Traveling between Arlanda airport and Stockholm city center can be done in many different ways as everyone who has visited the city knows. Sometimes you prioritize how quick you want to arrive to the heart of Stockholm and other times price is the only that matters. Let me explain you the cheapest way to travel between Stockholm and Arlanda … unless you have a friend who picks you up, of course.
This travel option is also very interesting if you are on a stop over and have just a few hours or if you are planning to visit Stockholm in 3 days.
How to Travel Between Arlanda and Stockholm
Arlanda to Stockholm By Taxi
The taxi fare is around $60 from the airport to the city and a little bit cheaper the other way around. If you need a bigger taxi or a van then price can go up to $90. Ask for a fixed fare because taxis in Sweden are not regulated and if you jump into the wrong taxi you’ll pay a loooooot. A private taxi for 3 people can be booked online for around $130.
You can also check here what a taxi between Arlanda and Stockholm would cost you.
Arlanda to Stockholm on the Arlanda Express train
You can get an adult ticket for the Arlanda Express fast train for around $40 although there are a lot of options to travel cheaper if you are a couple, a family, a student or you are traveling at certain times. You should check their website for a complete explanation.
NEW and cheaper! Arlanda to Stockholm with Flixbus
An even cheaper shuttle bus service operated by Flixbus starting at 3.90 € / $5.99 / £3.99 lets you travel between Arlanda Terminal 2/3, Terminal 4 or Terminal 5 to Stockholm Cityterminalen in 40 minutes (you can book online here).
Regarding the duration of the trip, Arlanda Express is the fastest one at about 20 min. It takes around 50 minutes for shuttle buses to get to Stockholms Cityterminalen located beside Stockholm’s Central Station. On a taxi or bus the duration of your trip may vary depending on traffic jams and road work in the northern part of Stockholm.
An Old 24-hour Travelcard on Paper
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
Using Public Transportation to Get From Arlanda to Stockholm or Back
The option to get to the center of Stockholm by public transportation is very interesting for those planning to get around in Stockholm by means of the commuter trains, underground trains, buses and trams. If you plan to do so you can use your ticket to travel cheaper. For instance if you buy your Stockholm Pass tourist card with the extra public transportation add-on and let them ship it to you at your home. You find more information about the Go City Stockholm pass here.
If you are unsure of buying the Stockholm Pass but you do want to use the public transportation to get to the museums, attractions and sights in Stockholm go to the 7-eleven, Pressbyrån kiosks at Arlanda Airport or visit the visitor center to buy an SL-Access card for a period of 24, 72 hours or 7 days. You can get them on paper or fill a physical chipped card that you can top up during your stay. Prices start at 13€ / 25€ / 33€ or $14 / $27 /$36 and £11.50 / £22 / £29 respectively. You’ll find more information on public transportation in Stockholm here.
This public transport cards are valid from your first use.
How to Get The Public Bus And Commuter Train to Stockholm
Make your way to the airport entrance and look for where bus nr 583 stops. Usually the stop is located between terminals 4 and 5 and the stop number is 15/16 but that may suffer from variations.
Wait for the bus and get on the bus destination Märsta Station. Travel time is around 18 minutes. Buses depart often and even beyond midnight but you should check the schedule for the bus line 583 here.
Bus bound for Märsta Station
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
If you are lucky, once you arrive at Märsta Station it will not be long until a commuter train (pendeltåg in Swedish) departs. You should wait for train nr. 42X or 41 that travel through Stockholm’s City Station. Travel time is around 40 minutes. The schedule for the commuter train 42X from December to mid June and mid August to December can be downloaded here. For commuter train 41 here. Summer schedules (mid June to mid August) are available some weeks before the season but they don’t differ much.
With shorter commuting times your trip to Stockholm should take less than an hour but if you miss the train and have to wait for the next one it could be up to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Pendeltåg train to Stockholm Central Station
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
From Arlanda Airport to Stockholm Without SL-Access
If you are NOT interested in using public transportation DURING your stay but still you’d like to take advantage of it to get to Stockholm at the cheapest fare possible you need to go to one of the kiosks at Arlanda airport and buy a one-time single ticket (in Swedish called engångsbiljett) costing only 43 SEK (around 4€ / $5 / £3.60) which will entitle you to travel in the way I explained above. You will need a similar one-time ticket for you return trip to the airport. That makes $10 for a sneak peek at Stockholm.
If you are staying longer you can always combine the different travel card and ticket options so that you have enough credit or a valid ticket when returning to the airport after your holidays. A 7-day ticket is well worth its price and it’s the option I recommend even for those staying in Stockholm for 4 and up to 7 days.
So this is the story about the famous bus 583 and the commuter train 42x that will take you to the city center at the cheapest possible fare so that you can spend your money visiting attractions, eating good food and discovering what makes Stockholm unique and tourism in Sweden different.
If you have any questions, doubts or suggestions feel free to leave me a comment below.
Hi Israel – the option of taking bus to Marsta station and SL commuter train from there is great; however we will have luggage (1 checked-in bag per person). I am not sure of Bus 583 will allow us to get in with two large suitcases and if there will be space to hold luggage. Also how long do the commuter train stop at the station. I’m wondering if it is advisable to use this option with luggage. Perhaps I use flixibus to get to the city and then can buy SL access card from there after I check in my bags at the hotel. Pls advise
Hi Rajat if you are traveling with checked-in bags I advise you to take the Flixbus. The cost is not much and it goes directly to the city.
Greetings and good trip!
Israel
Hi Israel, thanks for your reply. I see that the first Flixibus leaves at 8:45 am while my flight arrives in Arlanda airport at 6:15 am. I’m assuming immigration and baggage claim may take about an hour max (we do have a global entry card) but then we may be waiting for more than an hour. Do you have any other suggestions.
Hi Rajat. There are many buses and Arlanda has a lot of delays and lines up to 3 hours for many things these days. It is all over the news so I think you shouldn’t worry.
Pick that flixbus or one later or just buy the ticket after the immigration controls.
Israel
Hi Israel
If we buy 72-Hours SL-Access card at the airport, will it be valid for the option of taking bus to Marsta station and SL commuter train?
Yes it is if everything is done within the 72-hour period.
Hi Israel!
You have really practical blog! Carry on!
I’am going to visit Stockholm’s Furniture Fair, just for 1 day. I wanted to know your suggestions how to get from Arlanda to Älvsjö station (straight, not changing trains in central station, etc). So far I discovered commuter train 40 or 41/42. I know that taking 41/42 line requires as well bus 583 to Märsta. Which way do you recommend? And if I take line 40 at Arlanda…I have to buy extra access (130 sek) to the SkyCity…Is that correct?
One more thing – Is it possible to buy a return ticket for commuter train, or I have to take just one trip ticket (one for coming and other for going)?
Thanks a lot!
Harri
Yes, the options are commuter train 40 from Arlanda C … you would pay 171 SEK per way and you can do it by holding your credit or debit card against the reader.
The cheaper option is bus 583 to Märsta and then commuter 41 or 42. This would cost you 39 SEK and entitles you to 75 mins of unlimited traveling.
You can buy it in the same way with your normal card. No need to buy tickets any longer.
You can also do it inside the app for transport in Stockholm which is called “SL Journey planner and ticket”
Best regards,
Israel
Hej Israel!
Thank you for your tip. I am planning to go to Stockholm and buy the 72h SL ticket. Great to know, that it can be also used to get from the airport. Their express transport is so expensive -_-.