Tips and Tricks for Travelling Through Europe
There are lots of ways to get around Europe and Sweden — train, bus, boat, plane, etc. So which should you choose? Here are our top picks for ways to get around Europe!
How do I get to _____?
Not sure how to get to your destination? Try Omio (formerly Go Euro) or Rome2Rio for suggestions on the best form of transportation to take. Already know how you want to travel? Read on…
By Train
Europe is famous for train travel, but how do you know which train company is best to get to your destination?
For travels within Sweden (and a bit beyond!) try SJ or MTR Express. For within Sweden and to Berlin, try Snälltåget.
For recommendations of train lines in other countries around Europe, check out The Train Line, they also have great advice about cheap train trips as well as trip planning.
To find trips around Europe as well as rail passes, check out these companies:
Interrail — For EU citizens to explore up to 31 countries in Europe.
Eurail — For non-EU residents or non-EU passport holders to explore up to 31 countries in Europe.
German Rail Passes — For non-EU residents to explore Germany.
BritRail Pass — For non-UK passport holders travelling within Great Britain.
For information about trains in Russia, check The Train Line here.
By Bus
With countries as close as they are in Europe, it is also possible to take buses between countries to reach your destination. These are often cheaper, but take longer. For tips about taking long bus trips, check out Rick Steve’s review here.
There are lots of bus companies for travel in Europe, and each country will have their own transportation system. To find the best route, check out Rome2Rio, which will suggest not only bus routes but all other ways to reach your destination. To compare bus companies, check out ComparaBus.
By Plane
Buses may be cheap, but within Europe, sometimes flying is actually cheaper. There are lots of websites that compare flight prices, but I recommend Skyscanner, Momondo, and CheapFlights.
There are lot of inexpensive airlines in Europe, and to find the best flight to your destination, I recommend you check out the links above. You can also find cheap flights at these airlines:
For people under 26: SAS Youth Program
By Boat
If you are going from Stockholm to Riga, Tallinn, Åbo, Åland, Helsinki or St. Petersburg, you can take an overnight ferry via Tallink-Silja Line or Viking Line. These journey generally depart Stockholm around 17:30, and arrive at your destination at 10:15 the following morning. You can choose then to spend 7-8 hours in the country before taking the boat home, or stay overnight and take the boat or a flight home another day. This is a fun way to see the Stockholm Archipelago and being on the Baltic Sea, as well as enjoying a new country in very convenient format with the travel and accommodation all in one!