Breakfast with a mountain view – yes, please!

–Taina Flink: ‘Life without a car works great – I would never take the car to Åre.’ Taina and her family are taking the train to the mountains.

The breakfast box – the best thing about the night train

Travelling sustainably doesn't have to be complicated - Taina Flink and her family are convinced of that. The family, who live in western Gothenburg, have opted out of the car for environmental reasons and manage perfectly well with bicycles and public transport in everyday life. But how does it work to travel far without a car? We spoke to Taina about her experiences of travelling to the Scandinavian mountains by train. 

Smooth night train direct to Åre

For Taina and her family, the train has become the obvious choice when travelling to the mountains, and they have chosen ski resorts based on where the train runs smoothly. Their main destination is Åre, where they take the night train directly from Gothenburg.

- ‘We get on at seven in the evening and wake up in the middle of Åre the next morning. We usually book our own compartment for a few hundred dollars extra, which provides both comfort and space for luggage. When we arrive, one of us goes shopping for food, while the rest wait and get a taxi to the accommodation. Super convenient! says Taina.

Once there, they usually stay close to the slopes and sometimes go shopping with the ski bus or on the slopes, which means that they have never been without a car. Their next dream holiday? The Alps - by train, of course.

‘The best thing about travelling by train is that you can spend time together as a family instead of having to drive.’ Estrid (12 years old)

What do you do on board a train?

Many people wonder how to occupy themselves during a long train journey. For Taina and her family, it's all about relaxing and enjoying the journey.

- ‘We usually play cards, read, and one year we watched the Eurovision Song Contest during the journey. But because it's a night train, we sleep most of the time, which makes the journey go quickly,’ she says.

‘The best thing about travelling on a night train is that it doesn't take long, because you
sleep almost the whole journey and wake up in the mountains,’ says her daughter Juni (10).

Sleeping on the train has never been a problem.
- We have always slept well. It's a direct train with no changes, and now that SJ* has replaced the pillows with real pillows, it's even more comfortable. I always bring earplugs for extra comfort, but on the whole we sleep really well. Of course, you shouldn't expect hotel standards, but it works great.

Challenges and smart packing tips

Despite all the advantages of travelling by train, there are some challenges.

- The biggest challenge is actually getting to the train in Gothenburg. No regular taxis take skis, when I've researched taxis it seems expensive and complicated, so we've walked to the bus or got a lift. But once in Åre, everything works perfectly - there the taxis are adapted for ski travellers, says Taina.

Packing is rarely a problem, however.

- There is enough space for luggage and skis, and you don't need much more than skiwear, base layers and soft clothing. We pack all our own equipment, but if you don't want to lug it around, you can rent it. My best packing tip is to always have a base layer close at hand, because it can get a little chilly in the cabin. Earplugs are also good, as well as having your own snacks on board - sometimes there are delays, and then it's nice to have something to eat.

‘The best thing is waking up in the mountains’

When Taina is asked what the best thing about travelling by train is, the answer is immediate.

- ‘It's when you wake up in the morning, sit in the breakfast carriage, get your breakfast box and see the mountains coming closer. It's marvellous!

Many people you talk to think that night trains are very cosy, but Taina feels that many hesitate because train tickets are hard to get.

- Demand is much higher than supply, so you have to be on your toes if you want to get tickets at popular times. Tickets sell out in just a few hours on the day they are released. It would be great if more people could have the opportunity to travel this way,’ she says.

So if you're thinking of taking the train to the mountains - get there early, book a compartment for extra comfort and don't forget the snacks! And above all, enjoy the journey!

* Since this article was written, SJ no longer runs night trains between Gothenburg and Åre. Find your train journey to the mountains at sj.se and snalltaget.se.