Transport

Public transport in Scandinavia countries 

Getting Around

Getting around Scandinavia's populated areas is generally a breeze, with efficient public transport and snappy connections. Remote regions usually have trustworthy but infrequent services.

Bus Comprehensive network throughout region; only choice in many areas. Train Efficient services in the continental nations. Car Drive on the right. Hire is easy but not cheap. Ferry Great-value network around the Baltic; spectacular Norwegian coastal ferry, and service to Iceland via the Faroe Islands. Bike Very bike-friendly cities and many options for longer cycling routes. Most transport will carry bikes for little or no charge. Hire is widely available. Planes Decent network of budget flights connecting major centres. Full-fare flights are comparatively expensive.

Air

Flights are safe and reliable. They can be expensive, but often cheaper than land-based alternatives for longer journeys, and can save days of travelling time.

There are reduced rates for internet bookings on internal airline routes. The main budget operators in the region are Ryanair and Norwegian.

There are good bus and train networks between airports and city centres.

Bicycle

Scandinavia is exceptionally bike friendly, with loads of cycle paths, courteous motorists, easy public transport options and lots of flattish, picturesque terrain.

- Bike shops Widespread in towns and cities.

- Hire Bike hire is often from train station bike-rental counters, tourist offices, camping grounds. In some cases it's possible to return hire bikes to another outlet so you don't have to double back. Several cities have bike-sharing schemes accessible for a small fee.

- No-nos Cycling across the Øresund bridge between Denmark and Sweden is prohibited. A new summer-only bike ferry opened in 2017 as an alternative.

- On public transport Bikes can be transported as luggage, either free or for a small fee, on slower trains and local buses in Scandinavia.

- Theft Not uncommon in big cities; take a decent lock and use it when you leave your bike unattended.

Boat

Ferries are a major part of Scandinavian travel, connecting islands and countries on both the Baltic and North Sea sides.

Ferry

You can't really get around Scandinavia without using ferries extensively. The shortest routes from Denmark (Jutland) to Norway and from southern Sweden to Finland are ferry routes. Denmark is now well connected to mainland Europe and Sweden by bridges.

Ferry tickets are cheap on competitive routes, although transporting cars can be costly. Bicycles are usually carried free. On some routes, train-pass holders are entitled to free or discounted travel.

Weekend ferries, especially on Friday night, are significantly more expensive. Teenagers are banned from travelling on some Friday-night ferries due to problems with drunkenness.

Bus

Buses provide a viable alternative to the rail network in Scandinavian countries and are the only option in Iceland and parts of northern Sweden, Finland and Norway.

Cost Compared to trains, they're usually cheaper and slightly slower. Connections with train services (where they exist) are good.

Advance reservation It's rarely necessary to book ahead. But you do need to prepurchase your ticket before you board many city buses, and then validate your ticket on board.

International routes There are regular bus services between Denmark and Sweden, and Sweden and Norway. Services between Finland and Norway run in Lappland, and you can change between Swedish and Finnish buses at the shared bus station of the border towns of Tornio/Haparanda.

Car & Motorcycle

Travelling with a vehicle is the best way to get to remote places and gives you independence and flexibility.

Scandinavia is excellent for motorcycle touring, with good-quality winding roads, stunning scenery and an active motorcycling scene – just make sure your wet-weather gear is up to scratch. The best time for touring is May to September. On ferries, motorcyclists rarely have to book ahead as they can generally be squeezed in.

Bringing Your Own Vehicle

Documentation Proof of ownership of a private vehicle should always be carried (this is the Vehicle Registration Document for British-registered cars). You'll also need an insurance document valid in the countries you are planning to visit. Contact your local automobile association for further information.

Border crossings Vehicles crossing an international border should display a sticker showing their country of registration. The exception is cars with Euro-plates.

Safety it's compulsory to carry a warning triangle in most places, to be used in the event of a breakdown, and several countries require a reflective jacket. You must also use headlamp beam reflectors/converters on right-hand-drive cars.

Driving Licences: An EU driving licence is acceptable for driving throughout Scandinavia, as are North American and Australian licences, for example. If you have any other type of licence, you should check to see if you need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) from your motoring organisation before you leave home. If you're thinking of going snowmobiling, you'll need to bring your driving licence with you.

Fuel is heavily taxed and very expensive in Scandinavia. Most types of petrol, including unleaded 95 and 98 octane, are widely available; leaded petrol is no longer sold. Diesel is significantly cheaper than petrol in most countries. Usually pumps with green markings deliver unleaded fuel, and black pumps supply diesel.

Car Hire

Cost Renting a car is more expensive in Scandinavia than in other European countries. Be sure you understand what's included in the price and what your liabilities are. Norway is the most expensive so it may pay to rent a car in neighbouring Sweden and take it across. Border crossings Ask in advance if you can drive a rented car across borders. In Scandinavia it's usually no problem. Age The minimum rental age is usually 21, sometimes even 23, and you'll need a credit card for the deposit.

Train

Trains in Scandinavia are comfortable, frequent and punctual. As with most things in the region, prices are relatively expensive, although train passes can make travel affordable. There are no trains in Iceland nor in far-north Finland and Norway.

Costs Full-price tickets can be expensive, book ahead for discounts. Rail passes are worth buying if you plan to do a reasonable amount of travelling. Seniors and travelers under 26 years of age are eligible for discounted tickets in some countries, which can cut fares by between 15% and 40%.

Reservations It's a good idea to make reservations at peak times and on certain train lines, especially long-distance trains. In some countries it can be a lot cheaper to book in advance and online.

Train Passes

There is a variety of passes available for rail travel within Scandinavia, or in various European countries including Scandinavia. There are cheaper passes for students, people under 26 and seniors.