Stockholm to Uppsala

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Uppsala is Sweden's fourth-largest city, home to its oldest university, its grandest cathedral and some of the most significant Viking-Age sites in Scandinavia — and it is only 70 kilometres north of Stockholm. The train makes the journey in about 40 minutes, so you can be exploring Uppsala's medieval lanes before mid-morning even on a slow start. It is the quintessential Swedish day trip.

The quickest way: train (SJ or SL pendeltåg)

You have two rail options, and both are good:

• SJ regional trains run from Stockholm Central to Uppsala Central in around 38–45 minutes. These are standard intercity carriages and tend to be slightly faster and more comfortable for longer journeys. SJ tickets are booked through the SJ website or app; fares are modest and advance booking is not required but can save money.
• SL Pendeltåg (commuter rail, line 13/14) connects Stockholm's inner stations — including Stockholm City, Solna, and the southern suburbs — with Uppsala in around 55 minutes. The great advantage is that these trains run on the standard SL travel card (Stockholm's urban transit card), which many visitors already have. No separate booking needed; the card valid for Zone A–D covers the whole journey to Uppsala.

Uppsala Central station is right in the heart of the city, a short walk from the cathedral, the university quarter and the main pedestrian street. Neither the SJ nor the SL option requires advance reservation — you can simply check the timetable and board.

The cheapest way: bus

FlixBus and regional Upplands Lokaltrafik buses both connect Stockholm and Uppsala. The regional bus (Upplands Lokaltrafik route 801/802) runs from Stockholm Cityterminalen and several suburban stops, taking around 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes to Uppsala city centre. Fares tend to be slightly lower than walk-up SJ train fares, though comparable to the SL pendeltåg price.

The bus is a decent option if you are departing from a location in Stockholm better served by bus than rail, or if you are travelling very early or late when trains are infrequent. For most visitors, the train is faster and more convenient.

The fastest door-to-door: flying

No scheduled flights connect Stockholm and Uppsala, which is reasonable given the 40-minute train journey. Stockholm Arlanda Airport actually sits roughly halfway between the two cities on the E4 motorway — which is useful to know if you are flying in and heading directly to Uppsala without a Stockholm stopover.

From Arlanda, a regional SL bus or the Uppsala–Arlanda shuttle connects the airport to Uppsala in around 25–30 minutes, making Uppsala a viable first or last destination on a trip to Sweden without necessarily transiting through Stockholm.

The scenic way: driving

The drive from central Stockholm to Uppsala follows the E4 motorway north for approximately 70 km, taking around 50–70 minutes depending on traffic. Stockholm's ring roads can be slow at peak hours. The E4 is smooth and efficient once you are clear of the city, passing through gently rolling agricultural land with the odd glimpse of Lake Mälaren to the west.

A car is most useful in Uppsala if you plan to visit the outlying sites: the Gamla Uppsala burial mounds are about 5 km from the city centre (though also reachable by local bus), and the surrounding Uppland landscape — with its runestones, medieval churches and Lake Mälaren arms — rewards exploration by road. Uppsala's city centre has limited parking and is easily walkable; most visitors park at the station end of town.

What to see in Uppsala

Uppsala rewards a leisurely half-day at minimum, and an overnight stay if you want to dig deeper.

• Uppsala Cathedral (Domkyrka): the largest church in Scandinavia, a Gothic masterpiece in red brick whose twin spires dominate the city. The interior contains the tombs of King Gustav Vasa, Saint Eric (Sweden's patron), and the botanist Carl Linnaeus. Free to enter.
• Uppsala University (founded 1477): Sweden's oldest university, its buildings spread across the hill above the cathedral. The Gustavianum museum (in the former university building with an anatomical theatre under its distinctive dome) is fascinating and often overlooked.
• Uppsala Castle: a sixteenth-century fortress on the hill, with historical exhibitions and good views over the city and the river Fyrisån.
• Gamla Uppsala: a short bus ride from the centre, this is one of Scandinavia's most important Viking-Age and pre-Christian sacred sites — three massive royal burial mounds from around the fifth and sixth centuries, surrounded by hundreds of smaller graves. The on-site museum is excellent. A genuinely affecting place.
• Botanical Garden and Linnaean Garden: Carl Linnaeus — the father of biological taxonomy — was a professor here, and his original garden has been restored. The adjacent Baroque botanical garden is beautiful in summer.

The city centre along the Fyrisån river is pleasant for a walk, and the student-dominated café and restaurant scene makes Uppsala feel younger and livelier than many Swedish provincial cities of similar size.

Which should you choose?

The SJ regional train or SL pendeltåg are both excellent. SJ is faster; SL is more integrated with Stockholm's existing transit network. The bus works if your starting point suits it or if you want the lowest possible fare. Driving is worth considering if you plan to explore Gamla Uppsala and the wider Uppland countryside.

Uppsala also serves as a gateway for further Swedish rail travel northward. SJ runs direct trains from Uppsala onwards to Gävle, Sundsvall and eventually Umeå and beyond on the north Swedish mainline. For a broader view of Sweden's rail network, see the Sweden by train guide. The Stockholm to Gothenburg route covers the main high-speed corridor heading west from the capital.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the train from Stockholm to Uppsala?

Around 38–45 minutes on SJ regional trains, or about 55 minutes on the SL pendeltåg commuter line. Both run frequently throughout the day.

Can I use my Stockholm SL travel card to get to Uppsala?

Yes, if your card is valid for Zone D (Uppsala). Many SL travelcards cover central Stockholm's zones only — check and add the Uppsala zone if needed, or buy a separate point-to-point ticket.

Is Gamla Uppsala worth visiting?

Definitely. It is one of Scandinavia's most significant pre-Christian burial sites, with enormous Royal Mounds dating back to around the fifth century. The museum on site is well done. Reachable by local bus from Uppsala city centre in about 15 minutes.

Can I fly directly into Uppsala from abroad?

Not directly — Uppsala has no commercial airport. However, Stockholm Arlanda Airport lies between Stockholm and Uppsala, and a shuttle bus connects Arlanda to Uppsala in about 25–30 minutes, making it easy to begin or end a trip in Uppsala without going into Stockholm first.