hey warmshowerers,
trying to work out logistics for a summer tour in scandinavia: at one point i'd like to get the train from stockholm to copenhagen (either directly or via gothenburg), but i have heard that bikes on trains are a BIG NO NO in sweden. anyone know any ways of getting around this? don't really want to box it as i'll have a big trailer too...
thanks in advance for any useful snippets,
jx
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Hi Jamie,
You’re right.. the main operator SJ does not allow bikes, even as mtr express.. (they have the ‘long distance trains’). However, many local train operators do allow bikes, even as öresundståg (between copenhagen and göteborg and copenhagen-växjo-Kalmar) and some bus operators such as swebus (then you have to pack your bike though). Also the Norwegian trains NSB allow bikes, so from copenhagen to oslo is no problem. You could try to go from stockholm to Alvesta or Kalmar by local trains/bus and then take öresundståg to Copenhagen.. you might find a way around it, but it just might take a bit longer. Here I have a list of train operators who do and do not allow bikes (in Swedish): https://arskortguldsj.wordpress.com/category/cykel/
good luck!!
All best, Emke
wow, thanks for that advice and link, emke! (google translate can help me with the swedish) it's tricky, but it doesn't look quite as bad as i was led to believe...
and as you say, it looks much easier if i'm in oslo and i want to take the train to copenhagen with my bike + trailer!
cheers,
j
Hello dear warmshowers,
I am planning a cycling tour in Norway and Sweden, and I need some tips and suggestions from local cyclists; for example, where can I find cheap second hand bikes in Stockholm? what are the best roads ( with natural views) which I can take during my trip. I am planning to start my trip from Stockholm towards oslo then go to the North of Norway.
So, any tips, suggestions, advice are welcome.
Thanks in advance
Hello!
I have cycled the coast of norway from Trondheim to Finnsnes. From Trondheim to bodö there is a beatiful road called Kystriksveijen. it involves a lot of ferries but they are cheap and its nice to be inside on a couch for a while if its rainy (it usualy is on the atlantiv coast). At the ferry terminals and tourist information you can pick up a broshyre with information and the timetable for the ferrys. Make sure to take trips outside the kystriksveien itself such as the islands of Dönna and Leka.Road 796 from Namsos to Lund is really beautiful. Try avoid the E6 as much as you can. from Bodö take the ferry to Lofoten, one of the most beautiful places on earth, the roads are mostly flat but mountains and fjords are everywhere!
Some tips for the road.
Most of the ferry waiting rooms are heeated and equiped with a toilet with running water and open 24/7.
The grocery stores on the road usualy have free wifi, power outlets and a table where you can sit and eat what you buy in the store. Coop is not the cheapest but they always offer theese facilities.
Grocery stores are closed on sundays in Norway, so stock up.
The water from streams are fully drinkable.
Bike shops are few on Kystriksveien so carry tools and repair kit-
Hey Jaime,
we took an overnight train from Larvik to Stockholm. We packaged the bikes in 2 carton boxes. 1 box fits exactly below the bed in the train, the other 1 we put to the end othe train after consulting the train crew. It travelled for free and without any problems. There was an another couple on the train with bikes wrapped in plastic, they also managed to fit in. And it is an SJ train, big no-go for cyclists. :-)
Another option to look for Danish trains that go to Sweden, they all take bicycles, there are plenty between Goteborg and Kopenhagen.
Have fun.
Barni
Hi Barnabas,
Thank you very much for the useful information.I do appreciate your help. Many thanks