Stockholm Arlanda Airport is a large international airport outside Stockholm with daily departures and arrivals to both domestic and foreign destinations. It is one of the largest airports in the Nordic Region, serving around 23 million passengers each year.
Passing through Arlanda will be par for the course for many visitors to Stockholm, but who said it can't be part of the fun, too? Guided tours are held on weekdays and offer the chance to explore the terminal building in the company of a knowledgeable guide. You'll visit checkin, security and the transit hall, where you can discover what goes on between an aeroplane's arrival and departure, before concluding your tour at baggage collection and customs. Or if you'd rather see what goes on outside the terminal, you can book a bus tour instead. You'll learn more about the apron, runways, hangars and all the activities that go on around the airport, enjoying close access to neighborhoods that ordinary travelers never get to see.
Stockholm Arlanda Airport - one of the highlights of Stockholm Travel Essentials (Read all about Stockholm here)
photo by Brorsson (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
What are the highlights of Stockholm Arlanda Airport?
If you're a real aviation enthusiast, be sure to visit the airport's aviation exhibition which focuses on the last hundred years of aviation history. The exhibition is held in a hangar-like building and contains everything from advanced homemade models to restored commercial equipment, not to mention several aircraft engines and historic flight simulators. You'll also have the opportunity to step onboard an aircraft from the 1930s.
The airport boasts a great many services and amenities with a wide range of different shops and eateries to keep you entertained before departure. Browse fashion boutiques, shop the latest gadgets and design, or pick up some books and magazines for your flight. The range of restaurants and fast food outlets is unparalleled. Choose from classic pub menus, fresh juices, various different international cuisines, or traditional fast food options such as burgers or tacos made from local and organic ingredients. Or if you'd prefer something light, there are plenty of cafés as well.
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History of Stockholm Arlanda Airport
The history of Stockholm Arlanda Airport dates back to 1946 when the decision was made to build a large airport by Lake Hamnsjön. Ground was broke in 1952 but it took until 1959 before the airport first began being used for regular traffic. The official opening came in 1962, which was also when international flights moved from Bromma to Arlanda.
Terminals 5, 4 and 2 were opened in 1976, 1983 and 1990 respectively, and in 1999 getting to the airport gotten a whole lot quicker as the Arlanda Express began ferrying passengers between Stockholm Central Station and Arlanda. In 2012 public transportation links expanded even further with the commuter train between Stockholm and Uppsala now stopping at the airport as well. Around the same time, the airport secured one of its most important sustainability goals – namely that 51 percent of all passengers would take public transportation to the airport. Since then a number of renovations and expansions have taken place, hotels have been built, and the goal to become the leading airport in Scandinavia has been set!
photo by eGuide Travel (CC BY 2.0) modified
Good to know about Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Besides the aviation exhibition, shops and eateries, the airport also offers a wide range of additional services that might just come in handy. Apart from cash machines and currency exchange bureaus, the airport also has a chapel, V.I.P. service, healthcare center, hairdresser's and massage parlor. There's also a pharmacy should you happen to forget any medicines or need some ear plugs for your flight.
There are several ways to get to Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Arlanda can be reached from Stockholm Central Station in 40 minutes by train or just under an hour by bus. If you're traveling from Uppsala, take the SL-Pendeln train which takes just over 15 minutes to reach Arlanda, or go by bus instead if you have the time and would prefer to keep costs down. To arrive by automobile take the E4, either northbound if leaving from Stockholm or southbound if you're coming from Uppsala, and then just follow the signs for the airport in either direction.
photo by Andreas Trepte (CC BY-SA 2.5) modified
Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Location: Swedavia Arlanda Airport, 190 45 Stockholm-Arlanda, Sweden
Phone: +46 10 1091000
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