10 Swedish Vacation Tips for Visiting Stockholm

As with any foreign destination there are differences.  The language for one can be a great barrier, but also lifestyle differences can cause a lot of confusion. As a traveler, you want to enjoy your time, explore the city, and learn about the culture with ease.  The following ten tips will help you fit right in with the lifestyle making your Swedish vacation more enjoyable.

10 Swedish Vacation Tips

1. Almost everyone knows English in Stockholm.  It is, however, a good idea to learn the basics by doing Duolingo before you arrive. The locals may initially speak Swedish, but they usually switch as soon as you say a few English words.
2. Why pay to rent a car and struggle to find parking when Stockholm has a great public transportation system?  Buy an SL card at Central Station or any subway station to have access to the subway, train, tram, bus, and boats.  You can buy the passes daily, but if you’re staying longer, they have discounted passes for 3 days, a week, monthly, or even yearly.  The longer the time, the better the discount.
3. In addition to public transportation, there are plenty scooter and bike rentals available throughout the city.  The city also has lots of bike lanes along the city roads and paths with designated walking and biking lanes.  Just keep in mind that as a pedestrian, you need to be careful at intersections.  Cyclists and scooters don’t always obey the road rules!
4. Don’t Uber!  It’s way too expensive in Stockholm.  As I mentioned in tips above, use public transportation, rent a bike or scooter, or my favorite, WALK.  This is great city to walk through with lots to see and enjoy.  It is not a big city either, so you can probably explore a lot in just a few days.
5. As with other European countries, elevator levels don’t match the US standards.  They start at ground level and then go up from there.  If your room number is 103, you are not on the main level.  You need to go up the elevator or stairs one level.
6. They don’t serve decaf coffee in the cute little coffee shops.  If you really need a decaf, you can find an Espresso House which is a chain like Starbucks.  You can probably find one every few blocks.  They also have a Starbucks in the Galleria downtown and at the Scandia mall just at the edge of town, but that’s it.  And you cannot use your Starbucks app.
7. Make reservations for sit down dining.  Whether its lunch or dinner, many of the restaurants get booked up fast.  In some cases, you may need to reserve your table weeks in advance.
8. No tipping is required at Stockholm restaurants
9. .  Staff is paid at the same rate as everyone else, so they don’t expect that tip.  As an American though, you may not feel comfortable paying without a tip, so feel free to add something small.  No more than $50KR (~$5) is enough.
10. The Swedish moto is all about taking your time and enjoying life.  So, while at a restaurant don’t be surprised if service is slow and when your done, don’t be surprised if the check does not come.  I usually have to ask for the check as soon as they clear the dinner plates.
11. Before you leave your hotel, make sure to go to the bathroom. Many of the public washrooms charge for use.  Some of the department stores charge for use of the bathroom, as well.

Conclusion

As with any vacation to a foreign country there are many differences that may cause confusion when traveling.  Follow these ten tips during your Swedish vacation and you will fit right in with the lifestyle allowing you to enjoy more of your time exploring the city. 

To find out more about Stockholm, read our article about Gamla Stan, The Old Town of Stockholm.