A rail pass works well in Sweden if you know three things: which company runs your train, where a paid reservation is compulsory, and where the pass stops working. Here they are, operator by operator, with the reservation fees in kronor.
When you need this
You’re deciding between a Sweden, Nordic or Global pass, or you already hold one and want to book an SJ high-speed seat or a night-train berth to Lapland. Maybe you have an older Eurail pass and just read that the brand is gone. Or you’re about to board a Stockholm–Gothenburg train and aren’t sure your pass works on it.
Eurail is now Interrail
On 10 September 2026, Eurail B.V. renamed itself Interrail B.V. and stopped selling Eurail passes. Travelers from outside Europe now buy an Interrail pass. Coverage and benefits are unchanged: the company calls it a brand change, not a product change.
If you bought a Eurail pass before 10 September, it stays valid on its original terms, and everything on this page applies to it. Most English guides still tell North Americans to buy “a Eurail pass”; that advice is two weeks out of date.
Three pass shapes cover Sweden:
| Pass | Covers | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden Pass | Sweden only | Not sold to people who live in Sweden; not valid into or out of Sweden |
| Scandinavia / Nordic Pass | Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland | The pass for trips that cross the Öresund |
| Global Pass | Up to 33 countries | Residents of Sweden get only a limited number of trips at home |
A first-class pass is valid in both classes; a second-class pass only in second. Children aged 4–11 travel free with an adult pass holder, and under-4s travel free without a pass.
Which trains accept the pass
Interrail’s own list for Sweden names SJ’s regional, InterCity and high-speed trains, Snälltåget, Arlanda Express, Inlandsbanan, Öresundståg between Malmö and Copenhagen, and Norrtåg between Boden and Haparanda. Cross-border trains to Oslo and RDC’s night train to Berlin are on it too. Regional authorities confirm it on their own trains: Mälartåg lets pass holders board any train, and Västtrafik accepts the pass on its trains.
VR is the gap. VR’s high-speed trains between Stockholm and Gothenburg are not on Interrail’s list, and VR’s site offers no pass-holder booking. On that route, ride SJ or buy a normal VR ticket.
Don’t let the name confuse you: VR also operates Öresundståg, Norrtåg and, from December 2026, Mälartåg. There the pass works, because the regional authority sells the trips.
Reservations: where you pay extra
“Interrail accepted” does not always mean “free to board”. On some trains the pass is only half the ticket; the other half is a paid seat reservation (platsbokning).
| Train | Pass valid? | Reservation |
|---|---|---|
| SJ high-speed (snabbtåg) | Yes | Compulsory |
| SJ InterCity and SJ Regional | Yes | Optional |
| SJ night trains to Lapland | Yes | Compulsory, even on a first-class pass |
| Snälltåget, day and night | Yes | Compulsory; one-way bookings only |
| RDC night train to Berlin | Yes | Compulsory, at nachtexpress.de |
| Inlandsbanan | Yes | Recommended |
| Mälartåg, Västtrafik trains, Öresundståg | Yes | None |
| Arlanda Express | Yes (per Interrail) | None |
| VR Stockholm–Gothenburg | No | — |
On the night trains, the reservation is the scarce part. Berths to Lapland sell out, especially in winter, and a pass guarantees you nothing until the berth is booked. Book it as soon as the train is on sale; see our night trains to Lapland guide for classes and the Boden change.
Snälltåget’s night-train reservations cost more in its high season, which in 2026 ran 11–23 April, 28 May–31 August and 24 October–2 November.
Three traps
The Arlanda C station fee. SJ and Mälartåg accept the pass to Arlanda, but getting on or off at Arlanda C costs a station passage fee (Arlandapassage) unless your ticket includes it. Neither Swedavia nor Interrail lists an exemption for pass holders. Arlanda Express uses its own stations and has no such fee, so it’s the pass-friendly way into Stockholm. Interrail lists it with no reservation or supplement; Arlanda Express’s own pages don’t mention passes. More in Arlanda to Stockholm.
The border on a Sweden Pass. A One Country Pass is valid only inside Sweden. On Öresundståg to Copenhagen you need a pass that covers Denmark, or a separate ticket for that leg. One dated exception: Snälltåget accepts a Sweden Pass on its Copenhagen leg in 2026 only.
Interrail’s own booking fee. Reservations bought through Interrail’s service cost €2 per person per train on top of the reservation, plus €9 per order for paper tickets. Booking directly with SJ or Snälltåget avoids that fee.
How to book a reservation
- Check each leg’s operator in Resrobot, the national journey planner. The operator decides whether the pass works and whether you need a reservation.
- Plan around VR on Stockholm–Gothenburg: pick SJ departures, or budget a ticket.
- SJ high-speed and night trains: book on sj.se. Under the traveler, switch on “travels with travel card”, choose “Interrail” and enter your pass number.
- Snälltåget: book on snalltaget.se and tick “I have an Interrail Pass”. Pass holders can book one-way trips only.
- RDC’s Berlin night train: book at nachtexpress.de. See train to Sweden for the route.
- Inlandsbanan: reserve a seat and tick the pass-holder box. The summer 2026 season is over; bookings for 2027 open in spring 2027. See the Inlandsbanan.
- Regional trains: just board. Mälartåg, Västtrafik trains, Öresundståg and SJ Regional need no reservation.
- Carry the pass and every reservation on a charged phone or on paper, and show both at inspection.
Is a pass worth it?
It depends on how you travel. Swedish long-distance fares are dynamic and cheapest when booked early, as our guide to buying train tickets in Sweden explains. Reservations then add a fee on high-speed and night trains.
A pass pays off for several long SJ legs booked at short notice, or a route you want to keep flexible. For two or three trips booked well ahead, compare point-to-point fares first. The pass also brings ferry discounts: Interrail lists up to 50% on some crossings to Denmark, Germany and Norway, and the Gotland ferry gives pass holders a discount.
Practical information
| Item | Amount (checked 2026-09-24) |
|---|---|
| Pass price | Set by Interrail by pass type, days and age; check at purchase |
| SJ high-speed reservation | About €6.50 (2nd class) / €14.40 (1st), indicative |
| SJ Regional / InterCity reservation | Optional; about €3.50 (2nd class) |
| Snälltåget reservation | From 49 kr for a seat; berths 149–499 kr (low season 2026) |
| SJ night train: seat / couchette bed | 40 kr / 250 kr |
| SJ night train: bed in a three-bed sleeper | 405 kr |
| SJ night train: private sleeper with bathroom (up to 2) | 800 kr per compartment |
| Inlandsbanan seat reservation | 60 kr |
| Interrail booking service | €2 per person per train; €9 per paper order |
| Arlanda C station passage fee | 157 kr per adult passage (none on Arlanda Express) |
| Mälartåg, Västtrafik trains, Öresundståg | No reservation needed |
Interrail calls its euro fees indicative; the operator’s price at booking decides.
FAQ
Is Interrail valid in Sweden?
Yes, on most trains. Interrail covers SJ’s regional, InterCity and high-speed trains, Snälltåget, Arlanda Express, Inlandsbanan and regional trains such as Mälartåg, Västtrafik’s trains and Öresundståg. The big exception is VR, which runs high-speed trains between Stockholm and Gothenburg and does not take the pass. SJ high-speed and night trains need a paid reservation on top.
Do I need a seat reservation on SJ trains with Interrail?
On SJ high-speed trains and night trains, yes: the reservation is compulsory and costs extra. On SJ Regional and InterCity trains it is optional. Book it on sj.se by selecting Interrail as your travel card and entering your pass number, which avoids the fee Interrail’s own booking service adds per train.
What happened to the Eurail pass?
From 10 September 2026, the company behind both brands sells only Interrail passes, to travelers from anywhere in the world. Coverage and benefits are unchanged. If you bought a Eurail pass before that date, it stays valid on its original terms, and reservations work exactly as they do for an Interrail pass.
How much does a night-train reservation cost with Interrail?
On SJ’s night trains to Lapland, Interrail lists 40 kr for a seat, 250 kr for a couchette bed, 405 kr for a bed in a three-bed sleeper and 800 kr for a private sleeper with bathroom. Snälltåget’s berths cost more and vary by season. The reservation is compulsory even with a first-class pass.
Can I use Interrail on the Arlanda Express?
Yes. Interrail lists Arlanda Express with no reservation or supplement, and the airport express has no station passage fee. SJ and Mälartåg also accept the pass, but getting on or off at Arlanda C costs a 157 kr passage fee per adult, and no pass-holder exemption is listed. Keep your pass ready to show.
Is an Interrail pass worth it in Sweden?
It depends on how you travel. Swedish long-distance fares are dynamic and cheapest when booked early, and reservations add a fee on high-speed and night trains. A pass pays off for several long trips booked at short notice or a flexible route. For two or three early-booked trips, compare point-to-point fares first.
Related guides
- Train travel in Sweden — who runs which trains, and your delay rights
- Night trains to Lapland — classes, berths and the Boden change
- Buying train tickets in Sweden — for the legs your pass doesn’t cover
- Train to Sweden — the Berlin night trains and the Hamburg route
- Stockholm to Gothenburg by train — SJ versus VR on the busiest route
Facts verified 2026-09-24. Sources: Interrail B.V. (the pass issuer), Snälltåget, Mälardalstrafik, Västtrafik, Destination Inlandsbanan, Swedavia and SL — full register in this topic’s source file. Reservation terms can reset at the 13 December 2026 timetable change, and this page is due for review after it. Found something outdated? Tell us and we’ll fix it.