Scotland to Scandinavia

[gsnedders]

I've mentioned before about working in Oslo from time-to-time on here, and I think it's about time I try and make it there by train for no good reason except for, y'know, trains.

As far as I can tell, it's not particularly realistic to do Glasgow to Oslo in two days (it can just be done, seemingly, but it needs a mere 45 minutes from Euston to leaving on the Eurostar, and leaves a mere six hours overnight in Hamburg to get to a hotel, get to sleep, and get back to the station and then six connections with many of them tight via a crazy route east of Vättern!), so let's realistically look at getting to Göteborg (preferably!) so I can visit friends on the way.

To add a few constraints: let's try not to leave before the 07:37 from Glasgow, and try and not leave before a similar time on day two. Choice of overnight stay is free, but cost is somewhat a concern so somewhere with good, safe, nearby accommodation which is cheaper than elsewhere is a plus!

My temptation is to try and make Glasgow to Wuppertal in a day, then leave with just enough time to see the Suspension Railway, but I'd be interested if others had better suggestions! Bonus points if you can get the one remaining ICE TD into the route.

 

[JonasB]

Does it have to be rail only? Otherwise the ferry between Kiel and Göteborg can save you a hotel night.

 

[Blindtraveler]

And Id use the Caly X Glasgow or if you have a sleaper station nearer home?

 

[gsnedders]

Does it have to be rail only? Otherwise the ferry between Kiel and Göteborg can save you a hotel night.

I'd looked at that—given the cost of cabins it didn't seem like it'd save much compared with a hotel, and limits the journey more by being once-a-day. Combine that with possibly stopping at Halmstad or Varberg to meet other friends and then it makes more sense to go via the Øresund bridge.

And Id use the Caly X Glasgow or if you have a sleaper station nearer home?

The big gap in trains from Brussels to Köln makes it a relatively minor time-save, sadly.

The 08:04 Eurostar (when it runs!) is the first that you might get off the sleeper, and even that gives no advantage from Brussels compared with the 08:54/58 Eurostar (i.e., you get the same train to Köln comfortably either way).

That all kinda results in the sleeper being relatively expensive for not a great time-saving (getting into Köln at 15:15 v. 19:15). So, yeah, you save four hours, but having left eight hours earlier and probably got a less good night's sleep for it…

 

[JonasB]

I'd looked at that—given the cost of cabins it didn't seem like it'd save much compared with a hotel, and limits the journey more by being once-a-day. Combine that with possibly stopping at Halmstad or Varberg to meet other friends and then it makes more sense to go via the Øresund bridge.

In that case, the ferry seems like a bad idea. Varberg is a very nice town, especially in the summer. And it seems possible to get from Wuppertal to Varberg in one day, leave Wuppertal 8:42 and arrive Varberg 21:25 or 22:24, depending on what route you take. However, that means taking the Öresundståg to Varberg, and they are really not meant for journeys that long, if possible, try to book the SJ-trains.

 

[gsnedders]

However, that means taking the Öresundståg to Varberg, and they are really not meant for journeys that long, if possible, try to book the SJ-trains.

I've done the Öresundståg from CPH to Varberg enough times before—don't worry, I know what I'm getting myself into for that leg! The bit I really don't know about is from Brussels to Copenhagen.

 

[JonasB]

I've done the Öresundståg from CPH to Varberg enough times before—don't worry, I know what I'm getting myself into for that leg! The bit I really don't know about is from Brussels to Copenhagen.

Good, then you are aware of the comfort, or lack thereof, they offer. The CNL was great for getting between Brussels and Copenhagen, dinner on the Thalys to Cologne, then a nice sleeper all the way to Copenhagen. Doing the trip now requires a full day. Bahn.de gives an option of 7.28 from Brussels Midi/Zuid, and you will then arrive 20.05 at Hovedbanegården, after changing train in Cologne, Hamburg and Fredericia.

But, if time is not an issue (if it is, both SAS and Norwegian flies between Edinburgh and Oslo), I suggest that you from Copenhagen take the train north to Helsingør (40 minutes or so), and stay the night there, should be less expensive than in Copenhagen. After seeing Kronborg Castle (made famous by Shakespeare), take the ferry to Helsingborg (runs every 15 minutes), and catch the train to Varberg there.

 

[30907]

The quickest option is undoubtedly an overnight somewhere near Wuppertal as you suggest. I'd opt for via Puttgarden not Flensburg ro use the train ferry. Skip the hotel breakfast and eat on the train and lunch on the ferry
Also worth considering IMO if you have an extra half day is the Harwich Hook night ferry but i don't think you'll make Halmstad same day.