How to Get from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm City (2026)

How to get from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm city — Stockholm’s main international airport is 40 km north of the city center, and four reliable transport options connect them: Arlanda Express airport train (18 min, 340 SEK), Flygbussarna airport coach (45 min, about 129 SEK online), SL pendeltåg commuter train (38 min, about 200 SEK with the Arlanda passage fee), or taxi (35–50 min, 545–745 SEK fixed-rate). This Arlanda to Stockholm guide covers all options with current pricing, journey times, where to catch each, and recommendations for travelers with different priorities (speed, cost, luggage, late-night arrivals).

Arlanda to Stockholm options at a glance

Arlanda Express — fastest option

Arlanda Express is the dedicated airport express train. 18-minute journey directly between Arlanda Airport and Stockholm Central Station — Stockholm’s fastest airport transfer.

Service: Every 15 minutes 05:00–24:00. Departures aligned with major flight arrivals.

Stations: Arlanda South (Terminals 2, 3, 4) and Arlanda North (Terminal 5). Both stations directly connected to terminals.

Stockholm terminus: Stockholm Central Station — Arlanda Express platform.

Adult ticket: 340 SEK one-way; 640 SEK return (2026).

Family discount: 2 adults + up to 4 children under 17 = 540 SEK one-way (children effectively free).

Booking: Online (arlandaexpress.com), Arlanda Express ticket machines, Stockholm Central kiosks, or via app.

Best for: Travelers prioritizing speed; airport-to-Stockholm-Central direct; families (children effectively free with adult ticket).

SL pendeltåg + Arlanda passage fee — the cheaper train

SL pendeltåg (commuter train) operated by SL also serves Arlanda Airport, but with a separate Arlanda surcharge.

Journey: ~38 minutes Stockholm Central to Arlanda C station.

Cost: SL ticket (43 SEK single, or via SL travelcard) + Arlanda passage fee (about 157 SEK for adults in 2026; under-18s don’t pay it).

Total typical cost: about 200 SEK if no SL card. With an SL travelcard you still pay the 157 SEK passage fee, which is more than the Flygbussarna coach.

Frequency: Every 30 minutes 05:00–24:00.

Best for: Budget-conscious travelers who prefer rail to the road and are willing to add 20 minutes vs Arlanda Express.

Flygbussarna airport coach — cheapest single fare

Flygbussarna is Stockholm’s airport bus service. Direct coaches between Arlanda Airport and Stockholm Cityterminalen (attached to Stockholm Central).

Journey: 45 minutes (depending on traffic).

Cost: about 129 SEK adult one-way online (2026); check the Flygbussarna app for return fares.

Frequency: Every 15–20 minutes peak; every 30 minutes off-peak.

Stops: Direct to Stockholm Cityterminalen (no intermediate stops).

Best for: Budget-conscious travelers; light luggage; arriving outside peak rush hour.

Taxi (fixed-rate) — door-to-door

Stockholm taxis offer fixed-rate fares to/from Arlanda Airport.

Journey: 35–50 minutes depending on traffic.

Fixed-rate cost: 545–745 SEK depending on Stockholm zone.

Major operators: Taxi Stockholm, Taxi 020, Sverige Taxi, Bolt, Uber. All offer fixed-rate Arlanda fares.

Booking: Pre-book via app or website for best rates. At-airport taxi rank also accepts walk-up.

Best for: Late-night arrivals; multiple passengers (cheaper per person); travelers with lots of luggage.

Uber / Bolt — app-based

Cost: Typically 500–800 SEK Arlanda to central Stockholm. Surge pricing during peak times can push higher.

Journey: Same as taxi.

Booking: Uber and Bolt apps both work in Stockholm.

Best for: App-savvy travelers who already use Uber/Bolt.

Arlanda to Stockholm by traveler type

For first-time visitors

Arlanda Express (340 SEK, 18 min) — fastest and most-direct. Stockholm Central is hub for further transit.

For budget travelers

Flygbussarna (about 129 SEK online, 45 min) — cheapest single fare. The SL pendeltåg costs about 200 SEK with the Arlanda passage fee, and still 157 SEK if you already have an SL card, so the coach wins either way.

For families

Arlanda Express — children aged 0–17 travel free with a paying adult, and a second adult adds only 120 SEK, so two adults with their children pay 460 SEK one-way in 2026. Exceptional value.

For early-flight or late-arriving travelers

Taxi or Uber/Bolt — most reliable for 04:00 morning departures or late-night arrivals.

For multiple passengers

Taxi or Uber/Bolt at fixed-rate — fixed-rate fare divided across passengers can be cheapest per person.

For onward Stockholm transit

Arlanda Express puts you at Stockholm Central — instant connection to all metro lines, SL travelcard purchase, hotel walking distance.

For Arlanda hotel stays

Most Arlanda hotels (Clarion Hotel Arlanda, Radisson Blu Arlandia, etc.) offer free shuttles. See hotels near Arlanda Airport.

Arlanda Airport overview

Terminals: Arlanda has Terminals 2, 3, 4, 5. International flights typically via Terminal 5; domestic and Schengen often via Terminal 4.

Sky City: Connected complex between Terminals 4 and 5. Houses Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport, Sky City Restaurant, retail, and Arlanda Express stations (south and north).

Distance from Stockholm: 40 km north of city center.

Operating hours: 24-hour airport operations.

Currency exchange: Forex Bank at major terminals. ATMs throughout.

Arlanda Express tips and tricks

Online booking saves: Online tickets ~15% cheaper than at-station purchase.

Families and groups: children aged 0–17 travel free with a paying adult, and up to seven more travellers can join an adult ticket for 120 SEK each, so two adults pay 460 SEK one-way in 2026. Exceptional value.

Refundable tickets: Online tickets are date-flexible.

Skip-the-counter: Online tickets allow direct gate entry — no ticket counter needed.

Stockholm Central platform: Arlanda Express has dedicated platform at Stockholm Central — exit through Sergelgång exit closest to Vasagatan hotels.

Flygbussarna tips

Online booking saves: Online tickets cheaper than on-coach purchase.

Direct service: No intermediate stops between Arlanda and Stockholm Cityterminalen.

Stockholm Cityterminalen: Connected to Stockholm Central via underground passage.

Luggage: Two large suitcases + carry-on per passenger included.

Avoiding scams

Use regulated operators: Taxi Stockholm, Taxi 020, Sverige Taxi, Bolt, Uber.

Confirm fare before getting in: For non-regulated taxi services, confirm price before journey starts.

Avoid unmetered taxis: Stockholm Airport has had occasional issues with non-regulated drivers approaching arrivals. Stick to taxi rank or pre-booked services.

Fixed-rate confirmation: Stockholm regulated taxis post fixed-rate Arlanda fares on the door — verify before departure.

Not flying into Arlanda? Stockholm has three other airports, Bromma close to the centre and Skavsta and Västerås about 100 km away, and plenty of travellers arrive by train or ferry instead. Our guide to getting to Stockholm compares every route, with times, costs and which to pick.

If you are flying out rather than in, note that since October 2025 all check-in and security for Terminal 4 flights, Ryanair and Wizz Air included, happens in Terminal 5, so take the train to Arlanda North rather than Arlanda South. Our Arlanda Airport guide covers the terminals, lounges, tax refunds and what to do with a layover.

Flying into Skavsta instead? It is a very different journey: about 100 kilometres, around 80 minutes on the coach to Cityterminalen, or a local bus and a regional train via Nyköping. Our guide to getting from Skavsta to Stockholm has the options, the fares and what to do about early flights.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best way to get from Arlanda to Stockholm?

Arlanda Express (18 min, 340 SEK) is fastest. Flygbussarna (45 min, about 129 SEK online) is cheapest. SL pendeltåg with the Arlanda passage fee (about 200 SEK, 38 min) sits in between, and even with an SL card you pay the 157 SEK fee. Taxi (35–50 min, 545–745 SEK) is best for late-night arrivals or multiple passengers.

How long is Arlanda Express to Stockholm Central?

18 minutes. Departures every 15 minutes 05:00–24:00.

How much does Arlanda Express cost?

340 SEK adult one-way; 640 SEK return (2026). Children aged 0–17 travel free with a paying adult, and a second adult adds 120 SEK, so two adults pay 460 SEK one-way.

How much is Flygbussarna airport bus?

About 129 SEK adult one-way online in 2026. Check the Flygbussarna app for return fares.

How much is a taxi from Arlanda to Stockholm?

545–745 SEK fixed-rate depending on Stockholm zone. Major operators: Taxi Stockholm, Taxi 020, Sverige Taxi, Bolt, Uber.

Can I use my SL card to get to Arlanda?

Yes via SL pendeltåg, but adults also pay the Arlanda passage fee (about 157 SEK each direction in 2026) on top of an SL travelcard.

What’s the cheapest way from Arlanda to Stockholm?

Flygbussarna airport bus at about 129 SEK adult online is the cheapest option. SL pendeltåg with the Arlanda passage fee costs about 200 SEK in total, or 157 SEK with an SL travelcard.

Where does Arlanda Express arrive in Stockholm?

Stockholm Central Station — dedicated Arlanda Express platform. Direct connection to all metro lines and walking distance to Norrmalm hotels.

Should I take Arlanda Express or Flygbussarna?

Arlanda Express for speed (18 min vs 45 min). Flygbussarna for budget (about 129 SEK vs 340 SEK). For 1-3 passengers prioritizing speed, Arlanda Express. For 4+ passengers, taxi fixed-rate divided across passengers can be cheapest per person.

What’s the best Arlanda transport for early flights?

Stay at Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport (terminal-attached, no shuttle wait). Or pre-book taxi for 04:00 morning departure (Arlanda Express runs from 05:00).

For Stockholm transport, see our getting around Stockholm. For Arlanda hotels, see hotels near Arlanda Airport.