Sweden Travel Information 2026: Transport, Costs, Seasons, and Regions to Stay

This Sweden travel information page is written for travelers who want practical planning details. Sweden spans long distances from the southern cities and coastlines to Arctic Lapland, so planning is simplest when you choose a clear region focus and match it to the season, transport style, and daylight.

Last updated: January 2026

Sweden travel information for travelers: Quick overview and key details

Quick overview

• Best time to visit: Late May to early September for long daylight and easy coastal and lake-region logistics. December to March for winter travel in the north, including snow activities. September to March is commonly chosen for Northern Lights conditions in Swedish Lapland.

• Typical stay length: 5 to 10 days for a first trip (shorter works well if you focus on one region).

• Daily budget (excluding flights): Budget 85 to 160 EUR, mid-range 170 to 290 EUR, comfort 310+ EUR.

• Main gateways: Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) is the most common international entry point, with Gothenburg Landvetter (GOT) and Malmö Airport (MMX) used depending on route and prices.

• Best regions to base yourself: Stockholm and Central Sweden, Gothenburg and the West Coast, Malmö and Southern Sweden, Gotland, Swedish Lapland, Dalarna and the lake districts, the High Coast and northern coastlines.

Key facts

• Country: Sweden

• Local currency: Swedish krona (SEK)

• Language: Swedish (English is widely used in visitor settings)

• Time zone: CET (summer: CEST)

• Emergency number: 112

• Non-urgent police: 114 14

• Healthcare advice: 1177

• Tap water: Generally safe to drink

• Power sockets: Type C and F, 230V

Transport

Getting to Sweden

Most international arrivals use one of the major airports (Stockholm Arlanda, Gothenburg Landvetter, Malmö Airport). Sweden also has strong rail and road links from neighboring countries, and ferries can be relevant depending on your route.

Useful official starting points:

• Airports and transport info: Swedavia https://www.swedavia.com/

• Tourism planning: Visit Sweden https://visitsweden.com/

Getting around Sweden

Sweden is efficient for intercity travel by train between the largest cities, while regional travel often combines rail, coach, and local transit.

• Trains: A common starting point for routes and tickets is SJ https://www.sj.se/en

• Local public transport: You plan and pay via the regional authority for each area, for example SL (Stockholm) https://sl.se/en, Västtrafik (Gothenburg and West Sweden) https://www.vasttrafik.se/en, and Skånetrafiken (Malmö and Skåne) https://www.skanetrafiken.se/en

• Coaches: Useful for smaller towns and routes with limited rail coverage.

• Domestic flights: Practical when you combine southern Sweden with Lapland or the far north.

• Car rental: Best for flexible road trips and rural areas. In winter, plan conservatively around road conditions and daylight.

Ferries and island connections

Ferries are part of normal logistics in several regions.

• Gotland: Schedules and seasonal frequency are published by Destination Gotland https://www.destinationgotland.se/en

• Archipelagos: Stockholm and West Coast islands have local networks, and seasonal frequency varies.

Costs and money

Sweden is generally a medium-to-high cost destination, with accommodation and sit-down dining typically the biggest categories. Costs become more predictable when you book accommodation early for summer, plan a limited number of paid attractions per day, and use public transport plus walking in cities.

Card payments are widely accepted across Sweden, and many places are effectively cash-light.

Indicative examples in euros, to make budgeting easier:

• Local public transport (city ticket): often about 3 to 6 EUR, depending on city and ticket type.

• Coffee: often about 3 to 6 EUR.

• Budget restaurant meal: often about 13 to 26 EUR.

• Mid-range dinner: often about 25 to 55 EUR per person, depending on venue.

• Beer in a bar: often about 7 to 11 EUR.

• Hotel room: often about 95 to 220 EUR per night in major cities, with higher prices in peak summer and weekends.

Seasons and planning

Late spring to early autumn

Best for city walking, coastal time, lake regions, and straightforward transport logistics. This is also the busiest period, and prices rise fastest in Stockholm, the west coast, Gotland, and popular summer towns.

Autumn

A strong choice for city breaks, museums, and calmer travel. Daylight reduces quickly later in autumn, and some seasonal services run less frequently.

Winter

Winter travel works well for Swedish Lapland and snow activities. Daylight is limited in much of the country, especially in the far north, so schedule outdoor plans earlier in the day.

Regions to stay

Stockholm and Central Sweden

Best for first-time visitors who want a major city base, museums, neighborhoods, and the widest range of transport connections.

Special places to visit (region highlights):

• Uppsala (easy day trip by train)

• Lake Mälaren towns and waterfront areas

• Archipelago departures (seasonal frequency varies)

Hidden gems:

• Sigtuna (historic small-town stop near Stockholm)

• Skogskyrkogården (woodland UNESCO cemetery setting, quiet and local)

Gothenburg and the West Coast

Best for coastal landscapes, island logistics, seafood-focused travel, and summer town-hopping.

Special places to visit (region highlights):

• Bohuslän coast (strong in summer, easiest with a car)

• Marstrand island

• Gothenburg southern archipelago (car-free island options)

Hidden gems:

• Åstol and smaller island communities (quiet coastal feel)

• Tjörn (coastline and art-focused stops)

Malmö and Southern Sweden

Best for shorter travel times, relaxed city breaks, and day trips into small towns and beaches.

Special places to visit (region highlights):

• Lund (historic university town)

• Österlen (coastal and countryside landscapes, best with a car)

• Ystad area routes (southern coast)

Hidden gems:

• Ales Stenar (coastal viewpoint and landscape setting)

• Kivik and smaller Österlen villages (seasonal, calmer pace)

Gotland

Best for summer travel, historic towns, beaches, and cycling-friendly routes. Most visitors plan around ferry schedules and accommodation availability.

Special places to visit (region highlights):

• Visby old town (heritage core)

• Coastal beaches and limestone landscapes

• Small fishing villages (summer-focused)

Hidden gems:

• Fårö (quieter island landscapes, seasonal logistics)

• Lummelunda Cave area (check seasonal opening)

Swedish Lapland

Best for winter-oriented itineraries, snow activities, and Northern Lights season planning. Distances are long, so plan transport and buffers carefully.

Special places to visit (region highlights):

• Kiruna area logistics (often flight-based access)

• Abisko region (often used as a Northern Lights base)

• Luleå archipelago area (summer and shoulder-season interest)

Hidden gems:

• Jokkmokk (culture and river landscapes)

• Small cabin-based stays outside the main towns (best if you plan transport in advance)

Dalarna and the lake districts

Best for slower travel, traditional landscapes, and summer outdoors, with easy pairing alongside Stockholm for a two-region trip.

Special places to visit (region highlights):

• Lake Siljan area

• Falun and the surrounding countryside

• Hiking and lake swimming in summer

Hidden gems:

• Rättvik shoreline walks

• Smaller village stays outside the main lake towns

High Coast and northern coastlines

Best for scenic driving, coastal viewpoints, and a calmer alternative to the busiest summer hotspots.

Special places to visit (region highlights):

• Höga Kusten viewpoints and coastline stops

• Örnsköldsvik area as a practical base

• Coastal day hikes in summer

Hidden gems:

• Ullånger and smaller coastal communities

• Quiet detours off the main summer routes

Visa and entry

Sweden applies Schengen short-stay rules, and whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and residence status. For official guidance, use the Swedish Migration Agency visiting information: Swedish Migration Agency: Visiting Sweden

To check how the 90 days in any 180-day period rule applies to your plan, use the EU short-stay calculator: EU short-stay calculator.

For full visa and entry details

FAQ

Is Sweden expensive?

Sweden is generally a medium-to-high cost destination. Your overall budget is most influenced by accommodation choice, how often you dine out, and whether you add domestic flights for longer distances.

How many days do you need in Sweden?

For a first trip, 5 to 10 days is a practical range. Shorter trips work well if you focus on one region (for example, Stockholm and Central Sweden, or Gothenburg plus the west coast).

Do you need cash in Sweden?

Card payments are widely accepted, and cash is not commonly required for normal visitor spending.

What are the emergency and non-urgent numbers in Sweden?

For emergencies, call 112. For non-urgent police matters, call 114 14. For healthcare advice, call 1177.

Useful links

• Visit Sweden: https://visitsweden.com/

• Swedavia (airports): https://www.swedavia.com/

• SJ (trains): https://www.sj.se/en

• SL (Stockholm public transport): https://sl.se/en

• Västtrafik (West Sweden public transport): https://www.vasttrafik.se/en

• Skånetrafiken (Skåne public transport): https://www.skanetrafiken.se/en

• Destination Gotland (ferries): https://www.destinationgotland.se/en

• Sweden visa and entry rules (your article)