Arctic Circle and Fjords by Rail — Self-Launched
13 days · Sweden & Norway
G Adventures charges £3,400
No-markup version: ~£1,000 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of G Adventures' Arctic Circle & Fjords by Rail (trip code EWSR): 13 days from Kiruna in Swedish Lapland above the Arctic Circle down through the Lofoten Islands, Trondheim, Geirangerfjord, Flåm and Bergen to Oslo, all on public trains, ferries and buses. You book each leg yourself via Vy, SJ (Sweden), Norled/Fjord1 ferries and local bus operators, and stay in hostels, guesthouses and rorbu fishing cabins instead of tour hotels. Book rail legs 60–90 days ahead for the cheapest fares, and travel June–July for the midnight sun. All costs are approximate per-person GBP estimates and assume dorm or budget private rooms, self-catering breakfasts, and mostly self-guided activity bookings.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Kiruna
Kiruna, Sweden
Fly or take the overnight train into Kiruna, the northernmost town in Sweden and your gateway above the Arctic Circle. Check into a hostel or budget hotel, pick up a few groceries at Coop or ICA, and get your bearings in the compact centre. In summer the sun barely sets, so a late-evening wander by the lake is entirely normal. Collect your pre-booked train tickets or download the Vy and SJ apps for the legs ahead.
🚌Airport bus or taxi from Kiruna Airport (~£10), or night train from Stockholm (~£45–70 with advance booking)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in central Kiruna (dorm bed or simple private room)
- →Arrival and check-in
- →Orientation walk around Kiruna
- →Grocery shop for self-catered breakfasts
- →Evening lakeside walk under the midnight sun
Kiruna and the Midnight Sun
Kiruna, Sweden
A free day to acclimatise. Self-launch a hike on the trails around Lake Luossajärvi or take the bus to the Abisko national park for a day of walking the famous Lapporten viewpoint trail. Book a midnight sun hike or a local guided glacier/nature walk directly with a Kiruna operator via GetYourGuide or at the tourist office. Remember: no torch needed in late June and July.
🚌Local bus to Abisko (~£12 return) or walking
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in central Kiruna
- →Day hike near Kiruna or Abisko National Park
- →Optional midnight sun guided hike (book direct, ~£40–55)
- →Optional Icehotel visit in nearby Jukkasjärvi
Ofoten Railway to Narvik, then bus to Lofoten
Kiruna → Narvik → Lofoten, Norway
Ride the historic Ofoten Railway from Kiruna over the mountains to Narvik in Norway — a spectacular line built for the iron-ore trade, with fjord views the whole way. In Narvik, connect to the public bus (or the Lofoten Express) across to the Lofoten Islands. Arrive in a fishing village and settle into a rorbu cabin. Booking the Narvik–Lofoten bus in advance via the Nordland local transport site is strongly advised in summer.
🚌Ofoten Railway Kiruna–Narvik (~£20–30), then bus Narvik–Lofoten (~£25–35)
🛏Rorbu fishing cabin or hostel in Lofoten (private cabin shared between travellers or dorm)
- →Ofoten Railway scenic journey
- →Cross the Arctic Circle into Norway
- →Evening in the Lofoten fishing village
Exploring the Lofoten Islands
Lofoten Islands, Norway
Free day on the islands. Hike the classic trails — Reinebringen for the postcard view, or the easier Kvalvika Beach and Ryten. Book a sea-eagle and wildlife safari boat directly with a local operator (Lofoten Sea Safari or similar) or via GetYourGuide. Alternatively hire a bike or hop local buses between Reine, Å and Hamnøy. Self-catered dinner in a cabin with a view is the Lofoten experience.
🚌Local buses on Lofoten (~£8–15) or walking/bike hire (~£25/day)
🛏Rorbu fishing cabin or hostel in Lofoten
- →Hike Reinebringen or Kvalvika Beach
- →Optional sea-eagle wildlife cruise (~£70–90)
- →Optional bike hire and village-hopping
Ferry to Bodø and Nordland Railway to Trondheim
Lofoten → Bodø → Trondheim, Norway
Morning ferry or express boat from Lofoten to Bodø, then board the Nordland Railway for one of Norway's great train journeys — the long, slow, glorious ride south to Trondheim past fjords, glaciers and mountains. Pack provisions for the train. Book this leg early on Vy; the seated carriage is comfortable and the scenery does the rest.
🚌Ferry/express boat Lofoten–Bodø (~£20–30), Nordland Railway Bodø–Trondheim (~£30–60 advance)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Trondheim
- →Ferry from Lofoten to Bodø
- →Nordland Railway scenic journey
- →Arrive Trondheim
Trondheim on Foot
Trondheim, Norway
Free day in Norway's student city. Wander Bakklandet's wooden wharves, cross the Old Town Bridge, visit Nidaros Cathedral (the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world) and the Archbishop's Palace. Grab a coffee in a wharf café and later climb to Kristiansten Fortress for views. Free walking tours run daily from the main square if you want local context.
🚌Walking and local tram/bus (~£5)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Trondheim
- →Bakklandet and Old Town Bridge walk
- →Nidaros Cathedral visit (~£10)
- →Free city walking tour (tip-based)
- →Kristiansten Fortress viewpoint
Dovre and Rauma Railways to Geiranger
Trondheim → Geiranger, Norway
Take the Dovre Railway from Trondheim south, then change onto the Rauma Railway at Dombås — one of Norway's most scenic short lines. From Åndalsnes, connect by bus via the famous Trollstigen hairpin road towards Geiranger, with a ferry crossing of the fjord at the end. This is a big travel day; book all connections as one through-ticket on Vy where possible to protect yourself against delays.
🚌Dovre + Rauma Railways (~£25–40), bus Åndalsnes–Geiranger (~£30)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Geiranger or nearby village
- →Dovre Railway scenic journey
- →Rauma Railway
- →Trollstigen mountain road bus
- →Fjord ferry into Geiranger
Geirangerfjord — Kayak, Hike or Fjord Safari
Geirangerfjord, Norway
A full day at the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord. Book a fjord kayak or a RIB fjord-safari directly with a Geiranger operator, or simply take the public ferry out to see the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls from the water. Hikers can head up to Skageflå farm for a classic fjord-side walk. Self-launched travellers say kayaking here beats any cruise-ship view.
🚌Walking and local ferry/boat
🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Geiranger
- →Kayak the fjord (~£55–75 half day)
- →Optional RIB fjord safari (~£60–80)
- →Hike to Skageflå farm
- →Fjord cruise past the waterfalls (~£35)
Through Fjord Country to Flåm
Geiranger → Flåm, Norway
A free morning in Geiranger, then travel south through fjordland by bus and ferry towards Flåm. Depending on the timetable you'll route via Stryn, Sogndal, Voss or Bergen; book each leg with the local bus companies (VY, Skyss or Norled ferries) in advance. Arrive in tiny Flåm at the head of the Aurlandsfjord and settle into a hostel or campsite cabin.
🚌Bus and ferry connections Geiranger–Flåm (~£40–60, split across stages)
🛏Hostel or campsite cabin in Flåm
- →Morning fjord village walk
- →Fjord-country bus and ferry journey
- →Evening in the Flåm valley
Flåmsbana Railway and Ferry to Bergen
Flåm → Bergen, Norway
Morning in Flåm: ride the famous Flåmsbana Railway up to Myrdal and back (book your seat on Vy early — this is the busiest scenic line in Norway), go kayaking on the Aurlandsfjord, or do a local cheese and cider tasting at a farm. In the afternoon take the express boat or ferry from Flåm through the Sognefjord to Bergen — one of the world's great boat journeys.
🚌Flåmsbana train (~£50), express boat Flåm–Bergen (~£45)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Bergen
- →Flåmsbana Railway (~£50 return)
- →Optional kayak on the fjord (~£50)
- →Optional local cheese/cider tasting
- →Express ferry Flåm–Bergen along Sognefjord (~£45)
Bergen — Bryggen and Mt Fløyen
Bergen, Norway
Explore Bergen on foot: the UNESCO-listed wooden wharf of Bryggen, the buzzing Fisketorget fish market, and the old harbour. In the late afternoon or evening ride the Fløibanen Funicular up Mt Fløyen for panoramic views over the city and islands, and optionally have dinner at the top. A tip-based free walking tour of the old town is a good budget-friendly orientation.
🚌Walking, funicular (~£13) and local bus
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Bergen
- →Bryggen wharf walk
- →Fish market and harbour
- →Fløibanen Funicular to Mt Fløyen (~£13)
- →Free walking tour of Bergen (tip-based)
- →Optional evening meal at Fløyen
Bergen Railway to Oslo
Bergen → Oslo, Norway
Board the legendary Bergen Railway — one of the highest mainline railways in the world — for the seven-hour crossing of the Hardangervidda mountain plateau to Oslo. Book a window seat on the left side leaving Bergen for the best views. Arrive in Oslo in the late afternoon and head out to explore, or simply rest at your hostel.
🚌Bergen Railway (~£30–60 with advance Vy booking)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Oslo
- →Bergen Railway scenic journey (~£30–60 advance)
- →Evening arrivals walk in central Oslo
Oslo — Museums and Departure
Oslo, Norway
A final day in Oslo. Choose between the Munch Museum, the Astrup Fearnley, the Viking Ship and Kon-Tiki museums at Bygdøy, Akershus Fortress, or the Vigeland Sculpture Park (free). Grab a cinnamon bun and a coffee in Grünerløkka before heading to the airport or onward travel. If time allows, the Oslo Pass can cover several museums and transport.
🚌Flytoget or Vy airport train to Gardermoen (~£15)
🛏None (departure day)
- →Vigeland Sculpture Park (free)
- →Munch Museum (~£15)
- →Akershus Fortress
- →Optional Oslo Pass (~£40) for museums + transport
- →Departure from Gardermoen Airport
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,000 | £3,400 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,400 per person (71%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,000
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Arctic Circle and Fjords by Rail — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,000 per person for 13 days in Sweden & Norway. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £3,400 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,000 — a saving of roughly £2,400 (71%) per person.
How long is the Sweden & Norway trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 day-by-day stops through Sweden & Norway.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a slow-travel, culture, hiking trip through Sweden & Norway, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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