How to get from Arlanda to Stockholm: taxi, train or bus

Arlanda Airport sits far outside Stockholm, almost at Uppsala. There are several ways to get into the city, and the range is impressive: from 18 minutes to an hour of travel time and from a few euros to several hundred kronor.

The fastest option is Arlanda Express: 18 minutes nonstop to Central Station (as of 09/2026, official website). The cheapest option is the combination of bus 583 and Pendeltåg 41 on a regular SL ticket. Between these two extremes are taxis, SJ long-distance trains, and Flygbussarna buses.

Ad: this article contains affiliate links, we earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

1. Taxi: fixed price and group travel

💡 In short:

• Fastest: Arlanda Express, 18 minutes to Central Station.
• Cheapest: bus 583 and Pendeltåg 41 on a regular SL ticket.
• Most convenient for a group: taxi at a fixed price.
• Prices and schedules: 09/2026, verified on Arlanda Express fares.

A taxi picks you up right at the terminal and drops you off at your hotel door. There are no transfers, and you don't have to drag suitcases through ticket gates. Major companies quote a fixed price at the counter, and it's worth confirming it before you get in.

For one person, the ride is noticeably more expensive than the train. But for a group of three or four with luggage, the math changes: the fare is split among everyone, and the car works out cheaper than Arlanda Express tickets. The trip to the center takes 35-50 minutes depending on traffic.

A fixed fare to the center comes to a few hundred kronor per car and varies significantly from one company to another. Always ask for the price upfront, so you won't overpay in the evening or in the rain.

2. Arlanda Express: 18 minutes to central station

© Jlaatrain · CC BY-SAPhoto: Jlaatrain, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The yellow train runs from the terminal to Central Station without stops. Exactly 18 minutes, and you're in the center. Nothing gets you there faster.

An adult ticket costs 340 kronor (as of 09/2026, Arlanda Express tickets). It's more expensive than the bus and the commuter train, but the time saved is significant. A group of up to eight people pays 120 kronor for each additional passenger.

Separate discounts apply for youth and children: check them for your date before purchasing. The ticket is not tied to a specific departure and is valid for 90 days in both directions, so missing one train is not a problem.

3. Regular SJ train and Pendeltåg commuter rail

SJ long-distance trains also stop at Arlanda, so you can get to the center on a regular train as well. They run only slightly slower than Arlanda Express, but depart less frequently and cost less: the price depends on the purchase date, and buying in advance is cheaper (as of 09/2026, SJ timetable).

© Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia · CC BYPhoto: Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

A separate option for budget travelers: the Pendeltåg commuter train on line 40. The train takes about 40 minutes to the center (as of 09/2026, SL on Arlanda). A mandatory Arlanda station access fee is added to the regular SL ticket, so the trip costs more than you might expect.

Children under 18 travel on a regular ticket and do not pay the station access fee (as of 09/2026, SL). An SL ticket is valid for 120 minutes, which is enough for a transfer along the way. Comparing trains across Sweden is easy on Trip.com.

4. Bus: Flygbussarna and Flixbus

For those who do not want to plan ahead, the bus is a convenient option. The route is simple, the schedule is clear, and you can board the next departure without a reservation.

© Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia · CC BYPhoto: Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Vy flygbussarna buses run every 10-15 minutes and get you to Cityterminalen in 45 minutes. Tickets start at 119 kronor (as of 09/2026, flygbussarna.se). Just show up at the stop by the terminal and head into the city.

Flixbus runs less frequent departures, but sometimes drops prices to just a few euros. The earlier you buy a ticket, the better your chance of a cheap ride.

5. The cheapest route: bus 583 and Pendeltåg 41

If you are willing to spend an extra hour, you can get the cost down to almost the price of a regular city trip. The plan is simple: UL bus 583 takes you from the terminal to Märsta station, where you transfer to Pendeltåg 41 to Central Station.

© Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia · CC BYPhoto: Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The trip takes about an hour. A regular SL ticket costs 43 kronor per ride (as of 09/2026, SL ticket). You do not need the station access fee on this route: you do not pass through Arlanda station.

One detail: you need to use the ticket within its validity window. SL gives you 120 minutes for the entire trip, including transfers (as of 09/2026, SL). If you linger in Märsta, you will have to buy a new one.

Comparing the options

If you have time and want to save money, take the combination of bus 583 and Pendeltåg 41 with a regular SL ticket. If you don't want to plan, take Flygbussarna: they run so often that you don't need to check the schedule. And if you value your time, take Arlanda Express.

If you're planning to travel around the country on your own, it's easier to pick up a car right at the airport: car rental at Arlanda.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get from Arlanda to Stockholm?

There's a wide range. A regular SL ticket for bus 583 and Pendeltåg 41 costs 43 kronor, a Flygbussarna ride starts at 119 kronor, an adult Arlanda Express ticket costs 340 kronor, and a taxi to the center will run you a few hundred kronor per car.

What's the fastest way to get to the center?

Arlanda Express is the fastest: 18 minutes nonstop to Central Station. A regular SJ train is slightly slower, and the commuter Pendeltåg 40 takes about 40 minutes. The cheapest option is the combination of bus 583 and Pendeltåg 41, but it takes about an hour.

When is a taxi cheaper than the train?

When three or four people are traveling and each has a suitcase. You split the fixed price per car among everyone, and per person it works out to less than Arlanda Express at 340 kronor. Traveling alone, a taxi is almost always more expensive than the train.

Does a regular SL ticket work at Arlanda station?

The train and bus to the airport are within the SL zone, but Arlanda station has a separate access fee. Children under 18 don't pay it. If you already have an SL ticket, you only need to buy the access pass. The ticket is valid for 120 minutes.

Do I need to buy tickets in advance?

Arlanda Express and Flygbussarna tickets can be bought at the counter, from a machine, or in the app, and seats aren't reserved. For SJ trains, the price depends on the date: the earlier you buy the ticket, the cheaper the trip. SL tickets are bought from a machine at the station entrance.

In short: what's worth booking

If you're traveling alone and want to save money, take bus 583 and Pendeltåg 41 with a regular SL ticket. For a group of four with luggage, a taxi at a fixed price is better. If every minute counts, take Arlanda Express.

It's convenient to compare transfer options in advance in one place, so you don't have to figure it out on the spot in the rain.

Train tickets for travel around Sweden are easy to book in advance on Trip.com.