Brief
Snälltåget opens direct Malmö‑Oslo rail line, attracting 25,000 passengers
The Swedish rail company’s new route has already drawn more than 25,000 travellers since its launch, replacing long bus rides and fragmented transfers.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Snälltåget’s new direct service between Malmö and Oslo began this summer, offering a 6½‑hour journey that has already carried more than 25,000 passengers. The route, which runs along Sweden’s western corridor, replaces the previous long bus rides and fragmented train transfers that linked the two capitals.
The service starts at 6.38 am from Malmö Central and runs only once a day, with plans to increase frequency next year. Tickets begin at £11 each way, making the line cheaper and more convenient for commuters and tourists alike. The train’s red‑shelled carriages feature a dining carriage with a 90s‑style interior, a clinical pink‑and‑turquoise carriage that smells of cinnamon buns and strong filter coffee, and a modernised carriage that has been upgraded for passenger comfort.
Along the route, passengers can enjoy views of Lund Cathedral, the flat agricultural fields of the Swedish west, and the sandy beach of Varberg, a popular kitesurfing and surfing spot. The journey also passes through the spa town of Varberg, where visitors can access a Moorish‑inspired cold bath house with sea‑view saunas for about £8.
Travelers have praised the line for its ease and affordability. The service has already become a hit, with more than 25,000 passengers using it since its launch this summer. The line offers a direct connection that is both cheaper and faster than the previous bus and train combinations.
Key facts
- Snälltåget’s direct Malmö‑Oslo service launched this summer (theguardian.com)
- The route carries more than 25,000 passengers since launch (theguardian.com)
- Tickets start at £11 each way (theguardian.com)
- The train runs once a day at 6.38 am from Malmö Central (theguardian.com)
- The journey takes 6½ hours and offers scenic views of Lund Cathedral, Varberg beach and the Swedish west (theguardian.com)
Background
The new line replaces long bus rides and fragmented train transfers between Malmö and Oslo, providing a cheaper and more convenient option for travellers.
Why it matters
The service improves cross‑border connectivity and offers a more sustainable travel option between Sweden and Norway.
What happens next
Snälltåget plans to increase the number of daily services next year.
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “Saunas, cinnamon buns and coastal scenery on the new rail route from Malmö to Oslo”
