Category: Sweden

Travel Guide and Why Go to Sweden

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Sweden Transportation

Getting from Stockholm to Helsinki

Scandinavia is a superb area in Northern Europe, offering plenty of things to do. Many travelers prefer to visit all of the Scandinavian countries during a single trip, which means there’s the need to find the best rates for getting between the cities (and mostly between the capitals).

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, a picturesque city located on 14 islands and offering plenty of things to do, whether you look for history, nature, nightlife or shopping.

Helsinki is the capital of Finland, rebuilt by the Russians along the lines of a miniature St. Petersburg. It still has a small town feel but it’s actually an international metropolis. The best time to visit is during summer. Don’t miss visiting the Suomenlinna Fortress, the “Gibraltar of the North”, which used to be one of the greatest sea fortresses in the Baltic Sea.

Summary

The only viable options for traveling between Stockholm and Helsinki are the ferries and the planes. Take into account the transfer fares (to/from the airports; to/from the ferry terminals) when you compare the fares. Overall, a deck seat in the summer might be the cheapest option.

Flights from Stockholm (airport code: ARN) to Helsinki

Helsinki is served by the modern Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport (HEL), which handles both domestic and international travel. It is located 20 km from the capital, to which it’s connected by buses and taxis. The airport is hub for many airlines including: Air Finland, Blue1, Finnair, Flybe Nordic, Norwegian Air Shuttle and TUIfly Nordic.

Stockholm is served by four airports, but only two of them operate flights to/from Helsinki:

  • Arlanda Airport (ARN) , which is the main international airport serving Stockholm. It is located 37 km from the city, to which it’s connected by express rail, regular rail, express buses, regular buses and taxis. It is hub for many airlines including: Norwegian Air Shuttle, Scandinavian Airlines and TUIfly Nordic. Flights to/from Helsinki are operated by Blue1, Finnair and Norwegian Air Shuttle.
  • Bromma Airport (BMA) is a small airport serving Stockholm, located just 10 km from the city center, to which it’s connected by buses. It is not hub for any airline. Flights to/from Helsinki are operated by Finnair ( Flybe Nordic).

For flights in mid-July 2012, the cheapest ticket is offered by Norwegian Air Shuttle, flying between Arlanda and Helsinki. The single fare is €32 and the flight time is 55 min. A return flight during the same period starts at €70 (Finnair). By mid-October flights get a bit more expensive, the single fare starting at €42 on Norwegian Air Shuttle.

>>book a flight to Sweden

Trains and ferries from Stockholm to Helsinki

Just look at the map and you’ll see there are no direct train connections between the two cities. However, you can travel by ferry and train.

There are three possibilities to get by train and ferry between the two cities and all requite a stop along the way (in Turku satama). The travel time is between 13h and 14 h. They are listed by Obb Scotty , but tickets cannot be purchased online.

Buses from Stockholm to Helsinki

Buses aren’t a viable option either. There would be a possibility to mix train and bus, going via Luleå or Boden, then to Haparanda or Kemi, before continuing further to Helsinki. Still, unless you want to see more of the country, the travel times are long and it’s not a good option.

By ferry

There’s the possibility to take the ferry between the two cities. Viking Line operates a direct ferry every day between Stockholm and Helsinki. It departs Stockholm at 4:45 p.m. and Helsinki at 5:30 p.m. every day. The travel time is 16 h and 15 min.

During the cold time of the year (September to May) you need to book both a passenger ticket and cabin. The passenger fare is €40 one way for travel between Saturday and Thursday and €70 for travel on Friday. The economy cabin is €21 one way per person from Saturday to Thursday and €48 on Friday.

During summer, the passenger fare is €50 one way every day of the week. In the summer, there are also some dock seats sold (passenger fare only). The economy cabin is €47 one way per person every day.

Driving from Stockholm to Helsinki

You can rent a car and travel by road and ferry between Stockholm and Helsinki. There are two routes, one through Sweden, the Åland Islands (Finland) and Finland mainland; and the other through Sweden , Estonia and Finland. In either case you’ll be traveling through countries which are part of the Schengen area, so you won’t pay any surcharges when you rent the car; however, make sure to let the car rental agency know which countries you plan to cross and ask whether it’s possible to do that.

Both routes take about the same time and involve ferry crossings and toll roads. Viking Lines operates ferries between Helsinki and Stockholm. During summer the price for crossing with a car is €74 one way (€45 the rest of the year). Add the passenger fare and cabin fare to the car price, too. Packages for car and 2-4 adults are also available. The ferry departs Helsinki once a day, at 5:30 p.m. and arrives in Stockholm at 9:45 a.m.; on the way back, catch the ferry from Stockholm at 4:45 p.m. every day.

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Sweden Transportation

Getting from Oslo to Stockholm

Many travelers choose to visit the capitals of the Scandinavian countries during a single trip. That’s means, they fly into one of the major airports – typically the one which the cheapest fares offered – and then travel between the countries by land.

Oslo is the capital and the largest city in Norway. It’s known as the most expensive city in the world to love in (and visit). So saving some money while visiting is something everybody is looking to do. There are a lot of interesting buildings to visit while here and when you decide the city has offered enough, you can always plan a walk in the forest.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, a very picturesque town located on 14 islands. There are a lot of things to do here, such as visiting museums, spending time in nature or exploring the shopping opportunities.

Summary

The buses are the cheapest way – from €25.50 one way – to get between Oslo and Stockholm, but pay attention to companies (some are more expensive than trains!). Trains aren’t very expensive either but the fares depend on how far in advance you purchase the ticket (you can easily get away with fares from €36 one way). If you fly outside the high season , it’s possible to find cheap flights – from €39 one way – but you also need to add the cost of transfer to/from the airport.

Flights from Oslo (airport code: OSL) to Stockholm

Oslo is served by three airports, but the flights to/from Stockholm are operated only from Gardermoen Airport (OSL). This is the main airport serving Norway’s capital and is the second busiest in Scandinavia. It is located 35km from the capital, to which it’s connected by express train, regular train and buses. The airport is hub for many airlines, including: Scandinavian Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia and TUIfly Nordic.

Stockholm is served by four airports, but only two of them handle flights to/from Oslo:

  • Arlanda Airport (ARN): is located 37 km north of the city and is the largest airport in Sweden. It is hub for many airlines including: Nextjet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Scandinavian Airlines and TUIfly Nordic. It is connected to the city by express train, regular train and buses. Flights to/from Oslo are operated by Norwegian Air Shuttle and Scandinavian Airlines.
  • Bromma Airport (BMA): is a smaller airport, located just 10 km from the city center , to which is connected by express and regular bus. It is not hub for any airline but low cost carriers prefer to use this airport. Flights to/from Oslo are operated by Flybe Nordic.

It’s slightly cheaper to fly into Arlanda than into Bromma (not considering the additional baggage taxes, for example). The flight time is 1 h and, in late June 2012, expect to pay from €55 one way to Arlanda on Norwegian and from €59 one way to Bromma on Flybe. The cheapest return flight would be €96 in late June but fly into Arlanda and out of Bromma.

By mid-October 2012, it’s much cheaper to fly into Bromma. Single fares start at €39 on Flybe, while return flights start at €81 (fly in/out of Bromma).

>>book a flight to Sweden

Trains from Oslo to Stockholm

SJ – the largest Swedish train operator – offers two direct trains per day between Oslo and Stockholm. The trains depart Oslo at 7:25 a.m. and 3:49 p.m. daily and the single non-refundable fare is 325 SEK / €36. On the way back catch the first train from Oslo at 8:25 a.m. and the last at 12:21 p.m. The single non-refundable fare starts at 213 SEK / €23.70 but it does depend on how much in advance you purchase the ticket. The travel time is between 5h 40 min and 6 h 7 min. Connecting trains (with a change along the way) are also available but not worth it.

Buses from Oslo to Stockholm

The following bus companies offer direct links between the two cities:

  • Swebus : offers 5 departures per day , out of which 3 are direct. Buses leave Stockholm at 8:45 a.m. , 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m. , 10:30 pm. and 10:45 p.m. The single non-refundable fare starts at 199 SEK / €22.10 on the connecting bus; and 229 SEK / €25.50 on the direct bus. The travel time is between 7 h 30 min and 8 h for the direct buses. On the way back, catch the direct buses from Oslo at 8:45 a.m., 1 pm. and 10 p.m. The same fare applies.
  • GobyBus and Bus4You operate , together, 2 buses per day from Oslo, departing at 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 am . The travel time is 10 h and 12 h 25 min respectively. The single fare is 649 SEK / €72.20 for an adult. On the way back, catch the bus from Stockholm at 7:50 a.m. The single fare is 799 SEK / €89.

Driving from Oslo to Stockholm

You can rent a car and drive the 523 km between the two cities. Although Norway is not part of the European Union, both Norway and Sweden are part of the Schengen area, so taking a rental car across the border should imply paying surcharges. However, make sure to ask the rental company whether you are allowed to cross the border.

The travel time is about 6 ½ h and the route has tolls.

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Sweden Transportation

Getting from Copenhagen to Oslo

Many tourists choose to visit all the Scandinavian capitals during a single trip; which means they also need to get between them fast, easy and cheap. Getting between Copenhagen – Denmark’s capital – and Oslo – Norway’s capital – by land requires you to cross Sweden, which means you can also plan to spend some time here.

Copenhagen is well known for its nightlife, cultural scene , shopping opportunities and museums. It’s a lively city and a pleasure to visit.

Oslo is the third largest city in Scandinavia and is the most expensive city in the world to live in (and visit). There are interesting buildings to visit and museums to check out. Spend some time in the parks or take a walk in the forest.

Summary

The cheapest option to travel between the two capitals is the bus. Tickets start around €40 one way (cheaper for those under 30 years old). Trains are more expensive and they also take about 8 h to travel between the two cities.

Flights from Copenhagen (airport code: CPH) to Oslo

Copenhagen is served by Kastrup Airport (CPH) , which is the main international airport serving the capital of Denmark. It is located only 8 km from the city center and is hub for many airlines, including: Norwegian Air Shuttle, Scandinavian Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia and TUIfly Nordic. The easiest to get to/from the airport is by train.

Olso is served by three airports but most flight from Copenhagen land on Gardermoen Airport (OSL) , which is the main airport serving Norway’s capital. It is hub for many airlines, including Scandinavian Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia and TUIfly Nordic. High speed trains, regular trains and buses are available to get to/from the airport. Flights to Gardermoen from Copenhagen are operated by Norwegian Air Shuttle and Scandinavian Airlines.

Starting with July 2012, there are also flights from Copenhagen to Moss Airport, Rygge (RYG) , which is also an international airport, but it’s preferred by low cost carriers. It is located 60 km from the capital , to which is connected by trains and buses. It is hub for Ryanair. Flights to Rygge from Copenhagen are operated only by Danish Air Transport).

The flight from Copenhagen to Gardermoen takes 1h 15 min and the single fares start at €62 in late June 2012 (on Norwegian). A return flight during the same period starts at €135. The same fares apply in mid-October 2012, too.

Trains from Copenhagen to Oslo

Both SJ – the largest train operator in Sweden – and Bahn.de – the German train operator – list the train between the two cities, but only on SJ you can find the prices , too.

There are 5 departures from Copenhagen per day which require only a change along the way (in Göteborg / Gothenburg, Sweden). The total travel time is about 8 h and the single non-refundable fare is 816 SEK / €90.70. Trains leave Copenhagen at 5:32 a.m. , 6:32 a.m., 8:32 a.m, 11:32 a.m. and 1:32 p.m.

On the way back from Oslo, you can catch two of the day trains (with one change along the way) at 7 a.m. or 1 p.m. The single non-refundable fare is 1018 SEK / €113. There’s also a night train, which leaves Oslo at 3:49 p.m. but requires two changes (Katrineholm and Malmo). The single non-refundable fare is 509 SEK / €56.54 for a seat. The couchette fare starts at 587 SEK / €65.

Buses from Copenhagen to Oslo

It’s generally a good idea to purchase the tickets only but some operators also sell them in the bus (for an extra fee). One of the companies offering direct links between the two cities is GoByBus (Attention: the site doesn’t offer English!), which offers three connections per day , leaving Copenhagen at 8:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 10 pm. The travel time is 8 ½ h. The single adult ticket starts at 349 SEK / €38.80. And the youngster ticket (under 30 years old) starts at 279 SEK / €31 one way. On the way back , catch the bus from Oslo at 10:30 a.m. and 10:50 p.m. The same fares apply.

Driving from Copenhagen to Oslo

You can rent a car and drive the 607 km (shortest route) between Copenhagen and Oslo. The route passes through Sweden, so you need to ask the rental company whether you can take the car across borders. Norway is not part of the European Union – like Denmark and Sweden – but is part of the Schengen area, which means you shouldn’t pay surcharges or have problems crossing the border in a rental car.

The travel time on E20 and E6 (shortest route) takes about 6 ½ h but it does depend on the traffic (so take into account more like 7 ½ h drive time plus stops along the way).

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Sweden Transportation

Getting from Copenhagen to Malmo

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and although it’s served by an important international airport, if you fly from certain European destinations it’s cheaper to fly into Malmo and then travel to Copenhagen by land. If you plan to visit Copenhagen, don’t miss its museums and the palaces.

Malmo is the third largest city in Sweden , easily explored by bicycle. Visit the three squares – Gustav Adolf, Big and Little – which are located in the heart of the city , and don’t miss Malmöhus Castle, either.

You can either visit Copenhagen as a day trip from Malmo, or the other way around, depending on where you prefer to set your base.

Summary

Considering the short distance between the two cities, it’s not necessary to fly. In fact, many fly into Malmo if they want to visit Copenhagen, because it’s possible to find cheaper flights from certain European destinations. The cheapest way to get between Copenhagen and Malmo is by bus, with fares starting at €5.50 one way. Trains aren’t very expensive either, as fares start at €12 one way.

Trains from Copenhagen to Malmo

SJ – the largest Swedish train operator – lists both their trains and those operated by Öresundstågen (the Danish train operator). There are trains departing Malmo every 20 min , night and day. The high speed train operated by SJ takes 28 min and the single fare starts at 135 SEK / €15 (non-refundable). The other trains take 35 min and the single fare starts at 107 SEK / €12 (non –refundable). On the way back, the same fares apply and trains run on the same schedule.

Buses from Copenhagen to Malmo

The following bus companies operate buses between the two cities:

  • GoByBus (attention: the website doesn’t offer English!): there are two departures from Malmo daily, at 6:05 a.m. and 5:55 p.m. The travel time is 55 min and the adult fare is 49 SEK / €5.50 one way. The youngster fare (under 30 years old) is the same. On the way back, catch one of the three buses from Copenhagen, leaving at 8:30 am., 1 pm. and 10 p.m. The same fares apply.
  • Gråhundbus (attention: the website doesn’t offer English!) operates bus 999 between Copenhagen and Malmo . The single fare is 80 DKK / €10.80 and you can also get a one day return ticket for 120 DKK / €16.20. There are seven departures per day.

Driving from Copenhagen to Malmo

You can rent a car and drive the 46 km between Copenhagen and Malmo on E20. Both countries are part of the European Union and the Schengen area, so you won’t be paying any surcharges. But it’s best to ask the rental company if you can take the rental car across the border.

The route has tolls and the travel time is about 40 min (but depends on the traffic).

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Sweden Transportation

Getting from Copenhagen to Gothenburg

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, a city well known for its cultural life and entertainment options. The shopping is not bad either. Plus, there are interesting museums to visit and you can even spend time at the beach.

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden , offering plenty of things to do and see. Make sure to visit the Skansen Kronan (Crown Keep), which is hilltop fortification, and step by the Fish Market, too. There are plenty of museums to keep you busy and of course, some interesting churches , too.

Summary

The cheapest option to get between Copenhagen and Gothenburg is the bus. Fares start at €24.30 one way and the travel time is about 4 ½ h. Slightly more expensive option – from €46.40 one way on the direct train – is the train, but there are trains departing by the hour between 6 a.m. / 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily.

Flights from Copenhagen to Gothenburg

Copenhagen is served by Kastrup Airport (CPH) , the main international airport serving the capital. It is located just 8 km from the city center and is hub for the following airlines: Blue1, Jettime, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Novair, Primera Air, Scandinavian Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia, TUIfly Nordic, Copenhagen Air Taxi and Star Air. The easiest way to get from the city center to the airport is by train.

Gothenburg is served by two airports, but only Landvetter Airport (GOT) operates flights to/from Copenhagen. It is the second largest airport in Sweden , located 20 km from the city and is hub for the following airlines: City Airline, Scandjet and TUIfly Nordic.

Scandinavian Airlines is the only airline operating flights between Copenhagen and Gothenburg. The flight time is 45 min. If you plan to fly by the end of June 2012, expect to pay from €80 one way. A return flight starts at €154 during the same period. The fares remain the same during the year.

>>book a flight to Sweden

Trains from Copenhagen to Gothenburg

SJ – the largest train operator in Sweden – and Öresundstågen offer connections between Göteborg (Gothenburg) and Köbenhavn (Copenhagen) .

There are direct trains which depart from Göteborg (Gothenburg): every hour at 42’ from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (so 6:42 a.m is the first one and 8:42 p.m. the last time). The travel time is 3 h 46 min and the single fare starts at 417 SEK / €46.40 non-refundable.

On connecting trains (1 connection, travel time 6 h 16 min) the fares start at 293 SEK / €32.60 non-refundable.

On the way back, catch the trains in Köbenhavn (Copenhagen) every hour at 32’ from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. (so 5:32 a.m. is the first train and 8:32 p.m. the last train). The same fares apply for the direct trains.

Buses from Copenhagen to Gothenburg

The following bus companies operate between the two cities:

  • GoByBus (attention: website only in Sweden!) : offers two connections per day , leaving Gothenburg at 2:35 a.m. and 2:30 p.m ; the travel time is 4 h 25 min. The adult ticket is 219 SEK / €24.30 one way. On the way back, choose among three buses leaving Copenhagen, at 8:30 a.m, 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. On the first two buses the adult single are is 259 SEK / €28.80. Please note that an adult is considered anyone between 30 and 59 year old (anyone under 30 is a “youngster” and the fares are cheaper; i.e. 169 SEK / €18.80 one way).
  • Bus4You work together with GoByBus, so you can book on this site the same buses (at the same prices).

Driving from Copenhagen to Gothenburg

You can rent a car and drive the 317 km between Copenhagen and Gothenburg. Both countries are part of the European Union and Schegen area, so there shouldn’t be a problem taking the rental car across the border. Still, it’s a good idea to ask the rental company about it.

The travel time , on E20, is about 3 ½ h but depends on the traffic.

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Sweden

Cheap Hostels in Stockholm

Search Stockholm hostels with up-to-date availability and book a hostel in Stockholm.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and a lovely city to explore. Located on 14 islands, it offers history, entertainment, museums and green spaces. Finding the best place to stay in Stockholm depends a lot on your budget, style of traveling and what you plan to do while here.

Hostels have the advantage of being located close to the city center or close to the public transportation stations. So, you’ll be able to travel to/from the sights and to/from the airport easily.

Even if the hostel uses the names “youth hostel” or “backpackers” , it doesn’t mean there’s an age restriction or you cannot stay there unless you travel with a backpack. These days, “youth hostels” typically refer to places offering dorm-style accommodation.

Aside from saving money on your stay – and in Sweden , the accommodation really adds up to the cost of traveling – hostels are also excellent places to meet fellow travelers. Whether you stay in a dorm or use the common areas , you’ll bump into other travelers and conversation easily follows.

If you want to save money but staying with 20 other traveler doesn’t sound too appealing, there are always the private rooms (with private or shared bathrooms) to choose from. Sure, they are more expensive than dorm beds, but are worth it especially if you travel with your partner and want some intimacy.

When it comes to the prices, expect to pay from €25.64 per night for a bed in a 12-bed dorm in a hostel in central Stockholm; a twin room will set you back about €72 per night (shared bathroom) in a hostel in Södermalm.

Try to book your bed in advance and remember that the prices go up in July and August, the peak travel months.

Search this map to find cheap hostels in Stockholm, or find even more hotel options by searching with the widget above.

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Sweden

Cheap Hotels in Gothenburg

Gothenburg (Swedish: Göteborg) is the second largest city in Sweden , known for its friendliness towards visitors. The city offers a lot of things to do, so choosing the hotel depends on what you plan to do and the budget you have for the trip.

Best areas to stay

The best area for you to stay in Gothenburg depends on what you want to do here and what your travel style is. Örgryte is the upscale residential area , close to the city center, with some places of interest, such as The Palace of Dickson and the Örgryte old church. Eriksberg is a modern neighborhood, close to the water. Other interesting areas are Sannegårds Hamnen and Mariaplan.

Prices and Hotels

City Hotel Avenyn

The 2-star hotel is located close to the main pedestrian street Avenyn. The rooms have TV, phones and radios. Guests can choose between shared and private bathrooms. In mid-June 2012, expect to pay 1095 SEK / €122 per night in a small double room, breakfast included.

Hotel Maria Eriksson

The 2-star hotel is also close to the main pedestrian street. Valand Tram Stop and Gothenburg Central Station are very close, too. Each room has TV, fridge, ironing facilities and free wi-fi. In mid-June 2012, expect to pay 1100 SEK / €122.50 per night for a double or twin room.

Spar Hotel Majorna

The 3-star hotel is located close to the Chapmans Torg Tram Stop and Gothenburg’s Ferry Terminal. There’s a rooftop terrace available for the guests and free wi-fi. All rooms have flat screen TV and desk. The guests can use the gym and sauna. In mid-June 2012, expect to pay 995 SEK / €111 per night in a small double room with breakfast included.

Search this map to find cheap hotels in Gothenburg, or find even more hotel options by searching with the widget above.

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Sweden

Cheap Hotels in Stockholm

The capital of Sweden, Stockholm is made up of 14 islands. So choosing the best hotel for your taste and budget can be a bit overwhelming at first. But some research will solve the problems. Remember that you can relay on the public transportation, but if you’ll stay in the city for just a couple of days , you’d want to be close to the sights.

Best areas to stay

Choosing the best area to stay in Stockholm depends on what you want to do here. The Old Town (Gamla Stan) is cozy but touristy and crowded. Östermalm is the area where you can find the upscale shops , while Södermalm is the trendy part of the town where you’ll find the younger crowds. Djurgården is basically a giant park where you’ll be close to the museums.

If you don’t mind staying further from the main sights , you can save some money and use the metro to get around. Or you can stay in a hostel.

Prices and hotels

Vanadis Hotell

This 2-star hotel is located close to Vanadislunden Park. The rooms have TV and you can choose either private or shared bathroom. The Frejagatan Bus Stop and Stockholm Central Station are close by. In mid-June 2012, expect to pay 1145 SEK / €127.50 per night in a Standard Double or Twin Room, breakfast included.

Colonial Hotel

The 2-star hotel is located just 10 min walk from Stockholm Central Station. All rooms have TV and free wi-fi. Guests can choose between private and shared bathrooms. In mid-June 2012, expect to pay 1150 SEK / €128 per night in a Double Room, breakfast included.

Reimersholme Hotel

The 2-star hotel is located in Reimersholme Island in central Stockholm , about 10 min walk from Hornstull Metro Station. The scenic island of Långholmen is located close by. Guests can choose between private and shared bathrooms. In mid-June 2012, expect to pay 795 SEK / €88.50 per night for an Economy Twin Room with Shared Bathroom, breakfast included.

Search this map to find cheap hotels in Stockholm, or find even more hotel options by searching with the widget above.

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Sweden Things to Do

Things to do in Stockholm

The capital of Sweden, Stockholm is made up of 14 islands connected by about 50 bridges. The lively city offers an amazing Old Town (Gamla Stan), alongside modern architecture and a lot of green space. It probably offers the freshest air in the entire Europe thanks to its waterways and green spaces.

Despite its location, Stockholm has a fairly mild climate but the sunlight varies a lot from season to season. Unless you like to venture in the night – since in December there are only 6 hours of sunlight per day -, it’s best to plan your visit during late spring to early fall.

Explore the Old Town (Gamla Stan)

The beautifully preserved hear of the city, the Old Town offers narrow medieval alleys, small and picturesque squares, interesting old churches and lively taverns. Sure, it can get incredibly crowded during the high season, so plan your visit accordingly.

See the changing of the guards

You can watch the 40 minute event in front of the residence of the King of Sweden. At about midday (12:15 p.m.) daily during summer (May to August) you can see a Military Band and sometimes the guards on horses, too. In the winter, the event is not as big (and of course there aren’t as many tourists either) and takes place Wed and Sat at 12:00 p.m. and on Sun at 1 p.m. In April, September and October it takes place on Wed & Sat at 12:15 p.m. and on Sun at 1:15 p.m.

And by the way, this is one of the free things to do in Stockholm.

Visit the Nobel Museum

It opened in 2001 to commemorate the centenary of the Nobel Prizes. The museum is not large but can keep you entertained (and educate you) for a while. You can listen to acceptance speeches and see short films about the laureates. Admission is 60 kr.

>>read more about the Museums in Stockholm

Visit the Vasa Museum

It is the most visited museum in Scandinavia. The warship Vasa sunk on her maiden voyage but has been salvaged and now is a museum.

>>read about the Top 10 Museums in Stockholm

Have a drink on a boat

Several pontoons and boats are now bars and restaurants, extremely popular among both locals and visitors. At the edge of the Old Town you can find an old steamboat which is actually a pontoon turned into a posh restaurant (admission is 50 kr)

See the City Hall (Stadshuset)

It is the most well known landmark in Stockholm, home to the Nobel Prize banquet, held annually here in the Blue Hall. You can visit the City Hall during a guided tour , which includes the Golden Hall and the Council Chamber. There’s a fantastic view from the tower.

Taste the local food

Meatballs, herring platter, cheese and many traditional Swedish dishes await those ready to taste the local fare. Go to a Swedish beer hall for some traditional eating and schnapps.

Enjoy the nature on Djurgården

The royal grounds are a perfect place to enjoy a day in nature. Pack a picnic basket and head to this superb island in the middle of Stockholm. Walk, bike and enjoy the views.

Drink coffee

Locals love their coffee with someone sweet alongside, so don’t be surprised to find amazing cafes for your caffeine fix . By the way: some of the most popular cafes also come with a great view.

ABBA

We aren’t exactly suggesting you to become an ABBA fan (if you love them just as much as Anthony Bourdain does) , but you can indulge in some good music while you are in Stockholm. Folk, pop, rock, salsa…you name it, there’s a club where you can find it.

Day trip to the islands of the Stockholm Archipelago

Stockholm Archipelago can be easily reached by ferry from the city . It covers 140 km and has plenty of islands to explore. The scenery differs from the island to island but during summer it’s typically warmer than in the city.

Take the kids to Junibacken

Junibacken is a mini indoor theme park devoted to Pipi Longstocking (a character created by Astrid Lindgren). You and the kids can ride a fairytale train through fictional landscape.

Swim

Långholmsbadet and Smedsuddsbadet are the city’s two swimming beaches, very popular during summer among both locals and tourists. And both are public beaches so swimming here is free.

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Sweden Transportation

Getting from Copenhagen to Stockholm

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark , known for the good shopping, excellent nightlife an interesting sights.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, a city which spreads on 14 islands, offering history, nightlife and nature.

Many travelers choose to visit all of the Scandinavian countries during a single vacation, so traveling between their capitals is usually the easiest and cheapest way to tackle the transportation.

Summary

When you plan to travel between Copenhagen and Stockholm, the bus is the cheapest option but takes at least 10 h. The airplane ticket is cheaper (as listed on line) but you need to take into account the booking fees (which depend on the method of payment) and the money paid to get to/from the airport. Overall, the flight might be just as expensive as taking the slower train, which has the advantage of leaving you right in the city center.

Flights from Copenhagen to Stockholm

Copenhagen is served by Kastrup Airport (CPH), located 8 km from the city center. It is hub for Blue1, Jettime, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Novair, Primera Air, Scandinavian Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia, TUIfly Nordic, Copenhagen Air Taxi and Star Air. The easiest way to get to/from the airport is by train.

Stockholm is served by four airports, but only 2 of them handle flights to/from Copenhagen:

  • Arlanda Airport (ARN): is the main international airport serving Stockholm and is located 40 km from the city center. It is hub for Amapola Flyg, Nextjet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Novair, Scandinavian Airlines, Skyways Express and TUIfly Nordic. To get from the airport to the city center, you can catch the express train, the regular train, the airport coaches or the regular bus. The flights to/from Copenhagen are operated by Norwegian Air Shuttle and Scandinavian Airlines.
  • Bromma Airport (BMA): is a smaller airport located just 10 km from the city center. It is not hub for any airline and is mostly used for flights to/from other Scandinavian countries. The flights to/from Copenhagen are operated by Flybe Nordic.

In mid-August 2012, expect to pay from €43 one way on Flybe Nordic. Slightly higher fares – from €48 one way – are offered by Norwegian Air Shuttle. The flight time is 1h 30 min to BMA and 1 h 15 min to ARN.

A return flight in mid-August will set you back from €82 (Flybe Nordic) ; while in mid-October 2012, you’ll pay from €41 for a single flight (Flybe Nordic) and €82 for a return flight on the same airline.

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Trains from Copenhagen to Stockholm

SJ – the main train operator in Sweden – operates high-speed trains and regular trains from Copenhagen (Danish: Köbenhavn) to Stockholm Central. There are two direct high speed trains per day (11:37 a.m. and 2:29 p.m.) as well as 4 slower trains which require a stop in Malmo.

The cheapest fare (553SEK / €61.63) is on the train which departs Copenhagen at 1:12 pm. and takes 6 h 25 min to get to Stockholm. On the high speed train, the cheapest fare is 1074 SEK / €120 (at 11:37 a.m.) and the travel time is 5h 13 min. The return fares differ, because they also depend on when you purchase the ticket and when you travel.

Buses from Copenhagen to Stockholm

There are two companies which operate direct buses between the two capitals:

  • Swebus : look for buses from Stockholm to Kopenhamn ; there’s one direct bus, which leaves Stockholm at 10:45 p.m. and there are two buses with a stop along the way which leave at 11:05 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. The direct one takes 9 h 20 min and the single fare starts at 529 SEK / €59. The bus which leaves at 5:20 pm. takes 14 h and the single fare starts at 449 SEK / €50. On the way back, catch the direct bus at 8:35 a.m. and the indirect ones at 10:10 am and 9:05 p.m. The fares are not always the same as they depend on when you travel and when you book the ticket.
  • Eurolines : operates a bus per day between the two capitals, every other day and it leaves Stockholm at 1:45 p.m. The travel time is 9 h 45 min and the single fare is 385 DKK / €52.

Driving from Copenhagen to Stockholm

You can rent a car and drive between the two capitals without any problems. Both countries are members of the EU and Schengen so you won’t pay any surcharges for crossing the border. However, do ask the rental company if you are allowed to cross the border with the rental car.

The shortest route is on E4. The 658 km can be tackled in about 7 hours (of course, it depends on the traffic).

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Photo credits : Stockholm Airport ; Stockholm train station