(edit title) Trip to the cold north! Suggestions... From Gothenburg to Kiruna by train Options

[Nesh_]

Hello folks!

I am planning a trip from Goteborg to Kiruna (or around there) by train.
I know it is quite a long trip, so I decided to stop in several cities along the way and couchsurf there.

My question is mainly to get info about the Northern lifestyle and traditions as well as to get suggestion concerning which cities I should visit.

I have found these cities to be big and probably interesting to see:

From Goteborg:

- Gävle
- Sundsvall
- Umeå
- Luleå
- Porjus
- Kiruna

I know most of them just because of the universities they have there; and Porjus because it is supposedly a good place from where to watch the Northern lights.

If you have ANY suggestion, tip, idea or anything to tell me, please be welcome.
This is a trip that, if needed, can last a week or two as it is very likely the only one I will do in this crazy way. So, I don't want to miss anything along the way.

P.S. I don't really have to go to Kiruna, but since Im going north, I want to go as northern as possible

Thanks in advance.

N.

[skogsbo]

This is a trip that, if needed, can last a week or two as it is very likely the only one I will do in this crazy way.

getting a train from south to northern Sweden isn't that crazy?

[gplusa]

If you are planning to go to Porjus, then you're going to have to go at least as far as Gällivare. So you might as well continue to Kiruna. In fact, why not do the full package and continue through to Narvik ? The route through Riksgränsen is pretty special, especially coming down into the fjords. Porjus itself isn't spectacular, it's the former Dam construction town, but the scenery is worth the trip. It's my preferred drving route between Luleå and Kiruna. Kind of a Feel Good part of the world with quite a heavy reindeer population. Kiruna is an interesting town, although not the world's prettiest. It's worth wandering around and trying to figure out how they plan to move the entire town to allow for the underground mine expansion. Obviously the mine dominates the area. That's worth viewing at night when they thoughtfully light it up like a Christmas tree. I was in Kiruna a couple of days ago. It wasn't especially cold, maybe -5 or 6 deg, but there was a pretty serious snowstorm that blew in. Visibility of about 10m. Something that you don't experience in many places.

-14 in Boden this morning. Winter is FINALLY on it's way.

[Svensksmith]

When are you going? There is a winter market in Jokkmokk in February, I believe.

[Nesh_]

I am thinking to go around December or so, so there would be Christmas atmosphere (I suppose).

Thanks gplusa for the info, I will consider going to Narvik.
Another question, once I get to Luleå, what is the best way to continue my trip? Still by train?

[gplusa]

Yes, train is your best option, in my opinion. There's a good service Luleå-Gällivare-Kiruna-Riksgränsen-Narvik leaving several times a day. From memory the 7am train gets into Narvik at around lunchtime. If you want to go to Porjus you can hop off the train in Gällivare and then either rent a car or take a bus. It's about 30 minutes from Gällivare. Jokkmokk, as mentioned, isn't a bad place to visit. Porjus lies halfway between Gällivare and Jokkmokk. If you were to take that route then you're best to continue by road back to Boden and pick up the train back south from there. So an option is to take the train right through to Narvik hop off in Gällivare on the way back, take the road trip through Porjus and Jokkmokk to Boden, climb and the train again, and continue on home. If you have a car for the road section (instead of the bus) you can also do some ice road driving across the river. Another advantage of taking the road for that section is that you get to stop on the official Arctic Circle line. If that's your thing.