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Chase the northern lights on this new midnight rail journey through the Arctic Circle

Credit: v2osk

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
A new overnight train journey will take passengers through northern lights territory.

The swaying, ethereal northern lights have long captured our collective imaginations. There are endless ways to spot this natural phenomenon, from cruise itineraries to sleeping in igloos. But now, there’s even a northern lights train ride. Swedish train operator Snälltåget is set to introduce a special night service crossing the Arctic Circle this November.

About the route

couple on Snälltåget train looking out the window
Enjoy the view as you travel from Malmö to Narvik. (Credit: Snälltåget)

The Malmö–Narvik route (2156 kilometres long) runs through Sweden to end up in Norway, between Malmö, Stockholm and Narvik. Along the way, passengers will have access to some of the best places in Scandinavia for observing the northern lights. Not to mention offering vistas of the mountainous landscapes north of the Arctic Circle.

The preliminary itinerary (which Snälltåget says is subject to change closer to the launch date, depending on infrastructure work) has the train stopping at popular areas for Arctic tourism – like Kiruna, Abisko and Björkliden – before arriving in Narvik, Norway, on Tuesday afternoon.

About the train

people in dining car eating on Snälltåget train
Book ahead to ensure a table and the meal you want. (Credit: Snälltåget)

The train itself offers private and shared sleeper options (if you can tear yourself away from the night sky). Private compartments are available for solo passengers or groups up to six. The seats are converted into beds for the night, with bed linen included. For a more budget option, opt for a shared compartment with other passengers. When converted to sleeper mode, there are three beds on each side of the compartment.

Hungry? Head along to the Krogen dining car, where hot meals will be served throughout the journey. Snälltåget recommends reserving a table and pre-ordering the menu when purchasing a ticket to make sure you get what you want. Here, you’ll also find a self-service area to buy coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, sandwiches, pastries and snacks.

Staying in Narvik

aurora borealis / northern lights in europe
Extend your time in northern lights country. (Credit: v2osk)

When arriving in Narvik, many passengers opt to stay for a while and soak it all in. Here, you’ll find a dramatic mix of Arctic nature, Second World War history and outdoor adventures. Plus, of course, a wide variety of northern lights tours (to really increase your chances of spotting them) in clear autumn, winter and spring skies.

The details:

private sleeper compartment on Snälltåget train
Book a private sleeper compartment. (Credit: Snälltåget)

Departure dates: The service will first depart from Malmö on Monday 23 November, travelling via Stockholm to northern Sweden, then on to Narvik. The return trip is scheduled for Friday, November 27, 2026, from Narvik to Stockholm and Malmö.

Cost: Interrail pass holders will pay from around $362 for a private compartment. Passengers booking a return journey in a private compartment will receive a 20 per cent discount.

Dining cost: Lunch will cost around $27 and dinner around $44. Breakfast can be booked in the dining car or as a compartment package for around $22.

Tickets: Book an Interrail pass or through Snälltåget’s online booking system.

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days.
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5 things every hotel needs for a more restorative stay

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    Continue
    Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

    The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

    1. Easy access to good food

    meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20
    Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

    One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

    In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

    In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

    Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

    At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

    While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

    It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

    2. Better sleep options

    Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room
    Sleep deeply with Novotel.

    There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

    For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

    The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

    3. More ways to move

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    Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

    Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

    At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

    Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

    4. Better connections

    Novotel Sharm El Sheikh
    Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

    One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

    Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

    A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

    5. Location is everything

    Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld
    Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

    Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

    All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

    Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.