Car Rental in Stockholm

Why rent a car in Stockholm?

Stockholm is a great place to visit. Its city center has many classy attractions such as the Old Town and museum district, while the Stockholm Archipelago and a number of nearby areas also offer a great day outdoors. Thanks to a developed highway network, with a rental car, you can easily see the rest of Sweden as well. 

Top ways to enter Stockholm

• Stockholm Arlanda Airport: By far the busiest airport in Sweden, Stockholm-Arlanda served 26 million travelers in 2018. The airport is a hub for Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian Air and is also served by more than 30 other airlines. Located in nearby Sigtuna Municipality, Arlanda Airport is 42km (26 miles) north of Stockholm’s city center and can be reached in about 35 minutes.
• Stockholm Bromma Airport: Much smaller than Arlanda, this airport primarily offers domestic connections by BRA Braathens Regional Airlines; however, there are also flights to Belgium and Finland. Located just 10km (6 miles) northwest of the center of Stockholm, the airport can be reached in 15-20 minutes.
• Stockholm Västerås Airport: Located near the city of Västerås, but officially named Stockholm-Västerås, this small airport is only served by low-cost carrier Ryanair as of August 2023. There is a year-round connection with London, as well as seasonal flights to Alicante and Malaga in Spain. Located 100km (62 miles) northwest of Stockholm, the airport can be reached in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
• Stockholm Skavsta Airport: Another international airport not actually located in the immediate vicinity of Stockholm but named after the capital city for marketing reasons, Stockholm-Skavsta is served by low-cost carriers Wizz Air and Norwegian Air Shuttle, which offer flights to and from around 13 different destinations (although some routes are seasonal). Located 105km (65 miles) southwest of Stockholm, Skavsta Airport can be reached in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• By rail: If you arrive in Stockholm by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at the Stockholm Central Railway Station.

City facts

• Located on the western coast of the Baltic Sea, Stockholm has an oceanic climate with warm summers and long, cold winters. The average high temperature is 23°C  (73°F) in July, the warmest month, and 1°C  (33°F) in January. Precipitation is the highest from June to September while the dry period typically lasts from January to March. Stockholm is the fifth-northernmost capital city in the world. The northern lights can occasionally be observed in the Stockholm region. 
• With a population of 975,000, Stockholm is the largest city not only in Sweden but also the Nordic countries and the second-largest on the Baltic Sea (after Saint Petersburg in Russia). Another 600,000 people live in the larger Stockholm urban area. Stockholm is made up of three large areas, Central Stockholm, Southern Stockholm, and Western Stockholm which are further divided into boroughs. 
• Stockholm has often been mentioned as one of the safest, greenest, and most liveable cities on the planet. High levels of income, low crime, low unemployment, and its proximity to a large number of nature areas have contributed to the city’s international status.

Top sights and activities

• Museum of Ethnography. Dedicated to ethnography and anthropology, it is one of the most impressive museums of its kind in the world. Plenty of high quality exhibitions are dedicated to Scandinavian culture, as well as tribal and native cultures from Oceania, Asia, North America, and other parts of the world. Relics from many famous expeditions, such as James Cook’s 18th century voyage of Southern Pacific, are on display. Modern and interactive, the museum is a fun place for visitors of every age and can be explored for hours. Admission to the museum is free. The Museum of Ethnography is located in Stockholm’s famous museum district and is within a walking distance from other interesting venues like the National Maritime Museum and the National Museum of Science and Technology.
• Old Town. Well-preserved and picturesque, Stockholm’s Old Town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. The famous Stockholm Palace is located here, as are the Riddarholm Church, a resting place of many Swedish kings and queens, and the Storkyrkan Cathedral. Stortorget Square is the beating heart of Gamla Stan, or the Old Town, and the rest of the area is easily accessed from there.
• Stockholm Public Library. Located in a unique Art Nouveau building, the rotunda-shaped Stockholm Public Library is even more impressive from the inside than it is from the outside. Even if you don’t want to read a book, the library is well worth a visit - but if you change your mind, it has a very impressive collection of books not only in Swedish, but also English, Arabic, Persian, Russian, and tens of other languages.
• Skansen Open Air Museum. This is the oldest open-air museum in the world, showcasing what life was like in Sweden in centuries past. You’ll get to see houses, farms, gardens, food, nature parks, animals, and festivals as they have been celebrated over time. The museum is open year-round and has different events and festivals throughout the year.
• St. Klara Church. Located in the heart of the city, Klara kyrka is one of the tallest buildings in the capital. The redbrick Lutheran church dates back to the 16th century and its name, taken from a medieval Italian nun, now also denotes the area that surrounds it. The church’s interior is arguably even more ornate than its facade.
• National Museum of Fine Arts. Not part of the aforementioned museum quarter, but nonetheless very worthy of a visit, this famous gallery — also known simply as the National Museum among the locals — features works of practically all the most important Swedish artists, as well as globally recognized masters like Goya and Rembrandt. One of the best ways to enjoy the museum is via an audio guide (these are also available in English). Visit the museum’s homepage to learn more.
• This is just a small sample of what there is to see, be sure to read more about the best things to do in the city.

Traffic and parking

• Sweden drives on the right hand side of the road.
• The speed limit is either 120km/h (75 mph) or 110km/h (68 mph) on motorways, although some sections might have a significantly lower speed limit, so follow the signs carefully. The speed limit on other roads outside urban areas depends on the road and will be anywhere between 100km/h (62 mph) and 70km/h (43 mph). The speed limit in cities and built-up areas can be anywhere between 70km/h (43 mph) and 30km/h (18 mph). The speed limit near schools and hospitals is 30km/h (18 mph).
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.02% for both experienced drivers and novice drivers. Exceeding these limits can lead to high fines and even imprisonment. 
• In all of Sweden, especially in the north of the country, moose and reindeer crossings are a serious road risk. They cause hundreds of traffic incidents every year, so it’s important to drive extra carefully, especially in winter and after dark.
• Children passengers under seven years of age must have a child seat. Ask your rental car provider in advance to provide one if you’re traveling with young children.
• Drivers are only permitted to use a mobile phone via a hands-free system.
• While it’s not an issue in and around Stockholm, the northern part of Sweden is very sparsely populated. In some places, it’s possible to drive for tens of kilometers without encountering a gas station or even a human settlement. Running out of gas in winter can be a serious risk, so it’s a good idea to set out your travel route in advance.  
• The car’s registration and insurance documents must be in it at all times.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The general emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.

Toll roads

There are no toll roads in Sweden. There are two toll bridges, one in the southern town of Motala and the other in the northern city of Sundsvall. The Øresund Bridge between Malmo in Sweden and Copenhagen in Denmark also requires payment of a toll.

Any car entering the center of Stockholm (as well as Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city) needs to pay a congestion tax. Often, the tax will already be included in the car rental price, and some car rental providers might charge an additional fee for this service. Ask your rental car provider about Stockholm congestion tax before picking up a car.

Ideas for day trips

• The Stockholm archipelago. Made up of hundreds of islands and islets stretching for kilometers into the Baltic Sea, the Stockholm Archipelago is the perfect place to escape the big city. There are many attractions - some travelers like to soak up culture at the Artipelag art gallery or the Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum, while others prefer to rent a wood cabin on a beautiful, secluded beach. Many of the islands are accessible by car, but if you want to reach the truly remote ones, the last stretch will need to be traveled by ferry.
• Sigtuna. Nowadays, a small city of just 8,000 people, Sigtuna was the Swedish capital until the 13th century. The legendary home of Odin and praised in many Norse sagas, Sigtuna has runestones, ancient churches, and wood buildings that any history lover would enjoy. Located on the northern coast of Lake Mälaren, Sigtuna is 48km (30 miles) north of Stockholm and can be reached in about 40 minutes.
• Mariefred. This small town on the shore of Lake Malaren is best known for its grandiose Renaissance-era castle, Gripsholm. It was built by King Gustav Vasa in 1537. You can tour the castle and see how the old monarchy once lived. Spend some time outside strolling along the lake shore, through the quaint town, and stop for a refreshing drink at a sidewalk cafe. From Stockholm, the drive to Mariefred takes a little less than an hour.
• Uppsala. A city of great importance since Viking times, Uppsala has for centuries been one of the main learning centers in Scandinavia. The city is home to Sweden’s oldest university and has a large student presence to this day. Other attractions include Uppsala Cathedral, Uppsala Castle (which is home to a number of museums), and the archaeological site of Valsgärde. Located 70km (43 miles) north of the capital, Uppsala can be reached in about 50 minutes.
• Ekerö. An archipelago in the nearby Malaren Lake, Ekerö is another very popular destination for a day trip. Its two main attractions, Birka and Drottningholm, are wonderfully contrasting – the former is an ancient Viking settlement while the latter is the main residence of the Swedish Royal family (but parts of it are open to visitors). Most parts of the archipelago can be reached by car, but you'll need to park it and catch a boat if you want to go to Birka.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Stockholm is the Hyundai i30, closely followed by the Hyundai i40 and the Opel Astra. The most popular rental car types are standard, compact, and intermediate.

Further destinations

• Färnebofjärden National Park. Although its name might be a challenge to pronounce for non-Swedes, this is no reason for a traveler to avoid this nature area. Made up of vast forests, rivers, and wetlands, the national park is a great place for hiking and rafting. See if you can spot a wood lemming, a heron, or one of the other wildlife species inhabiting the park. Färnebofjärden is 145km (90 miles) north of Stockholm and can be reached in about 1 hour and 50 minutes.
• Karlskrona. Although much younger than many other Swedish cities ( it was only established in the late 17th century), Karlskrona has its fair share of attractions. These include the Karlskrona Maritime Museum, one of the best of its kind in Europe; the wooden architecture on Dragso Island; and the yellow Holy Trinity Church. Located on the Baltic coast, Karlskrona also has a number of beautiful sandy beaches. After visiting Karlskrona, you can travel even further south and explore Helsingborg, Malmo, and neighboring Denmark. Located 490km (304 miles) south of Stockholm, Karlskrona can be reached in about six hours.
• Northern Sweden. Home to wild rivers, endless forests, impressive mountains, unique wildlife, and great national parks, the north of Sweden is home to some of the last remaining wilderness of Europe. Great for hiking, dog sledding, and winter sports, the area is a paradise for any lover of the outdoors. From innovative Umeå to Östersund on the coast of Lake Storsjön, there are cities, too. The latter, located 560km (348 miles) from Stockholm, is a 6 hour and 40 minute drive from Stockholm and can serve as a gateway to the rest of the region.
• Gothenburg. Located across the country on the western coast, the second city of Sweden is sometimes seen as a rival of Stockholm. Still, it is, more importantly, a fun and sophisticated travel destination. Well known for its large port and industrial prowess, it also boasts high-quality museums and lovely green areas for visitors to enjoy. The drive from Stockholm takes only about five hours.
• Scania. The southernmost part of Sweden is not only geographically, but also a culturally distinct part of the country. The region is known for its extensive coastline and protected nature areas, as well as the cathedral and university city of Lund, and Malmö, the third city of Sweden just over a bridge from the Danish capital of Copenhagen. The drive from Stockholm to Malmö takes close to seven hours.

Car rental prices in Stockholm

• Medium cars - from £54 per day
• Large cars - from £57 per day
• Small cars - from £48 per day
• SUVs - from £55 per day
• Station wagons - from £66 per day
• Vans - from £192 per day
• Convertibles - from £282 per day
• Premium cars - from £244 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Finding a good rental car in Sweden will be much easier if you follow these tips:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Stockholm is the cheapest in February when renting a car is about 48% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 72% cheaper than renting a vehicle in July.