Fastest ~17-18h by night train
| 🚆 Train | ~17-18h | SJ overnight sleeper on Malmbanan, reservation required |
| ✈️ Flight | ~1h40 | SAS Arlanda-Kiruna, can be pricey in winter |
| 🚗 Car | ~14-16h | 1,440km, winter tyres/experience needed |
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Kiruna is Sweden's northernmost city and the gateway to Swedish Lapland — a place most people associate with the ICEHOTEL, the northern lights and reindeer herding. Getting there is an adventure in itself: SJ's overnight sleeper train from Stockholm covers around 1,450 km of Sweden in a single night, arriving in the Arctic morning. Here is everything you need to plan the journey, with the alternatives alongside for comparison.
The night train: SJ's Norrlandståg sleeper
SJ operates regular overnight trains on the Stockholm–Kiruna route, running on the famous Malmbanan (Ore Line) — the railway originally built to carry iron ore from the Kiruna mines to the Norwegian port of Narvik. The train departs Stockholm Central Station in the evening and arrives in Kiruna the following morning, after a journey of around 17–18 hours.
Accommodation classes include:
- Seat — reclining and reasonably comfortable for a long overnight journey, the cheapest option.
- Couchette (liggvagn) — shared sleeping berths, several per compartment, with bedding included.
- Private sleeping compartment (sovkupé) — enclosed two-bed or single cabins. These are the most comfortable way to travel and particularly popular in winter.
Reservations are required on SJ night trains. Book well in advance for winter travel (October to March), when demand from northern-lights seekers, ICEHOTEL guests and winter-activity visitors is very high. SJ sells tickets on its website and app; Interrail pass holders need a paid reservation on top of the pass.
The train also stops at Uppsala, Gävle, Sundsvall, Östersund, Ånge, Boden and Luleå, making it useful for a range of northern Swedish destinations on a single journey.
The fastest way: flying
SAS and sometimes other carriers fly from Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) to Kiruna Airport (KRN). The flight takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. Fares are variable — not always cheap on this thin-traffic domestic route — and the airport is around 8 km from the city centre, so transfers add time. During the peak winter season, flights can be expensive, making the sleeper train financially as well as experientially competitive.
Driving
The drive from Stockholm to Kiruna is roughly 1,440 km and takes around 14–16 hours without significant stops. It is not a single-day proposition for most people, and winter driving in Swedish Lapland demands winter tyres, experience in icy conditions and careful attention to weather forecasts. If you want a car in Kiruna, renting locally (available at the airport and in town) is simpler than driving all the way from Stockholm.
Worth knowing: The Malmbanan is a working ore-line railway — your train shares the track with heavy freight. The route passes through some of the most remote and beautiful landscapes in Scandinavia: pine forests, frozen rivers and eventually the fells of Lapland. The early-morning section north of Boden, as dawn breaks over the snow, is one of Sweden's great train views.
What the overnight journey is like
You board at Stockholm Central — one of Europe's finest stations and easy to reach from anywhere in the city — typically around early evening. SJ's overnight rolling stock is getting an upgrade; newer couchettes and compartments are a step up from older stock. Bring food and drinks for the evening; dining options on board are limited. Pillows and duvets are provided in sleeping berths.
The train arrives in Kiruna in the morning — times vary by season but often between around 09:00 and 12:00. If you are heading onward to Abisko (one of the best places in Sweden for northern lights, as the mountain creates a microclimate with clear skies), the line continues to Abisko Turiststation and Riksgränsen on the Norwegian border — you can stay on the same train.
Kiruna city relocation
A practical note: Kiruna city centre has been physically relocated in recent years, a consequence of ground subsidence from the expanding iron-ore mine. The new city centre is a few kilometres from the old one. The railway station is part of this transition — check current station arrangements and transfer options when you book, as the situation has been evolving.
Which should you choose?
For most travellers, the SJ night train is both the sensible and the rewarding choice. It saves a night's accommodation, arrives in Kiruna at a civilised hour, and the journey through the Swedish wilderness is part of the experience. Flying is worth considering if fares are competitive and you are short on time — but factor in Arlanda's distance from Stockholm city and Kiruna Airport's transfer. Driving only really makes sense as part of a longer road trip through Scandinavia.
See also our overview of travelling Sweden by train and our guide to overland travel in Scandinavia.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the night train take from Stockholm to Kiruna?
Around 17–18 hours, depending on the specific service. The train departs Stockholm Central in the evening and arrives in Kiruna the following morning.
Do I need a reservation on the SJ night train?
Yes — reservations are required and are not optional. Book as early as possible for winter travel, when the train sells out quickly.
Can I use an Interrail pass on the Stockholm–Kiruna night train?
Yes, but Interrail pass holders also need a paid reservation for the sleeping accommodation. Reserve in advance, especially for winter.
Is the train the best way to see the northern lights from Stockholm?
The train is the best way to reach the northern lights zone without flying. Abisko, one stop north of Kiruna on the same line, has particularly reliable clear skies and is one of the top northern-lights destinations in Scandinavia.
Sources and further reading:
- Timetables and booking: SJ (Swedish Railways) at sj.se.
- Pass information and reservations: Interrail and Eurail.
- Route background and travel tips: The Man in Seat 61.
- Northern lights forecasting: Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI).