to wait until less than 48 hours before travel, it is now also possible to bid on SJ train tickets, meaning that you could travel for as little as 1 kr! For details of the bidding system, please see http://www.sj.se/sj/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=224&a=51518&l=en
Local bus services in Sweden
There is also an efficient network of local bus connections. For local services it is usually not possible to purchase your tickets in advance. You should buy your tickets on board. Operators for local bus routes in Sweden will depend on the area in which you are travelling. We are happy to advise on suitable travel connections to any of our holidays in Sweden.
Booking trains from between Norway or Denmark and Sweden
If the majority of your journey is in Sweden, the SJ website will probably show connections and allow you to purchase your tickets (if travelling to/from Copenhagen in Denmark, remember that the Swedish for Copenhagen is “Köpenhamn”). If not, you may find connections listed at www.bokatag.se.
Swedish public transport allows you to reach even the most remote parts of this lovely country quickly, safely and affordably. It is possible to reach all the outdoor holidays in Sweden offered by Nature Travels by public transport, and the great majority of our clients travel to and from our experiences by public transport.
Advice on travel to/from your destination is given in the “Getting There” section of the Full Details file for each of our experiences. Simply click on the “Full Details” link on each experience page. You can browse an interactive map of holidays in Sweden at www.naturetravels.co.uk/holidays-in-sweden.htm. You can also book flight buses from Swedish airports into the city for onward train connections through us at ww.naturetravels.co.uk/add-ons-flygbussarna.htm. We are happy to advise our clients on any aspect of travelling to one of our wildlife, outdoor and adventure holidays in Sweden. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
As an ecotourism company, we hope that you will choose to take trains and buses whenever possible as you travel around Sweden. However, cars do offer a degree of independence and allow access to certain areas hard to reach by public transport. If you do decide to drive in Sweden, there are some things that you should be aware of, for the sake of safety, ease of travel, and the environment, and we have tried to present some of the most important information in this collection of FAQs. If you have never driven in the snow before, or would like information on other aspects of driving in Sweden, you should find many of the answers below…
Which side of the road should I drive on?
Until 1967, traffic in Sweden drove on the left, as we do in the UK. Then, at 04.50 in the morning on September 3rd, traffic all across the country was directed over to the right side of the road and stopped still for 10 minutes before setting off again at 05.00, this time driving on the right, where it has remained ever since. It is hard to imagine how such a logistical operation could have been accomplished on British roads, even in 1967!
Are roads in Sweden busy?
Swedish roads generally haves far less traffic than the UK, and in many areas it is possible to drive for hours without meeting another vehicle. Outside major cities, traffic jams and queues are very rare, though you are likely to experience delays in Stockholm during peak hours.
Are the roads in good condition?
Roads in Sweden are generally very well-maintained. Rural roads may have some bumps and pits, especially in winter, and forest roads in more remote areas are likely to be unsurfaced (known as “Grusvägar”).
What special requirements are there?
Motorways are toll-free. You must drive with your headlights on at all times. If you hire a car in Sweden, headlights will be switched on as standard. You must also carry a warning triangle in the car, which you should place 50-100m behind your vehicle if stopped on a road. Again, this will be standard equipment in a hire car.
What about parking in Sweden?
Parking regulations are generally clear and easy to follow. In cities you will usually need to pay for parking, either at an on-street meter or ticket machine, between 8am and 6pm. If parking on the street, keep to the right side only (don’t park against the flow of traffic). There are a number of lay-bys for parking on main roads (see also our article on the Swedish Right of Public Access for regulations on overnight parking).
What is the speed limit in Sweden?
Don’t forget that speeds and distances in Sweden are measured in kilometres (1 mile=1.6km). Swedes will often talk of distances in terms of “mil” or “Swedish miles”: 1 mil=10km, so if a Swede tells you it is “10 miles to Gothenburg”, they mean 100km!
On motorways (roads marked with blue signs), the limit is 110kph/68mph. Main roads are marked with green signs and usually named with E plus a number (e.g. E14 for “Europaväg 14”). Speed limit here is 90kph/56mph. In towns the speed limit is 50kph/31mph. Other speed restrictions are clearly marked.
Does Sweden have speed cameras?
Yes. Presence of speed cameras in an area is usually clearly marked by signs. They look a little like a cross between a traffic light and a Dalek! The level of the fine is dependent on the amount by which you exceed the speed limit, and for serious offences your driving license may be withdrawn.
Is there a danger of animals on the road?
Driving in Sweden is an excellent way to encounter wildlife, and during your travels you may be lucky enough to spot moose, reindeer, deer, hares, red squirrels and perhaps some of the rarer animals. However, many Swedish roads travel through densely forested areas and animals on the road are a hazard to be taken seriously in order to prevent casualties among both the animal and human population. There are around 4500 accidents involving vehicles and moose alone each year in Sweden, resulting in 10-15 human fatalities.
Major roads will often have fencing to prevent animals crossing, though there will be periodic breaks to allow animals to cross. Danger points are clearly marked, but you should be aware of animals on the road at all times. If you wound an animal and it wanders off into the forest, mark the spot where it entered the forest with a ribbon or by some other means and call the police. The police will then attempt to track down the animal to put it out of its misery. It is not a criminal offence to hit an animal.
What about drinking and driving in Sweden?
Sweden has some of the strictest regulations relating to driving and alcohol consumption of any European country. The legal blood alcohol limit is currently 0.02, compared to 0.08 in the UK. Police have the right to demand a blood sample and failing a test will result in imprisonment.
Do I have to wear a seatbelt in Sweden?
Yes. Seatbelts are compulsory both front and rear. Children under 7 must have an approved seat, and it is illegal to use a backwards-facing child seat in cars with an airbag on the passenger side.
How old do I need to be to drive in Sweden?
The minimum age for driving is 18.
Do I need to carry documents with me?
It is a good idea to carry your driving licence, registration documentation, passport and insurance certificate with you when driving.
What are some useful Swedish words to know for motorists?
Parkering Förbjuden – No Parking
Infart – Entrance
Avfart – Exit
Bensin – Petrol
Sjukhus – Hospital
Omläggning – Diversion
Gäller Ej… – Doesn’t apply to…
What is the number for emergency services in Sweden?
Dial 112 for Police/Fire/Ambulance Service.
What do I need to know to drive in winter in Sweden?
If you have not driven in snow before, it can be quite daunting initially, especially for those who have experienced icy conditions on UK roads. But don’t worry – winter tyres make an enormous difference and even smaller roads are regularly ploughed. Provided you follow some simple guidelines you should be able to drive confidently and safely.
- While of course helpful in extreme conditions, it is not necessary to have a 4WD vehicle if you are planning to drive on normal roads in Sweden.
- Cars with front-wheel-drive will handle better in snowy conditions than those with rear-wheel-drive.
- ABS can be a useful feature to assist safe braking in snowy conditions.
- Your vehicle must be fitted with winter tyres (not necessarily studded, though studded tyres will give better grip) to drive in Sweden during the winter. If travelling to Sweden during the winter, it is probably best to hire a vehicle rather than take your own. Hire cars will come fully outfitted for winter conditions.
- When driving on snow and especially on ice, you should allow much greater stopping distance. Be especially carefully when doing downhill or approaching curves. The “slipperiness” of the road will vary considerably depending on the temperature and surface conditions, so be aware that a snow-covered road that seemed easy to drive one day may be much icier the next.
- Ice often forms on bridges, so take extra care when driving over them.
- When driving on remote roads with little traffic, you may find it helpful to drive in the middle of the road, as you will have more room to maneuver and correct any slides if forced to brake suddenly. When going over hills and dips and around corners, you may meet traffic coming from the other direction, so slow down and keep to the right.
- If the road is very slippery and you feel that it is difficult to keep control, drive as slowly as possible in the lowest gear. If the car begins to slide when going downhill, change down gear, use the engine to brake and go as slowly as you can.
- You will have most control when steering if you put the clutch in and steer without either accelerating or braking. Gentle movements of the steering wheel and low speeds will give you the most control under snowy and icy conditions. Better a foot on the clutch than a foot on the brake!
- Finally, use your judgement when assessing conditions. A white winter road with packed snow will often be less slippery than a wet road. Drive safely, but don’t be nervous!
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
Nature Travels offers a wide range of outdoor experiences in Sweden, all of which are accessible by public transport. Cars can be useful to access some of our experiences and to give you greater freedom during your stay – see for example our Summer Fun on a Forest Farm and Log Cabin Escape in Värmland experiences. If hiring a car in Sweden, you may wish to consider one of the flexifuel cars available from Hertz. There are currently over 70,000 flexifuel cars on the roads in Sweden and alternative fuels are widely available in many areas.
Nature Travels is proud to announce our new cutting-edge Interactive Map tool, giving an aerial overview of all Nature Travels wildlife, outdoor and adventure holidays in Sweden at a glance.
From My Maps to embedded maps
For some time now, Google Maps has had an enormously useful additional feature – the facility for users to customize maps with placemarks of their own. This My Maps feature has allowed users to interact with the Google Maps interface in a completely new way, creating personalised maps of everything from a world travel tour to the best places to buy ice-cream in London.
Various content can be added to each placemark, including text, pictures and even video. A pop-up displays the content when the marker is clicked. Being able to combine the enormous power of Google Maps with the ability to add personal customised content has proved hugely popular, but only quite recently has it become possible to embed My Maps in a website or blog, and only very recently has it become possible to do so reliably and easily. With this development the tool has become extremely useful to both tour operators and travellers. Where before users were forced to leave a site to navigate a map through the Google Maps interface, customised maps can now be embedded directly in web pages and blogs, giving the full functionality of Google Maps without the need to navigate away from the site you are viewing.
The Nature Travels interactive map feature
Sweden is a large and beautiful country, but its enormous range of outdoor holiday opportunities is surprisingly little-known. While some of our clients have a very clear idea what kind of experience they are looking for, many others are seeking inspiration, and our interactive map is an ideal and fun way to browse the wide variety of wildlife, outdoor and adventure holidays in Sweden we have available, with the ability to zoom in right down to street level with a choice of map, satellite or hybrid views. Clicking on each placemark will show a brief summary of the experience available at that location, including dates and prices. For full details, a complete list of links to the experiences is available down the left hand side of the page.
As transport networks become increasingly complex, a visual mapping system is an ideal way to find your way through the maze of possibilities for international and domestic connections. The Nature Travels map currently gives details of flights between the UK and Sweden, plus other useful connections to/from Norway and Dublin. With the growth of low-cost airlines, routes are being added all the time, and a visual map makes assessing the most convenient options much easier. As the concept develops, we are planning to add ferry and rail connections as well as other features to the map to further increase its usefulness.
Of course, the map is not only a map, but a full-featured route-finding tool, with the facility to display suggested routes and estimated travel times to/from or between any of our experiences. We hope that this will go a long way towards simplifying the planning process for our clients when travelling to and around Sweden.
How to make your own Google My Map
The joy of Google My Maps is that anyone can get involved, sharing information of almost any kind with the world. If you have been on a Nature Travels holiday to Sweden, you’re sure to have some wonderful tales to tell and some eye-catching photos (or even video) to share. Why not create your own Google My Map and share it with friends and family, or tell us about it and we’ll share it with the world?!
If you’d like to have a go at creating your own My Map, here’s how:
1. Go to maps.google.co.uk
2. Click “Sign in” in the top right hand corner.
3. If you already have a Google account, log in as normal. If not, follow the steps to create your own free account.
4. Back on the maps page, click the “My Maps” tab on the left hand side.
5. Click “Create new map”.
6. Follow the online tutorials to help you create your first map!
If you’d like to embed your new map in your blog or website:
1. Click on “link to this page” in the top right hand corner of the map.
2. Choose “Paste HTML to embed in website” or click on “Customise and preview embedded map”.
3. Place the code into your website or blog and you have your very own map!
4. Alternatively, simply choose “Paste link in email” to send a link to your map to a friend.
Google My Maps opens up a world of possibilities for sharing your memories and experiences of travelling. So get exploring!
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team
