- Must visit
Värmlands Museum
Karlstad’s main regional museum, covering Värmland’s history, design, and temporary art exhibitions in a prominent waterfront building.
Cheapest price
$19
Average price
$31
Fastest journey
2 h 24 m
Average duration
2 h 27 m
Trains per day
35
Distance
206 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Gothenburg to Karlstad is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Gothenburg to Karlstad will cost around $31 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $19.
Of the 35 trains that leave Gothenburg for Karlstad on Wed, Jun 17, 8 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jun 17 the direct trains cover the 206 km distance in an average of 2 h 27 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 24 m .
On Wed, Jun 17 the slowest trains will take 2 h 29 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
3960 SJ
3960 SJ+
10 Värmlandstrafik
3960 SJ+
7 Värmlandstrafik
3956 SJ+
10 Värmlandstrafik
3952 SJ+
10 Värmlandstrafik
3976 SJ
3972 SJ
3950 SJ
3964 SJ
3956 SJOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Gothenburg to Karlstad among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $14. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 30m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $14, and a bus costs an average of $26.
Distance: 128 miles (206 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$23 Average price Cheapest | $58 Average price | $51 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 0m Average total duration Fastest 2h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 36m Average total duration 6h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 11m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Gothenburg to Karlstad:
A train is $34 (€28) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Gothenburg to Karlstad costing on average $58 (€47).
Other travel options to Karlstad take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 6m.
The journey is about 41m faster (2h 30m by train vs 3h 11m by car) and roughly $28 (€23) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($23 (€19) vs $51 (€42)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with SJ, Tågab, VR.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Gothenburg to Karlstad trains for today, Tuesday, June 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3960 SJ+ 7 Värmlandstrafik | 11:14 AM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h15 | 2:29 PM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 1 transfer | |
3960 SJ | 11:14 AM Gothenburg Centralstation | 2h29 | 1:43 PM Karlstad tågstation | 0 transfersDirect | |
3960 SJ+ 10 Värmlandstrafik | 11:14 AM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h18 | 2:32 PM Karlstad | 1 transfer | |
3964 SJ+ 7 Värmlandstrafik | 1:14 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h17 | 4:31 PM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 1 transfer | |
3964 SJ | 1:14 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 2h29 | 3:43 PM Karlstad tågstation | 0 transfersDirect | |
3964 SJ+ 10 Värmlandstrafik | 1:14 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h19 | 4:33 PM Karlstad | 1 transfer | |
3968 SJ | 3:14 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 2h35 | 5:49 PM Karlstad tågstation | 0 transfersDirect | |
3968 SJ+ 10 Värmlandstrafik | 3:14 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h17 | 6:31 PM Karlstad | 1 transfer | |
3968 SJ+ 7 Värmlandstrafik | 3:14 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h41 | 6:55 PM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 1 transfer | |
18 Västtrafik · 60 Västtrafik · 13216 Västtrafik+ 7 Värmlandstrafik | 3:52 PM Göteborg, Lilla Bommen | 4h02 | 7:54 PM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 4 transfers | |
60 Västtrafik · 13216 Västtrafik+ 800 Värmlandstrafik · 7 Värmlandstrafik | 3:58 PM Göteborg, Brunnsparken | 3h56 | 7:54 PM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 3 transfers | |
13216 Västtrafik+ 800 Värmlandstrafik | 4:15 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h04 | 7:19 PM Karlstad busstation | 1 transfer | |
13216 Västtrafik+ 10 Värmlandstrafik · 800 Värmlandstrafik · 901 Värmlandstrafik | 4:15 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h46 | 8:01 PM Karlstad | 3 transfers | |
13216 Västtrafik+ 800 Värmlandstrafik · 7 Värmlandstrafik | 4:15 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h39 | 7:54 PM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 2 transfers | |
3972 SJ | 5:14 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 2h26 | 7:40 PM Karlstad tågstation | 0 transfersDirect | |
3972 SJ+ 7 Värmlandstrafik | 5:14 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h09 | 8:23 PM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 1 transfer | |
3972 SJ+ 10 Värmlandstrafik | 5:14 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h17 | 8:31 PM Karlstad | 1 transfer | |
13224 Västtrafik+ 700 Värmlandstrafik · 806 Värmlandstrafik | 6:30 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 2h59 | 9:29 PM Karlstad busstation | 2 transfers | |
13224 Västtrafik+ 806 Värmlandstrafik · 700 Värmlandstrafik · 7 Värmlandstrafik | 6:30 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h23 | 9:53 PM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 3 transfers | |
3976 SJ+ 7 Värmlandstrafik | 7:14 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h09 | 10:23 PM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 1 transfer | |
3976 SJ | 7:14 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 2h24 | 9:38 PM Karlstad tågstation | 0 transfersDirect | |
18 Västtrafik · 13236 Västtrafik+ 800 Värmlandstrafik · 7 Värmlandstrafik | 8:31 PM Göteborg, Lilla Bommen | 9h52 | 6:23 AM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 3 transfers | |
13236 Västtrafik+ 800 Värmlandstrafik · 7 Värmlandstrafik | 9:00 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 9h23 | 6:23 AM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 2 transfers | |
13236 Västtrafik+ 800 Värmlandstrafik | 9:00 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 8h49 | 5:49 AM Karlstad busstation | 1 transfer | |
13236 Västtrafik+ 800 Värmlandstrafik · 900 Värmlandstrafik · 10 Värmlandstrafik | 9:00 PM Gothenburg Centralstation | 9h30 | 6:30 AM Karlstad | 3 transfers | |
3950 SJ | 5:14 AM Gothenburg Centralstation | 2h27 | 7:41 AM Karlstad tågstation | 0 transfersDirect | |
3950 SJ+ 7 Värmlandstrafik | 5:14 AM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h14 | 8:28 AM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 1 transfer | |
3950 SJ+ 10 Värmlandstrafik | 5:14 AM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h17 | 8:31 AM Karlstad | 1 transfer | |
3952 SJ+ 10 Värmlandstrafik | 7:14 AM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h17 | 10:31 AM Karlstad | 1 transfer | |
3952 SJ | 7:14 AM Gothenburg Centralstation | 2h31 | 9:45 AM Karlstad tågstation | 0 transfersDirect | |
3952 SJ+ 7 Värmlandstrafik | 7:14 AM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h43 | 10:57 AM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 1 transfer | |
18 Västtrafik+ 3956 SJ+ 7 Värmlandstrafik | 8:51 AM Göteborg, Lilla Bommen | 3h37 | 12:28 PM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 2 transfers | |
3956 SJ | 9:14 AM Gothenburg Centralstation | 2h29 | 11:43 AM Karlstad tågstation | 0 transfersDirect | |
3956 SJ+ 7 Värmlandstrafik | 9:14 AM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h14 | 12:28 PM Karlstad Zakrisdalsslingan | 1 transfer | |
3956 SJ+ 10 Värmlandstrafik | 9:14 AM Gothenburg Centralstation | 3h17 | 12:31 PM Karlstad | 1 transfer | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Gothenburg to Karlstad run on average 15 times per day, taking around 2h 30m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $14 (€11) if you book in advance.
There are 6 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:15, the last at 23:39. The fastest train covers the 128 miles (206 km) distance in 2h 13m.
Distance 128 miles (206 km) |
Average train duration 2h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price $14 (€11) |
Trains per day 15 |
Direct trains 6 |
Fastest train 2h 13m |
First train 12:15 AM |
Last train 11:39 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Karlstad — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Karlstad trip today.
Karlstad’s main regional museum, covering Värmland’s history, design, and temporary art exhibitions in a prominent waterfront building.
Popular art museum dedicated to watercolor artist Lars Lerin, known for atmospheric works and one of Karlstad’s most visited cultural attractions.
A well-regarded military history museum focusing on Sweden during the Cold War, with immersive exhibitions and restored vehicles.
Karlstad’s best-known park and outdoor recreation area, combining lakeside walks, green spaces, and family-friendly attractions.
Stylish waterfront district with promenades, modern architecture, and marina views; especially popular for evening walks and social media photos.
Scenic waterfront area by the Klarälven river, popular for walks, photos, and sunsets near the city center.
A traditional sausage from Värmland, often mildly seasoned and served with potatoes or stewed cabbage. It is one of the region’s best-known everyday specialties.
An old Värmland specialty made from coarse rye flour cooked into a dense porridge, traditionally served with fried pork and lingonberries.
Crisp Swedish potato pancakes served with fried pork and lingonberry jam. Common across Sweden and popular in Värmland as hearty comfort food.
An established dining spot in central Karlstad serving modern European dishes with polished presentation in an upscale atmosphere.
A well-known Karlstad restaurant with a stylish but relaxed setting, known for Swedish cooking, seafood, and a solid wine list.
A popular restaurant in Karlstad known for classic Swedish and European dishes, with a comfortable setting suited to both casual dinners and occasions.
Moderate by Swedish standards. Groceries and casual meals are manageable, but restaurants and alcohol cost more.
Tipping is not obligatory, as service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for very good restaurant service. Taxis can be rounded up. Little or no tip is expected for cafes.
Official public transport app
Karlstad Centralstation, Karlstad -> Stora Torget, Karlstad
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Gothenburg to Karlstad by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Karlstad, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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