Åre is one of Sweden’s best bases for exploring the mountains without a car. The railway runs through the village and connects it with lakeside communities, historic settlements and the regional centre of Östersund. With a little planning, day trips from Åre by train can add culture, food, shopping and slower-paced scenery to a mountain holiday.
Why take day trips from Åre by train?
Åre is famous for skiing, hiking and outdoor adventures, but the railway makes it easy to see another side of Jämtland. Trains follow the route east towards Östersund and west towards the mountain border at Storlien. Along the way, you can watch forests, rivers, farms and mountain views pass by without worrying about icy roads or parking.
Train travel is particularly useful during winter, when driving conditions can change quickly. It also allows you to enjoy a drink with lunch, carry shopping comfortably and make the journey part of the experience. The stations are generally close to the centres of the towns they serve, although some attractions require a local bus or a short taxi ride.
Schedules vary by weekday, season and engineering work. Before setting out, check the current timetable with the train operator or a Swedish journey planner. Some services are regional trains, while others are longer-distance trains that continue beyond Åre. Buying a ticket in advance is sensible on busy weekends, holidays and during the ski season.
The best day trips from Åre by train
Östersund: culture, cafés and Lake Storsjön
Östersund is the most practical full-day destination from Åre and one of the easiest train excursions in the region. The journey usually takes around one and a half hours, depending on the service. Trains travel east through the Jämtland landscape, with views of woodland, open countryside and, in some sections, Lake Storsjön.
Östersund has a compact centre that is easy to explore on foot from the railway station. Start with a walk along Prästgatan, the city’s main shopping street, where you will find independent shops, cafés and restaurants. From there, continue towards the waterfront for views across Lake Storsjön and the surrounding hills.
The Jamtli open-air museum is one of the city’s major attractions. It presents the history and culture of Jämtland through historic buildings, exhibitions and seasonal activities. The museum is especially appealing to visitors who want to understand local life beyond the ski resorts. Allow several hours if you want to see the indoor exhibitions as well as the historic environments.
Östersund is also known for its food scene. Look for menus featuring local ingredients such as game, Arctic char, mountain herbs and regional cheeses. In winter, a city day provides a welcome change from the slopes, while in summer it can be combined with a lakeside walk or a visit to one of the city’s parks.
- Best for: museums, shopping, restaurants and a relaxed city day
- Allow: a full day, with time for the return journey
- Good to know: check the walking distance from the station to Jamtli before booking your train
Järpen: a convenient small-town stop
Järpen is one of the nearest towns to Åre on the eastern railway line. The train ride is short, making it a useful choice when you want a low-effort outing or when the weather is uncertain. Järpen is not a large sightseeing destination, but it offers a look at everyday life in the Åre region away from the main resort.
The settlement is surrounded by forests, farmland and waterways, and the area has a quieter feel than central Åre. Depending on the season, you can use Järpen as the starting point for a local walk, visit a café or combine the trip with a pre-booked activity. Local services may have limited opening hours, particularly outside the summer and winter holiday periods, so check ahead.
Järpen works best as a half-day trip rather than a packed sightseeing itinerary. It is also a useful option for families who want a short train adventure with less time spent travelling. Bring suitable outdoor clothing if you plan to walk beyond the centre, as paths can be wet, snowy or uneven.
- Best for: a short outing, local atmosphere and flexible plans
- Allow: a few hours or a relaxed half day
- Good to know: verify return services before leaving Åre, especially at weekends
Krokom: countryside, food and local connections
Krokom lies farther east on the railway route towards Östersund. It is a practical stop for travellers interested in the rural side of Jämtland, although the town itself is more functional than tourist-oriented. The journey gives you a chance to see how the landscape changes as the high mountain environment around Åre opens into lower countryside.
A visit to Krokom can be combined with a walk, a meal or a local bus connection to another attraction in the municipality. Because the best activities may be spread out, research your onward transport before travelling. This is one of the nearby towns where a train ticket alone may not take you directly to every point of interest.
Krokom is most suitable for independent travellers who enjoy finding small local places rather than following a traditional sightseeing route. It can also be a useful base for people meeting friends or visiting an event. Check opening times carefully, as cafés, galleries and seasonal attractions may not operate every day.
Brunflo and the area south of Östersund
Some train services continue beyond Östersund towards Brunflo and other destinations in central Jämtland. Brunflo is not usually the first choice for visitors seeking a classic tourist day, but it can suit travellers with an interest in local history, churches and the landscapes around Lake Storsjön.
This option requires more timetable planning than Östersund because services and connections may be less frequent. It is best considered when you have a specific place to visit or an arranged activity. If you simply want a straightforward day with plenty of cafés, museums and reliable urban transport, Östersund is usually the better choice.
Storlien: the mountain border by rail
Travelling west from Åre takes you towards Duved and Storlien, close to the Swedish Norwegian border. The route is scenic, passing through a rugged mountain environment where the settlements become smaller and the landscape more exposed. Storlien is a good destination for visitors who want a mountain excursion without arranging a long hike or driving on remote roads.
In winter, Storlien is associated with snow activities and cross-country skiing. In summer and autumn, it can be a starting point for walks through open mountain terrain. Conditions can be noticeably different from Åre, so check the forecast and trail information before you go. Strong wind, low cloud and rapid weather changes are possible even when the village weather is mild.
Storlien has limited services compared with Åre. Plan to bring water, snacks and suitable clothing if you intend to spend time outdoors. The train journey is the main attraction for some visitors, as the scenery becomes increasingly remote and mountainous on the way west.
- Best for: mountain scenery, quiet walks and a borderland atmosphere
- Allow: a half day or full day, depending on your activity
- Good to know: check the return timetable and local conditions before departing
Duved: a short trip for trails and village scenery
Duved is only a short train ride from Åre and can be reached easily when you want to spend less time travelling. It is a separate village with its own outdoor character, making it a simple choice for a half-day excursion. The area is known for access to walking routes, winter sports and views of the surrounding mountains.
Duved is especially useful for visitors staying in Åre who want to explore without committing to a long journey. In summer, look for local trails and riverside scenery. In winter, check which ski areas and lifts are operating before travelling, since opening arrangements depend on snow and the season.
Because Duved is close to Åre, you can keep your plans flexible. A short visit can be combined with lunch, a walk or a scenic train ride before returning to Åre for the evening. As always, check the last train back if you are travelling outside the main season.
Can you take a train excursion to Norway?
Åre’s western rail connection makes the Norwegian border region an appealing idea, but an international day trip requires more planning than a journey to Östersund. Rail services, connections and border arrangements can change, and not every timetable offers a convenient same-day return. The route towards Storlien is scenic, but continuing into Norway may involve a change of train or a connection that does not run every day.
If you hope to reach Trondheim by train, check the complete journey in advance rather than assuming that a direct service will be available. Allow plenty of time for delays and confirm the final return departure. A Norway day trip can be rewarding for experienced rail travellers, but Storlien is the safer choice when you want a simple excursion from Åre.
Remember to carry valid identification when crossing an international border. Travellers who are not from the Nordic countries should also check current entry requirements for Norway. A mobile phone with roaming data can be helpful for checking updates, but downloading tickets and maps before departure is wise in areas with patchy coverage.
How to plan train excursions from Åre
Check the timetable in both directions
Do not look only at the outbound train. Some destinations have several trains in the morning but far fewer services in the afternoon or evening. This matters during weekends, public holidays and the quieter periods between ski and summer seasons. Note the final practical return service, not just the last departure shown in a search result.
Buy the right ticket
Regional and long-distance services can have different ticket rules. Buy from the official operator where possible and confirm whether seat reservations are required. If you are travelling with skis, a pram or a large amount of luggage, check the operator’s conditions before you leave. Keep your ticket accessible during the journey, since inspections are common.
Allow extra time in winter
Snow and ice can affect rail traffic, roads around stations and local buses. Avoid planning an appointment immediately after the scheduled arrival, particularly if you are travelling to a museum with a timed entry or catching a separate connection. Warm footwear and an extra layer are useful even if you expect to spend most of the day indoors.
Use the station as your starting point
Åre station is centrally located, making it easy to begin a day trip after breakfast. Arrive early enough to find the correct platform and settle luggage, particularly during busy holiday periods. On arrival in another town, check the walking route before leaving the station. A few minutes of planning can save time when snow, darkness or unfamiliar roads make navigation harder.
Choosing the right nearby town for your interests
For museums, restaurants and shopping, choose Östersund. For a short and uncomplicated outing, Järpen or Duved may be better. Storlien suits travellers who want a quieter mountain setting, while Krokom and Brunflo are more appropriate for visitors with a specific local interest or a planned connection.
- Best overall day trip: Östersund
- Best short train ride: Duved or Järpen
- Best for mountain scenery: Storlien
- Best for a rural and local atmosphere: Krokom
- Best for a flexible city break: Östersund, with indoor attractions for uncertain weather
What to pack for a day trip
Your packing list depends on the destination and season, but comfortable shoes are essential. Even a town visit may involve icy pavements, wet paths or a walk between the station and the centre. Add a waterproof layer, warm clothing in winter and sun protection in summer. A refillable water bottle, snacks and a portable charger are also useful.
If you plan to walk outside the town, download an offline map and tell someone about your route. Mountain weather can shift quickly, and daylight hours vary considerably between seasons. Keep your plans realistic and choose a shorter route if conditions deteriorate.
Making the most of rail travel in Jämtland
The best day trips from Åre by train are not necessarily the ones with the longest list of attractions. A scenic ride to a small settlement, a slow lunch in Östersund or a snowy walk around Storlien can be enough for a memorable day. The railway offers a different perspective on Jämtland, linking the active resort of Åre with quieter communities and wider mountain landscapes.
Start by choosing the pace you want. If you prefer reliable transport and plenty of choices, plan for Östersund. If you want a spontaneous half-day adventure, choose Duved or Järpen. For dramatic scenery, look west towards Storlien and prepare carefully for outdoor conditions. With current timetables, suitable clothing and a little flexibility, train excursions can become one of the easiest ways to explore the nearby towns around Åre.