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How to get from Oslo to Stockholm
Flights take about 1 h and around 3–4 h door to door. Direct trains take about 5 h 30–6 h 30 between Oslo Central and Stockholm Central, with only a few departures a day. Driving takes about 6 h on the E18, and coaches about 7–8 h.
Best option: Flight. It is the fastest option by a wide margin, with frequent departures.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| flight Flights from Oslo Gardermoen to Stockholm Arlanda (SAS, Norwegian) | about 1 h in the air | many a day | about NOK 600–2,000 | Airport express trains link both airports with the city centres in about 20 minutes. |
| train Direct trains (SJ) from Oslo Central to Stockholm Central via Karlstad | about 5 h 30–6 h 30 | a few a day | about NOK 400–1,200 | Engineering works sometimes replace sections with buses; check current timetables. |
| car E18 via Karlstad and Örebro | about 6 h | fuel plus Norwegian road tolls near Oslo | Winter tyres required in winter in both countries. | |
| bus Coaches (FlixBus, Vy Buss and others) from Oslo to Stockholm | about 7–8 h | several a day | about NOK 300–700 | Often the cheapest option. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Book trains early for lower prices.
- Norway is not in the EU, but is in Schengen; carry ID.
- Swedish and Norwegian kroner are different currencies; cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Common questions
Is there a direct train?
Yes, but only a few a day, taking about 5 h 30–6 h 30. SJ has operated the direct service via Karlstad. Engineering works sometimes replace sections with buses. Check current timetables, and book early for better prices.
Is flying worth it?
For speed, yes. The flight is about an hour, and airport express trains in both cities take about 20 minutes. Door to door, it is around 3–4 hours, compared with about 6 hours by train. The train is more relaxing and scenic if you have time.
What is the cheapest way?
Coaches are usually the cheapest, from a few hundred kroner if booked ahead. Train tickets booked early can also be good value. Flights can be cheap occasionally, but add the airport train fares, which are not trivial in Scandinavia.
Do I need my passport?
Norway and Sweden are both in the Schengen area, so there are usually no routine border checks, but carry a passport or national ID card. Temporary checks can be reintroduced, and ID is often needed for airline travel and hotels.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.