Copenhagen to Gothenburg by train

Trains between Copenhagen and Gothenburg run throughout the day with two different service types. Öresundståg runs direct services roughly every hour, crossing the Øresund Bridge and continuing up the Swedish west coast to Gothenburg. The journey takes around 3 hours 35 minutes. If you prefer a faster trip and do not mind changing trains, take Öresundståg to Malmö and then catch an SJ long-distance train the rest of the way. That combination takes around 3 hours 20 minutes.

Both services start from Copenhagen Central Station (København H). Most direct Öresundståg trains also stop at Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup), so if you are flying in and heading straight to Gothenburg, you can board at the airport without going into the city first.

Around 25 trains serve the route on a typical weekday, with roughly 16 direct Öresundståg services and the rest as SJ combinations via Malmö.

Quick comparison

Available train companies

Two main services run between Copenhagen and Gothenburg. Which one makes sense depends on whether you want a direct trip or a slightly faster journey with a change at Malmö.

Öresundståg direct trains

Öresundståg is the direct option. Trains depart roughly every hour from Copenhagen Central, stop at Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup), cross the Øresund Bridge into Sweden, and continue via Malmö up the west coast to Gothenburg. The typical journey time is around 3 hours 35 minutes.

Öresundståg works differently from most European trains: the fare is a fixed price. It does not matter whether you book six weeks ahead or the evening before. The ticket costs the same. There is no advance-purchase discount and no surge pricing. If you are only taking Öresundståg, there is no need to rush to book.

There are no seat reservations on Öresundståg. Board any carriage and sit in any available seat. Trains can fill up during morning and evening commuter periods, but outside those times finding a seat is straightforward.

Tickets for journeys starting in Denmark are valid for any Öresundståg service within three hours either side of the time shown on your ticket. If your plans shift slightly, you are covered. Tickets for journeys starting in Sweden are valid only for the departure you booked.

The train crosses the Øresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden, an 8 km combined road and rail bridge with views out over the strait.

SJ via Malmö

The faster option is taking Öresundståg to Malmö Central and then changing to an SJ long-distance train for the rest of the journey to Gothenburg. The total trip takes around 3 hours 20 minutes, about 15 minutes less than the direct Öresundståg.

This is two separate legs, so when booking, check that you have enough time to transfer at Malmö. Allow at least 20 to 30 minutes between your Öresundståg arrival and your SJ departure. When you arrive on Öresundståg, you will be on underground platforms 1 or 2. SJ long-distance trains use the main platforms above. Follow the signs upstairs.

SJ fares are dynamic: booking earlier usually means a lower price, especially on popular departures.

The typical SJ departure pattern from Malmö:

Departure times and journey durations vary by specific service. Check the exact timetable for your travel date when you book.

Tickets and booking

Types of tickets

Both Öresundståg and SJ offer standard class and first class on this route. First class on Öresundståg includes wider seats and additional luggage space. SJ first class includes complimentary tea and coffee, and you can pre-order a meal to your seat.

Öresundståg pricing is a fixed fare: the price is the same whenever you book, with no advance discount.

SJ pricing is dynamic: fares change by departure, demand, and how far in advance you book. Booking earlier is usually cheaper for SJ. Check current fares at sj.se.

One-way and return tickets are both available.

Ticket validity for Öresundståg: tickets starting in Denmark are valid for any Öresundståg service within three hours either side of the departure time on your ticket. If you are starting in Sweden, your ticket is valid only for the specific departure you booked.

Tickets cannot be purchased on board either service. Buy before you travel.

Where to buy tickets

For Öresundståg:

• oresundstag.se (official Öresundståg booking)

• Västtrafik or Skånetrafiken apps (the Swedish regional transport authority apps)

• Ticket machines at stations

• Omio (reseller, useful for comparing both legs in one search)

For SJ (the Malmö to Gothenburg leg):

• sj.se (SJ’s official site)

• Omio

If you are travelling from a smaller Danish station (not Copenhagen Central or Copenhagen Airport), you may need to buy your ticket through DSB for the Danish portion.

Prices and discounts

Fares on this route

Öresundståg tickets are a fixed price. You pay the same regardless of when you book or which specific departure you choose. Current fares are shown at oresundstag.se and the Västtrafik or Skånetrafiken booking systems.

For SJ, fares on the Malmö to Gothenburg leg vary by departure and how early you book. Booking a few weeks ahead typically means a lower fare than booking on the day. Check current prices at sj.se.

First class is available on both operators and costs more than standard class. Whether the price difference is worth it depends on your travel date and budget.

Discounts and passes

Eligible children travel free with an adult on Öresundståg. Check the current age rules at oresundstag.se, as these are set by the Swedish regional transport authorities.

For rail pass holders, see the Interrail and Eurail passes section below.

Interrail and Eurail passes

Both Öresundståg and SJ accept Interrail and Eurail passes.

On Öresundståg, no reservation is needed. Board any Öresundståg service, find a seat, and show your pass to the inspector when asked. The fixed-price model and open boarding apply to pass holders the same way as to ticket holders.

On SJ long-distance trains, a seat reservation is compulsory for pass holders. You cannot board an SJ long-distance service with only a pass and no reservation. The reservation costs 6.50 EUR for a standard class seat, or 14.40 EUR for first class. Book the SJ reservation through sj.se before you travel; you cannot book it on the platform.

If you are combining both legs (Öresundståg to Malmö, then SJ to Gothenburg), you only need a reservation for the SJ leg.

Book SJ reservations at sj.se. Availability for pass-holder reservation places can be limited on popular departures, so book ahead if your travel date is fixed.

Trip planning guide

Train times

Direct Öresundståg services run from around 05:30 into the late evening, with a service roughly every hour. Outside those hours, you may need an SJ combination or an indirect route.

The combined total of direct and SJ-combination services is around 25 departures on a typical weekday. If you need to travel early or late, check the live timetable on the day, as SJ combinations extend the range of usable departures.

Timetables vary by day of the week and season. Check your exact departure when you book rather than assuming the same times apply on every day.

Route and Øresund Bridge

The train crosses the Øresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden, a fixed link that opened in 2000. The bridge section is around 8 km long, with the rail line in a tunnel under the road. On clear days there are good views over the Øresund strait. The full crossing from the Danish coast to Malmö takes around 20 minutes.

Travel documents

Denmark and Sweden are both in the Schengen Area. There are no routine border checks on this route. Carry valid photo ID, as spot checks do occasionally happen.

Onboard services

Seat types

Öresundståg:

• Standard class and first class

• No seat reservations (open seating throughout)

• Dedicated quiet section

• Pet-friendly area

SJ long-distance (Malmö to Gothenburg):

• Standard class and first class

• First class includes complimentary tea and coffee; meals can be pre-ordered to your seat

• Designated areas for passengers travelling with pets

Amenities

Öresundståg:

• Free Wi-Fi

• Power outlets at each seating bay

• Accessible toilets (in the middle car)

• Luggage storage areas

• No onboard catering (bring your own food and drink)

• Low-floor middle car with up to nine wheelchair spaces (subject to availability); accessibility assistance can be booked in advance through the regional transport authority or DSB

SJ long-distance (Malmö to Gothenburg leg):

• Free Wi-Fi

• Power outlets at seats

• Air conditioning

• Bistro car with snacks, drinks, and light meals

• Clean toilets

If you need help with boarding or heavy luggage, contact the relevant operator or transport authority before your trip.

Baby buggies are welcome on Öresundståg at no extra charge, subject to space. Service dogs travel free in all sections.