The insider's guide, from travelers who've actually been through.
Arlanda is a functional, calm layover airport. Not a destination, but well-organised and quiet between wave banks. Terminals 2 and 3 handle Schengen traffic; Terminal 5 handles all non-Schengen and intercontinental routes. Connecting between Schengen and non-Schengen flights means clearing passport control in T5.
Before your layover here
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The Arlanda Express is the fastest link to Stockholm Central — 20 minutes, every 15 minutes, 299 SEK one-way as of early 2026 (verify current price before travel). Commuter trains (SL Pendeltåg) from the station under T5 reach Stockholm Central in about 45 minutes for around 50–100 SEK depending on zones. Flygbussarna coaches take about 45–50 minutes and cost around 119 SEK. All three options depart from the same train station below the terminals.
| Terminal | Lounge | Access | Showers | Good for | Price (paid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T5 | SAS Gold Lounge | SAS Gold/EuroBonus Gold, Star Alliance Gold | Yes | Scandinavian buffet, showers | N/A (card holders only) |
| T5 | SAS Business Lounge | SAS Business class, SAS Plus | Yes | Hot food, quiet seating | N/A (ticket holders only) |
| T2/T3 | SAS Lounges | Eligible SAS/Star Alliance tickets | Yes | Light buffet, work seating | N/A (ticket holders only) |
Free WiFi throughout all terminals. Food quality in T5 is reasonable for a Northern European airport. Prayer rooms available in T5. Left luggage near T5 arrivals. The terminal is busy in the early morning but generally quiet through mid-day. Sweden requires a Schengen visa for many nationalities to leave the airport; transit within Schengen does not require passport control.
