Stockholm is the kind of magical place from which dreams are woven. This fairytale archipelago of 14 islands packs in a mind-boggling variety of attractions and activities, making it ideal for a city break in just about any season. We’re talking one of Europe’s most colorfully picturesque old towns, medieval cobbled lanes perfect for getting lost in, great swathes of picnic-perfect parkland, plus baroque palaces, great gothic cathedrals, world-class museums (ABBA, anyone?) and traditional Swedish spas galore. With so many great things to do here, you’ll naturally want to get to the heart of the action fast.
Most visitors arrive here by plane via Stockholm’s international Arlanda Airport, so we’ve put together a guide to the travel options that will get you into town as quickly, cheaply and efficiently as possible. Read on for everything you need to know about Stockholm’s airport to city travel options…
Stockholm Arlanda Airport in Brief
There are four airports serving Stockholm, of which Arlanda is the biggest and most used, serving as a major hub for flights operated by Scandinavian Airlines and processing around 3.5 million passengers every year. In fact, Arlanda is the largest airport in Sweden and third-largest in the Nordic countries (after Copenhagen and Oslo, fact fans).
Stockholm’s other airports are Bromma (closer to the center, but mostly for domestic flights), and Skavsta and Västerås, both of which are geared more towards low-cost airlines and are located around 60 miles from Stockholm proper.
Back to Arlanda, then, which lies around 23 miles (40 kilometers) north of Stockholm and is well-connected to the city center by bus, train and taxi. Just clear passport control, grab your luggage, and you can be indulging in the Swedish art of fika in Gamla Stan (Stockholm’s old town) in less than 20 minutes. How? Here’s how.
Stockholm Airport to City by Public Transport
By Train
Want to get into Stockholm from the airport fast? The Arlanda Express is your friend. Hands down the quickest and most comfortable way of traveling into town, it takes just 18 minutes to reach Stockholm Central. It’s also very convenient: the service runs every 15 minutes throughout the day, breaking for a few hours between around 1AM and 4AM, meaning you’ll rarely have to wait long for a train to come along. It’s certainly not the cheapest travel option though. An adult ticket costs 340 SEK (around $30) one way, and it’s 640 SEK for a return. In short, this may well be the best option for solo travelers, but for groups of two or more, a cab is likely to be more cost-effective.
Top tip: buy online in advance or from airport ticket machines for the best prices; you’ll pay a premium for purchasing on board.
Slower commuter trains also depart Arlanda Airport twice hourly, taking 38 minutes to reach the city center. These are of course cheaper than the Arlanda Express and tickets can be bought at the station desk, via ticket machines or, perhaps most conveniently, using the SL smart phone ticket app.
By Bus
Arlanda is well served by bus services. Both Flixbus and Flygbussarna run services to central Stockholm every 15-20 minutes during peak hours, with a journey time of just under 50 minutes. Prices start from 75 SEK ($7) one way, with discounts for return trips and group bookings.
Top Tip: SL Travelcards
Commuter train travel from Arlanda Airport is covered by an SL travelcard, which also includes travel on underground trains, trams, buses and some ferry routes within the Greater Stockholm area. Passes are available in 24-hour, 72-hour and 7-day increments and will save you money (and time) if you plan to use public transport a lot while in town. Note that while you can also use the Arlanda Express with the SL travelcard, it carries a fairly hefty supplement of around 130 SEK ($12).
Stockholm Airport to City by Private Transfer
If, like many, all you want to do after your flight is flop into the back of a cab and be chauffeured through the unfamiliar city to the door of your vacation digs, you’re in luck. There are two cab ranks – one at terminal 2 and another at terminal 5 – where you can easily pick up a ride. Cab firms that operate here are contracted to Swedavia, the state-owned company that owns most of Sweden’s airports. That means peace of mind for you, thanks to regulations that include fare-capping within a designated zone. You should pay no more than 800 SEK ($75) for journeys with up to four people within the zone, and a maximum of 1,275 SEK ($120) for larger vehicles.
That said, it always pays to agree a fare with your driver before you depart, especially if you’re going to be traveling beyond the designated zone.
You can of course also use ride-hailing apps like Bolt and Uber, both of which operate in Stockholm, though these are unregulated and, as such, may end up costing you more, especially during ‘surge’ periods.
Either way, the journey will generally take around 45 minutes in normal traffic, heading south into town straight down the E4 highway from Arlanda Airport.
Stockholm Airport to City by Rental Car
You’ll find several reliable car rental companies operating out of Stockholm Airport, including Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, Budget and Thrifty. Driving into and around Stockholm is relatively undaunting, with wide roads, straightforward signage and a populace that (largely) obeys the rules of the road. Some hotels will offer parking and there are plenty of parking garages around town if yours does not, though the cost of daily parking – around 300 SEK ($28) per 24 hours – can be high. It’s also worth noting that the city operates a congestion charge on weekdays, so the cost of having your own set of wheels will soon mount up, especially for stays of more than a couple of days.
Our recommendation? Unless you have plans to take a scenic road trip to Sundsvall, Dalsland or even Oslo, you’ll likely find the city’s public transportation system more than sufficient for your needs.
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