Question 1

Arlanda Express or the SL commuter train — what’s the real difference?

Accepted Answer

Arlanda Express is the dedicated non-stop train to Stockholm Central: 18 minutes, no other stops. SL’s commuter trains are slower — 38 minutes to Stockholm Central, 18 to Uppsala Central — and share the line with regional and long-distance trains. Whichever you ride, boarding or alighting at Arlanda Central Station adds a separate SEK 157 station fee that has nothing to do with the airport: it funds the station and railway itself, built in the 1990s. Check whether your ticket already includes it before you reach the gates in SkyCity.

Question 2

How do I get from Terminal 2 or 3 to Terminal 5 (or back)?

Accepted Answer

Take the Arlanda Express — the same train that runs into Stockholm also shuttles between the airport’s two train stops, Arlanda South (Terminals 2 and 3) and Arlanda North (Terminal 5). That specific hop is free and takes about a minute, outside security, with announcements telling you where to get off.

Question 3

Do Arlanda’s security checkpoints all follow the same liquids rule?

Accepted Answer

No — it depends on which terminal you fly from. Terminal 5’s new “5F” checkpoint uses CT scanners, so 100 ml containers can stay inside your hand baggage in any number, with no one-litre bag required. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 still run the older process: containers come out of the bag and go into a single one-litre bag, visible in the tray.

Question 4

Which terminal does my flight leave from at Arlanda?

Accepted Answer

There’s no fixed chart of airline to terminal published for Arlanda — assignment happens flight by flight, so your booking confirmation or the airline’s app is the source to trust. As a general shape: Terminal 2 became purely international after 2001, Terminal 3 is grouped with it as “Arlanda South”, Terminal 4 started as the original domestic terminal in 1983, and Terminal 5 has been the international terminal since 1976. Fast Track security only exists at Terminal 2 and Terminal 5.

Question 5

How early should I get to Stockholm Arlanda?

Accepted Answer

Swedavia’s own guideline: 1.5 hours before a domestic flight, 2 to 2.5 hours for a flight within Europe, and 3 to 3.5 hours for anything outside Europe. Always confirm with your specific airline, since requirements can be stricter.

Stockholm, Stockholms län

ARN questions travelers actually ask