Sweden has a reputation for being expensive, and it is not cheap, but with a little local knowledge you can travel here comfortably without emptying your wallet. From free nature to clever lunch deals and tap water you never have to pay for, here is how to make a Swedish trip affordable.
Is Sweden expensive?
Honestly, yes, prices for restaurants, alcohol and hotels are high by global standards, especially in Stockholm. But several things work in a budget traveller’s favour: nature is free and open to all, public transport is good value, tap water is excellent and free everywhere, and tipping is not expected. The trick is to spend like a Swede rather than a tourist.
Eat the daily lunch
The single best money saving tip in Sweden is the dagens lunch, the weekday lunch special. Between roughly eleven and two, most restaurants serve a set main course that usually includes bread, salad, a soft drink or water, and coffee, all for a fixed and reasonable price. Eating your main meal at lunch rather than dinner can halve your food budget while still letting you try proper Swedish cooking, as described in our guide to Swedish food and fika.
Use nature, it is free
Thanks to the right of public access, explained in our guide to allemansrätten, hiking, swimming, foraging and even camping cost nothing. A day spent walking forest trails, picking blueberries and swimming from the rocks is both the most Swedish and the cheapest thing you can do. Wild camping responsibly is a genuine way to cut accommodation costs on a nature trip.
Travel smart
Book trains early. The national operator SJ releases cheaper advance fares that rise as seats sell, so the earlier you book, the more you save, and a night train doubles as a bed for the night. In cities, buy a multi day transit pass rather than single tickets: a 72 hour SL pass in Stockholm quickly pays for itself. Long distance FlixBus coaches are the cheapest way to cover ground if you have time.
Quick savings checklist
- Eat your big meal at lunch with the dagens lunch deal
- Drink tap water, it is free and excellent
- Book trains weeks ahead for the lowest fares
- Buy a multi day city transit pass
- Use free nature, beaches and many museums
- Buy alcohol at the state shop, not bars, if you drink
Alcohol and the Systembolaget
Drinks in bars and restaurants are heavily taxed and expensive. Anything stronger than light beer is sold only at the state run off licence, Systembolaget, which has limited opening hours and is closed on Sundays in many places. Buying a bottle there is far cheaper than ordering by the glass, so stock up in advance if you plan to drink.
Free and cheap sightseeing
Several of Stockholm’s national museums are free to enter, the metro is an art gallery in itself, and the best of the city, walking between its islands, costs nothing. Our guide to things to do in Stockholm lists more free options. Many cities also sell a tourist card bundling transport and attractions, which can pay off if you plan to visit several paid sights in a day.
When to come
Prices and crowds peak in July. Travelling in late spring or early autumn, the shoulder seasons, means lower accommodation prices and a quieter, often more pleasant experience. For the full picture on timing, see our guide to planning a trip to Sweden. For official price guidance, the tourism board Visit Sweden keeps a useful overview.