Find the ideal Stockholm airport for your upcoming journey
The stunning Swedish capital, Stockholm, serves as an excellent gateway to the Nordic region. Situated on an archipelago, the city boasts four airports, each offering unique advantages. Together, they cater to over 30 million passengers annually. In this guide, I’ll help you determine which Stockholm airport is the best fit for your travel needs.
Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN)
Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) stands as Sweden’s primary airport, accommodating more than 21 million travelers each year. It ranks as the busiest airport and the third largest in the Nordic region, and operates 24 hours a day.
Location
Stockholm Arlanda Airport is situated just 23 miles north of Stockholm. Its excellent connectivity to the city makes it the top choice for travelers visiting the capital. Personally, I prefer this airport over the others, particularly because of the quick and convenient 18-minute train ride that links the airport to the city center—much faster and easier than using a car service.
How to get there?
There are several options to travel between central Stockholm and Arlanda. The Arlanda Express train is the quickest (and most eco-friendly) option, taking just 18 minutes to connect Stockholm Central Station with all airport terminals. It’s also quite scenic! The train operates throughout the day, departing every 10-15 minutes, so you can even leave the airport during a layover.
If you prefer bus travel, there are several options available, including Flixbus, which runs between the airport and the central station. Additionally, Flygbussarna Airport Coaches offer three routes (terminating at Stockholm C, Liljeholmen, and Brommaplan), though each line has multiple stops and typically takes around 50 minutes per trip.
Additionally, there are taxis and car rental services, with the trip from downtown to the airport taking approximately 45 minutes.
Terminals
Stockholm Arlanda Airport features four terminals, equipped with a total of 61 gates.
Between Terminals 4 and 5 lies SkyCity, my favorite area at the airport, bustling with restaurants, bars, and shops. Terminal 2 handles many international flights, serving airlines like Air Berlin, Air France, Czech Airlines, easyJet Switzerland, Germanwings, KLM, and Niki. Terminal 3 primarily caters to small regional flights. Terminal 4 is the hub for Norwegian Air Shuttle and a major base for Scandinavian Airlines, while Terminal 5 accommodates most international carriers.
One of my all-time favorite business lounges is the American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof (accessible to Centurion or Platinum members and their guests). This lounge emphasizes food over lounging, offering delightful healthy Scandinavian flavors, often introducing new restaurants and bars.
Other amenities
Despite its size, everything at Arlanda is within a 10-minute walk. The layout is designed for easy navigation and exudes a relaxed vibe, enhanced by Scandinavian design and warm wooden accents throughout.
You can utilize the Swedavia app for the latest updates on flight departures and arrivals, as well as check the current security line lengths. It's a well-organized airport that I've frequented, but be aware that queues can become lengthy during peak times and holidays. So, it's wise to arrive with plenty of time to avoid any rush. They have also recently upgraded security measures, allowing you to keep your electronics in your bag during screening.
On my last layover here, I enjoyed a wonderful haircut at Flygfrisören located in SkyCity and grabbed some delightfully extra salty licorice from Lakritsroten.
Bromma Stockholm Airport (BMA)
Bromma Airport (BMA) primarily handles domestic flights and caters to private aircraft as well.
Location
Bromma is located just 4.6 miles from the city center, making it the most convenient airport in Stockholm. I've utilized this small airport for connecting to regional flights across Sweden, flying with Braathens Regional Airlines and Nyxair. Finnair also offers flights from here to Helsinki, but keep in mind that there are limited flights each day, which may not meet everyone’s needs.
How to get there?
The quickest route to Bromma is via taxi or rideshare, taking less than 10 minutes from downtown Stockholm, as it's under five miles away. While it seems walkable, there isn't a pedestrian connection for that route.
A convenient tram service called Tvärbanan connects to Stockholm Bromma Airport. Simply catch tram line 31, located right outside the terminal. It stops at Alvik on the city's west side, where you can transfer to the metro or train (known as the SL) for further travel.
Terminals
The airport features a single terminal building, accommodating both departures and arrivals. It includes a small business lounge, several dining options, and a car rental service. With just one security checkpoint, the lines move quickly due to the airport's compact size.
Other amenities
Be aware that once you pass through security, there are limited options available – the Deli Flight Bar by Akkurat is the standout for me. Given the airport's small size, I don't feel the need to arrive too early and prefer to spend more time exploring the vibrant city of Stockholm instead.
Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO)
Primarily serviced by budget airlines, Skavsta Airport (NYO) ranks as the fifth largest airport in Sweden, capable of accommodating three million travelers annually.
Location
Despite its name, Stockholm Skavsta is actually located 62 miles from the heart of the Swedish capital. It mainly operates flights with Norwegian Air Shuttle and WizzAir, along with a few seasonal destinations like Skopje and Mallorca.
How to get there?
The easiest way to get to and from this airport is by taxi, conveniently located right at arrivals if you’re landing. Alternatively, traveling by bus is a favored choice, especially for those coming from locations outside Stockholm. Flixbus offers several options that can be booked easily online, with the journey to Stockholm taking just over an hour. Additionally, the Flygbussarna Airport Coaches operate two routes: Skavsta to Stockholm Cityterminalen and Skavsta to Norrköping and Linköping.
A local train station is available in Nyköping, located a little over four miles from the airport. To reach the train station, you’ll need to take a taxi or Sörmlandstrafiken’s bus number 515. From the station, you can access trains that travel across Sweden and to other international destinations with connections.
Terminals
Skavsta features a single main passenger terminal that accommodates both domestic and international flights. It’s not a 24-hour airport, mainly operating when flights are scheduled. Given its location, it is also highly dependent on weather conditions, which is something to keep in mind when planning your travel.
Other amenities
The airport offers a few restaurants and bars along with a small business lounge, but all these facilities are quite limited in size. After visiting the northern regions of Sweden, I found this convenient airport perfect for my next journey to Poland. While there, I utilized their lockers to store my larger bags, making it easy to navigate the terminal, which only takes a few minutes to walk through.
Stockholm Västerås Airport (VST)
Stockholm Västerås Airport, also known as Hässlö Flygplats, is a relatively small airport in Sweden, handling about 100,000 passengers each year.
Location
Situated approximately 70 miles west of Stockholm, this small airport primarily serves Ryanair. They provide flights to Stansted Airport near London, along with a few seasonal routes to Spain.
How to get there?
Buses and coaches operate from Stockholm Central, taking around 80 minutes to reach the airport. This is the most convenient option, with departures every few minutes while the airport is operational. The SJ train also departs from Stockholm Central, reaching the airport in 60 minutes with several stops; however, you'll need to take bus number 3 from Västerås Central to the airport terminal.
Taxis are another option, but due to the distance, they can be quite pricey. If you're planning to explore Sweden, consider renting a car; I found it very convenient to return the car and catch a flight back to London right afterward. The rental companies are conveniently located at the terminal.
Terminals
Västerås has just one small terminal, which opens about three hours prior to each departing flight.
Other amenities
There’s a small café and newsstand located before security, while another café can be found after security. The airport offers paid Wi-Fi and lacks many additional facilities.
Top Stockholm airports for arrivals and departures and their advantages
If you're unsure which of the four airports to choose, this guide will help clarify your options:
| Arlanda | Bromma | Skavsta | Västerås | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance to city center | 23 miles | 4.6 miles | 62 miles | 70 miles |
| Ease for connecting to Stockholm | 18-minute train ride | Five-minute car ride | One-hour bus ride | 80-minute bus ride |
| Flights and airlines available | Most international and domestic airlines, including SAS hub | Mostly regional, but also Finnair to Helsinki | Mostly low-cost airlines across Europe | Only Ryanair and mostly to London Stansted |
| Shopping and dining | An array of options to suit every need (including dietary restrictions) | Minimal with just a few options for snacks or meals | Few dining facilities and no shopping options | Very few dining options and no shopping |
| Other factors to think about | Hotels at the airport in case of delays and cancellations | Fastest way to get to your gate, as the airport is streamlined | Perfect if you’re in the north of the country | Great if you just need to go to London and you’re coming from outside of Stockholm |
How was this guide developed?
For nearly two decades, I’ve spent about 200 days a year traveling through various airports, extensively exploring Sweden and Scandinavia. Having utilized all four of these airports and weighed their pros and cons, I can confidently make informed choices when booking flights. As Sweden continually updates and enhances its airports, I make it a point to stay updated on the latest developments online before I travel.
Final thoughts
For more details about Stockholm or tips on booking flights, Dinogo has you covered. Additionally, before heading to Stockholm's airports, check out the comprehensive airport guide, packed with expert advice.
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