Cruising From Stockholm

A few key points that you should keep in mind if you are cruising to or from Stockholm:

Most cruise passengers arrive in Stockholm at one of two places: Arlanda Airport (Stockholm serves as the initial port of departure for many cruises); or for those arriving by sea, the city center.

If your cruise is departing from Stockholm, plan to arrive at least a day before your cruise so that you can take in the sights before setting sail. Ideally, arrive two days early to see more of what Stockholm has to offer.

If you spend an extra day or two in Stockholm, be sure to pick up the Stockholm Card, a money-saving program that provides free or discounted admission to attractions and transportation within greater Stockholm.

PLEASE NOTE: Prices and exchange rates mentioned here are approximate. Rates may vary. And Sweden’s official currency is the Swedish krona, not the Euro.

Q: Where Do I Find My Ship?
A: Stockholm has seven locations for docking. Most ships transit the archipelago to dock in the city center. Others dock at Nynashamn, an hour’s transit away.

Q: How Do I Get From The Airport To The City Center?
A: Most cruise lines offer transfers, but if you want to transfer on your own, Stockholm’s city center can be reached from the airport in about 20 minutes on the Arlanda Express for about SEK$240 (about US$30) per person one way. Trains leave every 15 minutes between 5:35 a.m. and 9:05 p.m. Though not always offered, check for specials for two people traveling together at Arlanda Express’s website. As of this writing, tickets for two, one way, were offered for SEK$250 (about US$31) on weekends and holidays.

Arlanda Express is great if you’re staying in Radisson SAS Royal Viking, Nordic Light or Stockholm Sheraton, as you can wheel your luggage to your hotel from the train’s terminus. But if you’re not staying in one of those hotels, you’ll need to hop on the metro, known as T Bana, to get to your hotel.

Or, from the airport, you could take a taxi, though they’ll run you about double the cost of Arlanda Express. Another option is the Airport Shuttle, a great service that when booked online costs SEK$150 per person (two passenger SEK$250). Drivers are courteous, and they’ll deliver you to your hotel. The van that picked me up even had complimentary wireless internet, which I used to check e-mail during the 30-minute transfer to my hotel.

There are frequent bus services operating between the airport and the city from 6:40 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Travel time is 40 minutes, and the rate is SEK$99, but again, you’ll need to transfer from Central Station to your hotel unless you’re staying in one of the three hotels above.

Q: How Do I Get From My Ship To The City Center?
A: If your ship docks at the city center, you can walk. The Costa ship in the photo above, taken from Gamla Stan, is docked at Stadsgarden.

From the farther terminal at Frihamnen, you’ll need to hop a taxi for a 10-minute to 15-minute transfer into the city center. Stockholm tourism officials will make sure that you’re put in properly metered taxis. Yes, like other tourist destinations, Stockholm has its unscrupulous taxi companies. You can rest easy when getting a taxi from the port.

Once in the city, you can walk or take a ferry to most sights (including those on Djurgarden). There is also a good subway and bus system, although none run from the ship’s berth to the city center.

Q: Is There A Package That Provides Admission To Various Attractions, All For One Price?
A: The Stockholm Card includes admission to museums and attractions, free travel on local public transport, free parking at municipal car parks in the city, free sightseeing by boat on selected departures during summer and an illustrated guidebook with maps and several other offers. The card can be purchased at Tourist Information Centers in Stockholm, at SL centers (SL=local transportation network), some hotels and a few sights (City Hall and the Royal Palace). The card can also be ordered on-line at www.stockholmtown.com. Choose between a 24-hour, 48-hour or a 72-hour card. Cards are available for children at reduced rates.

Q: Where Do I Find Information Once In Stockholm?
A: Stockholm has a tourist information at Sweden House, Kungstradgarden, Hamngatan 27 – and during the cruise season, near the docks, at Frihamnen 638 and at Stadsgarden 165/167.

Q: How Do I Find Information On The Web About Stockholm?
A: Stockholm’s Official Tourism Site, www.stockholmtown.com (be sure to click the icon for English if the web site appears in an unfamiliar language).

Q: Where Can I Kayak In Stockholm?
A: If you’re staying in Stockholm for more than a day, do what the locals do whenever they get an opportunity: Get out to the archipelago, which stretches nearly 50 miles east of Stockholm. Many of the islands are uninhabited, rocky outcrops that are homes to birds.

Q: Is It Possible To Bicycle In Stockholm?
A: Yes. Rent three-speed bikes at Skepp & Hoj (near the bridge at the Vasa Museum) and pedal through Djurgarden, once a Royal deer park that is now home to Ekoparken, the world’s first city national park.

Q. What taxi companies to you recommend?

A. Taxi Stockholm » (Tel: +46-8-15 00 00), Taxi 020 » (Tel: +46-8-85 04 00), Taxi Transfer » (Tel: +46-8-693 71 00), Taxi Kurir » (Tel: +46-8-30 00 00)

Q. What is Sweden’s climate?

A. Sweden enjoys the full spectra of four distinct seasons, which differs depending on where you are in the country. The following average mid-day temperatures apply to Stockholm:

• Winter: December – March, 35- 44ºF
• Spring: April – May, 41-59ºF
• Summer: June – August 68-77ºF
• Autumn: September – December, 41-65ºF

Other useful facts:

• Sweden’s capital: Stockholm
• Sweden’s population: 9 million
• Language: Swedish (English widely spoken)
• Currency: Swedish Krona -1 krona (SEK) = 100 öre. 
All major credit cards are generally accepted everywhere; most taxis and stores accept USD and Euros
  Tipping – Service charge is always included in the price. To show your appreciation for good service, a small tip of approximately 10 percent could be given when taking a taxi or eating in a restaurant
• Takes 20 hours – 25 hours to drive from south to north
• Sweden is the size of California, but is rather long; it takes 25 hours to drive from North to South.
• The country has 9 million inhabitants, the land is quite spacious in certain areas; in fact 2% live on 50% of the land.