If the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Sweden is IKEA, think again! No shade to IKEA, it’s fantastic. But there’s way more to Sweden and Stockholm than that minimalist Scandinavian design that we love so much! Or I could really just be projecting right now.
I honestly didn’t know too much about Sweden till I traveled there for the first time. All I did was get my plane ticket from Budapest to Stockholm because I found fantastic deals online. Little did I know that I was about to fall in love with the city!
If you’re in the same boat or just looking for a cool place to visit, you’re in the right place. I’ll share places I visited and tips that got me around the city pretty easily. I hope you find a thing or two from here that can help you with your trip from Budapest to Stockholm.
Budapest to Stockholm
Jump through the article here.
How to get to Stockholm from Budapest
First things first. You’ll need a plane ticket!
That’s the most convenient way to get there.
Land transportation, like a bus or train, will take a little more than 24 hours with at least one connection. That may be fun if you plan a road trip with some cool travel buddies (Keyword being cool. You’ll have to like those people if you’ll be stuck in an automobile with them for 24 hours ).
If that’s not the case, the easiest way you’ll get to Stockholm from Budapest is by flight.
Flights from Budapest to Stockholm
Flights between the two are fairly frequent, so you’ll find some good deals regardless of when you choose to travel. I got my ticket three weeks before my travel date, and the prices were super low. But tickets can still be low within a few years of your travel dates. I always trust kiwi.com for cool deals on flights, as I know everything’s going to go as planned.
You may find some super cool deals here if you haven’t purchased your air ticket from Budapest to Stockholm yet. You can also download their app to have all your flight details at your fingertips. Once your boarding pass is ready, you’ll be checked in if you have no extra baggage and are good to go.
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How to get to the Budapest Airport from the city center
Once you’re all checked in and ready to fly, you’ll want to make travel arrangements to the airport. You can get to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) by bus, taxi, or private transfer.
I prefer to take the bus as it’s convenient and also budget-friendly. All you’ll need to do is purchase the airport shuttle bus ticket at any of the BKK machines in the city. This ticket costs 2200 HUF.
The bus has departures every 10-20 minutes from Deak Ferenc Ter and Kalvin Ter. Travel time to the airport is about 35-45 minutes, and the bus drops you off right at the departure entrance.
If you’re okay with spending an extra buck, shared bus services or a taxi can be more comfortable, especially if you’re traveling with lots of luggage and/or kids.
How to get from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm City Center
Stockholm has four international airports—Arlanda, Bromma, Skavsta, and Vasteras airport. They’re all in different areas, so make sure you know where you’ll land.
If you purchase your ticket through this link, you’ll land at Arlanda Airport. As that’s where I flew to before, I’ll be explaining how to get to Stockholm from Arlanda Airport. Note that it may be different if you land at a different airport.
The best and most affordable way to get to the city center from Arlanda Airport is by either the Flygbussarna Coach service or the local SL transit. Download both these apps on the Apple Store or Google Play so that you always have your ticket on you.
Tickets from Arlanda to Stockholm with the Flygbussarna Coach cost 119 SEK, and the journey takes about 45 minutes. The final stop is the city terminal, which is right in the center.
Transportation around Stockholm
Once you’re in Stockholm, you’ll need to get to where you’ll be staying. Here’s where you’ll need the SL ticket. A 24-hour ticket costs 165 SEK, and a 72-hour ticket goes for 330 SEK. With this ticket, you can use all the buses, trams, metros, and ferries to get around the city.
Depending on where you’re staying, I recommend using different modes of transportation so you can see different parts of the city. Walk where you can (mostly the city center) and make the most of the buses and ferries to see different parts of the archipelago.
Fun fact: I didn’t know that Stockholm was built on an archipelago. The Stockholm Archipelago is the second largest on the Baltic Sea. Around 30,000 islands are scattered around Stockholm, and this is one of the things that make the city absolutely beautiful.
Where to Stay in Stockholm
Stockholm offers a variety of accommodation options for travelers.
From cozy Bed and Breakfasts to fancy hotels and everything in between. If you’re more of a budget traveler like I am, Couchsurfing is always a great option. Many locals are ready to provide shelter and accommodate internationals during your trip.
During my time there, I lived with a couch surfer, and this made my trip so much better. My host was familiar with the city and showed me around. Be cautious if you’re unfamiliar with the app or using it for the first time.
Tip: Have a look at your hosts’ profiles and read the references. I prefer hosts that have at least 20 and have hosted in the last month or two.
If Couchsurfing isn’t your style, have a look at the different types of hotels and pick the most convenient for you.
What to do in Stockholm
1. Stockholm City Hall-Stadhusset
If you love art and want to feel a little like royalty, head over to the city hall. You can tour the famous building that holds the Nobel Prize banquet.
Check their website for ticket information and visiting hours. Can’t go inside? That’s alright. The views from the outside are also lovely as you can see over the sea to other islands in the city.
2. Gamla Stan
Walk over to Old Town from City Hall to see some notable buildings here. You’ll see the Parliament Building (which I must add, has nothing on the one in Budapest).
Stortorget, the main square in Gamla Stan, is definitely worth seeing though. We’ve probably all seen those colorful buildings in Stockholm and here, you can see them in the flesh!
Take your time and grab a coffee at one of the nearby cafés. As this is a busy spot, you may come across many tourists trying to get some pictures. Also, this place isn’t as big as it seems, especially when it’s busy, so have that in mind!
3. Sergels Torg
Sergels Torg is right in the city center and probably one of the busiest streets in the city. People-watching can be a great way to learn about a culture. So maybe grab a drink or a bite here to see how Swedes go about their day.
Depending on when you visit, there may be some events going on in the area, and if you’re lucky, you can catch some of them.
4. Norrmalm
If you love to shop on a trip, head over to Norrmalm. Caution: It won’t be cheap. Swedish fashion and design shops grace Drottninggatan and its surrounding streets. This is a very cultural hub, so the opera and ballet at the Royal Swedish Opera are also here.
At Kulturhuset Stadsteatern, you can see art exhibitions and modern dance performances. The neoclassical Stockholm Concert Hall also holds orchestral performances, and if any of these interests you, it’s worth visiting.
If you’re not that interested in culture or don’t want to break the bank, visit Kungsträdgården Park, which has tree-lined walking paths and lots of cafés.
Stockholm also has many fashion stores that you can walk into and window shop. I enjoyed visiting furniture stores to look at the Scandinavian design pieces, which were impressive.
5. Djurgarden
If you love museums, then you’ll definitely fall in love with this island. I’d suggest having enough time planned for it, as there’s just so much to see here. Unfortunately, I could only see one museum here, the Vasa Museum, and I spent a couple of hours there. But it’s not the only one worth seeing.
The Nordic Museum, Skansen (an open-air museum), and the Viking Museums are just among the few that must be on your list. You can also see the Museum of Wrecks, the ABBA Museum, and the Thiel Gallery. All these have so much to offer and pick a place to visit based on your interests.
Another museum to see in Stockholm is the Fotografiska. It’s somewhere between being a museum and a photography gallery. If you’re a lover of contemporary photography from around the world, this is a place to visit! It’s located in the Södermalm district—another interesting place in the city.
If you happen to be in Djurgarden but not feeling the museums, or want to take some air, visit one of the surrounding parks. The island is filled with many parks and gardens providing fresh air, fantastic views, and vast green space.
6. Skogskyrkogården
Going to a graveyard doesn’t sound very typical, but maybe a UNESCO heritage site could be an exemption. I was a bit skeptical about going here but once I arrived, I realized why it’s a notable place. The woodlands are absolutely divine and it’s a huge piece of land that’s well-kept. It’s wonderful to have a stroll in, but if you’re hoping to do more during your trip, you may skip the trip to the cemetery.
Other places to visit in Stockholm:
- The Royal Palace
- Drottningholm Palace
- Gröna Lund
- Södermalm
- Museum of Natural History
- Stockholm Medieval Museum
- The Hallwyl Museum
- Millesgården Museum
- Långholmen
- Moderna Museum
- Metro stations to see the art
Things to know about Sweden
- The currency used is SEK (Swedish Krona), not EURO.
- Sweden is a monarchy.
- Sweden is a green country. Literally and metaphorically speaking.
- Because of the various islands, it’s not as walkable as Budapest is.
- H&M is originally from Sweden.
- Sweden is part of Scandinavia. Other countries are Denmark and Norway.
- Alcohol is expensive in Sweden.
- The largest IKEA isn’t in Stockholm.
- Swedish meatballs are better in Sweden.
- Södermalm made it to Vogues’ ‘15 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World‘ list.
- You can experience 24 hours of daylight at the peak of summer.
- You can make payments with your digital Revolut card.
Also, a trip from Budapest to Stockholm is absolutely worth it.
Conclusion—Budapest to Stockholm
If you’re not a fan of winter, you may want to stay clear of visiting Stockholm at the height of winter. Or should that be at the depth of winter? You know, because the temperature drops.
All puns intended, BTW.
I think 48 hours is enough to get through some popular parts of the city, but there’ll still be so much more to see. Spring in Stockholm should be beautiful, so I definitely plan to travel back then.
What about you?
Have you traveled from Budapest to Stockholm? If you know any other cool places I may have left out, please comment. I appreciate any of your words about the article, and it means a lot to hear from you. Every comment is heartwarming.
I hope you have a fantastic time in Stockholm!
If you’re still on the lookout for travel destinations, how about a trip to Krakow? It’s closer to Budapest and offers a unique experience.
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