Getting to Stockholm: Arlanda Airport Trains, Centralstation and Ferries

Most international visitors fly into Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), located 40 kilometres north of the city centre, while smaller regional flights use city-centre Bromma Airport (BMA) (linked by Tram 31 to Alvik) and low-cost carriers occasionally use Skavsta (NYO) or Västerås (VST), 100 kilometres away by Flygbussarna coach. From Arlanda, you have three direct public transport links into Stockholm Centralstation in Norrmalm:

1. Arlanda Express (Fastest: 18 minutes non-stop)

The dedicated yellow high-speed Arlanda Express train departs every 10 to 15 minutes from two underground stations located directly beneath Terminal 5 and Terminals 2/3/4, pulling straight into Tracks 1 and 2 at Stockholm Centralstation in 18 minutes. Lifts lead directly from baggage claim to the platform. Tip: while solo standard adult tickets are premium-priced, Arlanda Express offers deep automatic group discounts when 2, 3 or 4 adults travel together on one ticket, youth fares for ages 18 to 25, and children under 18 travel free with an adult. Buy on the app or tap your contactless card at the yellow platform kiosk.

2. SL Commuter Train (Pendeltåg Line 40: 38 minutes)

Operated by Stockholm public transport (SL), commuter train Line 40 departs every 30 minutes from Arlanda Central station underneath SkyCity (between Terminals 4 and 5) and reaches underground Stockholm City station (connected directly to T-Centralen Metro and Centralstation) in 38 minutes, continuing south to Södra station on Södermalm. Note that because the airport tracks are privately owned, anyone aged 18 or over entering or exiting at Arlanda Central must pay a mandatory station passage supplement (passageavgift) on top of a standard SL ticket or travelcard.

3. Flygbussarna Airport Coaches and Taxis

If you are travelling solo on a budget, Flygbussarna and FlixBus coaches depart every 15 to 20 minutes outside Terminal 4/5 to Cityterminalen (next to Centralstation) in about 45 minutes with zero station supplement, and a separate Flygbussarna route serves Liljeholmen via Brommaplan and Fridhemsplan on Kungsholmen. If taking a taxi outside Arlanda, stick strictly to well-known major companies (such as Taxi Stockholm 150000 or Sverigetaxi) and check the yellow-and-black comparison price sticker on the rear door window to confirm the fixed city-centre rate before getting in.