Before you go · Stockholm
Stockholm essentials
The practical things worth knowing before you arrive, checked against official sources on 28 October 2026. Entry rules change: always check the official sources before you travel.
Updated October 2026
Entry to Sweden
Sweden is a member of the EU and the Schengen area. The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) registers travellers from outside the EU electronically at the border.
ETIAS, the travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, is not yet in operation: the EU says it will announce the start date several months ahead on its official site, travel-europe.europa.eu. Never pay a third-party site.
From Arlanda
Arlanda Express takes 18 minutes to Stockholm Central, with departures every 12–15 minutes. SL’s commuter trains also serve Arlanda: with an SL ticket you pay an airport passage fee of SEK 157, or SEK 200 for a single including the fee. Flygbussarna coaches and taxis (at Terminals 2 and 5) run around the clock.
SL tickets
Pay as you go with a contactless bank card or phone, or use the SL app, the green SL card (SEK 50, reusable) or a paper ticket. A single costs SEK 43; travelcards cost SEK 180 for 24 hours, SEK 360 for 72 hours and SEK 470 for 7 days (adult fares). Children under 7 travel at no charge with a paying adult. Until 2 December 2026, 30-day tickets are half price.
The archipelago boats
Waxholmsbolaget’s boats leave Strömkajen for the archipelago; SL tickets are valid all year as far as Vaxholm, Rindö and Tynningö.
Money
Prices are in Swedish kronor (SEK). Museums, cafés and transport take cards; check each museum’s own site for its admission and the days it closes.
Emergencies and health
Call 112 for ambulance, police and fire. For healthcare advice that is not an emergency, call 1177 or see 1177.se. Karolinska University Hospital and Södersjukhuset have emergency departments; carry your EHIC or GHIC, or travel insurance that covers medical costs.
Questions and answers
Do I need ETIAS to visit Stockholm?
Not yet: ETIAS is not in operation. The EU will announce the start date several months in advance on its official site.
How long is Arlanda Express?
18 minutes, with departures every 12–15 minutes.
Can I pay for the metro with my bank card?
Yes: SL accepts contactless cards and phones on all its services.
What is the emergency number?
112. For healthcare advice, call 1177.
Entry rules and fares change, sometimes at short notice. Check travel-europe.europa.eu, sl.se, arlandaexpress.com and your government’s advice before you travel.