Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) Flights & Flight Status

Stockholm Arlanda is Sweden’s largest airport and connects the capital city with the rest of the country, as well as many popular hotspots around the world. Located in the municipality of Sigtuna, Stockholm Arlanda welcomed over 21 million passengers in 2023 and connects to 133 international and 21 domestic destinations.

Stockholm to me is a city I will never tire of. Referred to by many as the ‘world’s smallest big city’, Stockholm encompasses old and new Sweden, from the cobbled winding streets of its old town, Gamla Stan, to the modern shopping and business district of Norrmalm. Base yourself near Stockholm Central Station and, as well as having a quick and easy airport connection via train, you’ll be able to navigate the best of the city on foot.

Travelling between Stockholm Arlanda Airport and the city

Public transport in Stockholm is reliable, frequent and affordable, and that is applicable to the city’s airport connections too. The Arlanda Express is Stockholm’s direct train connection between the airport and Stockholm Central Station and is available from all four terminals. It takes just 18 minutes to reach the city centre and departs every 10 minutes, meaning there’s no time pressure to make a certain train.

The Arlanda Express is so quick and efficient that I wouldn’t consider using any other mode of transport from the airport for a long weekend of exploring in Stockholm. The simplicity of finding the well-signposted service throughout the airport makes it easy to navigate (just follow the bright yellow signage) and you can simply purchase tickets from the self-service booths upon arrival to the airport – there’s no need to pre-book.

Transport routes to the rest of Sweden

For those travelling via Stockholm Arlanda to Swedish destinations beyond the capital city, there is an extensive public transport network to get you to your final destination. For those travelling to Gothenburg, you can jump on the Arlanda Express to Stockholm Central station and then get a direct train from there – the second leg takes about three hours. For Malmö, a train from Stockholm Central takes just four and a half hours on the fastest trains.

Sweden is a big country, so sometimes it makes more sense to fly from Stockholm Arlanda – especially if you’re visiting the more remote areas in the north, like Swedish Lapland – and there are regular daily flights from Stockholm to these regions. The main airports in Swedish Lapland are Luleå and Kiruna Airport, for example, with each destination having a handful of flights per day taking around one hour 20 minutes.

Travelling internationally from Stockholm Arlanda

Stockholm is connected to 133 international destinations, making it the perfect springboard for further exploring. These destinations are far flung, from Bangkok to Birmingham, as well as Cancun, Miami, Reykjavik and many more. Stockholm Arlanda is really well connected to the rest of Europe, so don’t write it out of your Euro summer plans because it’s much further north than popular southern countries like Spain and Portugal.

If you fancy travelling overland, the airport connects to the extensive train network spread across the continent too. Take a train directly from Stockholm Arlanda to Copenhagen, for example, and you’ll be eating smørrebrød, the traditional Danish open sandwich, in just seven hours. I love travelling by train where possible – there’s nothing I love more than settling in with my headphones and watching a new country roll by.

Layover and airport hotels

In addition to the extensive list of direct routes from Stockholm Arlanda, the airport is also a great option for layovers long or short for indirect journeys. Even for layovers of less than 24 hours, its close proximity to Stockholm city centre and quick access via the Arlanda Express means travellers can easily pop into the city for a few hours to experience some of its highlights.

For those with a longer layover or simply keen to get some rest before the second leg of their journey, there are many hotels nearby. The closest are the Comfort Hotel, Clarion Hotel and the Radisson Blu Airport Terminal Hotel – all are at a similar price point – and I’ve stayed at the latter before a very early flight.

The Radisson is a modern hotel within easy walking distance of all terminals and gates – a real selling point for me with my early start (I’m not a morning person, so every second of sleep counts). There’s a fitness centre and brasserie-inspired restaurant Sky Horizon that offers views of the airport. The hotel also offers room service, a laundry service, and buffet or grab-and-go breakfast options.

Using a car at Stockholm Arlanda Airport

Sweden is a brilliant country to explore on a road trip with its architecturally stunning cities paired with the beautiful landscapes and archipelagos meaning it really has something for everyone. Flying to Stockholm Arlanda is the perfect gateway to this, and picking up a hire car at the airport is simple.

At the airport, you can rent a car from Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National, Sixt and Mabi. Your car rental will be available for pickup from Arlanda’s car rental area P2 Long Term Beta, which is essentially a big car park. Hop on a short bus journey from terminal 2, terminal 4 or the car rental area to get there.

Lounges at Stockholm Arlanda Airport

Stockholm Arlanda’s main lounge that’s accessible to all passengers for a fee is the Pearl Lounge, with one at each of Terminals 2, 4 and 5. I used the lounge ahead of my Norwegian flight back to London – it’s a welcoming, modern space with a buffet of hot and cold food and lots of comfortable seating. You can stay for three hours and it’s smart casual dress – no shorts are allowed.

Passengers flying with SAS or those who are a Centurion or Platinum American Express member have exclusive lounges to enjoy. SAS customers can add lounge access onto their booking and enjoy the SAS GOLD lounge upstairs at Gate E1 in Terminal 5. It offers a buffet with hot and cold food and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as Wi-Fi, computers and showers.

The American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof is between gate area D and F in Terminal 5. Breakfast is served from 5am until 11am, and then lunch and dinner dishes are served until 7.30pm. Centurion members can bring two guests into the lounge and Platinum members can bring one.

Eating and shopping

There are restaurants, cafes and convenience stores to grab a bite to eat before your flight and as is typical in Sweden, the food is delicious. From restaurant Eatery, I can vouch for the classic Swedish toast skagen and gamberetti neapolitan pizza – I always like to try the local food, but sometimes the heart just desires a good pizza, and this ticks that box.

Elsewhere, drop by Craft n’ Draft for a quick pre-flight beer, pick up some final Scandic food-to-go at Taste by Nordrest, and grab your in-flight snacks from Swedish convenience store chain Pressbyrån (don’t forget a cinnamon bun, or kanelbulle). Don’t forget to try a cardamom bun before leaving Sweden too – it’s a rite of passage.

For those looking to shop for gifts, perfumes and final treats, there is an abundance of shopping options at Stockholm Arlanda. Architecturally, its Duty Free offering at Terminal 5 is beautiful – known as the Marketplace, this new area only opened in October 2023 and I love the bright, high ceilings and wooden design across these shopping areas.

For those in the mood for clothes shopping, head to Æra Fashion Store for items from both Scandinavian and international brands. Sweden is famous for its liquorice, so shop at Lakritsroten for some of the best – perfect for small gifts for loved ones and a little something for yourself, too. And speaking of gifts and keepsakes, a stop at Sweshop is a must for that all essential fridge magnet (one of my favourite travel traditions).

My experience of Stockholm Arlanda and the city

Stockholm Arlanda is a modern, beautifully designed and easy-to-navigate airport that’s genuinely one of my favourites I’ve visited. The Arlanda Express connects the hub to the city centre quickly and seamlessly, and is an example to all European cities for the public transport infrastructure all visitors are hoping for upon arrival – because no one really wants to pay for an expensive taxi.

Stockholm is a city to enjoy year-round. In the colder months, wrap up warm and wander the winding streets of Gamla Stan, cafe hopping along the way to warm up and fill your boots with freshly made cinnamon buns – it’s a touristy spot, but one that can’t be missed. In the summer, enjoy the city’s public parks and explore its many islands. Right near the city centre is Djurgården, a stunning, sprawling waterfront park where you’ll also find the popular open-air museum Skansen.