Cruising From Stockholm

Once you land in Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport, you have several choices to get yourself to the city center and your hotel. You can buy tickets using a credit card from the machines pictured above.Or you can pick up a ticket at the Tourist Information center, only a few steps away.

Arlanda Express will get you to the city center in 20 minutes, and trains depart the airport frequently.

The cost is SEK 240, although there have been promotions where two could travel for the price of one, or something roughly equivalent. Ask.

While Arlanda Express is comfortable and quick, it’s not always convenient. The train terminates at Central Station. The Flygbussarna is cheaper than Arlanda Express, SEK 110, but also delivers you only to Central Station.

Terminating at Central Station is great if you’re staying at one of these hotels: Radisson SAS Royal Viking, Nordic Light or Nordic Sea, Clarion Hotel Sign, and although it’s not shown in the photo below, the Sheraton Stockholm (about a five-minute walk from the Arlanda Express terminus).

If you’re up for a longer walk, in 15 minutes you can wheel your luggage to Radisson SAS Strand, Hotel Stureplan, Scandic Anglais, the Grand Hotel or Hilton Slussen, all recommended hotels.

If you’re not up for walking, you could take a taxi or navigate your way to the metro (called Tunnelbana or T-Bana). There’s a better option: Take the Airport Shuttle from Arlanda to your hotel for SEK 190. It’s a great service that delivers you door-to-door, but sometimes you will have to wait for up to 15 minutes for the shuttle to arrive. You can buy tickets at the airport or in advance at Airportshuttle.se.

One smart purchase is the Stockholm Card. Once in Stockholm, use the card for admission to 75 museums and attractions, free public transportation, sightseeing by boat on the Historical Canal Tour and much, much more. Download a guide of all that is included. Cost: SEK 375 for a 24-hour card. Also available for 48 hours and 72 hours.

One method of travel I did not mention for getting from the airport to the city center is by taxi. The rate typically approaches SEK 500. However, taxis are convenient, comfortable and quick, and if there are two or more traveling together, a taxi can be the best value for you. If you opt for a taxi, use one of these four recommended taxi companies:

• Taxi Stockholm Phone +46-8-15 00 00
• Taxi 020 Phone +46-8-85 04 00
• Taxi Transfer Phone +46-8-693 71 00
• Taxi Kurir Phone +46-8-30 00 00

If you’re staying at a hotel that offers them, bicycles are another great way to get around once in Stockholm. Hilton Slussen and Scandic Anglais make bikes available free of charge.

Stockholm a fairly compact city, so it’s easy to get around and explore. You can walk or bike to most places of interest in Stockholm, or, in this city of islands, you can hop on a ferry. For more, view the video below.