Cutting Costs

Traveling in Sweden can be very expensive, but there's certainly no reason to assume you'll have to break the bank. Here are some ways to keep costs down while still living it up.

Air Travel

There are several websites offering discounted airline tickets for flying inside Sweden. The best are Super Saver Travel, Seat 24, and Skyscanner.

Food

Take full advantage of the large buffet breakfast often included in the cost of a hotel room. At lunch look for a restaurant offering a set two- or three-course meal for a set price, or a written board that says "Dagens rätt"—the dish of the day, which is usually offered at a good price. At dinner pay careful attention to the price of wine and drinks, since the high tax on alcohol raises these costs considerably.

Ground Transportation

City Cards can save on transportation and entrance fees in many of the larger cities, including Stockholm, Göteborg, and Malmö.

The Eurail and InterRail passes are both valid in Sweden (but some trains, such as the long distance X2000, may require reservations and/or supplements). Passes are valid for 3 to 21 days of consecutive travel; further discounts are offered for those under 26 or over 60 years of age. Most passes entitle you to certain ferry crossings between Sweden and Denmark or Poland. Passes also access discounted tickets on Silja Line ferries to Finland and price reductions at some hotels. SJ offers a ticket, called a Tågplusbiljett, that works on trains, buses, and subways; it also organizes package trips with local tourist offices. Details are available at any railway station or from SJ.

Hotels

Ask about discounts, such as the summer hotel checks at Best Western and Scandic and enormous year-round rebates at Radisson Blu (formerly Radisson SAS) hotels for travelers over 65. With a ScanRail pass, you can receive discounts at these chains: Best Western, Sokos Hotels, Choice Hotels, and VIP Backpackers Resorts. Many of Sweden's larger hotels offer discounted weekend rates. If they're available, last-minute (as in same-day) hotel rooms booked at a tourist office can save you 50% off the normal price.

Shopping

Be aware that sales taxes can be very high, but foreigners can get some refunds by shopping at so-called tax-free stores, although getting the refund, via a company called Global Refund, may not be worth the hassle.