Getting from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm city

Landing at Stockholm Arlanda Airport is easy — getting into the city is just as straightforward. Located around 40km north of the centre, Arlanda is well connected by fast trains, local public transport and direct airport buses.

Whether you’re looking for the quickest route, the cheapest option or the most convenient transfer, here’s how to get from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm city centre.

The fastest way: take the train

There are several different train options to consider, depending on how quickly you want to arrive and how much you want to pay.

Arlanda Express

If you’re in a rush and need to get from Arlanda Airport to the Stockholm as fast as possible, the speedy Arlanda Express trains are a good choice.

They leave every 12-15 minutes from 4.20am to 00.35am (every 30 minutes between midnight and 1am) and will whizz you from the airport to Stockholm’s Central station (Stockholm C) in under 20 minutes.

Tickets for the Arlanda airport shuttle are on the pricey side, though: if you’re 26 or older you’ll pay a whopping 340 SEK for a one-way ticket, and 640 SEK for a return.

Youth rates are good, though. Those aged 8–25 pay 160 SEK one-way, or 320 SEK return, though you’ll need to show proof of your age. Children travel for free with Adult and Pensioner ticket holders. Children aged 8-17 require a ticket if unaccompanied by an adult.

There are also decent discounts for those travelling with a partner or in a group. One-way tickets for two travellers together are 460 SEK (that’s 230 SEK each) and three travellers will pay 580 SEK (that’s 194 SEK each).

Note that families travelling with children under 25 may find it cheaper to buy a group rate for the parents and a youth ticket for any children.

Mälartåg trains

Mälartåg double-decker and regional trains  also make the same journey in around 20 minutes, but have less regular departures than the Arlanda Express.

They cost around 270 SEK one-way, so are cheaper for those over 25 who are travelling alone, or with just one other person. Under 25s will get a cheaper rate on the Arlanda Express. You can buy tickets for these trains on the Omio website.

The cheapest way: take public transport

Not worried about time and just want to get into Stockholm city centre as cheaply as possible? Take public transport.

Local trains

Local SL stopping trains run from Arlanda Central to Stockholm City station, next door to Stockholm Central. They leave every 30 minutes, take around 40 minutes and cost 240 SEK (26 SEK for under 20s). Timetables and tickets are available online.

Public bus and commuter train

But the very cheapest way of all is usually to take the public bus (although it’s worth checking with Flixbus first, as their advance tickets at quieter times can sometimes be even cheaper).

This isn’t the fastest option (it takes about an hour to reach central Stockholm, and sometimes longer depending on the traffic), but with a one-way journey costing as little as 117 SEK, it’s usually the cheapest way to get into the city.

And discount rates for under 20s, over 65s and full-time students with a valid ID start at 81 SEK.

Bus #583 departs from outside Terminals 2&3 at Arlanda every 15 minutes or so, bound for Märsta station.

Get off when you reach Märsta (this part takes around 15 minutes) and then switch to a #41 or #42X commuter train heading for Nynäshamn. The bus stops right by the train station, making transfers quick and easy.

The commuter train stops at Solna and Stockholm Odenplan, before arriving at Stockholm City (it’s the last stop, so you really can’t miss it).

You can make this whole journey using a single public transport ticket – this guide has all the info you need to get a ticket.

Cheap direct option: hop on the airport bus

There are several airport bus options that will take you directly into the centre of the city, all of which are cheaper than the train.

Flixbus

The cheapest direct bus transfer we’ve found is by Flixbus. The journey takes 40–45 minutes depending on the time of day and goes straight from Arlanda to City Terminalen in the middle of town.

Buses run from 8.50am–10.50pm, though check the online timetable as there are large gaps when there are no buses. One-way tickets cost from 79 SEK and can be bought online.

Bear in mind that Flixbus uses dynamic pricing and the fare increases the more seats are sold, so at busy times you’ll pay a lower price if you can book in advance. The fare includes one piece of luggage, plus one piece of hand luggage, though you can buy additional bags for around 60 SEK.

Vy Flygbussarna

In addition, Vy Flygbussarna airport buses run from Arlanda to the main bus terminal in the centre of Stockholm, with frequent departures throughout the day and night. They leave every 20–30 minutes from around 7am–midnight, less frequently through the night. The ride from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm takes around 50 minutes and there’s free wifi onboard.

One-way tickets cost 129 SEK (119 SEK for under 18s). Group tickets are also available, you can bring a friend/colleague for 99 SEK extra per person. Tickets can be bought online in advance or on the bus (credit and debit cards only). It’s also worth noting that students at Stockholm University can get a free shuttle bus from the airport to the Frescati Campus on the first Sunday of term.

The laziest way: grab a taxi

Taking a taxi isn’t the quickest option and because of the rip-off costs involved we’d suggest giving it a miss. The 40-minute ride from the airport is very expensive and no faster than the train.

That said, a taxi might be worth considering if you’re sharing the journey with a few friends, or have a lot of luggage and want to avoid carrying your bags onto a bus or a train. If you do take a taxi, it’s best to choose one of the authorised companies operating at the airport. These taxis have agreements with Swedavia and display a clearly marked maximum fare into central Stockholm.

For journeys between Arlanda and the city centre, expect a fixed price of around 700–900 SEK for 1–4 passengers, depending on the company and time of day. Larger vehicles for groups may cost more.

Authorised taxis queue outside Terminals 2 and 5, and prices are usually displayed on the vehicle. Always check the fare before starting your journey. Reputable drivers will offer a fixed price (fast pris).

While Stockholm is generally a safe city, taxi prices are not strictly regulated, so it’s still worth double-checking to avoid overpaying. Alternatively, ride-hailing apps like Uber or Bolt operate in Stockholm and offer similar pricing with the convenience of booking through an app.

The easy way: by car

If you’re planning to do a lot of travelling around Sweden after your stay in the city, you may want to rent a car directly from the airport. It’s worth noting though that you won’t need a car in central Stockholm itself, so this is probably only really a good idea if you’re planning to head out into the countryside afterwards.

Like all major European cities, parking in central Stockholm is not easy to find and can be expensive – expect to pay around 400-700 SEK a day for garage parking. On-street parking is usually cheaper, but spaces are limited and often restricted to short stays. So, you’ll need to factor this into your decision as to whether it’s worth hiring a car while you’re in the city.

If you do decide to rent a car, all the major international rental companies operate at Arlanda, including Avis, Hertz, Europcar and Sixt. Most rental offices are located in a dedicated car rental area just outside the airport. Free shuttle buses run regularly from the terminals to the rental centre.

For more on the dos and don’ts of car rental in Sweden, check out our guide.

The VIP way: take a limo or private van

And if you fancy doing it the luxury way, why not order a private airport transfer? Yes, it’s pricey, but you get your own chauffeur, no extra luggage charges and you can be dropped off wherever you like in the city. 

The fun way: by helicopter

Need to travel from Arlanda to Stockholm even faster – and money is no object? You can always charter a helicopter with this company.

Just starting your trip? Don’t forget your insurance!

Stockholm is a safe place but you still need travel insurance. A good policy can make a world of difference if things go wrong. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries.

As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Getting to Stockholm: which option is best?

Getting from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm city centre is quick and straightforward, with options to suit every budget and travel style. Whether you choose the fast Arlanda Express, a cheaper bus or a more flexible taxi, you’ll be in the heart of the city in no time.

Which option did you go for — or are you still deciding? Let us know in the comments below.

See also:
Surviving a layover at Stockholm Arlanda
The Stockholm Pass: is it worth buying?
110 cheap and free things to do in Stockholm