Arlanda Airport to Stockholm city: all options compared
Stockholm: Arlanda Airport train transfer to/from Stockholm
What is the best way to get from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm city centre?
It depends on budget and speed. Arlanda Express is the fastest at 18 minutes for 340 SEK. Flygbussarna coaches are the best budget option at 119 SEK for 45 minutes. The commuter Pendeltåg train is cheapest if you already have an SL pass (just pay the 82 SEK station supplement). Pre-booked transfers make sense for families or groups of three or more.
Getting the airport transfer right
Arlanda is Stockholm’s main international airport, and the first decision most visitors face in Sweden is how to get to the city. The price range between options is striking: 119 SEK by coach versus 340 SEK by direct express train versus 700–800 SEK by taxi. All options are reliable — none involves crossing a dangerous or complicated route. The choice is entirely about time, money, and how much luggage you are carrying.
Here is every option, with honest information about trade-offs.
Option 1: Arlanda Express — fastest
Price: 340 SEK one-way, 640 SEK return (adult 2026) Time: 18 minutes Frequency: Every 15 minutes peak, every 30 minutes off-peak Operates: ~05:00–00:15 daily
Arlanda Express is a dedicated non-stop rail link. Its platform at Stockholm T-Centralen is separate from the main commuter rail platforms — follow signs in the station for Arlanda Express. The trains are spacious and have good luggage storage at each carriage end.
Who it suits best: Business travellers, tight connection times, late night arrivals, anyone who values certainty and comfort over cost.
Discounts: Under-26 and senior (65+) discounts are available. Occasional promotional fares appear in the Arlanda Express app. A return ticket (640 SEK) can save money compared to two one-ways if your return date is confirmed.
Does not include: SL pass (Arlanda Express is a private company). No SL discount applies.
Book the Arlanda Airport train transfer in advanceOption 2: Commuter train (Pendeltåg line 41) — most economical by rail
Price: ~82 SEK station fee + 42 SEK SL single fare = ~124 SEK With SL pass already bought: 82 SEK station fee only Time: 38–43 minutes to T-Centralen Frequency: Every 15–30 minutes depending on time of day
The commuter Pendeltåg (line 41) connects Arlanda Central station (below the terminal complex) with Stockholm T-Centralen. The station fee (approximately 82 SEK in 2026) is a separate charge applied specifically to journeys through Arlanda — it covers the tunnel built to connect the airport to the rail network.
This makes the maths interesting: if you are already buying an SL 24h pass (175 SEK), the total Arlanda ↔ T-Centralen cost is 175 + 82 = 257 SEK. That gets you an all-day transit pass including the airport journey. For a solo traveller arriving on the morning of a multi-day trip, this can make good sense.
Without a pass, the raw cost is approximately 124 SEK one-way — cheaper than Arlanda Express and Flygbussarna, though not dramatically so.
Who it suits best: Budget travellers already buying SL passes, solo travellers comfortable with a longer journey, those arriving during daylight hours.
Practical note: Trains arrive at Arlanda Central, a short walk (or free shuttle) from each terminal. Follow signs from arrivals to the train station. The walk is covered but can feel long with large luggage.
Option 3: Flygbussarna (SkyBus) — best budget option
Price: 119 SEK one-way (slightly cheaper if booked online) Time: 40–50 minutes depending on traffic Frequency: Frequent during day; less so at night (aligned with flight times) Drop-offs: Cityterminalen (Central Station), Hötorget, some services to Brommaplan
Flygbussarna coaches are modern, comfortable, have luggage space, and stop directly outside the terminal entrances. The journey to Cityterminalen takes about 45 minutes in normal traffic but can extend to an hour in rush hour — Flygbussarna coaches are not immune to the E4 motorway delays that affect all road-based transport.
Buying tickets in advance via the Flygbussarna app or website gives a small discount. Tickets can also be purchased at the airport via machines or from drivers (though queues form at machines).
Who it suits best: Budget-conscious travellers without heavy time constraints, couples and small families, anyone arriving at a non-peak time.
Option 4: Pre-booked private transfer — best for groups
Price: 800–1 200 SEK for a standard vehicle (up to 4 people) Time: 35–50 minutes (door to door) Operates: 24/7 with advance booking
Private transfers are door-to-door — driver meets you in arrivals with a sign, helps with luggage, and drives directly to your accommodation. There are no connections or transfers involved.
Per-head economics: a family of four paying 1 000 SEK total pays 250 SEK each — cheaper than Arlanda Express per person. For three adults, it can match Arlanda Express in cost while adding luggage convenience and a dropped-off-at-the-door finish.
Important: Pre-booking is essential. Walk-up taxis at Arlanda are metered and unregulated — drivers can charge whatever the meter reads, and the trip from Arlanda can reach 700–800 SEK or more with some metered companies. Pre-booking fixes the price.
Pre-book a private transfer: fixed price, driver in arrivalsOption 5: Standard taxi — only with care
Price: 600–800 SEK typical (metered, no fixed price guarantee) Time: 35–50 minutes
Sweden deregulated its taxi market in 1990. This means any licensed taxi company can set its own prices, and there is no official metered fare scale. Major companies (Taxi Stockholm, Taxi Kurir, Sverige Taxi) advertise fixed Arlanda prices around 650–750 SEK and are reputable. Minor companies or unlicensed operators in the arrivals hall can charge dramatically more.
Advice: Do not accept an offer from someone who approaches you in arrivals. Go to the official taxi rank, verify the company name on the car matches a known company, and confirm the fare before getting in. Better still, pre-book a private transfer at a fixed price.
Uber and Bolt are available from Arlanda and operate with normal app pricing. They are a reliable, transparent-cost alternative to traditional taxis. Pickup from designated ride-share areas at the airport.
Option 6: Renting a car at Arlanda
All major rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Europcar, Enterprise) have desks in the arrivals area. Driving from Arlanda to Stockholm centre takes 35–45 minutes on the E4 motorway. Stockholm city centre has congestion charges (trängselskatt) on weekdays during peak hours — approximately 11–45 SEK per passage depending on time. Street parking in central Stockholm is expensive and often limited. Driving makes more sense for visitors planning day trips outside the city than for staying in central Stockholm.
Which option for your situation
| Situation | Recommended option |
|---|---|
| Solo business traveller, time-pressed | Arlanda Express (340 SEK) |
| Solo budget traveller, already buying SL pass | Pendeltåg + 82 SEK supplement |
| Budget couple without SL pass | Flygbussarna (238 SEK for two) |
| Family of 4+ with luggage | Pre-booked private transfer |
| Late arrival after midnight | Arlanda Express (runs until 00:15) or pre-booked taxi |
| Very early departure (before 05:00) | Pre-booked private transfer (Arlanda Express starts ~05:00) |
About Bromma Airport
Stockholm’s secondary airport, Bromma (BMA), handles domestic routes and a small number of European destinations. It is only 8 km from central Stockholm — much closer than Arlanda. Flygbussarna connects Bromma to Cityterminalen (15–20 minutes). The T-bana blue line at Brommaplan (10-minute walk from Bromma Airport) is an alternative for light travellers. Arlanda Express does not serve Bromma.
Frequently asked questions about Arlanda transfers
Do I need to validate my SL pass separately from the Arlanda station fee?
Yes. The Arlanda station fee is a separate charge collected at the Arlanda Central station barriers. You pay it on top of your SL fare or SL pass. The fee exists because of a private-public funding agreement for the Arlanda rail tunnel.
Can I buy Flygbussarna tickets on the coach?
Yes, though it is slightly cheaper to buy online. The driver accepts card payment. There is no cash payment option on Flygbussarna.
How do I find my pre-booked transfer driver at Arlanda?
Most transfer services ask you to meet at a designated area in the arrivals hall. The driver will display your name or a company sign. Confirm the exact meeting point when you receive your booking confirmation.
Is there a free shuttle between Arlanda terminals?
Yes. Skytrain (SkyTrain) is a free automated people-mover connecting terminal 2, 4/5, and Arlanda Central station. It runs continuously. If you land at terminal 5 and need to reach the commuter train at Arlanda Central, the SkyTrain is the link.
Frequently asked questions about Arlanda Airport to Stockholm city
How much does it cost to get from Arlanda to Stockholm?
Options and approximate 2026 costs: Arlanda Express 340 SEK (18 min), Flygbussarna 119 SEK (45 min), commuter Pendeltåg + station fee ~124 SEK (43 min), pre-booked private transfer 800–1 200 SEK door-to-door, metered taxi 600–750 SEK. Group transfers booked in advance can work out cheaper per person than Arlanda Express.How far is Arlanda Airport from Stockholm?
Arlanda Airport (ARN) is approximately 37 km north of Stockholm city centre. In good traffic, the drive takes about 35–40 minutes. On Arlanda Express, it is 18 minutes direct.Does Flygbussarna run through the night?
Flygbussarna operates night services aligned with flight arrivals and departures. Late-night and early-morning services run but are less frequent. Check the Flygbussarna website for exact departure times matching your flight.Can I take the T-bana from Arlanda to Stockholm?
No. The T-bana (metro) does not extend to Arlanda. The options are Arlanda Express, the commuter Pendeltåg train, Flygbussarna coach, private transfer, or taxi.Where does Flygbussarna drop off in Stockholm city?
The main stops are Cityterminalen (adjacent to Stockholm Central Station / T-Centralen) and Hötorget. Some services also stop at Brommaplan. Cityterminalen is the most useful for onward T-bana or regional connections.
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