How to get from Stockholm Arlanda airport to the city centre (bus, train, car)

Stockholm is one of those underrated cities even though it has absolutely everything going for it. Stunning architecture, right on the water, a Nordic spirit but not too much of it, and flights that really aren’t expensive at all. Stockholm is very well served from every major European city, and not just the capitals. The same goes for its airport, Stockholm Arlanda, which is very easy to reach from the city centre even though it sits some forty kilometres out.

Let’s look at all the options, from the most convenient to the cheapest to the fastest.

The Arlanda Express train: the fastest

Like in more and more airports, there’s a direct train between Stockholm Arlanda airport and the Swedish capital’s city centre. And thank goodness! Because it’s super convenient. Not cheap, ok, but convenient.

It’s very easy to find in the airport’s arrivals terminal, and it arrives at the central train station, right in the centre.

Practical info:

• the ticket costs 340 SEK or €31 at the ticket desk, €21 with Getyourguide
• there are trains between 4am and 1am
• there’s a train every 12 to 15 minutes
• the trip takes 18 minutes, it’s super fast!
• find the journey planner here
  • Book your train ticket

SL commuter train (Pendeltåg): the good compromise

The SL commuter train (Pendeltåg) is Stockholm’s suburban train. A bit like the RER in Paris.

SL is the public transport authority in Stockholm (metro, bus, tram, pendeltåg).
And pendeltåg is the Swedish name for the train linking the surrounding towns to the city.

Between Arlanda and Stockholm city centre

There’s a line that takes you from the airport (Arlanda C station) to Stockholm City / Stockholm Central.
It’s slower than the Arlanda Express, but cheaper. There is one classic catch though:
to exit/enter Arlanda station on the pendeltåg, you often have to pay an “Arlanda passage” supplement on top of the SL ticket (depending on your travel pass).

For Arlanda → Stockholm on the pendeltåg, the full “single ticket” comes to 190 SEK (43 + 147). Because the standard ticket costs 43 SEK, and there’s a 147 SEK surcharge from the airport.

• Trains roughly every 30 minutes
• the trip takes about forty minutes
• the first train is around 4am, the last around 00:40
• so the ticket costs 190 SEK
• tickets are bought on the SL app or at the machines in the stations

The Vy Flygbussarna bus: the classic, reliable bus

Like in a lot of cities, Stockholm also has its official airport bus.
It’s Flygbussarna (Vy). Less sexy than a fast train, but super simple. And often the best one budget-wise.

You catch it right at Arlanda (at the bus stops near the terminals) and you arrive at Stockholm C / Cityterminalen, right next to the central station

Practical info:

• the ticket costs 129 SEK (adult), i.e. ≈ €12
• the trip takes about 40 minutes (depending on traffic)
• departure/arrival: Stockholm C (Cityterminalen), Gate 2
• at the airport: Terminal 4 (bus stop 7) and Terminal 2/3 (bus stop 6) (and you can get off at Terminal 5)
• timetable
  • from Stockholm: first bus at 3am, last bus around 23:40
  • from the airport: first bus at 4:10am, last bus at 1:38am
• the ticket is valid 3 months on the chosen line
• find the journey planner here
  • booking / buying the ticket

FlixBus Airport Shuttle: often the cheapest

It’s surprising but there’s also a Flixbus doing the trip between Arlanda airport and central Stockholm. There are lots of them and it’s pretty convenient:

• it stops at every terminal
• roughly every 30 to 60 minutes
• the price starts at €6.50
• the trip takes 50 minutes depending on traffic
• the first bus is at 4:45am, the last at 23:25
• info and booking at Flixbus

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Taxi: comfort comes at a price

Here you need to be careful. As is so often the case, this is the tourist trap. You ABSOLUTELY must take the official taxis! The airport-approved taxis. Otherwise, it’s a rip-off.

These Airport Approved taxis have a fixed price for a defined zone of Stockholm: 800 SEK. So when you get in, do ask whether that’s the price. And whether it’s clearly displayed.

Other companies, especially the ones you order through an app, may use a “fast pris”, which means “fixed price”. You also need to ask them beforehand whether that’s the case. Before setting off.

I’ll say it again: taking an unlicensed taxi, an unofficial taxi, is heading straight for trouble.

You can use taxi apps:

• freenow
• Taxi Stockholm
• Sverigetaxi

Ride-hailing: convenient but variable pricing

There are ride-hailing services that can pick you up at Arlanda airport (or take you there). The big advantage is that it’s not especially expensive off-peak. On the other hand, you know how it goes — come rush hour, prices go through the roof. So it can be a good option. Below I’ve given you two examples for a weekday morning pickup at the airport.

• with Uber you’re at 539 SEK to get to the city centre, i.e. under €50
• with Bolt, it’s 770 SEK for the same trip, BUT watch out, the price is inflated because they “give you 50% off” on the trip. So they put it up before bringing it down. But anyway, generally speaking Bolt is cheaper than Uber. On the other hand there’s less vetting of the drivers. So I prefer Uber.

Renting a car at Stockholm airport

Right, here I’ll admit this is the simplest option if you’re after independence and you’re going to head off exploring. Because having a car in a Nordic country means being able to enjoy the incredible nature.

That said, if you’re staying in Stockholm itself, there’s not much point because in the Swedish capital everything is done on foot or by public transport. It’s really convenient, whereas parking is expensive and there’s not much room for cars.

That said, we were a touch outside the centre, at the Unity Hammarby Sjöstad with parking access, so since we were passing through with the car, it was ideal.

The nice surprise with car rental at Stockholm Arlanda is that it isn’t especially expensive. I ran several simulations on comparison sites, you start at around €25 a day (for a small SUV, and even less for a compact) and it almost never goes above €50. Unless, as always, you leave it to the last minute!

Use the comparison sites to get the best price and find the right agency. Compare the comparison sites, because they have different commercial deals. I use two that I’m very happy with (logically, yes):

• Discover Cars
• Booking (which also does car comparison)

The private driver who comes to pick you up: ideal but not cheap

You also have the option of booking your driver in advance so they’re waiting for you on arrival. Not bad! The price depends on the number of people:

• up to 3 people: €84
• a minivan for up to 6 people: €100
• a minibus for up to 8 people: €120

Ideal if you want peace of mind, and just perfect if you’re in a group!

In conclusion

There you go, I think you know everything now! There are loads of ways to get from Stockholm Arlanda airport to the city centre, or the other way round, and there’s bound to be one that suits you, because we’ve got:

• fast and convenient with the Arlanda Express
• a fast, reliable bus with Flygbussarna
• a low price with Flixbus
• flexibility with ride-hailing
• comfort with the driver waiting for you
• and if you’re heading off exploring, car rental

As everywhere, I’d be really careful with taxis, making sure to take the ones that are licensed to be there and that have a fixed price, to avoid any funny business. We thought we were safe in the Nordic countries, but not at all!

Resources for your trip to Stockholm

I write more articles about Stockholm as I discover the city (which I love), so here they are:

• Which neighbourhood to stay in in Stockholm – so you don’t end up too far out or in a so-so hotel, here’s all my advice
• Taking a cruise in the Stockholm archipelago – when the weather’s good, it might just be the best activity in the city!

If you need more information, don't hesitate to ask me by clicking here 🙂How can I help you ?