How to Get from Stockholm Airport to City Centre in 2024
Getting from Stockholm airport to the City Centre is really easy, with transport options to suit all budgets, from the super fast Arlanda Express to the affordable bus services.
I booked a trip to Stockholm on a whim when my friend and I were looking for a weekend away in a new city.
We did the classic trick of searching for the place with the cheapest flights, and found ourselves landing in Stockholm a week later.
We visited in November, so it was very cold (but magical nonetheless), and we wanted to get to our hotel as soon as possible after landing so we could warm up.
Luckily, it’s super easy to get from Stockholm airport to the city centre, and in this guide I’ll take you through all the options available to you, as well as the one I’d personally recommend.
➡️ The easiest way is get from Stockholm airport to the city centre is to take the airport shuttle. The journey takes just 18 minutes and trains depart every 10 minutes.
Secure your ticket in advance
*Some links in this post are affiliate links. It won’t make a difference to what you pay, but I may earn a small commission if you purchase something I’ve recommended. I’m really grateful for your trust in my advice, and if I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend, I won’t recommend it to you.
How to get from Stockholm airport to the City Centre
There’s 7 different ways I’d suggest travelling from Stockholm airport to the City Centre, with something to suit every budget.
The Arlanda Express
The Arlanda Express is the fastest way to get from Stockholm airport to the city centre, and the option I’d recommend. It’s what I used when I travelled to Stockholm and the train was really efficient, comfortable and reliable.
The journey takes just 18 minutes, and trains depart every 10 minutes so there’s no need to worry if you miss one.
You can purchase your tickets in advance here, which gives you the added benefit of free cancellation and the option to buy now and pay later. Plus, it means you can get straight on the train when you arrive, without needing to worry about getting a ticket.
The commuter train
You can also take a commuter train (Pendeltåg) from Arlanda Airport to the city centre.
These trains are a more budget-friendly option, but they’re much slower than the Arlanda Express, with the journey taking about 40-45 minutes.
The rough ticket price for the commuter train is below (I’ve converted this from SEK to GBP so it’s an estimate):
SINGLE JOURNEY | £12 (adult) and £11 (discounted)
PASSAGE SUPPLEMENT FEE | £9.75
You’ll pay the adult fare if you’re between 20 – 64 years old, and you’ll pay the discounted fare if you’re 65+, a student holding a Swedish student identity card, or if you’re under 20.
There’s also a fee for trains going to and from the airport terminal at Arlanda. If you already have a valid SL ticket (a metro ticket), you just pay the passage supplement fee.
If you’re just arriving in Stockholm, you more than likely won’t already have an SL ticket, so I wouldn’t recommend the commuter train as an option, as you’ll only be saving yourself £2, and the journey takes twice as long.
Bus
There’s several bus routes that will take you from Stockholm airport to the city centre.
Flygbussarna
Flygbussarna Airport Coaches depart every 10–15 minutes between Stockholm Airport and the City Centre.
The journey takes around 50 minutes, so it’s a much longer travel time than the express train, but tickets are much cheaper, with a one way journey costing £9.
FLIXBUS
Flixbus also operates from the airport to the city centre. The journey takes around 40 minutes and a one way ticket costs just £7.
The departure times are much less frequent than Flygbussarna coaches though.
BUS4YOU
Bus4You also run a service between Stockholm airport and the city centre, with tickets costing £9 and a journey time of 45 minutes. Departures are more frequent than Flixbus, but not as regular as Flygbussarna.
Uber
There is Uber in Stockholm, and it’s one of the easiest ways to get from the airport to the City Centre. You can order on the app once you arrive, there’s no need to book ahead.
When you order your Uber, you’ll be given a set price which you will need to accept before the Uber is confirmed.
Expect to pay around €38 one way for an Uber from the airport to Gamla Stan (Stockholm’s Old Town), with the journey taking about 35 minutes.
If you’re travelling with at least one other person, an Uber might work out more cost efficient for you, as the Arlanda Express is £23pp for a one way journey.
But your journey will take a lot longer, so it completely depends on your preference.
Taxi
You can also take a taxi from outside the airport terminal, but expect to pay around £50 for this, which is substantially more than Uber.
Private transfer
If you like the security of knowing there’s a car waiting for you when you arrive in Stockholm, there’s nothing better than a private transfer.
The driver will meet you in arrivals, help you with your luggage, and drop you at your hotel.
Driving yourself
If you prefer the flexibility of having your own car whilst you’re in Stockholm, you can pick one up at the airport terminal.
I’d only really recommend this option if you’re planning to explore beyond Stockholm, as you won’t need a car if you’re just staying within the city.
If you do want to hire a car, I’d recommend using Discover Cars to find the most affordable option. They compare lots of different providers to find you the best price.
I use them every time I hire a car abroad and I’ve never had any bad experiences where they won’t give you your money back at the end like you sometimes hear about with dodgy car hire companies. The process is always really simple and stress-free.
Things to do whilst you’re in Stockholm
- Explore Gamla Stan – Stockholm’s old town is like something out of a fairytale. I’d suggest spending your first morning exploring with no real agenda, it’s a brilliant way to familiarise yourself with the city.
- Visit the ABBA Museum – The ABBA museum is an interactive museum that tells you about the early lives of the ABBA members, how the band was formed, and their journey to stardom. You have to book tickets in advance for this, you can’t get them on the door.
- Take a boat tour of the archipelago – The archipelago is made up of around 30,000 islands, although only 200 are inhabited. It covers an area of more than 650 square miles, and each island has a completely unique feel to it. This is the exact tour I took and it was my favourite thing we did on our trip.
- Discover the metro station art – The metro stations in Stockholm are often described as “the world’s longest art exhibit” with over 100 stations, all featuring an incredible piece of art. Make sure you spend a morning discovering them. It’s a really interesting and affordable activity.
- Visit The Vasa Museum – The Vasa Museum is a maritime museum home to Vasa, the Swedish warship that sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628. It’s the best preserved 17th century ship in the world, so it’s well worth a visit.
What’s the cheapest way to get from Stockholm airport to the city centre?
The cheapest way to get from Stockholm airport to the city centre is by taking the bus. There’s several bus companies that depart from the airport, with buses departing every 15 minutes. You can get a one way ticket for as little as £7.
How much is the train from Stockholm airport to the city centre?
The train from Stockholm airport to the city centre is called the Arlanda Express, and a single ticket costs £22. The journey takes just 18 minutes and trains depart very regularly, so it’s the most efficient way to get from the airport to the city.
Is the Arlanda Express worth it?
In my opinion, the Arlanda Express is well worth the money. It’s comfortable, reliable, and is the fastest route into the city from the airport. There’s also free Wifi onboard, and it’s a direct line between the airport and the city centre, with no stops in between.
Getting from Stockholm airport to the City Centre: The Wrap Up
As you can see, it couldn’t be easier to get from Stockholm airport to the City Centre.
There’s transport options to suit every budget, and services leave really regularly, so you don’t need to worry about missing a transfer.
