• Basel SBB–Kassel Wilhelmshöhe: 4 hours 30 minutes, direct train.
• Kassel Wilhelmshöhe–Malmö Central: 8 hours 15 minutes, change trains twice in Hamburg and Copenhagen:
  
  • From Hamburg to Stockholm, there is also a night train option (direct).
• Malmö Central–Stockholm Central: 4 hours 30 minutes, direct train.
  
• Stockholm Central–Abisko Turiststation: 17 hours; direct night train.
  

Only in summer: Inlandsbanan.

Only possible from 19 June to 27 August 2023: travel by slow train through remote nature in Sweden.

• Stockholm–Mora: 4 hours, direct train.
  
• Mora–Östersund: 5 hours, direct train (Inlandsbanan).
• Östersund–Gällivare: 14 hours; direct train (Inlandsbanan).
• Gällivare–Abisko: 3 hours, direct train.

The Interrail Global Pass for ten travel days within two months is ideal and includes all trains in Germany, Denmark and Sweden. You can also continue your journey with the Iron Ore Line to Narvik in Norway.

Important: you need reservations for all trains in Sweden which you can make on interrail.eu. Reservations for the Inlandsbanan can be made on inlandsbanan.se.

In 1817, Baron Karl von Drais developed an alternative to horse-drawn vehicles. His moving machine, known as the ‘draisine’, is the original version of modern-day bicycles, and thus also the predecessor of the motorcycle and automobile. You can admire this revolutionary vehicle in the Technoseum. Other highlights include the unique Art Nouveau water tower, the second largest baroque palace in Europe and the largest mural in Germany. The Reissinsel, which has been largely untouched for decades, is one of the last naturally occurring Rhine floodplains.

Known for the international exhibition ‘Documenta’ and Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, Kassel also has several historical highlights, beautiful nature and a lively gallery scene to offer. Immerse yourself in the world of contemporary art and discover fascinating works of art mostly by young, international artists. You’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time, at times you might even wonder if you’ve ended up in a real-life fairy tale. The Brothers Grimm, the minds behind Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Rapunzel, spent a large part of their lives in Kassel. In 2015, a museum was opened dedicated entirely to these brothers and their stories: Grimmwelt (Grimm World).

Denmark’s third-largest city is full of culture and history. This city is located on the island of Funen and is the birthplace and stomping grounds of famous fairytale author H.C. Andersen. He wrote several famous fairytales such as ‘The Princess and the Pea’, ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘The Ugly Duckling’ and many more. Take a stroll through Odense and experience the places that inspired H.C. Andersen.

On the short trip between Copenhagen and Malmö, you’ll cross the impressive seven-kilometre-long Öresund Bridge, the inspiration for the Nordic TV series ‘The Bridge’ which captivated audiences with its gruesome murders. The world’s longest cable-stayed bridge for combined road and rail traffic offers a stunning view of the Sound with a seemingly infinite expanse of water on both sides. It’s a true technical masterpiece.

Sweden’s third largest city (approx. 320,000 inhabitants) is connected to Denmark’s capital city of Copenhagen by the famous Öresund Bridge. The city has really flourished in recent years, having developed into a hotspot of modern architecture boasting an attractive, somewhat industrial flair. The Turning Torso, a striking skyscraper designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, has become a major city landmark and is a highlight not to be missed.

Take a journey to the home of the famous Dala horse, where the heart and soul of Swedish culture is waiting to be discovered. Nusnäs is a half-hour bike ride from Mora. It’s where you’ll find busy fingers hard at work creating the world’s most famous wooden horse – the ‘Dalahäst’ (120,000 horses a year!). The tradition dates back to the 18th century when forest workers from the region spent the long winter months carving horses. This toy has long since become a symbol for Sweden around the world.