KUNGSLEDEN TRAIL
GETTING TO NORTHERN SWEDEN
The way in which you reach the Kungsleden is largely dependent on which section of the trail you are planning to hike. This can be as simple as round-trip flights to Kiruna if you are hiking the Abisko to Nikkaluokta northern loop, to somewhat complex combinations of trains and busses to reach the more remote areas along the trail such as Kvikkjokk or Ammarnäs.
If you have already decided on which section of the trail you are hiking, then I will use the same overview as in that article and split the Kungsleden into 3 main sections.
RESROBOT is a website which covers all transportation in Sweden. It is useful for checking timetables and travel planning without having to go to the individual bus, train, and airline websites. Due to the multitude of options for reaching northern Sweden, I highly recommend using this resource in your travel planning, as I can only provide a rough overview of all the possible routes.
You can also manually see the scheduled bus routes on the bus websiteS. When possible, I have listed the relevant bus number.
If traveling with a combination of train and bus, it is best to book your full journey through the Swedish SJ train website. Taking the night train from Stockholm can be a useful way to get yourself to the north by morning (Gällivare) or afternoon (Kiruna and Abisko) the following day. The same applies for the journey south.
HELPFUL LINKS
RESROBOT
NEXT JET
SAS AIRLINES
SJ TRAIN
LÄNSTRAFIKEN NORRBOTTEN BUS
LÄNSTRAFIKEN VÄSTERBOTTEN BUS
LAPLANDSPILEN BUS
YBUS
KUNGSLEDEN NORTH – ABISKO TO KVIKKJOKK
ENTRY – EXIT LOCATIONS
Abisko
Nikkaluokta
Vakkotavare
Saltoluokta
Kvikkjokk
TRAVEL PLANNING
Kiruna is the main transport hub in the north of Sweden and will be your likely arrival/departure destination from/to locations outside of Sweden. If you are only hiking the northern loop of the trail, then Kiruna will also be your transport hub north to Abisko – bus or train, or west to Nikkaluokta – bus. Kiruna is serviced with numerous daily flights from Stockholm, the daily night train from Stockholm, a train from Narvik, Norway, as well as numerous other regional buses. Depending on the season and where you are traveling from, an overnight in Kiruna may be required on arrival or departure from the hike.
If you are entering/exiting the trail at some of the southern points: Vakkotavare, Saltoluokta, or Kvikkjokk, then things get a little more complicated. Gällivare will be your transport hub for Vakkotavare or Saltoluokta, where bus, train, and air connections can be found. Kvikkjokk will require additional transit via Murjek/Jokkmokk, with continuation via bus or train.
If traveling with a combination of train and bus, it is best to book your full journey through the Swedish SJ train website, as there is insurance included should the train be delayed and you miss further connections. Taking the night train from Stockholm can be a useful way to get yourself to the north by morning (Gällivare) or afternoon (Kiruna and Abisko) the following day. The same applies for the journey south.
Kiruna
Kiruna is the main transit point for Abisko and Nikkaluokta. Kiruna is a long ways north, so flying is generally the recommended option.
Air
SAS airlines operates multiple daily flights from Stockholm.
From Kiruna airport, bus transport is available to the central bus station and train station for further transit. Note, this bus does not meet with every arrival, particularly late night arrivals, at which point a taxi might be necessary.
Train
A daily night train from Stockholm also runs to Kiruna. Leaving Stockholm around 16:00, and with a stop at Arlanda airport, the train reaches Kiruna the following morning around 09:30 (and continues on to Abisko/Narvik) this can be a convenient way to reach the north if you would otherwise be required to overnight in Kiruna due to a late arrival.
From Kiruna train station, a bus connection is available to the central bus station, where further transit to Nikkaluokta is available.
Bus
There are multiple local bus connections to Kiruna. However, if originating from outside of Sweden, flying or the train is a better method to get north.
Nikkaluokta
Bus number 92 connects Kiruna and Nikkaluokta. During the seasons there are 2 departures daily from Kiruna and Nikkaluokta: morning and afternoon. Journey time is approximately 1 hour.
Note: this bus is seasonal and only operates while the STF huts are open. This is typically late June to late September.
Abisko
Daily train departures from Kiruna and Narvik, Norway, run year round to Abisko, including the night train from/to Stockholm (via Kiruna).
Bus number 91 runs seasonally between Kiruna and Narvik, with morning and afternoon departures.
Depending on when you would otherwise arrive in Kiruna, it can be a convenient option to catch the night train from Stockholm/Arlanda, arriving in Abisko the following day around noon.
Gällivare – Saltoluokta / Vakkotavare
Gällivare is the main transport hub to Saltoluokta (Kebnats) and Vakkotavare.
Next Jet airlines operates a daily flight from/to Stockholm. However, if traveling from outside of Sweden, your likely only option will be an evening flight from Stockholm, requiring an overnight in Gällivare before further bus connection in the morning.
The night train from Stockholm arrives in Gällivare in the early morning. The train meets with the further bus connection, making this the most convenient option if traveling from outside of Sweden.
Bus number 93 meets with the arrival of the train from Stockholm during the season and will then take you to Saltoluokta (Kebnats) and Vakkotavare.
Jokkmokk / Murjek – Kvikkjokk
Reaching or departing Kvikkjokk can take a bit of effort. Depending on where you are arriving from or heading to, there might be no convenient option.
If traveling from outside of Sweden, taking the night train from Stockholm to Murjek will likely be the best option.
Bus number 94 runs daily between the night train at Murjek and Kvikkjokk during the season.
Bus number 43 connects the train at Murjek to Jokkmokk.
Bus number 47 connects Jokkmokk and Kvikkjokk.