Crossing the Oresund Bridge from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Malmo, Sweden, by train, it’s easy to see how this lonesome length of steel inspired one wildly popular Nordic noir television series.

Rail travel between Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo is generally cheaper than flying, plus it gives you the added benefit of scenic Scandinavian views for most of the journey.

You’ll start in the Norwegian capital of Oslo before going up to Trondheim, from where you’ll catch the Nordland Express: a train that pitches its way north for 452 miles all the way to the ...