Sweden travel Tips

Travelling in Sweden is hassle-free and the people are friendly, warm and helpful. Risk of violence and theft is low, yet while prices have dropped in recent years, it is still quite an expensive destination to visit. Life expectancy and standards of living are high here. The following are some basic tips to make the most of your visit.

• Stockholm is compact and easily explored on foot; although with its watery nature and many islands and archipelagos, it may have you looking around for a boat.

• Don't try to take your bicycle on to motorways. Instead, use the well-designed bike routes.

• In case you're invited into a Swedish home, be punctual and bring flowers for the hostess. Do not wear shoes indoors, do not touch your drink until the host announces ‘skal’ (to your health), and do not toast your host until he or she has toasted you first.

• If you want sunshine, visit between late May and late July, bearing in mind that August can be both hot and wet. Many youth hostels, campgrounds and attractions open only in summer, from late June to mid-August.

• When driving in Sweden, remember these basic rules: keep to the right side; wear a seat belt; and have the dipped head lights on. Always be alert for animals, especially moose and deer.

• As English is taught in Swedish schools from the fourth grade, almost all Swedes speak and understand English to a high level. Moreover, many Swedes will also know German and some will know French and a few, Italian and Spanish.

• Public transportation is a big thing in Sweden and you can expect to go most everywhere on it. All towns have local or regional bus services, and those on railway lines also have commuter trains. Gothenburg and Norrköping have trams and Stockholm also a subway system with 100-plus stations.

Useful travel tips resources

Footprint Guides - Sweden
Exhaustive resource on all things Swedish from this well-known travel guide publisher.
http://www.footprintguides.com/

Visit Sweden
Sweden’s official tourism portal with loads of useful information for the visitor.
http://www.visitsweden.com

World Travels – Sweden
A detailed travel guide to Sweden complete with a ‘print this guide’ function.
http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Sweden

More topics on this site…
Sweden travel information
Sweden health and safety
Sweden maps and geography

Essentials

Visas: Stays of up to 90 days are visa-free for most nationalities
Season: Summer (May – August)
Money: Swedish krona
Language: Swedish – English widely spoken
Emergency #: 112 for all emergencies

Sweden