Stockholm Airport to City Center: Arlanda Express Train is Best
BY JARED DILLINGHAM
TRAVEL GUIDE: HOW TO USE THE ARLANDA EXPRESS TRAIN
There are a variety of ways to get from the Stockholm Airport to the city center, but the Arlanda Express train is the fastest and easiest.
Airport transportation on arrival is sometimes an afterthought as I plan the more exciting parts of a trip, but let’s face it: a transfer on arrival that’s fast and easy is the best way to start your vacation off right!
Why Take the Arlanda Express From the Stockholm Airport to the City Center?
The Arlanda Express is one of the easiest airport train systems I’ve ever used.
It’s a 25 mile trip (or 40 kilometers) from the Stockholm Airport to the city center and Central Train Station.
It’s the Fastest Way to Get to Stockholm’s City Center
The Arlanda Express Train takes just 18 minutes to get from Stockholm’s airport to the city center and Central Station downtown.
Aside from the two stops at the airport, this is an express train. It goes directly from the Stockholm Airport to the city center (Central Train Station).
It’s Hassle-Free
I continue to make the mistake of not researching airport transportation *before* a trip. It didn’t matter in Stockholm, because the Arlanda Express was so easy to figure out.
I often give up and just take an Uber, but the Arlanda Express is faster and easier.
Airport Train Departure Times
The Arlanda Express runs nonstop, but less frequently during off-peak hours.
During the airport’s busiest times and rush hour, the airport trains run every 10 minutes.
During off-peak hours, the trains run every 15 minutes.
How To Buy A Ticket From The Stockholm Airport To The City Center
While following the bright yellow signs toward the train stations in the airport, you’ll find bright yellow ticket kiosks, which are easy to use.
You can also pre-purchase your train tickets:
Arlanda Express: Cost Breakdown
You’re paying a premium for the ease and efficiency of using the Arlanda Express, so it’s more expensive than the bus.
Your tickets are good for 90 days from the day you purchase them.
Ticket Prices
- 🚊 One-way Adult: 299 SEK 💵 $25-$30
- 🚊 Roundtrip Adult: 579 SEK 💵 $50 – $55
- 🚊 Youth: Ages 0 – 7 are free
- 🚊 Youth: Ages 8 – 17 are free, if traveling with an adult
- 🚊 Young Adults: 18 – 25 (one-way) 149 SEK 💵 $11 – $15
- 🚊 Young Adults: 18 – 25 (roundtrip) 298 SEK 💵 $25 – $30
Arlanda Express DISCOUNTS
- 🚊 Discount roundtrip for 2: 399 SEK 💵 $34 – $38
- 🚊 Discount roundtrip for 3: 499 SEK 💵 $42 – $46
- 🚊 Discount roundtrip for 4: 599 SEK 💵 $51 – $55
- 🚊 Senior Discount (one-way) 249 SEK 💵 $20 – $24
- 🚊 Senior Discount (roundtrip) 498 SEK 💵 $42 – $46
Travel Pass Discount (Good for One Month)
- 🚊 12 Trips: 3230 SEK 💵 $500 – $520
- 🚊 24 Trips: 5740 SEK 💵 $280 – $290
The Travel Passes you buy online at the Arlanda Express website can be shared, and used by several different passengers on the same trip!
Why is the Arlanda Express Train so Expensive?
The Arlanda Express is not subsidized by the government, and relies entirely on ticket sales.
The train is contractually obligated to run 24-7, though it operates less frequently at night.
Ticket prices are high to subsidize the overnight runs, when few (if any people) are onboard.
Arlanda Express: Frequently Asked Questions
Do They Check Tickets on the Arlanda Express?
Yes, the trains are only a few cars long, and each has a conductor or staff member walking down the aisle scanning tickets.
If you boarded the Arlanda Express without a ticket, you’ll have to buy one from the conductor.
Onboard tickets are an extra 200 SEK, or about $9.00.
Where are the Train Stations at the Airport?
There are two train stations at Stockholm’s airport.
The South Station services Terminals 2, 3, and 4.
The North Station services Terminal 5.
How Fast are the Trains to Stockholm?
The express trains run at speeds upwards of 200 kilometers an hour.
I saw ours top out around 205 km/h, which is about 127 miles an hour.
It helps that there are no stops in the 25 mile trip from the Stockholm Airport to the city center.
Is Stockholm’s Airport Train Environmentally-Friendly?
The Arlanda Express is carbon-neutral.
The trains run completely on eco-friendly, renewable sources of energy:
- ♻️ Wind Energy
- ♻️ Solar Power
- ♻️ Bio Diesel
- ♻️ Hydropower
Can You Bring Dogs and Pets on the Stockholm Airport Train?
Yes, animals traveling with you are allowed to ride the Arlanda Express.
They ask you to follow the airlines’ rules, and keep your pets in their carriers. Also, passengers traveling with pets should sit in the middle cars, which are parked with animal decals. This is to allow people with animal allergies to sit in other cars.
Service dogs and guide dogs are allowed to walk freely, and can go in any car on the train.
Other Options to get From the Airport to Central Stockholm
The Arlanda Express is the fastest way to get into the city, but not the cheapest. That title belongs to the bus.
Cheapest Way to Get from the Airport into Stockholm: The Bus
There are two bus options from the airport, and after taxes and fees they both come out to the same cost: around $11.00 for a one-way ticket.
- 🚌 FlixBus is $7.00 for a one way ticket from the airport into the city, plus a $4.00 booking fee.
- 🚌 You can reserve your tickets on their website, which also has a timetable and schedule.
- 🚌 Flygbussarna will also cost $11 for a ride into Stockholm.
- 🚌 Their booking website also has an easy-to read timetable.
I don’t have experience with either, so I can’t recommend one over the other.
The Cost of a Car Service From Stockholm’s Airport
If you have too much luggage, or just don’t like public transportation, you can reserve a private car service or a van for larger groups.
It’ll cost you around $100 for a one-way trip, and the drive should take 45 minutes (depending on traffic)
✈️ BOOKING RECOMMENDATION: Private Car Service – Arlanda Airport to Stockholm Hotel
✈️ BOOKING RECOMMENDATION: Private Van – Arlanda Airport to Stockholm Hotel
Stockholm has Uber
The drives will take around 40 – 45 minutes, again – depending on traffic.
When we were there, Ubers were running around 600 SEK, or $55.
Taxi costs in Stockholm are roughly the same as Uber from the airport.
What to do in Stockholm: Walking Tour Ideas
Check out my other blog on exploring the main sites of Stockholm.
It’s a beautiful city with a medieval history, and guiding yourself along one of these walking tours is the best way to experience it!
You can also take great day trips from Stockholm. I’d recommend hitting the historic nearby towns of Uppsala and Sigtuna. They’re easy to get to on the bus and/or train.
➡️ JARED’S DETOURS Blog: Best Day Trips from Stockholm: Uppsala & Sigtuna
➡️ JARED’S DETOURS Blog: Best Ferry Routes for Tourists & Sightseeing
Conclusion: Pay Extra for Efficiency
The Arlanda Express is also the best way to get from Central Stockholm to the airport.
I’m used to taking the AirTrain at JFK in New York City to either the Long Island Railroad or the NYC Subway System to get into Manhattan. It’s confusing for first-time visitors, and a slow, clunky ride into the city
Granted the Arlanda Express is much newer (opened in 1999), but it’s far easier, and much more efficient than airport trains in most cities.
