Stockholm has a reputation as an eye-wateringly expensive city, and the hotels are where a lot of first-timers feel it. But there are genuinely good cheap hotels in Stockholm — you can sleep well for under $150 a night (roughly 1,500 SEK) if you know which places give you a real bed near the metro versus a cupboard in the suburbs. I’ve stayed in a good chunk of these, and this is where I’d send a budget-minded friend. If you’re weighing districts more broadly, pair this with our Stockholm hotels and accommodation overview.
What are the cheapest hotels in Stockholm? Three types deliver under $150: budget chains like Comfort Hotel Xpress and ibis (roughly 950–1,400 SEK), hostels with private rooms such as Generator and City Backpackers (700–1,400 SEK), and a handful of small boutique-ish spots like Hotel C near the station (1,100–1,500 SEK). Dorm beds go from around 320 SEK.
Cheap hotels in Stockholm under $150: quick picks
Here are the eight I’d shortlist first. Prices are for a double and swing a lot by season, so treat them as a guide and check live rates.
| Hotel / hostel | Area | Rough double | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Hotel Xpress | Norrmalm (central) | 950–1,400 SEK | Location for the price |
| ibis Stockholm South | Västberga | 800–1,200 SEK | Lowest chain rates |
| Generator Stockholm | Vasastan border | 1,000–1,400 SEK (dorms from 350) | Solo & social |
| City Backpackers Inn | Norrmalm | 1,100–1,500 SEK (dorms from 320) | Award-winning hostel |
| STF af Chapman | Skeppsholmen | 950–1,400 SEK (dorms from 380) | Atmosphere (a ship!) |
| Hotel C Stockholm | By Central Station | 1,100–1,500 SEK | Transit convenience |
| Scandic Sjöfartshotellet | Slussen / Söder | 1,100–1,500 SEK | Söder neighbourhood feel |
| Best Western Plus Hus 57 | Vasastan | 1,000–1,400 SEK | Quiet, decent value |
Comfort Hotel Xpress: the budget pick I recommend most
If you want one easy answer, this is it. Comfort Hotel Xpress (Bryggargatan 12A) is Stockholm’s leading budget chain, built around compact 12-square-metre “cabin” rooms that have everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s self check-in and deliberately no-frills, which is the whole point: you’re paying for a good location, not a lobby you’ll never sit in.
What’s good: a five-minute walk to T-Centralen, steps from the Drottninggatan shopping street, free coffee and tea all day, free WiFi and a 24-hour desk. What’s not: the rooms really are small, it’s showers only (no baths), and some street-facing rooms catch traffic noise. For solo travellers and couples who’ll be out exploring all day, it’s hard to beat on value.
ibis Stockholm: reliable chain rates
ibis has a few Stockholm locations. The South (Västberga) branch is the cheapest, while ibis Styles at Odenplan is more central but pricier. You get the dependable Accor-chain basics — free WiFi, 24-hour reception, breakfast around 95 SEK — without any surprises. The trade-off at the South branch is a four-stop metro ride (8–12 minutes) into the centre and some dated décor. It’s the pick if you’ll happily commute a little to shave money off the nightly rate.
Cheap hotels near Stockholm Central Station
Landing late or leaving early? Staying by the station saves you a lot of hassle. Hotel C Stockholm is literally on Vasaplan by Central Station (1,100–1,500 SEK) and is the best transit-accessible budget option. Comfort Hotel Xpress is a five-minute walk away for a bit less, and if you can stretch the budget, Scandic Continental sits right next to the station (though at 1,500–2,200 SEK it’s more mid-range than budget). For the full rundown of station-side options, see our guide to hotels near Stockholm Central Station.
Budget options on Södermalm
Söder tends to run a touch cheaper than Norrmalm while giving you a stronger neighbourhood feel — craft-cocktail bars, vintage shops and hilltop views. Scandic Sjöfartshotellet sits on the Slussen waterfront within walking distance of both Söder’s bars and Gamla Stan (1,100–1,500 SEK). Hotel Anno 1647 is a characterful conversion of a 1647 building (1,200–1,600 SEK), and the tiny, family-run Hotel Tre Små Rum is a genuine bargain at 1,000–1,300 SEK if you can grab one of its three rooms.
Hostels with private rooms: often the smartest value
Here’s the tip a lot of visitors miss: Stockholm’s hostels have upped their game, and their private rooms frequently beat budget hotels on both price and design, with better common spaces thrown in. For a deeper dive, see our full list of the best hostels in Stockholm.
- Generator Stockholm (Torsgatan 10) — A slick design hostel with a buzzy bar, restaurant and lounge. Private doubles 1,000–1,400 SEK; dorms from 350 SEK. My pick for solo travellers who want to meet people.
- City Backpackers Inn (Upplandsgatan 2A) — Repeatedly award-winning, with a sauna, a proper kitchen and free WiFi. Privates 1,100–1,500 SEK; dorms from 320 SEK.
- STF Vandrarhem af Chapman — A full-rigged 1888 sailing ship moored off Skeppsholmen. You’re paying for the atmosphere and the view, not the amenities, and it’s worth it. Privates 950–1,400 SEK; dorms from 380 SEK.
- Castanea Old Town Hostel (Kindstugatan 1) — The cheapest way to sleep inside Gamla Stan. Privates 950–1,250 SEK.
Where to stay cheap, by priority
Rock-bottom price
A dorm bed: City Backpackers from 320 SEK, Generator from 350 SEK, af Chapman from 380 SEK.
Best private room under 1,200 SEK
ibis Stockholm South, Hotel Tre Små Rum, or a Generator private.
Best location-to-price ratio
Comfort Hotel Xpress (central, five minutes from T-Centralen) or Hotel C (right at Central Station).
Best for solo travellers
Generator for the social scene, City Backpackers for the kitchen-and-sauna community feel, af Chapman for pure atmosphere.
Best Söder neighbourhood feel
Scandic Sjöfartshotellet or Hotel Anno 1647 — both walkable to Söder’s bars and across to Gamla Stan.
Best in Gamla Stan
Castanea Old Town Hostel is the budget champion; most other hotels in Gamla Stan sit above the budget tier, so book early if the Old Town is a must.
How Stockholm budget hotel prices move
Timing is your biggest lever. Roughly:
- Low season (Nov–March, minus the Christmas market): the best deals — Comfort Hotel Xpress can drop to 750–900 SEK, dorms to around 250 SEK.
- Shoulder (April, May, September, October): strong value with decent weather.
- High season (June–August): peak rates, with budget doubles pushing 1,200–1,500 SEK and dorms 380–500 SEK.
- Christmas market period (mid-December): rates spike; book about two months ahead.
Money-saving tips for a cheap Stockholm trip
A few habits stretch a budget a long way here. Travelling with kids or a group? Compare rates with our guide to the best family hotels in Stockholm too, since family rooms sometimes undercut two budget doubles.
- Book direct. Hotels and hostels often beat third-party rates and throw in perks like free breakfast or late checkout.
- Skip the breakfast add-on. Hotel breakfast runs 95–195 SEK; a grocery-store breakfast from Coop, Hemköp or ICA is 35–65 SEK, and a 7-Eleven coffee is about 25 SEK.
- Use public transport. An SL 24-hour travel pass is around 165 SEK versus roughly 645 SEK for an airport taxi; the Arlanda Express is about 320 SEK.
- Lean on free culture. Several major museums (Nationalmuseum, Moderna Museet, the Hallwyl Museum) have free general entry, and Free Tour Stockholm’s tip-based walks meet daily at Sergels Torg.
Budget-hotel traps to avoid
A little caution saves a bad first night:
- Check the actual municipality. Some “Stockholm” bargains sit in Solna or Sundbyberg, adding 15–25 minutes each way — not always cheap enough to justify.
- Read recent reviews. Stockholm still has a few tired guesthouses with shared bathrooms and mixed reputations; stick to chains or well-reviewed hostels.
- Confirm 24-hour reception if you’re arriving on a late flight. Some places labelled “hotel” are apartment-style with a desk that’s only staffed in office hours.
Frequently asked questions
What are the cheapest hotels in Stockholm?
For the lowest prices, hostel dorm beds win: City Backpackers from around 320 SEK, Generator from 350 SEK and STF af Chapman from 380 SEK. For a private room, ibis Stockholm South (800–1,200 SEK), Comfort Hotel Xpress (950–1,400 SEK) and the family-run Hotel Tre Små Rum (1,000–1,300 SEK) are the value leaders. Rates drop further in low season.
Are there hotels in Stockholm under $100?
Yes. Under $100 USD (roughly 1,000 SEK) you can get hostel private rooms, ibis Stockholm South off-season, and small guesthouses like Hotel Tre Små Rum. Comfort Hotel Xpress itself dips under 1,000 SEK in the low season. Dorm beds sit well below that, from around 320 SEK a night if you’re happy to share.
Where should I stay in Stockholm on a budget?
Norrmalm near T-Centralen (Comfort Hotel Xpress, Hotel C) gives you the best transit access. Vasastan (Generator, Hus 57) is slightly quieter for similar money. For a livelier neighbourhood vibe at budget rates, Söder around Slussen (Scandic Sjöfartshotellet) is the move. All three keep you within easy reach of the main sights.
Is it cheaper to stay in a hostel or a budget hotel in Stockholm?
A hostel dorm (320–500 SEK) is dramatically cheaper than any budget hotel double (950–1,500 SEK), so if you don’t mind sharing, that’s the saving. Hostel private rooms (1,000–1,400 SEK) land in the same range as budget hotels but often come with nicer design and better common spaces, which is why I usually steer solo travellers toward them.
Are Stockholm hostels safe?
Very. Established Stockholm hostels like Generator, City Backpackers and the STF properties are well run, with electronic key-card access, lockers for your gear and 24-hour reception. Sweden is a low-crime country and central Stockholm is safe at night, so a good hostel is a perfectly secure choice for solo and female travellers alike.
Do cheap Stockholm hotels include breakfast?
Some do and most don’t — always check the rate. Comfort Hotel Xpress includes a basic breakfast on some fares, but at many budget spots it’s a 95–195 SEK add-on. Given a grocery-store breakfast costs 35–65 SEK, I usually skip the hotel version and grab yoghurt, bread and coffee from a Coop or ICA instead.
Is there a separate tourist tax on Stockholm hotels?
No. Sweden charges 12% VAT on hotel stays, but that’s always baked into the published rate — there’s no extra city or tourist tax added at checkout, unlike some European destinations. The price you’re quoted is essentially the price you pay, which makes budgeting refreshingly simple here.
