Are you planning to visit Stockholm? How to get to Stockholm and how does the transport work? Read our Stockholm travel guide with tips on how to enjoy a visit to Stockholm.
The travel guide also includes a map of the city so you can easily plan your trip. When planning, you’ll also benefit from a detailed overview of best places to visit in Stockholm.
- Why visit Stockholm?
- Stockholm Travel Guide
- How to get to Stockholm?
- How to get from the airport to Stockholm
- Transport and metro in Stockholm
- Hotels in Stockholm
- Prices in Stockholm
- Where to eat and what to taste in Stockholm?
- When to visit Stockholm?
- How to save in Stockholm?
- Map of Stockholm
- Best booking resources for visiting Stockholm
- More information about Stockholm
Why visit Stockholm?
Scandinavia is known for its style and design. And Stockholm is a perfect example of this. Whether you’re in the old town of Gamla Stan or in the more modern parts of the city, design and style radiate from every corner.
The whole city is incredibly photogenic, spread out on islands, with picturesque harbours lined with boats. Historic houses with colourful facades contrast with the modern, dynamic city. It’s clean, safe and the people are friendly.
Stockholm is spread over 14 islands, connected by over 50 bridges. This is why the locals call it “beauty on the water”.
Stockholm Travel Guide
How to get to Stockholm?
Stockholm has very good air connections to major European cities. You can fly into the following airports:
- Arlanda Airport, which is the closest airport to Stockholm and serves the most flights
- Skavsta Airport is located 100 km southwest of Stockholm
- Bromma Airport was once the main airport for Stockholm. Today it is used mainly for domestic and some international flights.
- Västerås Airport – a very small international airport that serves a select few Ryanair flights
At this link you can choose the airport you are interested in and find what you need (arrivals, departures, facilities, etc.).
It takes 2 hours to get from Prague to Stockholm. The most frequent airlines flying here from Prague are:
- Eurowings – The German low-cost airline with which you get a small baggage bag with a maximum size of 40 x 30 x 25 cm in the basic ticket price – the parameters meet, for example CabinZero (28 l).
- Norwegian International – Irish airline that supplements flights from Eurowings mainly in high season. In the basic price of the ticket you will get a small luggage with a maximum size of 30 x 20 x 38 cm.
Both airlines fly into Arlanda Airport.
☞ Here you can find all flights to Stockholm.
How to get from the airport to Stockholm
How to get to Stockholm from Arlanda Airport?
Arlanda Airport is the closest airport to Stockholm and is easily accessible. You are likely to arrive at this airport if you are flying from Prague.
Train Arlanda Express
The fastest way to get from Arlanda Airport to central Stockholm is by yellow train Arlanda Express . The journey takes approximately 20 minutes and trains leave every 15 minutes for most of the day. It’s the most expensive but fastest and most convenient way to get to Stockholm from the airport.
A one-way ticket costs 340 SEK, but if you are travelling as a couple, with children, etc., you will get significant discounts on the fare. You can buy your ticket in advance and use it on any airport connection within 90 days of purchase.
Bus
You can also use a bus carrier Flygbussarna which will take you to the Cityterminalen bus terminal next to the main train station in the centre.
From Arlanda Airport, a one-way ticket costs SEK 129 (for children aged 8-17 and SEK 119) and the journey takes 35-45 minutes. The bus runs every 20 minutes, at night usually every half hour (with a break between 0:00 and 3:00 in the morning).
Suburban trains
Suburban trains also serve the route between Arlanda Airport and Stockholm Central Station. Specifically, line 40 Uppsala. Here you will find for more information.
Hotels in Stockholm 😴
How to get from other airports to central Stockholm?
The small Skavsta Airport is 100 km away and serves only a few flights a day. These flights are followed by buses Flygbussarna departing 30-45 minutes after arrival. The journey to Stockholm takes about 80 minutes depending on traffic. A one-way ticket costs 219 SEK (for children 8-17 years and 199 SEK) .
Bromma Airport is just 8 kilometres north-west of central Stockholm. The easiest way to get to the centre is by the aforementioned buses Flygbussarna – the journey takes only 20 minutes.
Transport and metro in Stockholm
Despite being spread over 14 islands, Stockholm’s public transport works exactly as it should. It is compact, secure and perfectly woven. Public transport in Stockholm includes:
- metro – in Stockholm the metro is called “tunnelbana”, so look for the T sign
- ferries
- buses
- suburban trains
- trams – only on the island of Djurgården
How much does the metro and public transport cost in Stockholm?
There are several types of tickets to choose from when paying for public transport in Stockholm:
- single ticket for 42 SEK (discounted fare for 26 SEK) with 75-minute transfers
- 24-hour ticket with unlimited travel for 175 SEK (discounted rate 110 SEK)
- 72 h ticket with unlimited travel for 350 SEK (discounted rate 220 SEK)
- 7-day ticket with unlimited travel 455 SEK (discounted rate 290 SEK)
The full fare applies to passengers aged 20-64. Children and pensioners over 65 are entitled to half fare. Children under 7 years travel free of charge.
Transport is integrated – tickets are valid for all public transport including ferries.
The easiest way to buy a ticket is with your contactless card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Google Pay, Apple Pay, etc.). Hold the card up to the reader and wait for the light to turn green. Readers can be found on buses, on turnstiles on subways and trains, and on poles at ferry and tram stops. You don’t need to attach your card when you get off the bus – the fare is always the same regardless of the distance you travel. Here you can apply half fare for payment with a contactless card.
This will buy you a ticket valid for 75 minutes. Even if you change cards (and thus reattach the card to the reader) during this time, you only pay once.
You can only use one contactless card for one person at a time. At the same time, please also observe the payment method for boarding and alighting (e.g. at the metro), i.e. not to swipe your card when you board and Google Pay when you exit.
Another easy option is the app, which you simply download and choose which type of ticket you want (single, day or multi-day). Then you just scan the card from the app on the reader before boarding.
Useful links about transport in Stockholm:
- Map of public transport in Stockholm
- Apps for Stockholm public transport: Google play
- Stockholm public transport app: App Store
Hotels in Stockholm
- Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel – 4* centrally located hotel with spectacular views
- Generator Stockholm – Modern accommodation close to the centre at a good price
- Biz Apartment Gärdet – Studios with kitchenette and breakfast
- First Hotel Brommaplan – 3* hotel on the outskirts of town and a quarter of an hour from the airport
- Sure hotel – Cheap accommodation near the metro
- Den Röda Båten – Cheap accommodation in boat cabins in the centre of Stockholm
Hotels in Stockholm 😴
Prices in Stockholm
In a cheaper restaurant, you’ll pay around 150 SEK for lunch, 22.50 SEK for water and 75 SEK for domestic beer. Dinner in a restaurant for two ranges from 600-1400 SEK.
For a sandwich, expect to pay around 40 SEK, kebabs around 70 SEK and fast food in general will cost between 50-80 SEK.
The average prices of basic foodstuffs are as follows:
- Milk 1 l – 15,75 SEK
- White bread 500 g – 29,48 SEK
- Eggs 12 pcs – 44,26 SEK
- Cheese 1 kg – 115,19 SEK
- Chicken breast 1 kg – 128,67 SEK
- Bananas 1 kg – 27,72 SEK
- Water 1,5 l – 14,99 SEK
- Potatoes 1 kg – 16,09 SEK
Where to eat and what to taste in Stockholm?
Swedish cuisine is based mainly on herring, reindeer, smoked salmon, elk and meatballs.
At lunch you can try the Swedish national drink, aquavit. It is distilled from potatoes or grain and flavoured with herbs and spices (most commonly cumin).
Or try the street food, which is excellent here and starts at around 50 SEK. For a snack or a quick lunch, 7-Eleven and Pressbyran are great chains where you can also get vegetarian and vegan meals, salads, hot dogs or bagels. 7-Eleven has good yogurts with muesli and fruit.
Restaurants offer lunch buffets around midday, where you can eat for around 130 SEK. It’s a popular choice with the locals, so it fills up fast. Try the buffet restaurants Herman’s in Södermalm and Hermitage in Gamla Stan.
There are drinking fountains all over the city, so you can fill your bottle anywhere. Moreover, the water here is one of the cleanest in the world.
These are the traditional dishes to try in Stockholm:
- Köttbullar – Swedish meatballs served with mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and meatball juice. It’s a classic you’ll find in almost every Swedish restaurant.
- Smörgåsbord – a traditional Swedish buffet offering a wide selection of cold and hot food, including various types of bread and crackers, butter, cheese, salami, fish (such as smoked salmon and herring), meatballs and much more.
- Gravlax – marinated salmon, usually served with mustard sauce (beef dill) and bread or toast.
- Surströmming – fermented herring, which is known for its very strong smell and specific taste. It is a traditional dish from northern Sweden, usually eaten with thin bread (tunnbröd), potatoes and onions.
- Svensk fika – a coffee break tradition that is typical of Sweden. Fika involves drinking coffee accompanied by something sweet, usually a pastry such as kanelbullar (Swedish cinnamon rolls) or chokladbollar (chocolate balls).
When to visit Stockholm?
Spring (March to May): Spring is the perfect time to visit Stockholm if you want to escape the crowds of tourists that flood the city in summer. Nature is waking up to life, the days are getting longer and the temperatures are slowly rising. Flower gardens and parks, such as the Royal Park (Kungsträdgården), bloom beautifully with cherry blossoms.
Summer (June to August): Summer is undoubtedly the most popular time to visit Stockholm, thanks to the warm weather and long sunny days. The city comes alive with festivals, outdoor concerts and holidays such as Midsommar (Midsummer Night), which is traditionally celebrated at the end of June. Summer is also ideal for exploring the Stockholm archipelago by boat.
Autumn (September to November): Autumn brings cooler weather and fewer tourists. It’s the perfect time to stroll among the trees draped in yellow-orange leaves and visit museums such as the Vasa Museum or Moderna Museet, which are less crowded.
Winter (December to February): Winter in Stockholm is magical – the city is covered in snow and looks like a fairy tale. You can enjoy ice skating on artificial ice rinks, fika in cosy cafés and the Christmas atmosphere before Christmas. The days are shorter and cooler, but the city is beautifully lit after dark, so you can take an evening stroll along the coast.
How to save in Stockholm?
Stockholm is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Some tips on how to save in Stockholm are more useful here than anywhere else:
- Stockholm Pass is a tourist card that gives you free entry to a wide range of sights, attractions and museums.
- Most sights, museums and attractions offer reduced admission for students, and children and young people are often free up to the age of 18.
- Stockholm is famous for its food. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re snoozing in a better restaurant or in a moving truck on the street.
- Avoid restaurants along the main shopping thoroughfare of Drottninggatan and in the old town of Gamla Stan. It has the most tourists, hence the highest prices.
- Visit museums for free – from the National Museum to the Museum of Modern Art. For specific tips, see our article on what to see in Stockholm.
Map of Stockholm
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map of things to do in Stockholm. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in the Stockholm travel guide. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.
Best booking resources for visiting Stockholm
Via Booking.com we search for all accommodation. It is the largest accommodation portal in the world and you will find everything from modern hotels, cosy guesthouses to seaside villas.
Get Your Guide is a huge booking system for buying tickets, guided tours and all sorts of activities. In one place you can read other travellers’ experiences and book tickets to the Vatican Museums, a cruise on the Danube or a desert safari in Dubai.
These were our travel tips and guide to visiting Stockholm. Do you have a question? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!
More information about Stockholm
STOCKHOLM: See tips on things to do in Stockholm (entrance fees, opening times, map, photos). Stockholm Pass is one way to save money in Stockholm.
COPENHAGEN: Read our detailed itinerary of what to see in Copenhagen in 3 days. Get inspired by the things to do in Copenhagen. For more information on public transport, read our detailed guide to transport in Copenhagen.
HELSINKI: Check out the best places to visit in Helsinki (including a map and information
