A new survey by Indikator Opinion has revealed that women in Sweden travel by train more frequently than men and express a more positive attitude towards rail travel. The opposite pattern is seen for car use, with men showing a stronger preference for driving.
The nationwide survey, conducted on behalf of SJ, measured public knowledge and perceptions of Sweden’s rail system among adults aged 18 and over. It found that 64 per cent of respondents had travelled by train within the past year.
Women travel more and prefer trains
According to the findings, 68 per cent of women said they had travelled by train in the last 12 months, compared to 61 per cent of men.
“The statistics show clear differences between women and men. Sixty-eight per cent of women have travelled by train in the past year, compared to sixty-one per cent of men,” said Johannes Cleris, Press Strategist at SJ.
The study also found marked gender differences in transport preferences for longer domestic trips. Across the total sample, 42 per cent of respondents preferred the train and 42 per cent the car. Among women, however, the train (47 per cent) was significantly more popular than the car (37 per cent), while men showed the reverse trend — 46 per cent preferred the car and 37 per cent the train.
“The results correlate quite clearly with several other surveys that show that environmental and climate issues are more important for women than for men,” added Cleris.
Travel frequency and habits
The majority of Swedes who travel by train do so only a few times a year. 42 per cent said they travelled by train “a few times a year”, while 11 per cent did so monthly and 6 per cent weekly.
| Train travel frequency (past year) | Total | Women | Men |
| Weekly | 6% | 6% | 6% |
| Several times a month | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| Once a month | 11% | 12% | 9% |
| A few times a year | 42% | 44% | 40% |
| Not at all | 36% | 32% | 39% |
What people choose for longer domestic trips
| Preferred mode of transport | Total | Women | Men |
| Train | 42% | 47% | 37% |
| Bus | 1% | 1% | 1% |
| Flight | 15% | 15% | 15% |
| Car | 42% | 37% | 46% |
Age, education, and location matter
Over 2,100 people took part in the survey, allowing Indikator to identify consistent patterns across demographic groups.
Younger people, urban residents, and those with higher education were the most likely to have travelled by train in the past year. Train travel was least common among those over 65, residents of rural areas, and people without an upper secondary education.
A similar pattern emerged in transport preferences. The train was most favoured by women, people aged 18–29, city dwellers, and low-income earners, while the car remained most popular among older people, rural residents, and those with lower educational attainment.
“The groups that clearly prefer the train to the car are mainly women, 18–29-year-olds, city dwellers and low-income earners. The car is more popular among the elderly, people in rural areas and people who have not completed high school,” said Johannes Cleris.
Broader survey scope
In addition to travel habits, the Indikator survey explored public perceptions of SJ and the Swedish railway system, including questions about governance, funding, and the company’s responsibilities. Respondents were also asked about emissions, onboard technology, and trust in rail operations.
The survey was conducted between 5 May and 4 June 2025 as part of Indikator Opinion’s Sweden Panel, which randomly recruits participants representing the adult population.
A total of 2,141 people responded, providing one of the most comprehensive insights into how Swedes perceive rail and other modes of transport.
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