A Guide To Best Budget Travel Sweden

I remember the first time I thought about visiting the north. People told me that Scandinavia is only for the wealthy. They said the prices would drain my bank account in days. I have found that this is a common myth. I fell in love with this country so much that I moved there for a whole summer. You can enjoy the beauty of the Swedish landscape without losing all your money. You just need to be creative. Is it an expensive place? It can be. However, I am here to share how you can experience budget travel Sweden like a pro.

The goal of this guide is to help you plan a trip that is both rich in experience and low in cost. I will break down the sweden travel cost for everything from trains to meatballs. Mature travelers like us want comfort, but we also love a good deal. We want to see the world without the stress of overspending.

Is Sweden Expensive To Travel?

I get asked this question more than any other. The short answer is yes, it is more expensive than many other parts of Europe. Most budget travelers skip this region because they fear the high prices. They might pop into Stockholm for two days and then run away to cheaper places. I think that is a mistake. Sweden has a lot to offer if you know where to look.

You can find ways to save if you plan ahead. Cheap travel sweden is possible if you avoid the typical tourist traps. I have spent time living there and discovered that locals have their own tricks. You do not have to be a millionaire to walk through the medieval streets of Gamla Stan.

First of all, you must understand the exchange rate. The rate changes, but it often stands around 10.75 SEK to $1 USD. This makes a big difference in how you see the prices. Additionally, the tap water is some of the cleanest in the world. You should never buy bottled water. Carry a reusable bottle. It is free and tastes great.

What Is A Good Travel Budget?

I like to break budgets into categories. What is a good budget for travelling europe usually depends on your style. For Sweden, a backpacker should aim for $70 to $80 USD per day. This covers a hostel bed, basic food, transport, and maybe one museum.

If you want a bit more comfort, you might be a mid-range traveler. I would budget at least $155 USD per day for that. This allows for a private room in an Airbnb or a budget hotel. You can also eat out for most meals and enjoy a few drinks.

Here are some typical prices to help you calculate your own cost to budget travel sweden:

• Hostel dorm bed: 275–350 SEK.
• Casual restaurant meal: 125–250 SEK.
• Fast-food combo: 105 SEK.
• Single Stockholm transit ticket: 43 SEK.
• Beer at a bar: 75 SEK.
• Museum entry: 100–300 SEK.

Similarly, you can lower these costs even further. You could choose to camp or use Couchsurfing to eliminate accommodation fees. Plus, if you cook your own meals, your daily spend will drop significantly.

Arrival and Smart Transport

I arrived in Stockholm and immediately noticed how well the transport system works. You have many choices when you land at Arlanda Airport. First of all, do not just jump in a taxi. Taxis are overpriced and will ruin your budget fast.

The Arlanda Express is the fastest way to the city. It takes 20 minutes and costs 320 SEK for an adult. However, there are cheaper ways. You can take the Flygbussarna coach for 129 SEK. On top of that, you can take a local bus and then a commuter train. This is the cheapest option. You take bus 583 to Märsta and then change to the train. If you have a travel card, this costs you nothing extra.

I recommend you buy an SL card as soon as possible. This is a green electronic smart card. It costs 20 SEK for the card itself, but it is reusable. You can load it with tickets for the subway, buses, and even some ferries.

Current prices for SL travel cards (as of early 2024) are:

• 24 hours: 175 SEK.
• 72 hours: 350 SEK.
• 7 days: 455 SEK.
• 30 days: 1,020 SEK.

A single ticket costs 42 SEK if you tap your credit card. This ticket is valid for 75 minutes. You can make as many transfers as you want during that time. Later, you will realize how much money this saves you over a week.

Where to Stay Without Breaking the Bank

I have stayed in many places across Sweden. Accommodation is usually your biggest expense. If you are in the city, hostels are your best friend. A dorm bed usually costs between $25 and $30 USD in the low season. During the high season, prices can jump to $45 USD.

Stockholm has some very unique hostels. You can sleep on a ship or even in a former prison. I stayed at Castanea Old Town Hostel and loved it. It is perfect for older travelers and digital nomads who want a quiet rest. City Backpackers Hostel is another great choice if you want to meet people.

If you prefer a private room, expect to pay around $70 to $85 USD in a hostel. Budget hotels are also available. I found that hotels like Connect Hotel or Scandic Talk near the university area can be convenient.

Finally, do not forget about the “Freedom to Roam” laws or Allemansrätten. You can pitch a tent almost anywhere in nature for one night for free. This is an amazing way to see the country. Just remember to leave no trace. Do not destroy nature or leave trash behind.

The Secret to Cheap Eating

I learned quickly that sit-down dinners are the enemy of a what is a good travel budget. A sandwich can cost you $15 USD if you are not careful. However, there is a local secret you must know. Look for signs that say “Dagens Lunch” or ***”Dagens rätt”***.

This means “dish of the day”. It is usually served between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. For a set price, you often get a main dish, a salad buffet, bread, water, and coffee. It is the best deal in the country. Locals use this trick all the time.

If you want to save even more, you must cook. I visited supermarkets like Lidl and Willy:s because they are the cheapest. ICA and Coop are also common but can be a bit more expensive.

Here is what some groceries cost me:

• Pasta (500g): 16.95 SEK.
• Milk (1.5L): 16.50 SEK.
• Eggs (6 pack): 19.95 SEK.
• Minced Beef (1kg): 123 SEK.
• Swedish Meatballs (supermarket): 25.95 SEK.

I found that meat is always expensive. I recommend you eat vegetarian meals more often to save money. A mushroom pasta meal can cost as little as £1.06 per person if you cook it yourself.

Drinking on a Budget

I should mention alcohol. It is heavily taxed in Sweden. A single beer at a bar can be 75 SEK. If you go to a club, you might pay an entrance fee of 100 to 250 SEK.

If you want to drink, do not buy it at a bar. Go to Systembolaget. This is the government-run liquor store. It is the only place to buy strong alcohol, and it is much cheaper than a club. Of course, skipping alcohol altogether is the best way to keep a low sweden travel cost.

Navigating the Rails

I love traveling by train in Sweden. The views are incredible. The prices? They can be tricky. You should book your tickets on SJ.se.

The rule is simple. Book early. The cheapest tickets are released 90 days before departure. You can find tickets for as low as 195 SEK for high-speed trains or 95 SEK for InterCity trains. If you wait until the last minute, the price can skyrocket to over 1,000 SEK.

Additionally, look into a rail pass if you plan to move around a lot. It can save you hundreds of dollars. If you are a student or under 26, you can also get last-minute discounts. I saw students get tickets for under 300 SEK just before the train left.

Sightseeing Without Spending

I found that the best things in Sweden are free. The nature is stunning. You can hike in Tyresta National Park or explore the Björnö nature reserve. These costs you absolutely nothing.

In Stockholm, you can take a free walking tour. These tours cover the main highlights and last about two hours. You just tip the guide at the end.

If you want to see many museums, you should buy a Stockholm Card. It gives you free entrance to over 60 attractions and includes public transport. The Vasa Museum costs 230 SEK alone, so the card pays for itself quickly. A one-day pass is 999 SEK, while a three-day pass is 1,459 SEK.

Practical Survival Tips

I want you to be prepared for the weather. Sweden has four very different seasons. Summer has very long days, so bring an eye mask to sleep. Winter is dark and can have as little as 6 hours of daylight. You must have the right gear for the rain and cold.

You should also learn a few words. Most Swedes speak great English, but they appreciate the effort.

• Hej! – Hi.
• Tack! – Thank you.
• Ursäkta – Excuse me.
• Vi ses! – See you.

When you go shopping, remember that second-hand stores are everywhere. Places like Röda Korset or Stockholms Stadsmission are great for cheap clothes and household items. It is a great way to give items a “second life” and save your kronor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Sweden trip cost?

The total cost depends on your choices, but a nineteen-day trip can cost around 11,357 SEK, which was about $100 USD per day in one case. A backpacker should expect to spend between $70 and $80 USD each day for basic needs. Mid-range travelers who want more comfort should budget at least $155 USD per day.

Is Sweden a cheap place to travel?

Sweden is generally considered an expensive destination compared to the rest of Europe. Most people on a budget avoid Scandinavia because the relative costs are high. However, you can save a lot of money if you use creative methods like cooking your own meals and enjoying the free outdoors.

Is Sweden budget friendly?

Sweden is not the most budget-friendly country, but you can visit without breaking the bank if you plan ahead. Students have found it possible to live on 7,000 SEK or less per month by staying in dorms and cooking cheap meals. Therefore, you can make the trip affordable with some effort.

What is the cheapest way to travel in Sweden?

The cheapest way to get from the airport is to take a local bus and then a commuter train. To travel between cities, you should book trains or buses several weeks in advance to save up to 50%. Plus, using a rail pass can save you hundreds of dollars if you move around a lot.

What not to do in Sweden as a tourist?

Do not use taxis because they will ruin your budget quickly. If you go wild camping, do not destroy nature or leave trash behind. Also, do not play loud music or make too much noise in nature. Finally, do not cut down trees or break branches for fire; only use twigs found on the ground.

How much money do I need in Sweden?

You need roughly $70 to $80 USD per day for a basic backpacker experience. This amount covers your bed in a hostel, simple food, and transit. If you want to eat at restaurants and visit more museums, you will need at least $155 USD each day.

Concluding words

Budget travel Sweden is a realistic goal if you follow a few smart rules. You should focus on the free beauty of nature and use the “Freedom to Roam” laws for camping. To save on food, eat a big lunch during the Dagens Lunch hours and shop at budget stores like Lidl or Willy:s.

Always book your transport weeks in advance and use a travel card for the local trains and buses. Though the country has a reputation for high prices, these simple steps help you enjoy a rich experience without overspending.