Travelling to Gunnerud in Värmland

• Make a booking with us first and wait for confirmation that your spaces are reserved. We recommend that you do not book travel until you have received your Booking Confirmation documentation. If your tour requires a minimum number of bookings to be confirmed to run, we will inform you when you make your booking if this minimum has not yet been reached. You should then wait until your tour is confirmed to run before making travel arrangements.
• If relevant, make sure that there are suitable train/bus connections available to your final destination for your travel dates before booking your flights. If travelling by hire car, ensure that you are aware of driving time required. We recommend planning your journey in reverse - that is, first ensure there are suitable connections to reach your destination, then plan your flight times accordingly.
• Delays to flight and public transport services can of course occasionally occur. We recommend allowing plenty of time between connections, for example when planning train/bus times to meet flight connections or when connecting flights are required, especially if you need to collect and re-check your bags.

• Check the latest regulations both in the country you are travelling from (and other countries you may be travelling through en route) and in your destination country to ensure that you are aware of and comply with any requirements for entry. For a summary of the latest travel information for the destination countries we offer and links to government websites for further details, please see our Travel Updates blog article.
• If you are required to take a COVID or other test before entry and/or in the destination country at the end of your trip before travelling home, you must ensure that you allow time in your travel plans for this.

• Be very careful if you are using an app to check timings for travel connections for buses or trains. Depending on settings, be aware that the app may be showing you connections in the local time where you are, not in the local time of your destination country.
• Always double check the correct timings by going to the website of the transport provider or a browser-based travel planner (see below for travel planning resources for your experience) and don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions or are unsure of timings.

• You can fly to any of the Stockholm, Gothenburg or Oslo airports depending on your preference (to travel to Stockholm without an international flight, see the section "Travelling to Stockholm - without flying" below).
• From there, you travel by train to Karlstad (time depending on your travel point) then onward to Gunnerud by local bus (approx. 1.5 hours from Karlstad).

Please don't hesitate to ask if you require any assistance planning your journey – we are happy to help.

Stockholm and Gothenburg:

Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) is the main airport, served by many airlines including SAS, Norwegian, British Airways and Easyjet. Arlanda is about 45 minutes from central Stockholm by flight bus or 20 minutes by train (the dedicated Arlanda Express service is the fastest option, but local trains are also available at lower cost).

Stockholm also has two outlying international airports: Stockholm Västerås (VST) and Stockholm Skavsta (NYO), both about 90 minutes from the city by flight bus.

See the Visit Stockholm website for more information on travel options from Stockholm airports into the city.

Gothenburg Landvetter (GOT) airport is served by a number of airlines, including SAS, Norwegian, British Airways and Ryanair. Landvetter is about 30 minutes from central Gothenburg by flight bus.

For information on flight buses from Swedish airports into the city, see www.naturetravels.co.uk/add-ons-flygbussarna.htm

Oslo:

Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) is the main airport, served by many airlines including SAS, Norwegian and British Airways. Gardermoen is about 50 minutes from central Oslo by flight bus or 20 minutes by train. See the Oslo Gardermoen airport website for more information on travel options from the airport into the city.

Oslo also has an outlying international airport, Oslo Sandefjord Torp (TRF), served by Ryanair, about 90 minutes from the city by flight bus. See the Oslo Torp airport website for more information on travel from Torp airport into the city.

By ferry:

For travel from the UK, the DFDS Seaways ferry service between Harwich and Esjberg in Denmark has now unfortunately closed. However, it is still possible to use the Dover-Dunkirk or Newcastle-Amsterdam routes to access Sweden and Norway. For information, please see www.naturetravels.co.uk/add-ons-dfds-seaways-ferries.htm

By train:

For general guidance on international train travel to Sweden, please see www.seat61.com/Sweden.htm

Hamburg-Stockholm by direct night train:

There is a new direct sleeper service from Hamburg in Germany to Stockholm which may be ideal for guests coming from mainland Europe (or from the UK if using the extra connections descibed at Seat 61 above).

This can be booked via the SJ parternship with Omio:

• Go to https://www.omio.co.uk/providers/trains/sj Information here is in English with prices quoted in British Pounds, but if you would like other languages/currencies, select from the drop-down list at the top of the page.
• Choose "Hamburg-Altona, Germany" as your start point and "Stockholm Centralstation, Sweden" as your destination (or "Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), Sweden" if you are travelling to the airport).
• Select your travel dates and click Search.
• When selecting the night train (normally departing Hamburg around 21.00 arriving Stockholm around 10.00 the following morning), you will be offered the option to upgrade from seat to couchette on the next page.

NB: All train connections to Karlstad below, including those from/to Oslo (Norway) can be booked at Swedish train website www.sj.se

• From Stockholm city: Train from Stockholm C (Stockholm Central station) to Karlstad. Travel time 2.5-3.5 hours direct. Another good option can be coach with Flixbus (approx. 4 hours).
• From Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) airport: Train from Arlanda C (the station at the airport terminal) to Karlstad via Stockholm. Travel time 3-4 hours with one change.
• From Stockholm Skavsta (NYO) airport: Train from Skavsta Flygplats to Karlstad. Travel time 4-5 hours with changes.
• From Stockholm Västerås (VST) airport: Local taxi bus to Västerås. Train from Västerås C to Karlstad. Travel time 3.5-4.5 hours with changes.
• From Gothenburg city or Gothenburg Landvetter (GOT) airport: Flight bus to central Gothenburg (about 30 mins). Train from Göteborg C (Gothenburg Central station) to Karlstad, travel time approx. 3.5 hours, direct or with changes.
• From Oslo city: Train or bus from Oslo S (Oslo Central station) to Karlstad, usually direct. Travel time 3-3.5 hours. Another good option can be coach with Flixbus (approx. 3 hours).
• From Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) airport: Travel into central Oslo for onward connections as above. For travel from Oslo Gardermoen into Oslo, see the Oslo Gardermoen airport website.
• From Oslo Torp (TRF) airport: Travel into central Oslo for onward connections as above. For travel from Oslo Torp into Oslo, see the Oslo Torp airport website.

For more information about trains, or if you cannot see the information you need or cannot make your booking successfully, please refer to the "Train FAQs" below for help.

SJ ("Statens Järnvägar") is the Swedish national rail operator. On the SJ website you can check and book all trains in Sweden (including those not operated by SJ), and also many bus connections.

To see train timetables and to book your tickets:

1. Go to www.sj.se. If necessary, change from "Svenska" (Swedish) to "English" in the top right corner and click "Search Journey".
2. Type in your start and end point. You may need to copy and paste some of the following Swedish characters: Å, Ä, Ö, å, ä, ö
3. Choose your travel dates.
4. Add additional traveller(s) as necessary. The price given will then be the total cost.
5. Click "Search Journey".
6. On the next page, you will see the list of available connections. Click each connection for details, including prices for seat or couchette on night trains.

The start and end points you need when checking your connections are:

• Stockholm C (Stockholm Central station), if you're spending time in Stockholm city before/after your tour or need to travel via Stockholm city.
• Arlanda C (the station at Stockholm Arlanda airport), if you're travelling directly to/from the airport.
• Skavsta Flygplats (the train station at Stockholm Skavsta airport), if you're travelling directly to/from the airport.
• Västerås C (Västerås central station - if you are travelling to/from Stockholm Västerås airport.
• Oslo S (Oslo Central station), if you're spending time in Oslo city before/after your tour or need to travel via Oslo city.
• Karlstad C (Karlstad train station).

From Copenhagen, you can also travel to Karlstad by train:

• From Copenhagen Airport: Approx. 7 hours with one change. Tickets can be booked on Swedish train website SJ as described above. Use "Copenhagen Airport" whcn checking train connections.
• From Copenhagen city: Approx. 7 hours with two changes. Tickets can be booked on Swedish train website SJ as described above. Use "Köbenhavn H" (Copenhagen Central station) when checking train connections.

Local bus 600 runs between Karlstad and Gunnerud and takes 1.5-2 hours. You can see the latest timetable below.

If the timetable for your travel dates has not yet been published, information will be updated when released.

Karlstad bus station is approx. 5 mins' walk from the train station, about 450m. Please see map below (the "Mitt i City Gallerian" shown is a shopping centre with supermarket):

Timetables below are updated for the following season when released. In general, timings typically change little if at all between seasons.

The bus stop in Gunnerud (Edebäck) is along road 62, just north of the path down to the centre. You will see the signpost from the bus stop. Here the bus stops/departs unless otherwise stated. See the map included with your booking documentation.

NB: Get off at bus stop "Gunnerudsgården" (pronounced "Gunneroods Gordon").

IMPORTANT: The tours have fixed start times (some also have fixed end times) and it is essential that you plan your travel to match these. It is not possible to arrive later/depart earlier than the stated times and bus connections can be limited. Taxi fare from Karlstad to Gunnerud is around 2000 SEK (about £180) or more one-way, so the buses are a much more cost-effective way to travel.

Sjögränd is approx. 4km south of Gunnerudsgården. Buses marked *Sjögränd in timetable information below do not travel on to Gunnerudsgården.

Transfer between Sjögränd and the centre in Gunnerud is offered as a free courtesy service on the following conditions:

• No suitable bus connection through to Gunnerudsgården is available.
• Your bus to Sjögränd is the recommended connection for your tour (see entries in timetable information below in red).

IMPORTANT: It is essential that you:

• Arrive either with a bus that goes all the way to Gunnerudsgården, or with the recommended bus to Sjögränd as given in timetable information below. Transfer from Sjögränd cannot be offered in connection with any other buses and there is no taxi service. The only alternative option would be to walk the 4km between Sjögränd and Gunnerudsgården.
• Depart with a bus that leaves from Gunnerudsgården - there are daily departures to Karlstad, so there is no reason why taking a bus from Sjögränd should be required. Transfer to Sjögränd cannot be offered and there is no taxi service. The only alternative option would be to walk the 4km between Gunnerudsgården and Sjögränd.
• Let us know in advance if you are arriving with one of the Sjögränd buses, so that transfer arrangements can be made. Transfers only operate when pre-booked.

Please also note:

• If buying your ticket on the bus, you must pay by card. Cash is not accepted. You can also purchase tickets in advance from a ticket office (e.g. at Karlstad station) before you travel. The journey from Karlstad to Sjögränd or Gunnerud is a 3-zone ticket. Standard fare for 2024 is 104 SEK/adult/one-way (about £9) and for children (0-19 years) 69 SEK/child-one-way. There is also a "Duo/Family" ticket (198 SEK) for max. 5 persons where max. 2 persons can be over 20 years.
• If doing Canoe on Klarälven, Canoe on Svartälven or Canoe in Bergslagen on standard start dates, you must be in Gunnerud for check-in between 13.00 and 14.00 on your start day. It is not possible to arrive with the 14.51 bus (for Saturday starts) at Sjögränd.
• Participants on Timber Rafting on Klarälven must be in Gunnerud by 17.00 on the start day.
• On Friday 21st June 2024 (Midsummer's Eve) buses run on Saturday timetable.
• On 6th June (Swedish National Day) and Saturday 22nd June (Midsummer's Day) 2024, buses run on Sunday timetable.

Bus 600 Karlstad-Gunnerud-Karlstad (valid from 10th December 2023 until 10th December 2024)

Sjögränd is approx. 4km south of Gunnerudsgården. Buses marked *Sjögränd do not travel on to Gunnerudsgården.

Karlstad Bus Station - Gunnerudsgården:

Monday – Friday:

• 05.55 – 07.25 * Sjögränd
• 08.25 – 09.58
• 10.25 – 11.51 * Sjögränd
• 12.25 – 13.51 * Sjögränd (best bus to arrive with for canoe tours which have check-in 13.00-14.00 - free transfer offered only from this connection, must be advised in advance)
• 14.25 – 16.37 (best bus to arrive with for timber rafting meeting 17.00 - no transfer required)
• 15.25 – 16.51 * Sjögränd (NB: Does not operate between 10th June and 11th August 2024)
• 16.25 – 17.55 * Sjögränd
• 17.25 – 18.58
• 19.25 – 20.51 * Sjögränd
• 21.25 – 22.51 * Sjögränd
• 23.25 – 00.51 * Sjögränd

Saturday:

• 09.25 – 10.51 * Sjögränd (the only possible bus to arrive with for canoe tours which have check-in 13.00-14.00 - free transfer offered only from this connection, must be advised in advance)
• 13.25 – 14.51 * Sjögränd
• 17.25 – 18.51 * Sjögränd
• 19.25 – 20.51 * Sjögränd
• 23.25 – 00.51 * Sjögränd

Sunday:

• 09.25 – 10.51 * Sjögränd (the only possible bus to arrive with for canoe tours which have check-in 13.00-14.00 - free transfer offered only from this connection, must be advised in advance)
• 13.25 – 14.51 * Sjögränd (best bus to arrive with for timber rafting meeting 17.00 - free transfer offered only from this connection, must be advised in advance)
• 17.25 – 18.58
• 19.25 – 20.51 * Sjögränd
• 21.25 – 22.51 * Sjögränd
• 23.25 – 00.51 * Sjögränd

Gunnerudsgården - Karlstad Bus Station (buses reach Karlstad Train Station a couple of minutes later):

Monday - Friday:

• 05.06 – 06.35 * Sjögränd
• 06.00 – 07.35 * Sjögränd (NB: Does not operate between 10th June and 11th August 2024)
• 06.36 – 08.05 * Sjögränd
• 08.06 – 09.35 * Sjögränd
• 09.54 – 11.35
• 12.06 – 13.35 * Sjögränd
• 14.06 – 15.35 * Sjögränd
• 15.57 – 17.35
• 17.06 – 18.35 * Sjögränd
• 17.54 – 19.35
• 19.06 – 20.35 * Sjögränd (NB: Does not operate between 10th June and 11th August 2024)
• 21.06 – 22.35 * Sjögränd

Saturday:

• 06.59 – 08.35
• 09.06 – 10.35 * Sjögränd
• 13.06 – 14.35 * Sjögränd
• 16.59 – 18.35
• 19.06 – 20.35 * Sjögränd

Sunday:

• 06.59 – 08.35
• 09.06 – 10.35 * Sjögränd
• 13.06 – 14.35 * Sjögränd
• 15.06 – 16.35 * Sjögränd
• 18.06 – 19.35 * Sjögränd
• 20.25 – 22.35

Check-in/start times:

Start time for your tour will depend on tour option chosen and your tour dates. Start will normally be at fixed times, but may also be flexible if your tour dates are outside high season.

Please check website information carefully to ensure you are aware of the start time for your tour.

NB: You must ensure there are connections allowing you to reach Gunnerud in good time to check in for your tour. It is not possible to arrive later than the start times given in tour information.

End times:

• Timber Rafting on Klarälven/Canoe on Klarälven: As your tour ends in Gunnerud, end time is flexible and depends on how you have planned your journey down the river. Latest end time 14.00 for Canoe on Klarälven or 17.00 for Timber Rafting on Klarälven.
• Canoe on Svartälven (4-day tour): For tours during high season, tours starting Saturdays have pick-up on Tuesdays at 17.00 and you will back in Gunnerud around 18.00*. Tours starting Tuesdays have pick-up on Fridays at 13.00 and you will be back in Gunnerud around 15.00. *There is normally a bus to Karlstad leaving Gunnerudsgården 17.54 (later buses depart only from Sjögränd). The pick-up is intended to allow you to connect with this bus. Please ensure that you mention to canoe centre staff at the beginning of your tour if you are planning to take the 17.54 bus.
• Canoe on Svartälven (7-day tour): For tours during high season, pick-up is on Fridays at 14.00 and you will be back in Gunnerud around 15.00.
• Canoe in Bergslagen: Pick-up is on Saturdays at 18.00 and you will be back in Gunnerud around 19.00). The last bus to Karlstad leaves at 19.06 from Sjögränd. The pick-up is intended to connect with this bus, but you will be dropped at the bus stop on the way back rather than returning to the canoe centre. Any luggage you have left at the canoe centre during your tour will be brought in the pick-up vehicle. Please mention to the canoe centre staff at the beginning of your tour if you are taking this bus.
• For Svartälven and Bergslagen canoe tours during low season, end times are by arrangement between 12.00 and 17.00.

Special information for guests on Timber Rafting on Klaräven ending further upstream:

Under normal tour arrangements, you will raft back to end your tour at the timber raft centre and departure is from Gunnerud as outlined above. However, if the water level in the river is particularly low, alternative itinerary arrangements may be in place for your tour to run on a more northerly section of the river and the end point will be further upstream. As water levels in the river can change quickly, any amendments to standard arrangements will be advised on arrival. In this case, use the following information to check bus connections back to Karlstad:

• Go to the Resrobot Trip Planner.
• In the "A" and "B" fields type (or copy and paste from this document) "Norra Gravol" (the station near the end point of the northern route) and "Karlstad Busstationen" (bus station).
• Under "Dep" (departure") choose the date and time of your journey. NB: Click the arrow sign next to each connection listed for further details.

Staying in Karlstad:

If travelling by public transport, you will need to overnight in Karlstad on your way to Gunnerud, and may also wish to do so after your tour. Karlstad is a pleasant town with a range of small supermarkets, and a good place to purchase provisions for your tour (please note that there is nowhere to purchase supplies in Gunnerud). For accommodation in Karlstad, there are a number of options:

• Youth hostel: Carlstad Hostel. Website in Swedish only, but you can see contact details under the "Kontakt" page. Tel: +46(0)54 56 68 40 or email sporthostel@carlstadcity.se
• Bed and breakfast: Birgitta's Bed and Breakfast. Website in Swedish only, contact information under "Kontakta Oss". Tel: +46(0)708 11 99 11 or use the contact form on the website.
• Hotel: Hotel Drott (opposite the rail and bus station in Karlstad).

Staying near Gunnerud:

As an alternative to staying in Karlstad before/after your tour, you may wish to camp at Rådastrands Camping, located just off road 62 approx. 85km north of Karlstad and approx. 7km south of the timber raft/canoe centre. There is also a small supermarket in Råda approx. 1km from the campsite (open 08.00-19.00 Mon-Fri, 09.00-19.00 Sat and 11.00-19.00 Sun) where you may wish to purchase provisions.

You can travel by Bus 600 (the same bus which goes to the timber raft/canoe centre) from Karlstad to Rådastrands Camping and from there onward next morning to the centre. You can check bus connections from Karlstad to Rådastrands Camping using the Resrobot travel planner as described in the bus timetable information above. Use "Karlstad Busstation" as your start point and "Råda Rådastrand (Hagfors kn)" as your destination. Tell the bus driver where you would like to get off. For onward connections to the centre, use "Råda Rådastrand (Hagfors kn)" as your start point and "Gunnerudsgården (Hagfors kn)" as your end point (or if no suitable connections are available to Gunnerudsgården, use "Sjögränd (Hagfors kn)").

Yes, and using the app can be a convenient option for checking connections and booking/keeping track of your tickets. Search for "SJ - Trains in Sweden" in Google Play or the App Store.

If you have difficulties making your booking or have any questions for SJ, you can contact SJ by phone or web chat. For general questions, we recommend using the web chat facility rather than calling, as waiting times on the phone can be long. For contact details, see https://www.sj.se/en/customer-service.html under "Personal Service" (either "Start the Chat" or "Number and Opening Hours").

If your train is operated by Vy and you have booked through the Vy website (for example for trains between Stockholm and Kiruna), you can see contact information for Vy at https://www.vy.se/en/customer-service/help-and-contact

No. Tickets must be purchased in advance online or locally at the station before travel. There is a penalty for travelling without a ticket.

Unless your journey is a local journey with fixed fare, you should buy your ticket in advance, both for the best fare and because availability (especially for night trains) can be limited. See FAQs below for details.

Connections listed on train websites may include bus services as well as trains. You can buy a ticket for the whole journey (provided both train and bus timetables are published for your travel dates), including any sections by bus.

The most affordable night train fares are released many months in advance and sold on a limited availability basis. We recommend that you book night trains as far in advance as possible for the best fares. See FAQ below for link to information from SJ on when bookings are open for particular date periods.

If travelling by long-distance day train, the most affordable fares are only published 90 days before travel. If you are checking dates further in advance, prices listed will normally be higher. You can check sample earlier dates just within 90 days of today to get an idea of likely fares. You should therefore wait until just within 90 days of your travel dates and then book your tickets as soon as possible for the best fares.

However, local train journeys (and also bus journeys) have fixed fares, so the price will normally be the same whether you book in advance or on the day. To check if your journey is a local journey, simply compare prices for dates travelling very soon with dates several weeks further in advance - if there is no price difference, your journey is local and you can purchase tickets locally before departure at the same fare.

If you are checking connections many months in advance, timetable information for your chosen dates may not be published yet, especially if your journey involves local buses (train timetables are published further in advance than buses).

Normally train and bus connections don't vary much between timetable releases, but you should of course allow for any changes if you are making other plans before timings are published.

Bus timetables are often not released (or at least not linked to the train websites to be bookable there) far in advance, so you may find if checking travel dates in the future that the train part of your journey is checkable/bookable, but you cannot book the whole journey including train + bus.

In that case, you can use sample earlier dates (the same day of the week, but earlier month - bear in mind that public holidays may have restricted services) to get an ideal of likely bus connections - it's unusual for timings to change significantly between timetable releases.

You can then either wait until both train and bus information is published so you can book the whole journey on one ticket (see FAQ below about the SJ "Get There Guarantee"), or you may prefer to purchase the train part as soon as possible to get the best fare, and purchase the bus ticket either later in advance or locally (you may want the extra flexibility to decide which bus to take, for example). There is no reserved seating on local buses - these are normal regional bus services.

Unlike train fares, local bus fares are fixed, so there is no price advantage in advance booking. However, note you can not normally pay for tickets with cash on buses in Sweden. Depending on the region, you may be able to make payment by card on the bus, or there may be ticket machines available to purchase your ticket. In other areas, tickets can be purchased in advance from ticket offices or kiosks at stations, etc.

Check the information at https://www.sj.se/en/customer-service/frequently-asked-questions.html/5170-when-does-sj-release-their-tickets, which gives information on when train timetables are expected to be published and tickets available for booking.

NB: This information relates only to ticket release dates for trains - if your journey also includes a bus component, the bus timetables may not be available as far in advance as for trains. The information is for SJ trains, but publication dates for trains operated by VY will normally be similar.

Schedules vary depending on the bus company. However, if you are concerned that there may not be suitable bus connections and want to make other travel arrangements earlier, please contact us - the local bus company websites often publish timetables valid much further in advance, even if this information is not yet connected to the train websites, and we'll be happy to check for you so you can be sure of connections for your travel dates.

Please also see our blog article on travelling by night train in Sweden for more tips for your trip!

The standard sleeper compartments are six-berth cabins (which can be Mixed, Male or Female) with seating for three persons on each side. When it is time to go to sleep, these convert to have three bunk beds on each side. The cushions that you have rested your head against during the day convert to pillows and you are given a sheet and a blanket. These offer a basic but comfortable and affordable option. As you go through the booking process, depending on availability you may be offered the chance to upgrade to higher standard sleeping compartments, or to book a standard compartment privately to have the compartment to yourself as 3-4 persons, for example. The supplement for these options can often be minimal. For more informatoin on the range of options on nights trains in Sweden, see the SJ website at https://www.sj.se/en/travel-info/sj-night-train.html

When booking your night train tickets, you are often presented with an option to upgrade from the normal "couchette" sleeping compartment. However, sometimes the booking will then fail later in the process, either with an "availability" or "technical" error. This is due to a fault in the SJ booking system, which sometimes offers upgrade options even when they are not actually available. If you have this problem, it is probably because your requested upgrade is not available for your chosen journey. Choose an alternative upgrade option or the standard "couchette" sleeper.

If you are travelling to or from Kiruna (or Abisko Turiststation) and your chosen service seems to be full for all sleeping compartment options (and you do not wish to travel seat only), try checking the journey in two halves to see if this offers availability (check that both parts are available of course before booking). For outward journey, book your night train up to Boden C and then go through the booking system again to book a seat separately from Boden C to your final destination. Check the train number - it should be the same train, there is no need to change train (though you may be required to change seat on the train of course). For example, if night train no. 94 is full for the Arlanda C - Kiruna, book Arlanda C - Boden C on train no. 94 with sleeping compartment and Boden C - Kiruna Station also on train no. 94 but with seat only. NB: When booking your seat, book the seat one day LATER OR EARLIER (depending on direction of travel) than the night train. For example, book night train Arlanda C - Boden C for 13th April and seat Boden C - Abisko Turiststation for 14th April (as you will arrive Boden on the 14th).

For group bookings, SJ offers special group rates for groups of 10 or more persons, and you may in any case not be able to book online for 10 or more persons (without splitting your booking into separate ones). For prices and information, see the online quotation form at https://www.sj.se/en/we-offer/group-trips.html.

NB: If you are travelling on a service operated by Norwegian trail operator VY (for example the night train from Stockholm to Kiruna), the SJ Group Travel service will not be able to assist. You should instead contact VY. You can see contact details for VY at https://www.vy.se/en/customer-service/help-and-contact under "Vy Passenger Train > Group travel email address" (partnerservice@vy.se).

When booking on the SJ website, you may be asked to enter card digits for "SJ Prio Points". This refers to a customer loyalty card and is not requesting payment information. Leave this part blank. Payment details are entered elsewhere in the booking process.

Due to increased security measures, the SJ website may on rare occasions reject payment from some non-Swedish cards. If this happens, try one of the following:

• Try an alternative card or a card from another person (such as another member of your group).
• SJ and other public transport tickets can also be booked online at www.snalltaget.se. It is possible that you may not experience the same difficulties if booking through them. For trains operated by Norwegian train company VY, you can also try booking through the VY website for Sweden instead.
• Use a ticket agent. Tickets can be booked in the UK through https://rail-travel.co.uk/ (the rail travel department of The Travel Bureau - please note that Rail Travel may charge a booking fee for this service). We cannot advise whether Rail Travel is able to assist clients from outside the UK, but if not, you may wish to contact your local travel agent.
• If you continue to experience difficulties after trying the above, please contact us and we will do our best to assist.

When you come to the booking page, the form will ask for your telephone number. If you have difficulty entering a valid number (try first with your country code such as 0044711111111, etc), use a "dummy" number such as 0870 12345678. The number entered here is not essential to your booking.

Many Swedish place names will use the Swedish letters å, ä and ö. If you do not have these characters on your keyboard, you can usually replace them with the English characters a and o. The system will normally make a guess as to the place name. If you have difficulties, you can also copy and paste these characters from this document.

If travelling to or from Gothenburg, bear in mind that the Swedish name for Gothenburg is Göteborg.

In all Swedish station names, "C" signifies the central station (e.g. Stockholm C = Stockholm Central).

Occasionally (for example if you are being advised of a change to booked train times, etc), SJ may contact you with information about your booking, and unfortunately this information is often provided in Swedish only. You can use an online service such as Google Translate for an approximate translation, but if you would like any assistance or clarification, you are welcome to forward the message to us and we will decipher it for you!

Both the train and bus components of your journey can be purchased on the SJ website. There are two advantages to booking both parts together:

• Convenience: You then have all the tickets you need in advance and don't need to arrange to buy your bus tickets locally before travel (at a kiosk or automat, for example), which may be required on many services.
• The SJ "Get There Guarantee": When purchasing SJ services combined with other connections such as bus, SJ offers a "Resplus Resegaranti" (Travel Plus Travel Guarantee), which offers increased protection and assistance if your train or bus is delayed and you miss onward components of your ticket. You can see information on the SJ webiste at https://www.sj.se/sv/vi-erbjuder/biljetter/resplus.html. See the section "Kom fram garanti". This information is in Swedish only, but you can use Google Translate or similar for an English version. In the event of a problematic delay, contact the train staff or bus driver to advise them of the difficulty. See also the information here regarding procedure for claiming compensation from SJ in the event of delays (under "Ersättning för försening för Resplusresor" - note there is a separate section and procedure described there for passengers travelling with Resplus tickets).