Michi Photostory

Over five years ago whenever I asked my Mom when are we going to Røros, Norway, she always says “sa Easter” so in my mind we will leave on Easter Sunday. But I was wrong, ang dami pala Easter dito sa Norway, from Saturday until Monday, Easter ang tawag nila. 

Oslo is the capital and the most populous city in Norway. This city is one of the most expensive cities in the world and I agree with that because everything is expensive. I’m sure other tourists who have visited Norway, would also agree. Although it is expensive, our Scandinavian trip is not complete without visiting Oslo.


Every time we visit my mom, we always have a layover in Oslo Gardermoen but since we only have few hours layover, we never tried exploring the city so I was happy that I finally, ticked it off on my bucket list. After two plane rides, we arrived at Oslo Airport but we immediately traveled by train to Elverum. We stayed in Elverum for few days and we went back to the capital city for our Cruise to Copenhagen. After 9 days of exploring Copenhagen and Stockholm, we’re finally back to Oslo, Norway. Whew!

Read: Glimpse of Oslo Gardermoen Aiport
Oslo Airport to Elverum Train Station
Day Trip in Elverum Norway
Qatar Airway Flight Experience
Biyaheng Europe: Manila Philippines to Elverum Norway


Six hours of train ride from Stockholm Central Station to Oslo Central Station and from there we took a taxi to Cochs Pensjonat. This guesthouse was our home for 4 days and 3 nights, if I will convert the rate to Philippine peso, the rate is already expensive because this is only a guesthouse and with its price, I can already stay in a luxury hotel in Asia. But like I said, the Nordic trip is not cheap so I consider this a budget-friendly accommodation already. We also booked a hotel for our last night in Norway so I can tell the price difference. We stayed in Radisson Blu Oslo Airport before our flight back to the Philippines

Read: Traveling from Stockholm Central Station to Oslo Central Station
Radisson Blu Oslo Airport Hotel Review


Anyway, I like Cochs Pensjonat because of the strategic location, it is near the tourist spots, supermarket, convenience store, restaurant, subway, and train station. We have our own kitchenette and mini-fridge in our room so we can store and cook our own meals. It is a big saving in our pocket.

Read: Cochs Pensjonat Review


After our checked-in, we rushed to the supermarket because we need to buy food and drinks for the next 3 days of stay. The supermarket will be closed during the Holy Week so we need to buy everything that we need. My husband bought some chocolates too, sayang lang because there was no sale. And because we have a fridge in the hotel, we bought ice cream, “Royal” is my favorite brand of ice cream in Norway.

Read: Ice Cream in Norway 



And just like our Day 1 in Stockholm, we did not visit any tourist spot, we just took a rest. We need to recharge because for the next few days, we will just do our own Oslo Walking Tour.

We are a group of 3 adults and 1 kid so for our Scandinavian trip, I planned to book our accommodation in Airbnb but when I started to search, I had a difficult time because most of the available rooms are already outside of the city. While planning for our trip, my mom messaged me that she already booked our stay in Cochs Pensjonat so this gave me an idea to look for a hostel, 2-3 stars hotel or guesthouse instead.


So we stayed in Urban House Copenhagen by Meininger in Denmark, Hotel Generator Stockholm in Sweden, and for the last leg of our trip, Cochs Pensjonat in Norway. This guesthouse is located in an old, historic building which is walking distance to Royal Palace. They started operating since 1927 so the place looks old but still charming.


The Cochs Pensjonat is located in the heart of the city, it is 45 minutes drive from the Oslo Airport, 20 minutes walk from the city center, walking distance to subway station and less than 2km away from Oslo Central Station. We traveled via SJ Train from Stockholm Central Station and we arrived in Oslo Central Station after 6 hours.

Read: Traveling to Oslo Central Station from Stockholm Central Station via SJ Train

The cozy guesthouse is 1.7km away from the central train station so we took a taxi from there up to the hotel and if I remember it right, the taxi fare is more or less NOK400 and we find it expensive for a few minutes ride but we had no choice. We also took a taxi on our way back to Oslo Central Station but we only paid less than NOK200. Same lang naman na wala traffic, pinaikot-ikot yata kami ng una namin nasakyan.


Anyway, we arrived at Cochs Pensjonat and you need to take a lift to reach the reception area. They asked for our passport and we paid the full reservation which is NOK4080 for 3 3-night stay, we used our Philippines credit card and the posted bill was PHP25,307.70. The rate is more expensive compared to our Copenhagen and Stockholm accommodation.


They offer different types of rooms that can accommodate single, couple, family, or group travelers. They have a Quadruple Room which is perfect for our group, the room looks simple and is only 20square meters. The room is tidy and housekeeping cleans it every day. We have 4 single beds, mini table and chairs, TV, mini-fridge, cabinet, bathroom, kitchenette, and kitchenware. Yey! This time we can cook our own food inside our room but there is only an exception, no frying.






After several minutes, we went to the grocery so we can buy foods and drinks that are enough for our 3 days stay. Since our stay fell on Holy Week, the supermarket will be closed for a few days. The REMA 1000 is only 50 meters away from the guesthouse. There are also bars, restaurants, and convenience stores within the area so food is not a problem as long as you have a budget.

As I mentioned before, Cochs Pensjonat is located in the heart of the city so we saved money on transportation, we just walk, walk, and walk. It is tiring but thankful that we had good weather during our stay. It is just a few minutes walk to the Royal Palace so we always pass this mansion every day. If ever we will go back to Oslo, we will still consider Cochs Pensjonat for our accommodation.

Read: Radisson Blu Airport Hotel Oslo

Day 1 is Oslo Norway

I know I am not yet finished with my Stockholm, Sweden series but let me skip it for now since I have no idea about the situation in Sweden. But in Norway, it seems that life is back to normal because I’ve seen relatives who are on the road traveling within Norway. How I wish we could do that here in the Philippines.

But it looks like it won’t happen anytime soon so let me reminisce about our trip to Oslo Norway, let me start with our train ride from Stockholm to Oslo via SJ train. If Copenhagen to Stockholm has 5 train schedules, for Stockholm to Oslo, we were down to two schedules only which is 9:10 and 15:08, we chose the earliest schedule since we don’t want to arrive in the evening. Travel time is 5 hours and 59 minutes.

There are different types of tickets, you can choose first class or second class, then non-bookable, rebookable, and refundable. For our Copenhagen to Stockholm, my mom chose the refundable ticket but when my mom received the confirmation and read the fine prints, she agreed with me to buy the non-rebookable ticket for our train trip. Hehehe!

SEK 1850 - Non-rebookable
SEK 2147 - Rebookable
SEK 2429 - Refundable

Total is SEK1850 for 3 adults and 1 child, I was so surprised when I saw the breakdown of the ticket because we only paid SEK5 for my son which is only PHP27.80 (current exchange rate). This is one of the perks of traveling with a family, they give discounts. Imagine, nakabiyahe anak ko from Sweden to Norway for less than PHP30.

SEK 615 - Adult
SEK 5 - Child

Since we had an early trip, we checked out before 6AM, from Generator Stockholm we just walked up to Stockholm Central train station. To save money, we did not take a taxi since we’ve been walking from the hostel to the train station for the past few days so even with our luggage, it won’t be difficult.

Read: Where to Stay in Stockholm: Generator Stockholm 


When we arrived at the train station, we immediately checked our boarding gate then we had our usual breakfast at McDonalds. We took our time eating breakfast because we had nothing to do at the train station. While waiting, my husband bought some chocolates at the convenience store, just beside our boarding gate. We survived Stockholm Sweden without cash, we only use our credit card for everything, even for comfort rooms which SEK10.


The train arrived on time, we had comfortable seats and free wifi. I did not bother to take photos or videos because this was my view. Toinks!


We had lunch at the Bistro, my husband just bought bread and Swedish Meatballs. The total bill is SEK158 without drinks.


 After 6 hours of train ride, we were back in Oslo, Norway. We stayed at Cochs Pensjonat for 4 days and 3 nights. After our Scandinavian tour, my husband went back to the Philippines while my son and I stayed at my mom’s place.


Read: Traveling from Copenhagen Denmark to Stockholm Sweden via SJ Train 
Traveling in Scandinavia via SJ Train 
Traveling Around Norway via NSB Train 
Where to Stay in Oslo: Cochs Pensjonat

Two years ago, I planned to visit Sweden for our side trip during our vacation in Norway but it did not happen. Our plan was changed when we reached Norway but I have no regrets because we enjoyed our 4 Days Trip in Iceland. Then last summer, my plan finally materialized and we were able to visit Stockholm, Sweden.

Read: 4 Days in Iceland with Kid


We traveled via SJ train from Copenhagen Denmark to Stockholm, Sweden, travel time is over five hours and we reached Stockholm Central Station on time. I did not have an itinerary for our Stockholm Trip so I started researching while we’re on the train. Thanks to FREE wifi.

Read: Traveling from Copenhagen Denmark to Stockholm Sweden via SJ Train 
Traveling in Scandinavia via SJ Train


When I researched for our hostel, I know that it is just close to the central train station. So in my mind, it is like our hostel in Copenhagen but I was wrong. I was surprised when I learned that we need to walk more or less 1km. We have 4 luggage + hand-carry and we have a kid in tow so my mom decided that we will just take a taxi. Good thing that there’s big taxi that can accommodate us + our stuff.


Our hostel is less than 1 kilometer away and our taxi fare is already 116 SEK or PHP625.45. Wow, that’s how expensive taxi in Europe. Anyway, Generator Hostel Stockholm will be our home for 4 nights in Sweden. I will share my hostel review in a separate post.


It was past 6PM but the line at the reception was long so checking-in was slow. We just rested for several minutes and then we went out for dinner. There is 7-11 in front of the hostel but we still checked other options and we ended up with Maestro Kebab. After eating, we went back to the hotel so we can recharge for our Stockholm Adventure.

Read: Pasalubong from Sweden

I’ve experienced traveling by plane, boat, and bus to go to another country but I haven’t tried riding a train so I was a little bit excited when we are going to Stockholm. Finally, I can experience a cross-country trip to Europe via train.


Few months before our trip, I researched “How to go to Stockholm Sweden from Copenhagen Denmark”. There are a lot of ways to reach Stockholm, you can travel by air, car, bus, and train. Of course, I chose the train because it is cost-efficient. Yes, riding the train is cheaper than riding the plane. Just make sure that you will book early and if you have kids in tow, avail the children’s discount.

Since we are going to Sweden, I chose the SJ train, it is a government-owned passenger train operator that was created in the year 2000. From Copenhagen to Stockholm, there are five schedules and I chose 12:23NN. The train fare may vary depending on the date, time and type of ticket that you will choose.

When we got our Schengen visa, I immediately checked the price of the train ticket. Then I informed my mom about it but few days after, my grandmother passed away so our planning stopped. After a month, we started planning again for our Scandinavian Trip and when I checked the train fare, the price already increased. From SEK 1007 to SEK 1467.

Read: How to Apply for Schengen Visa for your Europe Trip

As I mentioned before, there are different types of ticket. You can choose first class or second class and you can choose non-rebookable, rebookable and refundable. You can check my previous post for more information. So for 3 adults and 1 kid, (Second Class Ticket) our total is

SEK 1467 - Non-rebookable
SEK 1776 - Rebookable
SEK 2222 - Refundable

Read: Traveling in Scandinavia via SJ Train

I told my mom to book the non-rebookable so we can save money but my mom insisted to book the refundable so just in case something happens we can refund the fare. Waah! That’s PHP4000 difference so mabigat sa bulsa pero what can I do, sunod na lang. Good thing there is a children’s discount and we can choose our own seats without additional cost. 

Adult SEK 705
Child SEK 107

Fast forward to our trip; after we check-out at Urban House Copenhagen by Meininger, off we went to Copenhagen Central Station which is just few minutes walk from the hostel. Our ticket does not indicate the track so we immediately checked the information board so we know where to go. For Copenhagen to Stockholm, we need to go to Track 4 and wait at B section (carriage 6-7).

Read: Urban House Copenhagen by Meininger Review


We had a quick lunch at Food Market before going to Track 4. We arrived 30 minutes before our schedule but the train was still closed. If I remember it right, they only allowed us to board 10 minutes before the departure and the train left on time.

Read: Food Trip in Copenhagen Denmark 


We only bought a Second Class ticket so this is our seat, SJ train offers wide and comfortable seats. We have free wifi to entertain us during our 5 hours and 13 minutes travel. In addition, if you feel hungry or thirsty, you can buy at the Bistro. To save money, we brought some snacks.


Watch the video here

Europe is an expensive tourist destination but it is still a dream place for most of us because you can visit several countries in one trip. Yes, as long as you have a valid Schengen visa, you can travel to 26 countries in Europe. Going from one country to another country is not difficult because you are not limited to the airplane. You can travel by boat, bus, and train.

Read: How to Apply for Schengen Visa for your Europe Trip


During our Scandinavian Trip last summer, we travel to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway via boat and train. From Oslo Norway to Copenhagen Denmark, we traveled by boat via DFDS Crown Seaways. Then from Copenhagen Denmark to Stockholm Sweden and Stockholm Sweden to Oslo Norway, we rode SJ train.

Read: Cruise from Oslo to Copenhagen via DFDS Crown Seaways 

How to Book or Buy SJ Train Tickets 

Buying SJ train ticket is so easy, all you have to do is go to SJ website which is sj.se and book your ticket.

1. Choose your destination
2. Choose the date and time
3. Choose the ticket class; first class or second class
4. Choose the type of ticket; non-rebookable, rebookable or refundable
5. Pay your ticket
6. Check your email and print your e-ticket.

Ticket Class 

First Class 

Wide and comfortable seats
Free breakfast is served at your seat on departures before 09:00 AM.
Pre-order food served to your seat
Free coffee, tea, water, and fruit
Free wifi
Free access to SJ Lounge

Second Class 

Travel comfortably
Free seat booking
Free wi-fi on high-speed trains

Type of SJ Train Tickets 

Refundable 

They will refund the ticket price excluding the booking fee. The ticket must be canceled before the departure time. Other rules may apply for travel with other operators. Contact the respective operators for more information.

Rebook journeys with SJ
Refund if you cancel your journey
Free change of departure time

Rebookable 

With this ticket, you can rebook your journey to another place or another date until the departure of the train. You can also cancel your trip and save your credit value up to 180 days. The credit value is the ticket price - excluding the booking fee - which you can use for one or more trips, however, only with another SJ train.

Rebook journeys with SJ
When you cancel your ticket you receive a credit value

Non-rebookable  

Tickets in this flexibility category cannot be rebooked. The price you paid for your ticket will not be refunded and the ticket cannot be transferred to another person. If, on the other hand, you are unable to travel due to sickness, you will receive a refund on presentation of a medical certificate.

Travel Tips: 

1. It is best to book a ticket as soon as possible because you can get a cheaper rate. I witnessed that when I mock book our train ticket 2 months before compared to one month before of our trip.

2. SJ train offer Children Discount. “When you see the heart icon you know that you are getting a great deal.”

Understanding SJ Train Ticket 



When I downloaded and printed the SJ train ticket, the ticket has no English Translation so it is important that you understand your eticket so you know your train station, train number, seat number, and of course the departure time.

Resenär - name of traveller 
Billjettnummer - ticket number 
Avgång - departure time of the train 
Ankomst - arrival time of the train 
Tåg - train number 
Vagn - carriage 

Copenhagen, Denmark (Köbenhavn H) to Stockholm, Sweden (Stockholm Central) via SJ Train 

We rode the SJ train from Copenhagen Central Station to Stockholm Central Station. Travel time is 5 hours and 13 minutes. At the time of our booking, there are five schedules that we can choose from, the earliest is 08:23 and the latest is 16:23. We chose the 12:23NN train schedule.

Read: Traveling from Copenhagen Denmark to Stockholm Sweden via SJ Train 

Stockholm, Sweden (Stockholm Central) to Oslo Norway (Oslo Station) via SJ Train 

We rode SJ Train from Stockholm Central Station to Oslo Station. Travel time is 5 hours and 59 minutes. At the time of our booking, there are only two train schedules; 09:10 and 13:08. We had no choice but to take the morning schedule.

It was our first-time experience traveling to another country via train and so far we had a smooth experience so if ever we will go back to Scandinavia, we will travel via SJ train again.

Read: Traveling Around Norway via NSB Train