Taxis From Arlanda Airport to Stockholm

There are many ways to get from the Arlanda International Airport to Stockholm. You have public transportation such as busses and trains, as well as a high speed train called the Arlanda Express. These are great options, depending on your budget and time constraints. But, by far, the most convenient way to get to the city is by taxi... mainly because this is a door to door service while the public transportation takes you to the Central Train Station.

Taxi queues outside of the Arrival Hall at Terminal 5

There are, however, some things to consider when taking a taxi. Taxis aren't regulated in Sweden which means that the prices for taxis can vary quite a bit. The vast majority of taxis have similar fares, but a few small taxi companies charge up to double as much as the larger companies. Fortunately, you really don't have to worry about this when taking a taxi from the taxi queues at Arlanda. In order for their cars to use the queues at the aiport, the taxi companies need to sign a contract which states that the maximum price they can charge to downtown Stockholm is 625 SEK. This is for a car that seats up to 4 persons and within a special zone (that includes central Stockholm). Each of the larger taxi companies has their own marked queue at the airport. These include Taxi Stockholm, Taxi Kurir and Taxi 020. These all take approximately 500 SEK (fixed rate) give or take, just double check with the driver before getting into the taxi to get the exact price. Then there is another queue marked "all other companies". Here you will find the smaller companies which will take a variety of prices. You can pay for taxis with your credit card. Just remember that they are not allowed to take more than 625 SEK. Click here for more information about taxis at Arlanda.

Another option is to book a taxi where the driver meets you in the Arrival Hall holding a sign with your name on it. There is an additional fee of 27 SEK added for this service. If you are staying at the Rival Hotel, contact me to book this type of taxi service.

Taxis in Stockholm

Taxi Stockholm: a good option!

You would be hard pressed to find a more organized and corruption-free country than Sweden... except, for some strange reason, when it comes to taxis. Taxis aren't regulated in Sweden so prices can vary wildly from company to company. As long as the prices (fixed rates, SEK per kilometer or minute) are displayed somewhere within the car then the company can determine their own price scale. In other words, a company can legally charge double what another company does for the same trip from point A to point B. 90% of taxis in Stockholm belong to the larger companies and have similar (and reasonable) prices. Stockholmers know exactly which taxis to take and which to avoid, so these smaller taxi companies end up preying on visitors who don't know better. But, as long as you follow three simple rules you will avoid any trouble!

1. Stick to the larger taxi companies. Taxi Stockholm is my favorite, otherwise there are a few other good companies... Taxi Kurir, Taxi 020, Airport Cab, Taxi Transfer and Top Cab.
2. Avoid hailing a taxi on the street. Always have a hotel, restaurant, store or museum call you a taxi. That way you will be sure to get a good company. At the Rival Hotel we call Taxi Stockholm unless a guest asks for a different company.
3. If you choose a taxi from a taxi line/queue then remember that you aren't obliged to choose the first car in line, you can choose the taxi company you want... even if the car is further back in line. At some locations, like the Arlanda airport, each of the large companies have their own line marked with their name. The riskier taxis have their own line marked "other".





Taxis in Sweden... be aware!

Sweden is one of the most organized, least corrupt, by-the-book countries in the world... except when it comes to taxis, where instead it resembles the Wild West. Taxis are unregulated in Sweden and companies can choose which kilometer and fixed rates they use as long as they are displayed somewhere on or in the taxi. This means getting from points A to B can vary wildly in price. The large majority of taxis belong to big companies that have approximately the same rates, but if you jump into the wrong taxi you may find yourself paying double.
You'll be alright as long as you follow 3 simple rules:

1. Stick to using the five main taxi companies (list provided below). Personally I recommend Taxi Stockholm, the largest company and the one I use both professionally at the Rival Hotel and personally.
2. Whenever possible, ask someone to call you a taxi... whether at a hotel, restaurant, store, museum, etc; Then you will be sure to get a "safe" taxi.
   
3. If you are unsure of a taxi, ask the driver what the approximate or fixed price will be for where you are going. A taxi trip within the inner city shouldn't cost more than 200 SEK and a trip to or from the Arlanda airport shouldn't cost more than 520 SEK.
   

Besides my favorite Taxi Stockholm, the following taxis are safe to take: Taxi Kurir, Top Cab, Taxi 020 and Taxi Transfer.