Practical guide · Checked 22 October 2026
Copenhagen to Stockholm by train: the times, the fares and the change in Malmö
The fastest option is SJ via Malmö: about 5 hours 35 minutes with one change, leaving Copenhagen Central at 59 minutes past most hours. Snälltåget runs one direct train a day from København Syd (about 6 h 20), and the SJ night train takes about 8 h 45. Snälltåget advertises fares from SEK 299 (about US$30).
Copenhagen and Stockholm are the two big Scandinavian capitals, and the train between them is one of the easiest international rail trips in Europe. You cross the Øresund Bridge within half an hour of leaving the city, then run up through the farms and forests of southern Sweden. Here in Denmark we usually just call it the Stockholm train, even though it is Swedish and, right now, usually means a change in Malmö. This guide explains how it works today, what the tickets cost and which station to go to, then compares the train with the bus, the plane and the car.
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The usual way is SJ from Copenhagen Central Station, changing in Malmö: an Öresund train over the bridge, then an X2000 high-speed train to Stockholm Central. The fastest journeys take about 5 hours 35 minutes, and there is a departure at 59 minutes past most hours from early morning to early evening. SJ priced morning trains from SEK 646 to SEK 938 one way (about DKK 435–630 / US$65–95) for the November, December and January dates we searched. The only direct train is Snälltåget's, once a day from København Syd at 14:57, arriving 21:17, with fares from SEK 299 (about US$30) if you book ahead. SJ's direct X2000 trains from Copenhagen Central are still paused. Carry your passport: Sweden checks travellers coming in from Denmark.
Checked 22 October 2026 in SJ's journey planner (searches for 19 November, 3 December 2026 and 14 January 2027) and on Snälltåget's timetable page. Fares are dynamic, so treat them as examples. DKK, US$ and £ amounts are rough conversions at the 21 October 2026 ECB rate.
Copenhagen to Stockholm at a glance
| Option | Time | From price (checked 22 Oct 2026) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| SJ via Malmö (Öresund train + X2000) | About 5 h 35, one change | SEK 646–938 on the dates we searched (~DKK 435–630 / US$65–95) | Most departures; leaves from Copenhagen Central Station and stops at the airport |
| Snälltåget direct | 14:57 → 21:17, about 6 h 20 | SEK 299 (~DKK 200 / US$30 / £23) | One train a day, from København Syd, not Central Station |
| SJ night train via Malmö | 21:14 → 06:00, about 8 h 45 | Depends on couchette or sleeper; check sj.se | Saves a hotel night, arrives very early |
| Bus (FlixBus) | From about 9 h 20 | £31.99 (~DKK 285 / US$43) | About four a day, 07:00 to 22:05 |
| Flight CPH → Stockholm Arlanda (SAS, Norwegian) | About 1 h 10 to 1 h 15 in the air | Varies a lot by date | Add the airports: roughly 3½–4 h centre to centre |
| Car over the Øresund Bridge | About 650 km, a full day | Bridge toll DKK 420 online (~US$63) | Good if you are touring Sweden anyway |
Rail times and fares from SJ's journey planner and Snälltåget; bus fare and duration from FlixBus's UK route page; bridge toll from Øresundsbron; flight time from airline schedules. All seen on 22 October 2026 and subject to change. Conversions are rounded.
Is there a direct train?
For many years SJ, the Swedish state railway, ran X2000 trains straight from Copenhagen Central Station to Stockholm. Those direct trains are paused while SJ rebuilds its X2000 fleet and gets the trains approved for Denmark's new signalling system. In May 2026 the head of strategic planning at SJ told the Swedish rail magazine Järnvägar.nu that direct trains would return in autumn 2026, starting with a couple of departures a day and growing through 2027 and 2028. On 22 October 2026 none were on sale.
When we searched SJ's journey planner on 22 October 2026, though, every SJ journey from Copenhagen Central Station on 19 November, 3 December and 14 January 2027 still showed one change in Malmö. So plan on the change, and if a direct train does appear for your date on sj.se, take it as a bonus.
The one through train today is Snälltåget's day train from Hamburg, which runs via Odense and calls at København Syd on its way to Stockholm. More on it below.
SJ via Malmö: the everyday option
This is how most of us do it. You buy one SJ ticket for the whole trip, ride an Öresund train (Øresundstog) from Copenhagen Central Station to Malmö Central, about 35–40 minutes, then step across to an X2000, Sweden's tilting high-speed train, for just under 5 hours to Stockholm Central.
- Departures: on the dates we checked, SJ showed journeys leaving Copenhagen Central Station at 05:44, 06:59, then at 59 minutes past most hours until 17:59, plus later evening options. On 19 November, for example, the 07:59 arrives at 13:32 and the 14:59 at 20:34.
- Journey time: 5 h 33 to 5 h 38 on the fastest X2000 connections. A few journeys use other SJ trains or a bus for part of the way and take 6 to 9 hours, so look at the train type before you pay.
- Fares: SJ's prices move like airfares. For morning departures we saw from SEK 938 (~DKK 630 / US$95 / £71) on 19 November, SEK 768 (~DKK 515 / US$78 / £58) on 3 December and SEK 646 (~DKK 435 / US$65 / £49) on 14 January 2027, one adult, one way. Booking further ahead and travelling midweek usually helps.
- Booking in Denmark: DSB sells the same journey and offers SJ Orange Sverige fares, which DSB says give 40% off the normal price when booked well ahead. DSB also says adults can take up to two children or grandchildren under 16 at up to 85% off.
- Seats: seat reservation is included on the X2000. The Öresund train has no reservations, so you just find a seat for the first 40 minutes.
- On board the X2000: 2nd class, a quiet 2nd class carriage (2 klass Lugn) and 1st class, a bistro, Wi-Fi and power sockets.
- Flying into Copenhagen? The Öresund trains from Copenhagen Central Station stop at Copenhagen Airport before crossing the bridge, so you can start your Stockholm journey right after landing. Our Copenhagen Airport guide covers the station.
One piece of advice for the change in Malmö: give yourself a little slack. The bridge line has regular track works, so check SJ's or DSB's traffic information a few days before you travel, and keep your ticket and passport handy for the change.
Snälltåget: the direct train from København Syd
Snälltåget is a private Swedish operator. Its daily day train between Hamburg and Stockholm runs right through Copenhagen without a change, and it has a proper restaurant carriage, Krogen, with breakfast, hot meals, beer and wine.
- Times (preliminary 2026 timetable): København Syd 14:57, Malmö Central 15:35 to 16:18, Stockholm Central 21:17. The other way, it leaves Stockholm Central at 10:43 and reaches København Syd at 16:46. Snälltåget notes the times can change for track works, so check your booking.
- Fares: from SEK 299 (~DKK 200 / US$30 / £23) one way, on departures where demand is lower. Snälltåget suggests booking 2–3 weeks ahead and avoiding Fridays and Sundays.
- Discounts: Snälltåget lists group, youth (16–25), student and senior (60+) discounts.
- Interrail: Global Passes are valid, but you need to buy a seat reservation (Snälltåget does not mention Eurail, so check with Eurail if you hold one).
Getting to København Syd: this is not the Central Station. It is a newer station in Valby, south-west of the centre, served by the M4 metro and the S-train lines A, E and F. Allow 15–20 minutes from the city centre and check the station on your ticket before you set off.
The night train
SJ's journey planner also offers an evening Öresund train from Copenhagen Central Station at 21:14, changing in Malmö to the SJ night train, which arrives at Stockholm Central at about 06:00. That saves a hotel night and a day of travelling, though an arrival at six in the morning is early, so check whether your hotel can store bags or offers an early check-in. The price depends on whether you choose a couchette or a sleeper compartment, so look at the options for your date on sj.se.
Passports and the border
Denmark and Sweden are both in Schengen, but Sweden has run temporary border controls for several years. Its latest notice to the EU extends them from 12 November 2026 to 11 May 2027, covering the border with Denmark. SJ's journey planner tells every traveller to be able to show a valid passport or national ID card at ticket and border checks.
- Travellers from outside the EU and the Nordic countries: carry your passport on you, not in your big suitcase.
- EU citizens: a national ID card works too.
- Money: Sweden uses the Swedish krona (SEK), not the Danish krone, but cards work almost everywhere on both sides of the bridge.
By bus
FlixBus runs Copenhagen to Stockholm in about 9 hours 20 minutes, with about four departures a day between 07:00 and 22:05, from £31.99 (~DKK 285 / US$43) on its UK site on 22 October 2026. Buses leave from Copenhagen Bus Terminal at Carsten Niebuhrs Gade 30 or the stop at Ingerslevsgade 22, both near Copenhagen Central Station, and arrive at Cityterminalen, next to Stockholm Central. One carry-on and one checked bag are included. It is the budget choice if you are travelling alone and light; once you book a few weeks ahead, the train is often not far off in price.
By plane: Copenhagen Airport to Stockholm Arlanda
SAS and Norwegian fly nonstop from Copenhagen to Stockholm Arlanda, about 1 hour 10 to 1 hour 15 minutes in the air. Add the time at both ends: the metro from central Copenhagen to the airport takes about 15 minutes, and the Arlanda Express runs nonstop to Stockholm Central in 18 minutes, at SEK 340 (~DKK 230 / US$34) for an adult one way, or SEK 199 with an early-bird ticket booked at least 5 days ahead. Children travel free with a paying adult. Centre to centre, we would allow 3½ to 4 hours in practice.
Flying makes sense if you are short on days, or if your flight home leaves from Stockholm anyway. We compare fares on Kiwi.com.
More on fares and routes from Copenhagen in our cheap flights from Copenhagen guide.
By car
It is about 650 km from Copenhagen to Stockholm: over the Øresund Bridge, north on the E6/E20 to Helsingborg, then the E4 past Jönköping, Lake Vättern and Linköping. Plan on a full day with breaks, or split it with a night on the way.
- Øresund Bridge toll: DKK 420 (~US$63 / £47) one way for a car up to 6 m with an online ticket, or DKK 470 at the toll station (Øresundsbron, checked 22 October 2026).
- The ferry instead: if you are up north at Kronborg anyway, the Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry takes about 20 minutes and puts you straight onto the E4.
- Stockholm congestion tax: driving into central Stockholm on weekdays costs a congestion tax, billed to the car's owner. Ask your rental company how it passes this on.
- Rental cars: check that the company allows the car into Sweden. Our driving in Denmark guide covers the Danish side, the bridge and car hire.
Where to stay at each end
Trains, the Arlanda Express and the buses all arrive at or next to Stockholm Central, so a hotel within walking distance makes the first evening easy.
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Short walk with a suitcase from the train, the Arlanda Express and the bus terminal.
Cobbled lanes and the Royal Palace, one metro stop south of Central.
Handy for an early SJ train from Copenhagen H.
Which one should you pick?
- Most trips: SJ via Malmö. Plenty of departures, about 5½ hours, and you leave from the middle of Copenhagen.
- You hate changing trains, or want a long lunch on board: Snälltåget from København Syd, if the 14:57 suits you.
- You would rather sleep the distance: the night train via Malmö.
- Solo on a tight budget: the bus, or an early-booked Snälltåget fare.
- Short on time: fly, and spend the saved hours in one city or the other.
A good loop: a few days in Copenhagen, the train to Stockholm, then the Oslo boat or the train via Gothenburg for the return leg. If you have not seen Malmö yet, our Malmö day trip guide covers the first stop over the bridge. For how to split the nights between the two cities, with 5, 7 and 10-day plans, see our Copenhagen and Stockholm itinerary.
Quick answers
Is there a direct train from Copenhagen to Stockholm?
Yes, one a day. Snälltåget's day train from Hamburg calls at København Syd at 14:57 and reaches Stockholm Central at 21:17, with no change (preliminary 2026 timetable). SJ's direct X2000 trains from Copenhagen Central Station are paused while SJ rebuilds its X2000 fleet. SJ says they will come back, but when we searched SJ's journey planner on 22 October 2026, every SJ journey up to mid-January 2027 still meant one change in Malmö.
How long is the train from Copenhagen to Stockholm?
About 5 hours 35 minutes on the fastest SJ journeys, which leave Copenhagen Central Station at 59 minutes past most hours and change to an X2000 high-speed train in Malmö. Snälltåget's direct train takes about 6 hours 20 minutes from København Syd, and the SJ night train via Malmö about 8 hours 45 minutes.
How much is the train from Copenhagen to Stockholm?
Fares are dynamic. On 22 October 2026, SJ priced morning departures from SEK 938 (about DKK 630 / US$95 / £71) for 19 November, SEK 768 (about DKK 515 / US$78 / £58) for 3 December and SEK 646 (about DKK 435 / US$65 / £49) for 14 January 2027, one adult, one way. Snälltåget advertises fares from SEK 299 (about DKK 200 / US$30) on quieter departures booked 2–3 weeks ahead.
Which station in Copenhagen do trains to Stockholm leave from?
SJ journeys start at Copenhagen Central Station (København H) with an Öresund train to Malmö, which also stops at Copenhagen Airport. Snälltåget's direct train leaves from København Syd in Valby, south-west of the centre, reached by the M4 metro or S-trains A, E and F. Always check the station printed on your ticket.
Do I need a passport on the train from Copenhagen to Stockholm?
Yes, carry it. Sweden runs border controls on entry from Denmark, extended until 11 May 2027, and SJ says every traveller must be able to show a valid passport or national ID card. Travellers from outside the EU and the Nordic countries should carry their passport, not just a photo of it.
Is it better to fly or take the train from Copenhagen to Stockholm?
Flying is about 1 hour 10 to 1 hour 15 minutes in the air, but with airport time and the train in from Arlanda it is roughly 3½ to 4 hours from centre to centre. The train takes about 5½ hours, but you go from one city centre to the other, keep your bags with you and see southern Sweden on the way. With a day to spare, take the train.
Plan the trip
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See our where to stay in Copenhagen guide to pick an area.
For the days before you head north.
What runs changes with the season, so check your dates.
Another place to compare attraction tickets before you go.
Sources, checked 22 October 2026: SJ journey planner (Köpenhamn H–Stockholm Central on 19 November, 3 December 2026 and 14 January 2027) · Snälltåget Hamburg–Copenhagen–Stockholm timetable · Snälltåget Copenhagen–Stockholm fares and FAQ · DSB, train to Stockholm · Järnvägar.nu on the SJ plans for direct trains (26 May 2026) · SJ journey planner, Copenhagen–Stockholm 19 November 2026 · 3 December 2026 · 14 January 2027 · Council of the EU, Sweden's border control notice (12 Nov 2026–11 May 2027) · FlixBus Copenhagen–Stockholm · Arlanda Express tickets · Øresundsbron prices · The Man in Seat 61 on the X2000. Currency conversions use the ECB reference rate of 21 October 2026.