Top 13 things to know before visiting Sweden
Most travelers encounter few difficulties in Swedento find it a place that welcomes visitors from other countries.
Sweden is an easy country to travel in well-functioning public transport, a high level of security and a population that mostly speaks English very well. Still, there are some things to be aware of that will help your trip go as smoothly as possible. Read on for things you should know before you travel, so that your Swedish experience will live up to expectations and be one you’ll remember for all the right reasons.
Planning your trip to Sweden
Figure out where to lay your head
If you want to get the best deals on living in Sweden, you need to book in advance, especially if you’re visiting at a busy time of year. Reliable hotel chains with hotels throughout Sweden include Scandic, Nordic Choice Hotels, Radisson and Best Western; there are also many stand-alone hotels, some of them simpler properties with shared bathrooms, which may be worth considering if you want to save some money.
A varied selection of hostels offers some of the most budget-friendly accommodation in Sweden, often in very attractive locations. Be aware that hostel guests are often expected to bring their own linens or pay an extra fee to rent them. Sleeping bags are not allowed.
Unfortunately we are closed: avoid disappointment
While many attractions, restaurants and shops in larger cities generally keep fairly consistent opening hours throughout the year, some tourism companies, including sightseeing cruises and some attractions, are more seasonalwith opening hours adapted to the traditional Swedish summer holiday period from midsummer to mid-August.
On the other hand, some restaurants have been known to close for up to six weeks in the summer while staff go on vacation. Many museums are open daily during the summer peak season but switch to a six-day open schedule during the low season, usually with Monday as the closed day. If you have your heart set on a particular activity or attraction, do your homework and check opening dates and times before booking your trip.
Cash is not king
Sweden has been moving steadily away from cash for years, and the covid-19 pandemic has only accelerated this already strong trend. While it’s good to carry some cash for emergencies, you can basically expect to rely on your credit or debit card for most transactions. Some places, including public transport, no longer accept cash at all. If you have a contactless card, you can usually just tap it to pay, but if your card doesn’t have that option, you’ll generally need to be prepared to enter a PIN or show ID to complete your transaction.
You can ride the rails without spending a fortune
Train tickets in Sweden are available in both first and second class, with prices that vary between different departures, so book well in advance for the best offer. The The Swedish Railway Company’s websiteSJ, lists prices for both its own trains and lines operated by regional partners throughout the country.
If you plan to do a lot of train travel, an Interrail or Eurail train pass is a great way to save money. You can buy a passport online (Interrail if you live in Europe; Eurail if you live elsewhere), but make sure to order with enough time to get the passport before your departure. For many trains, you must book a seat or sleeping compartment separately if you use a train card.
Take the road and avoid speeding tickets
Sweden’s roads are safe, well-maintained and often scenic, but renting a car is expensive, as is fuel. As in all destinations, it is important to book well in advance and compare different rental agencies to get the best price. If you don’t need to pick up your car at an airport, consider local agencies or even Circle K gas stations, which rent cars and may have lower rates.
When driving around Sweden, keep a watchful eye out for blue signs with a white symbol for a video camera, which warns of speed cameras ahead. If you get caught speeding, the police will eventually track you down and send you a bill.
Label in Sweden
Small talk, what is it?
A saying goes that Swedes are great friends, but poor strangers. Swedes are generally helpful and welcoming to tourists, but you will rarely find them making small talk with people they don’t know. For visitors from more sociable cultures, waiting at a bus stop with a group of people all ignoring each other, or someone avoiding eye contact as they pass you on the street, may feel strange or uncomfortable. Do not take it personally. If you are in Sweden for the long term, it can help to break the ice by looking for clubs and activities around a common interest. Once you do, you will experience most Swedes as warm, loyal friends.
Don’t be early, don’t be late
If you are scheduled to meet someone or invited to a private home, the time listed is when you are expected to arrive. What might be considered fashionably late in other cultures is considered rude in Sweden. Likewise, arriving early can be inconvenient for your host and should be avoided. It is also considered good to bring a host gift like flowers, a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates. If you choose to bring wine, you must go to the nearest Systembolaget outlet: Sweden’s state liquor stores are the only places where you can buy drinks with more than 3.5 percent alcohol content. Please note that all Systembolaget stores are closed on Sundays.
Dress up to go out, down to work
In many countries, people dress for work and more casually for going out. In Sweden, it is often the other way around. You’ll see businessmen in meetings wearing jeans and blazers, with people dressed to the nines to go out for drinks or dinner. In general, a smart casual dress with no frills will work well in most situations. You must be 18 years or older to order alcoholic beverages in bars and restaurants, but at least 20 to shop at Systembolaget.
To drink or not to drink: it’s okay either way
The custom of drinking is much less established in Sweden than in many other countries, so for the most part you can expect to pay pretty much whatever is on the bill. If you’re dining out, it’s customary to round up to the nearest large number to show your server some appreciation; if you choose not to tip, you are unlikely to offend. For taxi fares, it is polite to add a few kroner to round off; if you are traveling with luggage, a little extra is appreciated, but not expected. It is not necessary to tip for cleaning and other services in hotels.
Take a number: how to queue in Sweden
Whether you’re waiting at the bank, a ticket office or the supermarket’s deli counter, the first thing you should do is look around for a ticket machine. The majority of queues in Sweden operate on a number system, so take a ticket and find somewhere to wait where you can see the display that indicates when your number is up and which counter to go to. Sometimes there is more than one sequence of numbers in play for different types of services, so if you see several options at the ticket machine and can’t figure out which one applies to you, it’s best to ask someone for help before wasting time waiting for wrong queue.
Health and safety in Sweden
Stay safe in the urban jungle and wild nature
Sweden is a very safe country, but as in all destinations, you should keep a watchful eye on your belongings, as pickpocketing does occur. Be sure to keep valuables in your hotel locker, if there is one, or keep them locked in your luggage when you’re out and about. If you’re staying in a hostel, bring a padlock so you can keep things safe in a locker. Be aware of your surroundings and try to stick to well-lit areas after dark. The chance of something bad happening is slim, but it’s always best not to tempt fate.
If you’re heading out into the wild, make sure you’re adequately prepared – Sweden’s wild landscapes are wonderful, but if something goes wrong, you may be far from help. If you don’t have wilderness experience, a guided tour is the best option for outdoor activities in remote areas.
Help, I need a doctor!
If you get sick or injured while in Sweden, never fear. The country’s healthcare system is top-notch, but figuring out how to access it as a visitor can be confusing. If you have a health insurance card from another country within the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the right to receive care on the same terms as Swedes. If you’re coming from somewhere else, you’ll usually have to pay the full cost, so it’s important to have decent travel insurance just in case.
If you need medical care while in Sweden and are not sure what to do, call the national emergency number 1177 for help. In the event of an emergency that requires immediate action, call 112.
Beware! Two-wheeled dangers are everywhere
Sweden is a pedestrian-friendly country, but you have to keep an eye on two-wheeled transport. Don’t jaywalk and never enter a dedicated bike lane without first looking both ways; if you do, you risk life and limb, as cars and cyclists are not prepared to stop. Also, watch your feet – in recent years, electric scooters have proliferated in cities and are often left haphazardly in places where they obstruct pedestrians.
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