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See the northern lights by train

The northern lights flickering through tall pine trees

The best winter to see the northern lights

We've got some exciting news: experts predict the northern lights will be especially strong this season. Remember this winter forever with an Interrail trip north to chase this unforgettable phenomenon.

 

Norway, Sweden, or Finland — choose your own path

There's more than one way to see the northern lights by train. Last winter, a group of colleagues from Eurail chose to travel through Sweden to reach the Arctic Circle — but you can also take the train through Norway (all the way up to Bodø) or through Finland (to Rovaniemi).

 

Our adventure through Sweden

We chose to use our 7-day Interrail Pass to travel north from our headquarters in the Netherlands to Sweden. After taking only one daytime train journey and two night trains, we reached our final destination in the Arctic Circle. On the way home, we travelled back along the same route, taking time to slow down and immerse ourselves in the cities we visited along the way. 

 

We stopped at the following destinations on our way to the Arctic:

 

  1. Hamburg, Germany 🇩🇪
  2. Stockholm, Sweden 🇸🇪
  3. Kiruna, Sweden 🇸🇪
  4. Abisko, Sweden 🇸🇪
A person light-painting while waiting for the Northern Lights

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Our train journey to the Arctic Circle

A map depicting the train journey from Hamburg to Stockholm, Kiruna and Abisko

We travelled all the way to Abisko, Sweden, one of the best places in the world to glimpse the northern lights, mostly by night train.

 

Keep reading to learn about our journey and how you can plan your own dream trip to see the auroras. 

Pro tips:

  • Timing is everything. The northern lights illuminate the night sky in Abisko between September and early April. 
  • To maximise your chances of seeing the auroras, it's helpful to stay for at least a few days in case of clouds or poor weather. 
  • Make the most of your journey by stopping in famous cities like Hamburg, Copenhagen and Stockholm, as well as lesser-visited gems, such as Umeå and Kiruna. 
  • Once you plan your train route, make any seat reservations required for your trip
A waterside view of Hamburg's Speicherstadt warehouse district

Hamburg's Speicherstadt warehouse district at sunset

 

 

A bed inside a night train, with a view of the Swedish countryside outside

We took the night train from Hamburg to Stockholm, waking up in the morning to sights of the Swedish countryside

Stop 1: Hamburg, Germany

Why it's worth visiting:

The first stop on our aurora-chasing adventure, Hamburg is the last major German city many travellers pass through before crossing into Scandinavia by train.

 

What to do:
  • Stroll around the Speicherstadt, a picturesque, UNESCO-recognised warehouse district with plenty of gems hiding behind its brick facades.   
  • Cosy up with a coffee at the Speicherstadt Kaffeerösterei or one of the other specialty coffee shops in Hamburg. 
  • Visit Miniatur Wunderland, said to be the largest model railway system in the world. 

 

Suggested route
  • From: Hamburg Hauptbahnhof
  • To: Stockholm Central Station
  • Average travel time: 11h 54m (overnight)
  • Transfers: 0
  • Seat reservations: Required
tip-image
View train connections and reservation options in the timetable.
A person admiring the colourful art in a metro station in Stockholm

Paulo takes a look around the colourful Stadion metro station in Stockholm

 

 

A pink sunset with the skyline of Stockholm

A view of Stockholm at dusk from the Monteliusvägen viewing point

Stop 2: Stockholm, Sweden

Why it's worth visiting:

By mid-morning, you’ll arrive in Stockholm, crossing the Riddarfjärden bay on your way into the Swedish capital. 

 

Stockholm is a place best experienced slowly. Take your time exploring, and if you get tired, simply hop on the city’s convenient metro to experience another neighbourhood.

 

What to do:
  • Over 100 Stockholm metro stations double as art exhibitions. Our personal favourite? The Hallonbergen station, filled with art inspired by childhood imagination. 
  • Catch a winter sunset from Monteliusvägen, a short walking path where you can admire part of Stockholm's skyline and the Riddarfjärden bay.
  • If you visit in January or February, enjoy a semla bun or two while in Stockholm. The mouth-watering dessert can be found in bakeries across the city between Christmas and Easter.

 

Suggested route
  • From: Stockholm Central Station
  • To: Kiruna Central Station
  • Average travel time: 15h 6m (overnight)
  • Transfers: 0
  • Seat reservations: Required
tip-image
View train connections and reservation options in the timetable.
Three people stand in front of a blue house on a snow-covered street in Kiruna, Sweden

Rachel, Cristian, and Hanxiao pause for a photo while exploring the snow-covered streets of Kiruna, Sweden

 

 

The train locomotive that will take you across the north of Sweden

The Norrland night train operates between Stockholm, Sweden and Narvik, Norway

Stop 3: Kiruna, Sweden

Why it's worth visiting:

Welcome to life above the Arctic Circle. Kiruna, the northernmost city in Sweden, sits roughly 200 kilometres into the polar circle. Dress warmly during the late autumn and winter (it helps to wear three layers, plus gloves and a hat) and get exploring.

 

What to do:
  • Begin your visit with a walk around the streets off Matojärvigatan, dotted with brightly coloured houses. 
  • During polar night in Kiruna, which lasts for about a month in December, admire the unique beauty of "blue hour," when the sun comes close to rising and fills the landscape with dreamy light. 
  • If you time your visit accordingly, you’ll get to experience the Kiruna Snow Festival, held annually each January. The ice sculpting competition – with competitors hailing from all over the world –  is the festival's crown jewel. 

 

Suggested route
  • From: Kiruna Central Station
  • To: Abisko Turiststation
  • Average travel time: 1h 37m
  • Transfers: 0
  • Seat reservations: Required
tip-image
View train connections and reservation options in the timetable.
A person standing on the banks of a frozen lake in Abisko, Sweden

Rachel standing on the banks of the frozen Lake Torneträsk in Abisko

Stop 4: Abisko, Sweden

Why it's worth visiting:

Few places on earth are as well suited for aurora chasing as Abisko. The town, with its population of less than 100 residents, offers little light pollution. Plus, the region's unique microclimate keeps its skies clearer than in other parts of the Arctic Circle.

 

What to do:
  • To maximise your chances of seeing the northern lights, it’s helpful to book an organised aurora-chasing excursion and stay for multiple nights.
  • There’s plenty to do during the day in Abisko, too. Take a walk past Abiskoeatnu Canyon to the shores of Lake Torneträsk and keep an eye out for wildlife. Keep your distance and enjoy the view!
  • Feeling extra adventurous? Consider signing up for an ice climbing lesson on one of the many icefalls around Abisko. Beginners are welcome; no previous experience is necessary. 

 

The final view of the Auroras above Abisko

Feeling inspired to chase the northern lights by train?

Learn everything you need to know about the Interrail Pass and start planning your own unforgettable Arctic adventure!

 

Our train adventure on film

 

 

Meet the Interrailer

Traveller in front of a station while it snows

Rachel Schnalzer is a senior writer at Eurail, based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Last winter, she travelled all the way to the Arctic Circle with four of her colleagues in search of the northern lights. 

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Favourite travel memory

"Waking up on the night train from Stockholm to Abisko was pure magic. The morning light cast a pink glow over the whole landscape, and I loved watching the snow-covered forest from my train window while sipping coffee. To me, this experience was equally as special as seeing the northern lights."