So I don’t think I’ve ever reviewed a train before. I love trains and rail journeys, it’s one of my favorite ways to travel. So when we were visiting Scandinavia, we decided to take Sweden’s SJ X2000 between Stockholm and Oslo. SJ is the rail carrier in Sweden and has a pretty decent high speed rail network. Not as good as Germany or Japan, but between the cities, Sweden and SJ have pushed for more and better rail.
The SJ X2 is their flagship high speed train. They run the X2 on the major routes between Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo, Copenhagen, and Oslo. We decided to take SJ between Stockholm and Copenhagen. We also spend a few extra krona to book SJ First Class on the X2. It was only a little bit more expensive and we figured the extra space would be nice on the 5 hour ride.
Bottom Line: We ended up really enjoying our ride on the SJ X2. Unfortunately it was night time so the view wasn’t great, but the ride was enjoyable. The only down side is that Stockholm to Copenhagen is 5 hours on the SJ X2. Even in first class, that’s a long time. Especially when the flight is just about an hour. I don’t regret using the train, but I think I’d consider flying this route.
Stockholm Central Station
Here’s where train travel really excels. Stockholm Central Station is right in the middle of town. We walked here in about 8 minutes from our hotel. If we were going to fly from ARN, we’d have to come here first anyway. Be a little careful here in Stockholm though as there are 2 train stations. Stockholm City Station is right down the street and is for local trains, not the long distance trains like Central Station.
We walked up to Stockholm Central about 20 minutes before our train was scheduled to leave. The station is all decorated for Christmas and looks great in the night.
Inside the Stockholm Central Station was also decorated for Christmas. The station main hall is very pretty and a lovely piece of architecture.
Once on the floor of the main hall, we did like everyone does in every single train station in the world, we looked at the big board and stood there like penguins in a pack. I don’t care where you are, this is the behavior, you penguin at the board until a departure track is shown. Then a few people leave the pack and head down to the departure platform.
We’re leaving out of track 11 tonight, we passed under the tracks and then up the stairs to the platform.
SJ X2000 Train
Right on time our SJ X2000 pulled into the station. It’s not the most modern looking train, but they are interesting in that they are a tilting train allowing them to run at higher speeds on older tracks.
SJ X2000 First Class Seats
We boarded the train and found our seats in First Class on the SJ X2000. There is a refurbishment effort going on for the X2, but this is the older configuration. The SJ First Class is 3 abreast with 2 seats on one side and 1 on the other. We’re on the 2 seat side of the cabin. SJ First Class comes with seat reservations.
The other side of the train has a single seat. These are great for solo travelers. There’s also a table seat with two single seats facing each other. There’s only one of these per car and would have been my preference, but it was already reserved when we booked this SJ trip.
The SJ X2 First Class seat is very roomy, it has a coat hook you can use. This got annoing pretty quickly so my coat went into the overhead.
The leg room is excellent. There’s no foot rest like some trains would have, but the SJ X2 has lots of room to stretch out.
In each SJ X2 First Class seat there is power for charging devices. There’s also free Wifi on the X2 Train.
One little oddity is how the seats recline in First Class on the SJ X2, the seat recline lever is under the seat between your legs. It’s just like some car seat adjustments, not hard to use, just different than what I was expecting.
SJ X2000 First Class Baggage Storage
Near the ends of each X2000 carriage is baggage storage for larger bags. Like pretty much all trains, as long as you can carry it and store it, you can bring it on the SJ train. There is no such thing as checked baggage, you’re responsible for your bags.
Smaller bags can go over head. We put our backpacks overhead in First Class on the X2000. There wasn’t an issue for everyone storing their bags.
Our SJ First Class seats were also backed up to another set of seats. This gives a great space for more baggage storage. We put our roller bags in the space between the seats.
SJ X2000 Bistro Car
The SJ X2000 has a bistro car that’s near the middle of the train. In the bistro car you can buy snacks and drinks. They are a reasonable price too. There’s also seating in the bistro car if you want to relax away from your regular seat.
The bistro car is well stocked with all sorts of items. There were sandwiches and salads. There’s also a decent drinks selection. You can take any of these back to your seat too. Just things like beer and wine has to be opened here, you cannot take unopened bottles to your seat.
I grabbed an IPA for myself pretty soon after departing from Stockholm.
Val wanted this pilsner. We both agreed that the IPA was much better than the pilsner.
SJ X2000 First Class Journey
We settled into our 5 hour ride down to Copenhagen. There will be a about a dozen stops along the way. The SJ X2 first class carriage was quiet. I put in my headphones and streamed a few shows via the onboard wifi.
About two hours into the journey we broke out some sandwiches. These sandwiches we brought from a cafe back in Stockholm. I never get onto a 5 hour journey without a snack. I also took a walk down to the bistro to get another beer. We would have been just fine with the SJ X2 bistro’s food selection.
The SJ X2 First Class carriage has tea, coffee, water, and snacks available at all times. It’s a nice little snack option, but not enough for a meal.
SJ X2000 Bathrooms
Each SJ X2 carriage has a bathroom facility.
These weren’t great. About the same as you’d find on a long plane trip. It was clean enough I guess, but really not a high point of the journey.
SJ X2000 View
It’s November in Sweden, it get’s dark around 3pm. So the entire trip was unfortunately just darkness outside the windows. We’d get a gimps of some towns when our SJ X2 arrived into the stations, but beyond that there was very little to look at. I was a little disappointing as I was looking forward to seeing the Swedish country side, but no luck. I should have used my brain a little bit more on that one.
SJ X2000 Arrival into Copenhagen
After our 5 hour SJ trip we arrived into Copenhagen. Like with many trains in Europe the doors don’t open automatically at each stop. You pull the handle to open the door on the correct side of the train.
We arrived into the Copenhagen central station right on time.
SJ X2000 First Class Final Thoughts
I always enjoy a train journey and the SJ X2000 was no exception. The First Class seats on the SJ X2 were comfortable and pleasant. I wouldn’t say this is the most quiet or smooth train I’ve ever been on, but that’s a function of running the X2 over older rails. Walking around in the train was a bit of an experience with the tilting function.
I’m glad we brought our own sandwiches, but we would have been just fine with the selection in the SJ Bistro Carriage. We enjoyed a few beers that we had along with the water and coffee in the First Class section.
The biggest question is probably “Is the SJ X2000 better than taking a flight?” I can answer that with a maybe. First Class on the SJ X2 was cheaper than an economy flight between Stockholm and Copenhagen. The train also departs and arrives right into the city center so the train is certainly convenient. The train takes longer than flying, there’s no way around it. The total travel time with early arrival at the station, the SJ X2 took about 5:30 from Stockholm to Copenhagen. The flight would have been about 4 hours. (1.5 hour flight, 1.5 hour early at the airport, 30 minutes city center to airport X2).
I’d gladly take the SJ train again. It’s comfortable and easy. Not to mention you don’t have to worry about luggage or airport security. Maybe next time I do this in the summer when we have a view of the country side.
Follow This Trip
Air France 777-300 Business Class Flight Review JFK-CDG
Lounge Review: Air France CDG Terminal 2F Salon Schengen Area Lounge
Flight Review: Air France A220-300 Euro Business CDG-CPH
Hotel Review: 71 Nyhavn Hotel Copenhagen
Flight Review: SAS Airlines A320Neo Economy CPH-OSL
Hotel Review: Revier Hotel Oslo
Flight Review: Norwegian 737-800 Economy OSL-ARN
Hotel Review: At Six Stockholm Sweden
Train Review: Sweden SJ X 2000(X2)
I would say that you are right in term of travel time. But if you add in the check in before flight where you are asked to arrive 3 hours before flight departure and the travel time to the airport. Wouldnt you then still reach around 4-5 hours in total spent time?
If you arrive at the airport 3 hours ahead of time you’re absolutely right. The time would be a almost the exact same between flying and the train.
I usually get to the airport closer to 90 minutes early, sometimes even less. We rarely check baggage so 90 minutes tends to be more than enough.
I think the train is a more pleasant experience though!