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 157 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.
| Distance | ~37 km north of central Stockholm |
| Fastest option | Arlanda Express, 18 minutes, ~340 SEK |
| Cheapest option | Flygbussarna coach, ~119 SEK, 40–50 minutes |
| Cheapest with SL pass | Pendeltåg commuter train + 157 SEK station fee |
| Best for groups | Pre-booked private transfer, 800–1 200 SEK total |
| T-bana (metro) | Does not reach Arlanda — not an option |
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. For a fuller comparison against the commuter train, see the Arlanda Express vs commuter train guide.
Book the Arlanda Airport train transfer in advanceOption 2: Commuter train (Pendeltåg line 41) — most economical by rail
Price: 183 SEK for the single SL + Arlanda ticket (valid 120 minutes, one passage through the Arlanda barrier) With SL pass already bought: 157 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 157 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 (180 SEK), the total Arlanda ↔ T-Centralen cost is 180 + 157 = 337 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 183 SEK one-way — cheaper than Arlanda Express but dearer than Flygbussarna.
Who it suits best: Budget travellers already buying SL passes, solo travellers comfortable with a longer journey, those arriving during daylight hours. See the SL pass guide for whether a pass makes sense for your trip length, and the Stockholm public transport guide for how the Pendeltåg fits into the wider system.
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 arrivalsFor an Arlanda arrival with a group, confirm the vehicle fits everyone plus the luggage, and enter your flight number so the driver can track delays. Check that the quoted price is final and that the driver will wait in arrivals, then compare the total per person against the train. You can arrange a fixed-price Arlanda pick-up through Kiwitaxi for a private transfer.
Option 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. See the taxi vs Uber guide for how the two compare once you’re in the city.
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 + 157 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.
Luggage and arriving with heavy bags
Every option in this guide handles standard airline luggage without issue, but the practical ease varies. Arlanda Express and private transfers are the most comfortable with heavy or multiple bags — level boarding and no walking between transport modes. Flygbussarna has under-coach storage but requires walking from the terminal to the coach stop. The Pendeltåg commuter train involves the longest walk (from arrivals to Arlanda Central station) and can feel like a genuine slog with a fully loaded cart; budget extra time if you choose this option with heavy luggage. If you plan to store bags in the city before check-in, see the luggage storage guide for options near Central Station.
Budgeting the transfer into your trip
For a single traveller on a tight budget, Flygbussarna or the Pendeltåg with an SL pass keeps the airport transfer to a small fraction of a daily spend — see the Stockholm budget per day guide for how this fits into overall trip costs. For a family or a short business trip where time matters more than the SEK difference, Arlanda Express or a pre-booked transfer is worth the premium; the certainty of a fixed price and fixed schedule reduces stress on both ends of the trip.
Before you land: a few decisions worth making early
The best transfer choice is usually made on the plane, not in the arrivals hall. Decide in advance whether you value speed, price or comfort, and whether you will need transit in the city at all. If you are staying for several days and expect to ride the metro and ferries, read the SL pass versus Stockholm Pass comparison before you arrive, so you can buy the right ticket in one go rather than piecing together single fares.
It also helps to sort out payment first. Sweden is overwhelmingly cashless, and ticket machines, coaches and taxis all expect a card or a phone wallet. Our guide to Swish and payments for tourists explains what works for visitors without a Swedish bank account, which saves an awkward moment at a ticket barrier with a tired family in tow.
For a fuller picture of the airport itself, including terminals, arrivals flow and what to do if your flight lands at an awkward hour, see the Stockholm airport arrival guide. If you want a first-hand opinion on whether the premium train is worth the money, the blog post Arlanda Express: overpriced, here is why argues the sceptical side.
Avoiding the usual airport-arrival traps
Airports attract opportunists everywhere, and Arlanda is no exception, although the risks here are mostly about inflated prices rather than anything dangerous. The unregulated taxi market is the main one, and the taxi scam prevention guide walks through how to spot an overpriced ride before you get in. More broadly, the Stockholm tourist traps guide covers the other places where first-time visitors tend to overspend once they are in town.
Your first afternoon after the transfer
Whichever option you pick, you will probably arrive at or near Central Station, in the middle of Norrmalm. The Norrmalm neighbourhood guide is a useful read if your hotel is nearby, and the Stockholm destination page gives the wider layout of the city. If you only have a short stay, the Stockholm in 24 hours itinerary shows how to make a day work straight off the plane, while the three-day first-timer itinerary suits a more relaxed start.
A gentle way to shake off the flight is an easy walk through the cobbled lanes of the old town. If you prefer to have someone handle the route and the stories for you, a private walking tour of the old town is a calm first activity once you have dropped your bags. Our Gamla Stan neighbourhood deep dive gives the background if you would rather explore alone.
Travelling with children or reduced mobility
Families and travellers with mobility needs should weigh comfort more heavily than price. A pre-booked private transfer removes the walking and the changes between modes, which is often the deciding factor with prams, car seats or a wheelchair. Our Stockholm with kids family guide and the accessibility guide for Stockholm cover what to expect once you are in the city, so you can plan the airport leg with the rest of the trip in mind.
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.
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