Can you buy a ticket on board a train in Sweden?
On-board ticket sales on Snälltåget and where SJ says you buy tickets.
Short answer
On Snälltåget you can buy a paper ticket on board if space permits, paying by card, Swish or exact cash, but no seat is guaranteed. Other train companies set their own rules, and SJ names its website and app as its sales channels, so check your operator before you board without a ticket.
Why
- Snälltåget's terms say that if space permits, tickets may be purchased on board, and that passengers must contact train staff before boarding.
- According to Snälltåget, on-board tickets are paper tickets, no seat is guaranteed, and payment is by Mastercard, VISA, Swish or exact cash in SEK, EUR or DKK.
- SJ said in a press release of 1 October 2025 that its tickets are sold on sj.se and in the SJ app.
Details
Snälltåget's usual sales channels are its website and customer service, and customer service adds a fee of SEK 100 if the ticket could have been booked online. Interrail says that on trains where a reservation is compulsory, such as SJ high-speed trains, you can only board with a reservation made in advance. See how to buy SJ tickets and what a trip to Sweden costs.
Tip
Buy your ticket before you get to the platform, since an on-board ticket on Snälltåget depends on free space. Cross-border options are described in international buses and trains.
What may differ
Rules depend on the operator and train: on Snälltåget on-board sales are subject to space, while on trains with compulsory reservations the seat must be booked in advance.
Common misconception
You can always hop on a Swedish train and pay the conductor.
What actually happens
Snälltåget sells tickets on board only if space permits and does not guarantee a seat, and Interrail says SJ high-speed trains can only be boarded with a reservation made in advance.
People also ask
- Can I buy a ticket on the train in Sweden?
- Can you buy an SJ ticket on board?
Sources
- Snälltåget: Terms and conditionsChecked at:
- Snälltåget: Frequently asked questionsChecked at:
- SJ press release: tickets for Christmas and New Year (1 October 2025)Checked at:
- Interrail: SJ high-speed trainChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the train company before you travel.
How to buy SJ ticketsRelated questions
-
Do you get compensation for a delayed Snälltåget train?
Yes, Snälltåget pays 25% of the ticket price if you arrive 60 to 119 minutes late and 50% if you arrive 120 minutes or more late.
-
Where does Viking Line leave from in Stockholm?
Viking Line ferries leave from the Stadsgården terminal in Stockholm, at Tegelvikshamn, SE-11630 Stockholm, according to Ports of Stockholm and Viking Line.
-
What is the 'försalong' on Destination Gotland?
On Destination Gotland, the försalong is a lounge with reclining seats where films are shown on monitors during the crossing.
-
Is the Arlanda Express included in an SAS ticket?
Arlanda Express sells its own train tickets, and its price list, its ticket terms and Swedavia's train page mention no SAS or other airline ticket that includes the ride.