Stockholm Arlanda Airport lies about 40 km north of the city, and you have three quite different ways to bridge that gap: the premium Arlanda Express nonstop train, the budget Flygbussarna coach, and the cheaper-still SL commuter train. Each has a different trade-off between speed, cost and convenience — and the difference in price is considerable.
Arlanda Express: the fast rail link
The Arlanda Express is a dedicated high-speed rail service built exclusively to connect the airport to Stockholm Central Station. It covers the roughly 40 km in just 18–20 minutes — a genuinely impressive time — and runs every 15 minutes for most of the day, with extra services during peak hours. The train is comfortable, quiet and direct, with no stops in between.
There is a catch: it is one of the more expensive airport rail links in Europe. A single adult fare is substantially higher than a standard SL ticket, and is not included in the Stockholm public transport card. Children up to a certain age travel free with a paying adult, and two adults travelling together qualify for a reduced joint fare, so groups do better on a per-person basis. Tickets can be bought at the station, from machines, or in the Arlanda Express app — buying online is typically cheaper than at the machine or desk on the day.
Flygbussarna: the budget coach
Flygbussarna (literally "the airport buses") is the main coach service linking Arlanda to Stockholm city. It runs to Stockholm City Bus Terminal (Cityterminalen), which sits above Stockholm Central Station — so the end destination is the same as the Arlanda Express, just slower. The journey takes about 40–45 minutes in normal traffic, rising to an hour or more during rush hours when the E4 motorway can be congested.
Fares are substantially lower than the Arlanda Express, and advance online purchases are cheaper still. Flygbussarna also connects Arlanda to Bromma Airport (for domestic connections) and to other parts of Stockholm including Liljeholmen and Gullmarsplan, which can be useful if your destination is south of the centre.
Buses depart from outside all four terminals at Arlanda and run frequently throughout the day and into the night.
SL commuter train (pendeltåg): the local rail option
The SL commuter train (pendeltåg line 38 or similar, connecting via the Arlanda Central station) is the cheapest rail option, but it comes with an important nuance. The section of track between Arlanda Central station and the main rail line through Märsta is operated by Arlanda Express, and SL tickets alone are not valid on it — you must pay an additional fee (the "Arlandatåget infrastructure charge") to use it as an SL passenger.
In practice, most travellers using SL take the commuter train from Märsta or Uppsala, which requires a shuttle bus from the airport to Märsta first. This is the cheapest option but least convenient in terms of steps. The total journey with the shuttle to Märsta and then the commuter train to Stockholm takes roughly 55–70 minutes.
If you already have an SL 30-day card or similar pass, the infrastructure fee for using Arlanda Central directly is an extra single charge, making the commuter train a reasonable deal. Check the SL website for current fee arrangements, as these have changed over the years.
Taxi from Stockholm Arlanda
Taxis are available outside all terminals. Stockholm has a competitive taxi market with several regulated companies (Taxi Stockholm, Taxify/Bolt and others) offering fixed-price fares to the city centre. It is strongly advisable to use the fixed-price system rather than the meter, as the meter on a 40-km journey can be expensive. Fixed fares to central Stockholm are clearly displayed at the official taxi queues and on the operators' apps.
Journey time to central Stockholm is around 35–50 minutes depending on traffic, similar to the Flygbussarna coach but more comfortable. Late-night taxi availability is good, which makes it a practical option for arrivals after midnight.
Travelling between airports: Bromma and Skavsta
Stockholm also has two smaller airports:
- Bromma, close to the city, mainly serves domestic routes. Flygbussarna connects it to Cityterminalen.
- Skavsta, near Nyköping about 100 km south, is used by some low-cost carriers. Flygbussarna runs a dedicated coach to Stockholm. Budget the full cost of the transfer into your ticket comparison if flying to Skavsta.
Which option suits you?
- Time is more valuable than money: the Arlanda Express, 18 minutes, no traffic risk.
- On a budget and not in a rush: Flygbussarna at a fraction of the price, though potentially slower in traffic.
- Already have an SL monthly pass: pay the infrastructure fee and use the commuter train from Arlanda Central, or take the shuttle to Märsta and travel entirely on SL.
- Arriving late at night with luggage or in a group: a fixed-fare taxi is comfortable and the per-person cost is reasonable when split.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Arlanda Express take?
About 18–20 minutes nonstop to Stockholm Central Station. Trains run every 15 minutes for most of the day.
Is the Arlanda Express included in the Stockholm public transport card?
No. The Arlanda Express operates separately and requires its own ticket. SL passes cover the SL commuter network but not the Arlanda Express service itself.
What is the cheapest way from Arlanda to Stockholm?
Flygbussarna is the cheapest direct option. The SL commuter train via Märsta (with a shuttle bus connection) can be cheaper still if you already hold an SL pass, but requires more steps.
How much does a taxi from Arlanda to Stockholm city centre cost?
Fixed fares are available from all major operators and are displayed at the taxi desks. Costs are higher than in many European cities, reflecting Sweden's generally high price levels; travelling as a group of three or four reduces the per-person cost considerably.
Sources and further reading:
- Train and express timetables: Arlanda Express official website.
- Bus timetables and fares: Flygbussarna official website.
- Commuter rail details: SL (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik) official journey planner.