Call to book1300 208 712
Tour Search
#Favourites
Scandinavia & The Baltics

Arctic Circle Express

(13 reviews)
Gallery Video

The Nordic rail adventure of a lifetime

You are viewing 2020 itinerary. Select departure year
20202021
16 daysSold out

2020 Tour code: ACJ20

About the tour

Majestic mountains and heavenly fjords in Norway combine with the tranquil landscapes of Sweden on an epic journey that includes every great Scandinavian rail experience. On this exciting 16-day tour you'll visit the fascinating cities Oslo and Stockholm and travel beyond the Arctic Circle to the 'Land of the Midnight Sun.'

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Days 1-2 - London to Stockholm

We fly* from London to Stockholm, for two nights at the Scandic Continental. On Day 2, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Stockholm, before you are free to explore at leisure.

*Please Note: you will need to take your luggage from the UK with you as opposed to it travelling via our luggage transfer service

Includes
  • Day 1 - Dinner
  • Day 2 - Breakfast
Arriving in Stockholm
Day 3 - Inland to Östersund

Departing Stockholm we head inland by InterCity train to Östersund, nestled on the shore of beautiful Lake Storsjön. Here we spend tonight at the Clarion Grand Hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Ostersund
Day 4 - The Inlandsbanan and Lapland

We leave Östersund and head north to Sorsele travelling through some of Sweden's most glorious scenery as we head towards the untamed wilderness of Swedish Lapland Our journey on the Inlandsbanan tourist train takes us through a landscape of crystal clear lakes and towering forests, towards the 'Land of the Midnight Sun'. On arrival we make a visit to the Inlandsbanan Museum before getting a real taste of Lapland with a visit to a Sami village in Slagnas. From here we transfer to Arjeplog where we spend the night.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
The Inlandsbanan
Day 5 - Crossing the Arctic Circle.

Today we continue our adventure through the north as we travel via coach to Jokkmokk, celebrating our crossing of the Arctic circle on the way. On arrival, we check into the Hotel Jokkmokk for a one night stay.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Jokkmokk
Days 6-7 - The Ofoten Railway to Narvik

After a free morning, during which entrance to the local Sami museum is included, you will need to take an overnight bag with you as your main luggage is transported to Stiklestad while we enjoy a journey on one of the world's most northerly railway lines, the Ofoten Railway*. We travel through Sweden's breathtaking mountains into Norway, journeying through the region's picturesque lakes and mountain ranges. We arrive in Narvik, where we stay at the Scandic Hotel Narvik.

Day 7 is then spent travelling to Fauske via coach. On arrival in Fauske, we board our train to Verdal which takes us along the incredible Nordland Railway on the 'Polar Express', which travels past awesome fjords and bristling forests. We disembark in Verdal for a night in Stiklestad.

*Please note: you will need to take an overnight bag with you as your main luggage is transported to Stiklestad

Includes
  • Day 6-7 - Breakfast, Dinner
Norway's fjords
Days 8-9 - South to Trondheim

Today is spent admiring the rugged shores of Norway as we follow the coastline south to Trondheim on our coach. On the way, we stop at Stiklestad, the site of King Olav's death in 1030. Here we enjoy a guided tour and lunch. Late this evening we arrive in Trondheim, Norway's religious capital. The Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel is our home for two nights.

Day 9 is free to explore the atmospheric city of Trondheim, one of the oldest cities in Norway. As well as discovering the city's broad avenues, old warehouses and pretty timber dwellings, you could visit the Ringve Museum which features a collection of musical instruments from all over the world.

Includes
  • Day 8 - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 9 - Breakfast
Trondheim
Day 10 - The Rauma Railway

Today we join the 71 mile long Rauma Railway for a spectacular journey through magnificent, contrasting landscape. We navigate the same course as the emerald waters of the River Rauma for much of the journey, the tracks following the river as it winds around the hillsides below jagged mountain peaks. As we climb over rounded mountain peaks and smooth plateaus we are treated to awesome views across the expansive, unspoiled national parks that stretch into the distance. On arrival into Åndalsnes, we transfer by coach to Geiranger for a two night stay at the Union Hotel Geiranger. The hotel stands at the head of the Geirangerfjord. One of Norway's most picturesque sites, the Geirangerfjord is even more incredible first-hand than in photographs.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Raumabanen Railway
Day 11 - Geirangerfjord boat cruise

Today we enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Geirangerfjord by boat. As we cruise along the serene, deep water, the steep sides of the fjord seem to tower over the boat. In sunshine, this UNESCO World Heritage site is alive with colour and contrasts - the lush greens of the trees clinging to the rock contrasting with the deep blue water and the brilliant white of the distant snow-capped peaks. When it rains, countless waterfalls appear from nowhere, flowing majestically over exposed rocky outcrops and crashing down into the water below. We take a scenic drive via Hellesylt back to our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Geiranger
Day 12 - Through the Fjords to Flåm

We leave Geiranger by coach this morning, continuing our scenic voyage through Norway's incredible fjord country. We travel through valleys hemmed in by lofty mountains and along steep-sided fjords, every bend in the road offering a new perspective, every mountain pass delivering us into a new, beautiful valley. We reach Flåm at the head of the Aurlandsfjord and stay at the Fretheim Hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Flåm
Day 13 - The Flåm Railway to Bergen

Today we enjoy a superb excursion on the Flåm Railway. Our rail journey takes us up into the mountains along one of the steepest lines in the world, twisting and turning regularly as the railway line does its best to accommodate the extreme terrain. We reach the end at Myrdal and return to Flåm, to board the express boat for an afternoon journey along Norway's longest and deepest fjord, Sognefjord. Navigating coastal islets and skerries, we end the day in Bergen, where we spend two nights at the Thon Rosenkrantz.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Flåm Railway
Day 14 - Bergen

Today we are treated to a guided walking tour of Bergen. The town is nestled beneath seven hills and is surrounded by fjords. We see a number of sights including Bryggen, the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site as well as enjoying a fresh seafood lunch at the city's fish market.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Bergen
Day 15 - The Bergen Railway to Oslo

We leave Bergen by train for a magnificent journey on Northern Europe's highest railway line, the Bergen Railway. The train climbs high above the tree line across some of the most remote areas of western Norway before descending to the elegant city of Oslo, where we overnight and enjoy dinner together.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
The Bergen Railway
Day 16 - Oslo to London

We bid farewell to Norway today as we transfer to the airport for our flight* to London.

*Please Note: you will need to take your lugggage back to the UK with you on your flight as opposed to it travelling via our luggage transfer service.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Flying home

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Please note: This may be suitable for reduced mobility passengers, please call for further information.

Hotels

Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, Bergen

Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, Bergen

View hotel

Fretheim Hotel, Flåm

Fretheim Hotel, Flåm

View hotel

Union Hotel, Geiranger

Union Hotel, Geiranger

View hotel

Hotel Jokkmokk, Jokkmokk

Hotel Jokkmokk, Jokkmokk

View hotel

Scandic Narvik Hotel, Narvik

Scandic Narvik Hotel, Narvik

View hotel

Thon Hotel Opera, Oslo

Thon Hotel Opera, Oslo

View hotel

Clarion Hotel Grand Ostersund

Clarion Hotel Grand Ostersund, Ostersund

View hotel

Scandic Stiklestad

Scandic Stiklestad, Steinkjer

View hotel

Scandic Continental Hotel

Scandic Continental Hotel, Stockholm

View hotel

Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel, Trondheim

Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel, Trondheim

View hotel

Hotel Kraja, Arjeplog

Hotel Kraja, Arjeplog

View hotel

Trains

Bergen Railway
Flåm Railway
Inlandsbanan
InterCity
Ofoten Railway
The Raumabanen Railway

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Inclusive Luggage Upgrade
Flight upgrades
London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

100% of travellers would recommend this tour

Based on 13 verified reviews

Powered by Feefo

Mr D Higgins

Submitted 18719

This was an absolutely brilliant tour, which we thoroughly enjoyed, in spite of some early morning starts and late evening finishes! The Tour Manager was just great and a real fund of knowledge at every stage of the tour. She was well informed and was able to keep us very well advised along the way, as well as keeping the whole trip on schedule.

Anonymous

Submitted 24718

Very well organised tour with a fantastic tour manager. Spectacular scenery and good hotels. The best thing no hidden extras we didn't have to pay for any of the excursions like the fjord cruise or the visit to the Sami village plus we never had to tip any of the drivers, tour guides etc that was all taken care of by our tour guide. The only downside was how very expensive food and drinks were in both Sweden and Norway a small glass of wine and a medium beer cost on average £20.

Katiefrom Great Rail Journeys
Thank you for your wonderful feedback - we're pleased you had such a great experience with us.
1

Mrs E Longbottom

Submitted 21718

2 hotels not up to scratch. Specially the one in Marvin which was poor. We would have liked more time in Marvin - but not in that hotel.

Mrs R Walker

Submitted 10917

I've already given my feedback twice.

Mrs M Morgan

Submitted 10917

I enjoyed the experience, & would recommend it, My only comment as said in the follow up questionaire is that I paid a hefty single person supplement, but most of my accomodation was in small rooms with a single bed & I feel these should not incur a supplement. I felt that the two set meals were poor and without adequate choice.

Anonymous

Submitted 3917

I enjoyed our journey. The hotels, trains, our tour manager, food and location stops were nicely selected. Except for luggage transportation to hotels, trains, buses for the elderly, they needed more help.

Show 6 more reviews

Read all reviews

Arctic Circle Express

The Nordic rail adventure of a lifetime

Call

Enquire
Luke Simpson
Luke
Helen Laverack
Helen
Lynne Broadley
Lynne
Related inspiration from our journey blog