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, 320 SEK), Flygbussarna airport coach (45 min, 119 SEK), SL pendeltåg commuter train (38 min, ~186 SEK), 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
| Option | Time | Adult Price | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlanda Express | 18 min | 320 SEK | Every 15 min | Fastest. Arlanda C — Stockholm Central. |
| SL pendeltåg + Arlanda surcharge | 38 min | ~186 SEK | Every 30 min | Cheapest with SL travelcard. |
| Flygbussarna | 45 min | 119 SEK | Every 15-20 min | Cheapest single fare. |
| Taxi (fixed-rate) | 35–50 min | 545–745 SEK | On demand | Door-to-door, multiple passengers. |
| Uber / Bolt | 35–50 min | 500–800 SEK | On demand | App-based. |
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: 320 SEK one-way; 540 SEK return.
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 surcharge — cheapest with SL card
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 (41 SEK single, or via SL travelcard) + Arlanda surcharge (~145 SEK).
Total typical cost: ~186 SEK if no SL card; even cheaper if SL travelcard already purchased.
Frequency: Every 30 minutes 05:00–24:00.
Best for: Travelers who already have a Stockholm SL travelcard; budget-conscious travelers 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: 119 SEK adult one-way; 219 SEK return.
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 (320 SEK, 18 min) — fastest and most-direct. Stockholm Central is hub for further transit.
For budget travelers
Flygbussarna (119 SEK, 45 min) — cheapest single fare. SL pendeltåg with Arlanda surcharge is similar with slight savings if SL card already purchased.
For families
Arlanda Express family ticket — 2 adults + up to 4 children for 540 SEK one-way is 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.
Family ticket: 540 SEK one-way for 2 adults + up to 4 children under 17 is 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.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best way to get from Arlanda to Stockholm?
Arlanda Express (18 min, 320 SEK) is fastest. Flygbussarna (45 min, 119 SEK) is cheapest. SL pendeltåg with Arlanda surcharge (~186 SEK, 38 min) is value option for travelers with SL card. 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?
320 SEK adult one-way; 540 SEK return. Family ticket (2 adults + up to 4 children under 17) 540 SEK one-way — children effectively free.
How much is Flygbussarna airport bus?
119 SEK adult one-way; 219 SEK return.
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 a separate Arlanda surcharge (~145 SEK each direction) is added to your SL travelcard fare.
What’s the cheapest way from Arlanda to Stockholm?
Flygbussarna airport bus at 119 SEK adult is cheapest single-ticket option. SL pendeltåg with Arlanda surcharge (~186 SEK total) is similar.
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 (119 SEK vs 320 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.
