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COVID-19

How to travel around Sweden by train this summer

From June 13th the restrictions on travelling within Sweden will be lifted for people without any symptoms, but the Public Health Agency has issued special guidance on how public transport should be used. Here's what that means for train travel.

How to travel around Sweden by train this summer
Trains leaving from Stockholm to Gothenburg. File photo: Pontus Lundahl / TT

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, which is at significantly different stages in different parts of Sweden, the agency has said everyone in Sweden should still choose other means of transport if possible (such as cycling or driving). If you do use public transport for a non-essential journey, you should avoid rush hour and choose an option where you can book a fixed seat in advance. 

This is to ensure you will be able to keep following the other guidelines that remain in place to limit the spread of infection, including keeping a distance from others in public. It's also important not to travel at all if you show any signs of illness, and most companies will refund your ticket if you develop symptoms before planned travel.

There are a few different train companies that traffic different stretches in Sweden, but the largest rail operator is SJ. If you're planning extensive travel within Sweden, it may be worthwhile to buy a 15-day or 30-day pass, which start at 3,295 kronor for 15 days with discounts for students, under-26s and pensioners.

From July 1st, it will be possible to book adjacent seats on SJ trains for passengers travelling together, something which isn't currently possible (although you can ask train staff to sit together after boarding, for example if travelling with children). You should still keep a distance from other passengers on board, and SJ will not be filling trains to the usual capacity. 

If you develop symptoms and are unable to travel on your planned date, SJ allows fee-free cancellation. You can read about SJ's efforts to reduce the spread of infection, and train cancellations, here.

MTRX, an alternative for train travel between Stockholm and Gothenburg, also introduced measures due to the coronavirus, but be aware that many of these change from June 14th.

For journeys with departure up until June 14th, you can cancel up to 48 hours beforehand and receive a voucher for the equivalent amount, and all new bookings with departure up until June 14th include a free seat next to you, meaning you won't be sitting next to a stranger.

MTRX hasn't yet announced any measures for after June 14th, but you can read more about how they're responding to the virus outbreak here.

Snälltåget is currently offering free rebooking of all tickets bought before May 13th. You need to rebook at least 24 days before departure in most cases, and seven days before hand if you had booked a cabin.

These trains will also not be filled to capacity to help passengers keep their distance and seat bookings have been spread out through carriages. Keep up to date on the company's coronavirus measures here.

The Inlandsbanan, a tourist train offering slow travel options and package tours usually only operates during the summer but in 2020 has suspended all routes due to low demand. 

If your pre-booked trip is cancelled, you'll receive a full refund or re-booking, but most of the company's tours are set to run as normal. Read more about the company's response to the outbreak here.


Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/imagebank.sweden.se

If you're staying within your region this summer, you may be hoping to use local trains to explore. On these, it's less common to be able to book your own seat, so check with your region's transport operator if they have their own recommendations or changes to timetables and other policies due to the coronavirus.

In Stockholm, transport operator SL still asks passengers to avoid travelling with them unless absolutely essential, and especially to avoid rush hour. Read their guidelines here.

In Skåne, there are also changes although there's no general recommendation to avoid travel, except during rush hour. Up until June 14th, Skånetrafiken is offering a 7-day ticket to help people who usually get longer travel passes but are facing uncertainty. The company has also launched a live map where you can not only see where trains are, but also how many seats are filled on each one.

The region wants to promote travel within Skåne, which has so far been much less affected by the virus than other densely populated parts of Sweden. You can buy a summer ticket for 699 kronor, which can be used on trips within the region between June 15th and August 15th, on all routes run by Skånetrafiken. 

In Västra Götaland, Västtrafik has asked everyone to avoid non-essential journeys between 6am-8.30am and 3pm-6pm. Each week, the company also shares a list of the lines and stops which have been most crowded, to help passengers plan their journeys. Read more about their guidelines here.

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VISAS

Cost for getting a short-stay Schengen visa to rise on June 11th

The fee for getting a Schengen visa will rise by 12 percent in June, the European Commission has confirmed.

Cost for getting a short-stay Schengen visa to rise on June 11th

The hike means the basic fee for a Schengen visa will rise from €80 to €90 for adults and from €40 to €45 for children. The reason for the price hike has been blamed on inflation in member states.

Schengen visas can be obtained by non-EU citizens from countries that do not benefit from the EU / Schengen area’s 90-day rule such as such as nationals of South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and China.

Schengen visas are not required for citizens of countries including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia who are paying short visits to the EU, since they are entitled to 90 days of visa-free travel in every 180.

Anyone who wants to spend longer in an EU country will need to apply for a long-stay visa – but these are issued by individual countries, not the EU. The cost of these visas vary depending on the country and the type of visa (eg study visa, work visa).

In addition to raising the basic fee to €90, the EU has also proposed hiking the fee even higher for those countries who are deemed not be cooperative with receiving expelled citizens back from member states.

In this case the Schengen visa fee for citizens from that country will rise from €120/€160 to €135 /€180.

In addition, the revision of visa fees impacts the maximum amount that external service providers collecting visa applications on behalf of member states can charge, which is usually set at up to half the standard fee.

This charge would increase from €40 to €45.

The fee for a Schengen visa extension will remain at €30.

Revised every three years

Every three years the EU Commission is tasked to assess whether new fees are needed, considering “objective criteria”, such as the EU inflation rate and the average of civil servants’ salaries in EU member states.

The Commission published its proposal on February 2nd, following a meeting with experts from EU member states in December, when an “overwhelming majority” supported the revision.

The Commission says that even with the increase, the visa fees for the Schengen area are “still relatively low” compared to other countries. For instance, a visa for the USA costs €185, or €172; for the UK it starts from £115 (€134); for Canada it is $100 plus $85 for biometrics, or €130; for Australia $190, the equivalent of €117.

Digital-only visa

The EU is also planning to introduce a digital-only Schengen visa. This will allow to apply online, regardless of the Schengen country applicants intend to visit, and will replace the current sticker in passports with a digital visa.

According to the European Commission website, the digital platform will start operating in 2028.

Who needs a Schengen visa

The Schengen visa allows a stay for tourism or family visits (but not for work) in 28 European countries for up to 90 days in any 6-month period. People travelling for business trips, conferences or meetings apply for a Schengen business visa.

Anyone who wants to stay longer, or to work, needs a visa from the country they intend to visit.

The Schengen visa is required for citizens of countries who do not benefit from the ‘90-day rule’, such as nationals of South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and China.

It is not needed for other non-EU nationals such as Brits, Americans, Canadians or Australians who can spend up to 90 days in every 180 in the Schengen area without needing a visa. You can see the full list of countries who need a visa here.

Schengen countries include EU member states, excluding Ireland (which opted out), Cyprus, and Bulgaria and Romania for land borders. Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Switzerland are not EU members but have also joined the Schengen Convention.

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