The market-leading train operating company in Sweden, SJ, is very ambitious when it comes to sustainability and all their trains carry the Good Environmental Choice (Bra Miljöval) label. SJ use 100 percent renewable electricity from mainly water power, and some from wind power. Also, train companies such as VR (Stockholm–Gothenburg) and Öresundstågen (Copenhagen–Gothenburg) work in similar ways.
Planned service disruptions 2025–2027
Rail services to and from Gothenburg are currently undergoing development, which means track works are affecting the following routes:
- Western Main Line: Gothenburg–Alingsås
Single-track operation will be in effect from 4 January 2025 until August 2027, with full closures planned across 16 weekends in 2025 – from Friday afternoon to Sunday. During these periods, commuter trains will run at a reduced frequency, and some sections – or the entire route – will be replaced by bus services. - Gothenburg–Mölndal/Mölnlycke (West Link – Almedal)
Track diversions will cause full and partial closures between 9 June and 20 August 2025. Replacement services will be provided by trams and buses. - Gothenburg–Kungsbacka–Varberg (Varberg Tunnel)
Train services will be replaced by buses between 9 June and 13 July 2025 during the tunnel construction.
What to keep in mind
- Plan your journeys carefully – use the Västtrafik To Go app or SJ’s travel planner.
- Expect longer travel times and additional transfers, especially during closure periods.
- Trams and buses will replace trains when disruptions occur.
- Extensive service interruptions may take place during weekends and at night. If possible, avoid weekend travel during planned closure periods.
Book your train to Gothenburg
SJ, Öresundstågen, VR, Västtrafik, Tågab and Vy trains are running frequent services to and from the central station in Gothenburg, connecting the city with the Scandinavian capitals Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen. The journey times are just under 4 hours from Oslo, around 3 hours from Stockholm and 3,5 hours from Copenhagen. The trains from Denmark stop at Copenhagen international airport, making it a convenient option to fly there and catch the train to Gothenburg.
SJ Train – trains run by SJ, Öresundståget, Tågab and others.
VR – trains run by VR (Stockholm-Gothenburg)
Öresundståg – trains runs by Öresundstågen (Copenhagen-Gothenburg)
Västtrafik – local trains Västtågen
Vy – trains run by Vy (Oslo-Gothenburg)
Discover Sweden by train
If you’re travelling from the continent, perhaps from Paris, Hamburg, Berlin or Copenhagen, you will get a beautiful 3 hour tour through the south of Sweden. You will pass Malmö (Sweden’s third largest city) before continuing along the staggering west coast. Make sure not to fall asleep anywhere close to Varberg in Halland. Just outside your train window you will have a great view of the ocean, the dramatic beach and (quite possibly) large numbers of kite surfers wrestling the forces of mother nature.
Travelling from Stockholm, you will see a quite different kind of landscape. On your way from the east coast, you will enjoy approximately 3,5 hours of beautiful lakes, forests and Swedish small towns. Approaching Gothenburg, make sure to glance out the window while passing the two lakes Aspen and Mjörn. They are truly magnificent – and close to the train tracks!
Travelling from Oslo, the capital of Norway, is easy and cheap. Choose between bus and train and get ready for a real, yet comfortable, tour of the Swedish country side with deep forests and coastal views.
There are apps that make it easier to plan and book train trips across Europe, here are two of them.
Rail Europe (formerly Loco2), for iPhone and Android.
Eurail/Interrail Rail Planner, for iPhone and Android.