Meteorologen Summer Lodge on a lush and sunny day
Meteorologen Summer Lodge on a lush and sunny day
Meteorologen Summer Lodge on a lush and sunny day
Meteorologen Summer Lodge on a lush and sunny day

How to get to the Riksgränsen.

Popular airlines

Airport Distance Time required
Kiruna
Distance
Stockholm - Kiruna
Time required
1h 40m
Distance
Düsseldorf - Kiruna
Time required
3h 10m
Distance
Copenhagen - Kiruna
Time required
Enter value 2h 20m
Evenes (Harstad/Narvik)
Distance
Oslo - Evenes
Time required
1h 45m
Distance
Frankfurt - Evenes
Time required
3h 10m
Distance
Zurich - Evenes
Time required
3h 40m
Distance
Milan - Evenes
Time required
3h 55m

Train connections

Connections Section of the route Time required
Stockholm - Riksgränsen
Section of the route
The whole route
Time required
~18 h
Section of the route
Stockholm - Kiruna
Time required
~14h 20m
Section of the route
Kiruna - RIksgränsen
Time required
~1h 30m
Riksgränsen - Narvik
Section of the route
The whole route
Time required
~1h
Section of the route
Riksgränsen - Björkliden
Time required
~30 min
Section of the route
Riksgränsen - Björnfjell
Time required
~40 min

Bus routes

Distance Time required
Kiruna train station - RIksgränsen station
Time required
~2h
RIksgränsen station - Abisko
Time required
~40 min
Riksgränsen - Björkliden stn.
Time required
~20 min
Riksgränsen stn. - Narvik stn.
Time required
~50 min

Bil

Distance Time required
Kiruna - RIksgränsen
Time required
~1,5h
Narvik - Riksgränsen
Time required
~40 min
Riksgränsen - Björkliden
Time required
~20 min
Stockholm - Riksgränsen
Time required
~16h
Gothenburg - Riksgränsen
Time required
~20h 38 min
Copenhagen - Riksgränsen
Time required
~23h
Düsseldorf - Björkliden
Time required
~33h
a runner on the way to Katterjåkk at Riksgränsen

A guide to safer car travel

The road, the road conditions, and the journey through the Arctic mountains by car

Safety on the road
mountain contours in the distance

The journey is part of the experience

Rent en bil i Kiruna

Traveling by car to Riksgränsen is something to behold. As soon as you leave Kiruna, the horizon begins to change. The low-key mountain forest opens up and the snow-capped peaks in the west become increasingly dominant.

One of the highlights of the trip is the view of Torneträsk, one of Sweden's largest and deepest lakes. The road winds along the southern shore of the lake, offering miles of views of the crystal blue (or sparkling white in winter) water, with steep mountain walls plunging into the depths on the other side.

As you approach Abisko and Björkliden, perhaps Sweden's most photographed motif reveals itself: Lapporten (Čuonjávággi). The U-shaped valley lies there like a magnificent gate in the landscape, watching over travelers.

At Kiruna Airport you can rent a car. If you stay with us in Riksgränsen (or Björkliden), you also get a 15% discount with AVIS. At the time of booking, enter code S303712 - either by phone or online. Remember that you cannot use the discount code afterwards, only at the time of booking. The discount code is only valid at AVIS in Kiruna.
Rent a car at the airport

Transfer options from Kiruna

Landing in Kiruna is the most common route to Riksgränsen. From here you have both affordable buses and the classic mountain train to choose from.

Direct bus

This is often the easiest option as you do not have to change in the center of Kiruna.

  • Kiruna Bus offers airport transfers from Kiruna Train Station or Stadshustorget to Riksgränsen and onwards towards Narvik. Book via thebooking.se

  • Länstrafiken Norrbotten (Line 91): During the season (winter and summer), line 91 sometimes runs all the way from the airport to Riksgränsen Vändplan. Find the journey: Lanstrafikennorrbotten.se

Train

From Kiruna, the train heads towards Narvik, stopping at Riksgränsen, and is a historical and beautiful journey through the Kiruna mountains. The iron ore line was built long before there were roads to our fantastic location. Book your trip at sj.se.

taxi

For those traveling longer distances, sometimes convenience is more important than price, in which case there are taxis. Taxi Kiruna through Sverigetaxi operates the route - we recommend that you pre-book a taxi as there are not always taxis available.

Nordalsfjället i fjärran en solig sommardag

Car rental

Rent a car at Evenes airport

Landing at Evenes and getting in the car towards Riksgränsen is like starting a movie scene. This journey takes you through a landscape that constantly shifts character – from dramatic Norwegian coastlines to rugged, vast mountain ranges.

You meander along glittering fjords where mountains rise vertically out of the turquoise water. The views across the Ofotfjord are magnificent, and the bridge over to Narvik gives a sense of freedom. After passing Narvik, the climb begins towards Riksgränsen and the mighty ascent up Björnfjell. This is where the landscape really changes. The dense vegetation thins out and is replaced by a barren, Arctic high mountain landscape.

From Evenes you can easily rent a car to get to Riksgränsen. The journey takes about 2 hours depending on the road conditions. We recommend that you check that the roads are open. Sometimes they are closed due to storms when traveling over the Norwegian-Swedish mountains. More information can be found on the website of the Swedish Transport Administration and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
Rent a car at the airport

Transfer from Evenes to Riksgränsen

Traveling from Evenes Airport to Riksgränsen is one of the most spectacular ways to reach us. You leave the Norwegian fjords and follow the road up through Ofotdalen and further into the Arctic mountains. Here are your best options for a trip without a rental car:

Airport bus to Narvik

On arrival in Evenes, take the airport bus (FB82 aerobuses) which takes you directly to the center of Narvik. The journey takes about 50-60 minutes and offers beautiful views along the Norwegian coastal roads.

Tip: Ask the driver to drop you off near the railway station (Narvik stasjon). Otherwise, the stop is located at the Quality Hotel Grand Narvik, about a 3-minute walk from the station.

Arctic Train - A guided mountain journey

The Arctic Train runs on the historic Ofot Railway and is designed for those who want a little extra. The train has large windows for maximum views and there are often guides or apps with stories about the dramatic nature and history along the way.

  • Stop: Get off at Riksgränsen station.

  • Booking: Tickets can be purchased directly via arctictrain.com.

SJ's trains on the Malmbanan

SJ also operates the route as part of its lines between Narvik, Kiruna, Luleå and Stockholm. This is often the most affordable option and has several departures per day.

Bus stop: Get off at Riksgränsen station.

Booking: Search and book at sj.se.

Transfer bus (for those with Arctic Ski Pass)

During the ski season there is also The Arctic Ski Bus. If you have purchased an Arctic Ski Pass (valid in Björkliden, Riksgränsen and Narvikfjellet), the bus transfer between the resorts is included free of charge and the bus stops at Riksgränsen.

  • Booking: Place should pre-booked to guarantee space.

Good to know: Riksgränsen train station is located in the middle of the village, close to hotels, restaurants and lifts. From here it is a short walk to most things - and you are directly surrounded by the mountain world.

Driving through the Arctic landscape - A guide to safe driving

The journey along the E10 between the sea in Narvik and the mountain peaks of Riksgränsen is spectacular, but the Arctic weather can change in minutes. To make your journey as safe and enjoyable as possible, there are some important things to keep in mind before you get behind the wheel.

Check if the road is open

Swedish Transport Administration (opens in new tab)

Public Roads Administration (opens in new tab)

Road safety in the mountains

Vägarna i norr kräver respekt, även under sommarmånaderna. Kraftiga arktiska sommarregn kan snabbt skapa vattenplaning i de spåriga vägbanorna, och i de högre passagen kan tät fjälldimma rulla in och drastiskt reducera sikten till bara några meter. Håll ett rejält avstånd till framförvarande fordon. Tänk också på att tunga transporter och husbilar är mycket vanliga på denna sträcka under semestern; ge dina medtrafikanter utrymme och undvik riskfyllda omkörningar i de kurviga och branta partierna.

Why is the road sometimes closed?

Säkerheten och vägunderhållet kommer alltid först. Den vanligaste orsaken till att trafiken saktas ner eller tillfälligt stoppas över Riksgränsen (Björnfjell) under sommaren är utdragna vägarbeten, asfaltering eller akuta skredsäkringar efter kraftiga skyfall. Vid extremt tät dimma eller hårda stormbyar på kalfjället kan sikten bli så dålig att hastigheten måste sänkas dramatiskt. Håll alltid koll på lokala trafikmeddelanden Trafikverket (Sverige) och Statens Vegvesen (Norge) innan du kör.

Checklist for your car trip

  • Vind- och regnkläder i kupén
    Fjällvädret är lurigt. Även om det är soligt när du startar kan du behöva kliva ur bilen i hällregn och hård vind om du hamnar i en bilkö eller vill stanna vid ett utsiktsplats. Ha alltid en skaljacka nära till hands.
  • Fuel and battery
    Se till att ha välfylld tank eller ett välladdat batteri. Avstånden mellan stationerna är långa, och vid eventuella köer på grund av vägarbeten vill du ha marginalerna på din sida för luftkonditionering eller laddning.
  • Förhöjd viltfara (Renar och kalvar)
    Sommartid är renarna uppe på kalfjället och de söker sig ofta upp på asfalten för att undslippa insekter eller för att slicka salt. Var extra vaksam på nyfödda kalvar som är orädda och kan virra ut i vägbanan helt oväntat.
  • Midnattssol och trötthet
    Det eviga ljuset är fantastiskt, men det kan lura kroppens dygnsrytm. Planera dina pauser väl – att köra trött på kurviga fjällvägar är en stor risk, oavsett hur ljust det är mitt i natten.

Att köra i arktiska Skandinavien under sommaren är en magisk del av äventyret, men det kräver vaksamhet. Genom att ta det lugnt och respektera vädrets makter ser du till att resan blir precis så oförglömlig som utsikten lovar.

mountain thistle in the foreground of a glacial river and mountain peak

Kiruna bus - transfer between Kiruna to Narvik

Book a transfer
två glada människor går med packning en mulen dag

Local traffic

Ride the bus like the locals with Länstrafik Norrbotten

Search travel
passagerartåg på väg genom ett lummigt och grönskande landskap mot Riksgränsen

A historical journey

The train on the ore line - a historic route

Rolling out of Kiruna station and starting the journey towards Riksgränsen along Malmbanan is like stepping straight into a living postcard. As the train winds its way through the barren landscape, you pass vast mountain ranges and sparkling lakes. It's a peaceful but impressive journey where you can sit back and watch the Arctic landscape change character outside the window.

Once you arrive in Riksgränsen, you get off at one of Sweden's highest stations, surrounded by magnificent mountain nature. From the station it is about 5-10 minutes walk to hotels and restaurants in the area.
Book a train