Sweden Traveler Essentials
- Capital
- Stockholm
- Currency
- Swedish Krona (SEK kr)
- Best time to visit
- June to August for long days, outdoor festivals, and warm weather. February to April for dog sledding and northern lights in Swedish Lapland. December for Advent atmosphere and julmarknad (Christmas markets).
Visa requirements
Part of the Schengen Area. EU/EEA citizens enter freely. USA, Canada, Australia, UK enter visa-free for up to 90 days.
Getting around
Sweden's SJ trains, including high-speed services, connect Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, with long-distance buses and domestic flights covering the long route north. Stockholm has an extensive metro (tunnelbana), commuter trains and buses on the SL card, and taxis plus ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt are available in cities.
Safety
Very safe country with low crime rates for tourists. Petty theft can occur in Stockholm's tourist areas in peak season. Tap water is some of the world's cleanest. Healthcare is excellent.
Tipping customs
Tipping is not expected as service is included in prices, though rounding up is common. Add roughly 5–10% in restaurants for good service if you wish, round up taxi fares, and tipping hotel staff is optional and modest.
Travel tips
Sweden is largely cashless — card payments are accepted almost everywhere. The Allemansrätten (right to roam) allows camping in nature freely. Take a Stockholm archipelago ferry trip in summer. Fika (coffee and pastry break) is a cultural institution, not just a coffee stop.