Short answer: the new Malmö–Oslo direct train from Snälltåget started on 15 June 2026, running once a day in each direction via Gothenburg. The northbound service leaves Malmö C at 06:38 and reaches Oslo S at 13:16; the return departs Oslo at 14:48 and arrives in Malmö at 21:25. One-way fares start at 149 SEK (about €13.70), seat reservation included.
For years, travelling between southern Sweden and the Norwegian capital meant a change of train, usually in Gothenburg. From 15 June 2026, Swedish open-access operator Snälltåget has fixed that with a single daytime service linking Malmö, Gothenburg and Oslo — one of the most useful new rail connections on the Scandinavian west coast this year.
What the new Malmö–Oslo direct train offers
The headline is simplicity: one train, no changes, from Sweden's third-largest city all the way to the Norwegian capital. The Malmö–Oslo direct train runs daily in both directions, and because it travels in daylight, the route doubles as a slow-travel sightseeing trip along the Kattegat coast and across the Norwegian border country.
Snälltåget runs classic locomotive-hauled trains rather than modern multiple units. On board there is a dining car called Krogen, where you can sit down for a drink, a snack or a full meal, and passengers can book private compartments for a more relaxed journey. It is a noticeably different experience from a high-speed dash — closer to the spirit of the European night-train revival, but in daylight.
Timetable and stops
The journey takes a little under seven hours end to end. Here is the daily schedule:
- Northbound: Malmö C 06:38 → Oslo S 13:16.
- Southbound: Oslo S 14:48 → Malmö C 21:25.
Between the two endpoints, the train normally calls at Lund, Helsingborg, Halmstad, Varberg, the Gothenburg area (Mölndal and Gamlestaden), Trollhättan, and then Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg on the Norwegian side. That makes it useful not only for the full Malmö–Oslo run but also for shorter hops — Gothenburg–Oslo, or Helsingborg–Gothenburg, for example.
Because there is a single departure a day in each direction, planning ahead matters: miss the 06:38 from Malmö and the next direct option is the following morning. Mid-week departures tend to have the best availability.
Fares: how cheap is it really?
One-way fares start at 149 SEK, roughly €13.70, which is genuinely low for a cross-border journey of this length. As with most open-access operators, the cheapest seats are limited and sell first, so the headline price applies to early bookings and quieter departures rather than every train.
A few practical points on tickets:
- Seat reservations are mandatory and already included in the fare.
- Interrail and Eurail passes are accepted, but you pay a reservation supplement on top of the pass.
- Booking earlier widens both your choice of price and your odds of getting a private compartment if you want one.
If your dates are flexible, it is always worth checking the full picture before you buy. You can compare trains, buses, carpooling and flights on Gopaxo for the same corridor, and our guide to finding cheaper train tickets in Europe walks through the timing tricks that keep fares down.
Why this route matters
Scandinavia has been quietly rebuilding its long-distance rail map, and a direct daytime Malmö–Oslo train fills an obvious gap. Three things make it stand out.
First, it connects three major cities — Malmö, Gothenburg and Oslo — on one ticket, removing the change that used to break the journey in two.
Second, it plugs into a wider European network. At Malmö you can change for Snälltåget's services towards Berlin, which means it is now possible to travel all the way from Oslo to Berlin by train. Malmö also sits minutes from Copenhagen across the Øresund Bridge, opening up onward connections into Denmark and continental Europe.
Third, it is a low-carbon alternative to flying. The Oslo–Gothenburg and Oslo–Malmö corridors are well served by short-haul flights, but a daytime train that lets you work, eat and watch the coast go by is an easy swap for travellers who would rather skip the airport.
In short
- Snälltåget's Malmö–Oslo direct train launched on 15 June 2026.
- One daily departure each way, via Gothenburg.
- Northbound 06:38 → 13:16; southbound 14:48 → 21:25.
- Fares from 149 SEK (≈ €13.70), seat reservation included.
- Stops include Lund, Helsingborg, Halmstad, Varberg, Gothenburg, Trollhättan, Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg.
- Interrail/Eurail accepted with a reservation supplement.
- Connections at Malmö open up Berlin and Copenhagen by train.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Malmö–Oslo direct train start?
Snälltåget began the direct daytime service on 15 June 2026, with one departure a day in each direction between Malmö and Oslo via Gothenburg.
How long does the Malmö–Oslo train take?
About six hours and forty minutes. The northbound train leaves Malmö C at 06:38 and arrives at Oslo S at 13:16; the southbound train runs from 14:48 to 21:25.
How much does a ticket cost?
One-way fares start at 149 SEK (around €13.70), with a mandatory seat reservation included. The lowest fares are limited and tend to apply to early bookings and off-peak departures.
Does the train stop in Gothenburg?
Yes. The route runs via the Gothenburg area (Mölndal and Gamlestaden), so you can use it for Gothenburg–Oslo or Malmö–Gothenburg trips as well as the full journey.
Can I travel from Oslo to Berlin on this service?
Not directly, but you can change at Malmö for Snälltåget's trains towards Berlin, making an Oslo–Berlin rail journey possible with one connection.
A direct, scenic and affordable train between Malmö and Oslo is exactly the kind of connection that makes train travel competitive again. Check your dates and compare your options on Gopaxo before you book.
