Sweden: Northern Lights, Midnight Sun, and Very Good Coffee
Arctic wilderness up north, world-class cities down south, and meatballs everywhere in between.
Sweden is one of those countries that somehow manages to be both incredibly wild and incredibly civilised at the same time. You can spend the morning watching the Northern Lights from a glass igloo in Lapland, and by evening you’re in Stockholm drinking a perfect flat white in a design-museum-slash-café that used to be a submarine factory. The distances are big — it’s roughly 2,000km from Malmö in the south to Kiruna in the north — but the trains are clean, the coffee is strong, and nobody will judge you for eating meatballs three days in a row. This guide covers the lot.
2.5–3 hrs
From the UK
Jun–Aug
Best time
Swedish
Main language
SEK (Krona)
Currency
Best Time To Visit
Spring (Mar–May): Mild temperatures (10°C–15°C), blooming flowers, and Northern Lights make this season perfect for nature lovers. Explore vibrant cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg without the crowds.
Summer (Jun–Aug): With warm weather (above 20°C), long days, and outdoor activities like hiking and swimming, summer is ideal for families and beachgoers. Don’t miss Sweden’s traditional Midsummer celebrations.
Autumn (Sep–Nov): Comfortable temperatures (10°C–15°C), harvest season, and stunning fall foliage make it great for foodies and nature enthusiasts. Explore the picturesque Lake District or enjoy cozy cities.
Winter (Dec–Feb): A winter wonderland for skiing, snowboarding, and Northern Lights viewing in Lapland. Cities feature festive Christmas markets, cozy cafes, and a magical holiday atmosphere.
For a more in-depth look, Here are The Best Times to Visit Sweden.
What To Expect
2°C
- Temperature
Capital: Stockholm
Population: 10.555 million (2023)
Language: Sweden is a multilingual country, with Swedish being the official language. However, many Swedes also speak English fluently, making it easy for tourists to communicate and navigate the country.
Currency: The official currency in Sweden is called a Krona SEK. 1 USD is equivalent to about 10.25 SEK and 13.4 is around £1 GBP. Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: Most major credit and debit cars. You will also find you won’t need a lot of cash. A lot of places will now also accept contactless payments like Apple Pay or Google pay.
Plugs: In Sweden, they use power sockets (outlets) of type F. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: Sweden is still mostly pretty safe, apart maybe from specific areas and less safe at night, obviously. Use common sense.
Why You Should visit: Sweden’s a gem worth visiting for its jaw-dropping scenery, cool history, and lively vibe. Picture chasing the Northern Lights in Lapland or wandering Stockholm’s charming islands. Whether you’re into hiking, skiing, or just soaking in the views, there’s something for everyone. Cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg mix sleek design, awesome museums, and food that’s fresh and Nordic to the core. Locals are super friendly, and with unique experiences like staying in an Icehotel or joining a midsummer party, Sweden’s got this perfect blend of adventure and cozy charm that’ll stick with you.
Sweden Travel Guides
From Stockholm’s islands to Lapland’s frozen wilderness — plan your trip here.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps (coming soon)
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do (coming soon)
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does Sweden Cost?
Sweden isn’t cheap. But it’s not as bad as people think if you know where to look.
🎒
Backpacker
~SEK 800/day ~£65 / €75 / $87
- Hostel dorms from SEK 250/night
- Supermarket meals and street food
- Public transport day passes
- Free museums, parks, and hiking
🍜
Mid-Range
~SEK 1,800/day ~£144 / €166 / $196
- Private rooms and budget hotels
- Restaurants, cafés, and fika culture
- Mix of public transport and taxis
- Museum passes, boat tours, day trips
🏨
Upscale
~SEK 3,500+/day ~£280+ / €324+ / $380+
- Boutique hotels and design stays
- Fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants
- Private tours and helicopter transfers
- Icehotel, Treehotel, luxury lodges
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: SEK 250–500 / £20–40 / €23–46 / $27–54
- Campsite: SEK 200–400 / £16–32 / €19–37 / $22–43
- Budget hotel: SEK 800–1,500 / £64–120 / €74–139 / $87–163
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb apartment: SEK 1,200+ / £96+ / €111+ / $130+
- Boutique hotel: SEK 1,500–3,000 / £120–240 / €139–278 / $163–326
- Luxury/Icehotel: SEK 4,000+ / £320+ / €370+ / $435+
City Travel
- Bus/metro/tram single: SEK 30–45 / £2.40–3.60 / €2.80–4.20 / $3.25–4.90
- Day pass (Stockholm SL): SEK 175 / £14 / €16 / $19
- Uber/Bolt short trip: SEK 80–200 / £6.40–16 / €7.40–19 / $8.70–22
Long Distance
- Train Stockholm–Gothenburg: SEK 250–800 / £20–64 / €23–74 / $27–87
- Budget bus Stockholm–Gothenburg: SEK 150–400 / £12–32 / €14–37 / $16–43
- Car rental per day: SEK 500–900 / £40–72 / €46–83 / $54–98
Eat Cheap
- Fast food / food court: SEK 80–130 / £6.40–10.40 / €7.40–12 / $8.70–14
- Supermarket meal prep: SEK 50–100 / £4–8 / €4.60–9.25 / $5.40–11
- Coffee (fika): SEK 35–55 / £2.80–4.40 / €3.25–5.10 / $3.80–6
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant: SEK 200–350 / £16–28 / €19–32 / $22–38
- Fine dining: SEK 500–1,200 / £40–96 / €46–111 / $54–130
- Beer (0.5L draft): SEK 70–100 / £5.60–8 / €6.50–9.25 / $7.60–11
Budget Fun
- Museum entry: SEK 80–200 / £6.40–16 / €7.40–19 / $8.70–22
- Free walking tour: Free (tip your guide)
- National park hiking: Free (Allemansrätten)
Big Experiences
- Northern Lights tour (Abisko): SEK 1,000–2,500 / £80–200 / €93–231 / $109–272
- ABBA Museum: SEK 250–350 / £20–28 / €23–32 / $27–38
- Icehotel visit/stay: SEK 2,000–6,000+ / £160–480+ / €185–556+ / $217–652+
Tips for Saving Money in Sweden
💧 Drink the tap water — It’s some of the cleanest in Europe. Skip bottled water entirely and bring a reusable bottle.
🚶 Walk everywhere in cities — Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö are compact and flat. You’ll see more on foot than from a bus anyway.
🛒 Hit the supermarkets — Lidl, Willys, and ICA are your friends. A decent meal from a supermarket costs a fraction of eating out.
🚌 Get transport passes — The SL card in Stockholm and Västtrafik in Gothenburg give unlimited travel for a flat daily or weekly rate. Way cheaper than single tickets.
🏕️ Use Allemansrätten — Sweden’s “Right of Public Access” means you can hike, camp, and forage basically anywhere in nature for free. It’s one of the best things about travelling here.
☕ Lunch is the meal deal — Many Swedish restaurants serve a “dagens lunch” (daily lunch special) for SEK 100–140 / £8–11 / €9–13 / $11–15. That same restaurant charges double at dinner.
🎟️ Get a city pass — Stockholm Pass covers 60+ attractions and hop-on-hop-off boats. If you’re hitting more than 3 attractions in a day, it pays for itself.
📅 Travel off-season — Visit in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October) for lower prices on accommodation, fewer crowds, and shoulder-season flight deals.
🏠 Try Couchsurfing or hostels — Sweden’s hostels (including old boats and converted prisons) are genuinely excellent. Or use Couchsurfing for free stays with locals.
✈️ Book trains early — SJ train tickets jump in price close to departure. Book 60–90 days out for the cheapest fares, especially Stockholm–Gothenburg and Stockholm–Malmö.
Getting Around Sweden
The country is long. Like, really long. Here’s how to cover it without losing your mind or your wallet.
Domestic Flights
Best for covering big distances fast. Stockholm to Kiruna is 17 hours by train or 1.5 hours by air.
✅ Quick and frequent routes
✅ Budget airlines from SEK 400 / £32 / €37 / $43
❌ Prices spike close to departure
Car or Campervan
Best for road trips and exploring beyond the cities. Essential for Lapland in summer.
✅ Total freedom, especially rural areas
✅ Well-maintained roads
❌ Fuel and tolls add up on long drives
City Public Transport
Best for getting around within Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. All three have integrated networks.
✅ Cheap with a transport card
✅ Stockholm metro doubles as an art gallery
❌ Not useful between cities
Train Travel
Best for intercity routes. The overnight train to Lapland is a proper experience.
✅ Fast, comfortable, scenic
✅ Overnight trains save a hotel night
❌ Expensive last-minute, book early
Long-Distance Bus
Best for budget travel between cities. FlixBus runs most major routes.
✅ Cheapest intercity option from SEK 150 / £12 / €14 / $16
✅ WiFi and decent seats
❌ Stockholm to Gothenburg is 6–7 hours vs. 3 by train
Ferries & Boats
Best for archipelago hopping. Stockholm alone has 30,000 islands — you’re going to need a boat.
✅ Scenic, and often included in transport passes
✅ Connects Stockholm archipelago, Gotland, and more
❌ Seasonal schedules for smaller routes
Which Is Right For You?
Exploring one city
Get the local transport pass
Multiple cities
Train if booked early, fly if not
Lapland & countryside
Rent a car or campervan
Tight budget
FlixBus between cities, walk within them
Quick Tips
📅
Book SJ Trains Early
Prices triple close to departure. 60–90 days out is the sweet spot.
💳
Go Cashless
Sweden barely uses cash. Card or contactless everywhere, even market stalls.
🌙
Take the Night Train
The sleeper to Abisko saves a hotel night and gets you to Lapland by morning.
🛡️
Winter Tyres Required
Renting a car Dec–Mar? Snow tyres are mandatory. Make sure the rental includes them.
Book Tours & Tickets
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit Sweden?
Most visitors from the UK, US, Canada, and Australia don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Sweden is part of the Schengen Area, so you enter under standard Schengen rules. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date and issued within the last 10 years. The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) launched in October 2025 and is being rolled out in phases — expect biometric checks (fingerprints and facial scan) at your first Schengen border crossing. ETIAS, a new pre-travel authorisation, is expected to launch in late 2026. Once it’s live, you’ll need to apply online before travelling (€20 fee). But as of right now, it’s not required. Always check the latest requirements before you book.
Is Sweden safe for tourists?
Very. Sweden consistently ranks among the safest countries globally. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. Petty theft (pickpocketing in Stockholm, Gothenburg) happens at the same rate as most European cities — keep your stuff close on public transport and at tourist hotspots, and you’ll be fine. The bigger surprise for most visitors is how cashless the country is. Some places don’t accept cash at all, so make sure you’ve got a card that works abroad without ridiculous fees.
Is Sweden really that expensive?
It’s not cheap, but it’s not as terrifying as people make out. Budget travellers can get by on around SEK 800/day (roughly £65 / €75 / $87) by staying in hostels, cooking meals, and using transport passes. The trick is knowing where the costs hide — alcohol is expensive (the government controls sales through Systembolaget stores), and eating out at dinner prices adds up fast. But the “dagens lunch” culture means affordable restaurant lunches most days, supermarkets are reasonable, and a huge amount of outdoor activities (hiking, camping, swimming) cost nothing at all.
When's the best time to visit Sweden?
Depends what you’re after. For the midnight sun and long warm days, June through August is the window — temperatures sit around 20–25°C in the south. For Northern Lights, aim for late September through March, particularly in Lapland around Abisko. Winter sports peak December through February. Spring (April–May) is underrated — fewer tourists, cherry blossoms in Gothenburg, and prices haven’t spiked yet. Avoid the first two weeks of July if you want Swedish company, though. The entire country goes on holiday simultaneously and half the restaurants close.
How do I get around Sweden?
For city to city, trains (SJ) are the best bet — Stockholm to Gothenburg takes about 3 hours. Book early for decent prices. Budget alternative: FlixBus runs most routes for less, but takes roughly twice as long. For Lapland, the overnight sleeper train from Stockholm to Abisko or Kiruna is hard to beat (and saves a hotel night). Within cities, Stockholm’s SL card, Gothenburg’s Västtrafik, and Malmö’s Skånetrafiken all offer unlimited daily/weekly passes. Car rental makes sense for the countryside and national parks, but you don’t need one in the cities.
Can I drink the tap water in Sweden?
Yes. Everywhere. Swedish tap water is excellent quality. Bring a reusable bottle and fill up from any tap — restaurants, hostels, public fountains. There’s genuinely no reason to buy bottled water here.
Do I need travel insurance for Sweden?
Yes — and don’t skip it even though Sweden feels safe. If you’re a UK citizen, your GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) covers some emergency healthcare across the EU, but it doesn’t cover everything — and it won’t cover trip cancellations, lost luggage, or repatriation flights. Medical bills in Sweden can be hefty without proper cover. A decent policy costs surprisingly little for the peace of mind. Compare options through our Travel Insurance hub.
What's the deal with Sweden being cashless?
It’s real. Sweden is one of the most cashless societies on the planet. Most shops, restaurants, museums, and even market stalls take card or contactless. Some places (including certain buses) actively refuse cash. Bring a Visa or Mastercard that works internationally — ideally one with no foreign transaction fees. Amex acceptance is spottier. You might want a small amount of SEK in cash as a backup, but honestly, you could do an entire trip without touching a note.
What should I pack for Sweden?
Layers. Always layers. Even in summer, evenings get cool — a light jacket is non-negotiable. Winter? You’re looking at thermals, waterproof outer layer, insulated boots, and a proper hat and gloves, especially if you’re heading to Lapland. Rain gear is useful year-round (Sweden isn’t as dry as people assume). And bring a good pair of walking shoes — the cities are very walkable and you’ll cover more ground than you think. Don’t forget a Type F plug adapter.
What's Allemansrätten and can tourists use it?
Allemansrätten (“the right of public access”) is a Swedish law that lets anyone — tourists included — roam freely across open land. You can walk, cycle, ski, camp for a night or two, swim, and pick wild berries and mushrooms, as long as you respect the environment and don’t disturb homeowners. It’s one of the most generous outdoor access rights in Europe. Just follow the core rule: “don’t disturb, don’t destroy.” You don’t need anyone’s permission. Just head out.
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