What is the best way to get between cities in Scandinavia?

A travel recommended flying (to get between Copenhagen and Stockholm, then Stockholm and Bergen (or Stockholm and Oslo, then Oslo to Bergen).

-Are flights actually easy/a time saver?

-I have read that the train from Oslo to Bergen has some beautiful scenery and shouldn't be missed...is this true? I am going to be joining a tour later in the trip, and doing a fjord tour in Geirenger, as well as the Flam railway on the way to Balestrand, so I'll definitely be seeing a lot of the fjords and scenery, but am wondering if there is something unique to that leg of the train ride.

Well yes the Oslo-Bergen train IMO is one of the top ten most scenic ones in Europe - not at all like fjords as these are mountains it crests over - with snow around usually. But is it not to be missed - that is in the eye of the beholder. For lots of info on Scandinavia trains i recommend these three fine sites with tons of great info: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com - there is a Scandinavia railpass that even with just two long trips you have could be viable due to expensive ordinary train fares in these very very expensive countries - Norway has to be amongst the most expensive countries across the board in the world IME.

As for trains vs planes - i always thought that most folks come to Europe not just to see cities but the lay of the land in between

So IMO you can see airports and large cities or take the train and see the often bucolic in the case of Scandinavia countryside in between.

Well said, Palenque. I just got back from doing those train trips (and then some) and the scenery was amazing, esp. being from mostly brown So. Cal. The track from Oslo to Myrdal had a derailment on it recently and we had to take a bus between two cities along the way, just as good for me. Also, this scenic train has two-foot wide panels where there should be widnows next to half the seats. No idea why this would be so on a scenic rail line. The seats are reserved, but we changed seats- the conductor just got tired of telling us to stay put. My Scandinavia rail pass saved me a bundle.

Out of those choices, I'd only fly between Stockholm and Copenhagen if you are worried about cost at all. I don't know how much of Sweden you would see if you went by train, in terms of towns, but the train trip to Oslo from anywhere has to be better.

Regarding the last part of your question- the train from Oslo to Myrdal goes over the mountains. It is above the tree line part of the way and the views of the frozen lakes and passes (depending on when you go) are great. I took the ferry from Balestrand to Bergen so can't comment on the train to Bergen, but suspect the high mountain passes are the unique part of the first leg.

Well even when approach Bergen the rail line slices right by the large fjord near town - not as breathtaking as the Oslo to Myrdal part but still as trains go very scenic

Just a quick tip that you fly SAS overseas (USA-Scandinavia) they give you a one-way voucher to fly anywhere between two Scandinavian cities for about $70/pp. We used it to fly Helsinki-Stockholm. We drove Stockholm-Bergen via Oslo; part of the planned road trip, took 6-7 days; enjoyed it tremendously. No doubt the NIN train ride is great, but (IMHO!) NOTHING compares with driving in Norway and stopping at leisure. It was a dream trip!

I f you think with security restrictions, check-in requirements, etc., you can get between Stockholm and Copenhagen is less than five hours go ahead and fly.

<i>I f you think with security restrictions, check-in requirements, etc., you can get between Stockholm and Copenhagen is less than five hours go ahead and fly.</i>

Shouldn't be even that long. City Center to City Center, it should take you less than 4 hours, maybe as little as 3. And the route is often pretty cheap.

Unless you really like sleeping on trains, I would fly between Stockholm and Oslo, too.

I think that the views from a fast train are overrated. How much do you really see when traveling at 100+ mph?

How much do you really see when traveling at 100+ mph?>

a whole lot more than flying

Have to agree with my man P....

Hey, if you can get there in THREE HOURS city center to city center with security restrictions, boarding ahead requirements, etc., <B>as I SAID</B> "go ahead and fly" we don't care one way or the other.

Though the Sweden in between Stockholm and Copenhagen is rather like Minnesota IMO - bucolic enough farms, etc. but not dramatically scenic the train tracks thru cities as well - you can see how thoroughly modern Sweden is, etc.

Flying you see airports. Period.

And the train approach to Copenhagen is to me one of the more thrilling scenic train rides in Europe - when it goes over the bridge/tunnel over the Sound separating Malmo from Copenhagen - high up on the bridge part you can see for miles - the whole Ore Sound laid out like a map below you - a thrilling entrance to Copenhagen IMO.

I guess it depends what folks come to Europe to see - big cities and airports or the lay of the land in between. I'll take the latter anytime and rarely find it boring or tedious as airport security, check-in, baggage retrieval, etc.

You get the same (perhaps better) view when landing at CPH as you do from the bridge. I've done both.

I'm just trying to be honest here, I have flown out of CPH probably 75 times. The average time from walking in the door to being on the other side of security is probably under 15 minutes. And the train/metro ride to the airport is the same one you would take on your way to Stockholm, scenic views of suburban Copenhagen and all.

But, hey, let's call it tedious since it sounds so good. Sure beats the heck out of simply following the SAS minimum check-in time of 40 minutes, which works like a charm.