Working in Stockholm Sweden
The capital and largest city in Sweden, Stockholm has a population of about 2.2 million in its metropolitan area. Founded in 1250, Stockholm is the major economic, political and cultural centre in Sweden.
Located in the south-east region of the country, Stockholm experiences a humid continental climate with very cold winters, mild summers and consistent rainfall throughout the year. Known for its immense natural beauty, Stockholm is a very modern, cosmopolitan city regarded as one of the best places in Northern Europe to live.
- Airport
- Railway Station
- Transportation
- Cost of Living
- Accommodation
- Shopping
- Emergency
- Insurance and Healthcare
Location
Tourism Video
Airport
Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Located more than 40km from central Stockholm, Arlanda Airport is one of the busiest in Scandinavia and is serviced by about 70 airlines on a regular basis. It is a hub for local airlines such as Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) and Sterling Airlines. The airport has four terminals, which are used by primarily international travellers to the more than 150 destinations serviced around the world.
An efficient bus service from a variety of points around Stockholm is available for access to Arlanda Airport. However, the quickest way to travel to and from the airport is by the Arlanda Express, which takes just 20 minutes, albeit at a slightly extra cost. Shuttle buses, taxis and limousines can also be easily arranged, and often pre-booked via independent company websites.
Railway Station
Stockholm Central Station
Located in the Norrmalm district at Vasagatan/Central Plan, Stockholm Central Station is the largest station in Sweden. Opened in 1971, more than 200,000 commuters visit the station daily. The airport links Stockholm-Arlanda airport, several intercity services, night trains, rail services, express services and is a bus depot.
Transportation
Stockholm has an extensive public transport system that includes bus, metro, rail, light rail and tram services. The bus service has lines covering inner city and suburban areas, while the efficient metro operation extends over three lines.
Regional and intercity rail services travel to nearby cities including Uppsala, Gävle, Eskilstuna, Linköping, Västerås. Travel to Arlanda Airport is provided by the Arlanda Express, which leaves from Stockholm Central Station.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Sweden, and particularly in Stockholm, is relatively high by western standards. According to online cost of living database Numbeo (www.numbeo.com), prices for typical items on current exchange rates (June 2013) are as follows:
| Food | |
| Cheap meal (inexpensive restaurant) | $14.70 |
| Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $99.15 |
| Domestic beer (500mL) | $9.10 |
| Coke (330mL) | $3.30 |
| Milk (1 litre) | $1.50 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.80 |
| Eggs | $4.15 |
| Transport | |
| One way ticket (local transport) | $5.95 |
| Monthly pass | $130.55 |
| Petrol (1 litre) | $2.55 |
| Rent (monthly) | |
| One bedroom apartment (central area) | $1350 approx |
| Three bedroom apartment (central area) | $2500 approx |
| Accommodation | |
| Hostel bed (one night) | $30 |
| Five star hotel room (one night) | $320 |
| Average monthly salary (after tax) | $3350 |
Accommodation
Sweden has a range of up-market hotels in central parts of the city but in terms of budget accommodation it is quite limited. Due to the competition at the more expensive end of the hotel scale it is suggested to shop around as vacancies are high and cut-price offers are usually available to fill rooms. The more popular areas to find a hotel include Gamla Stan and Old Town.
A few of the accommodation options to consider include:
Budget
af Chapman
Jumbostay
Mid-range
Scandic Grand Central
Scandic Sjöfartshotellet
High-end
Hilton Stockholm Slussen
Nubis Hotel Stockholm
Shopping
Sweden, internationally recognised for its fashion and design, has outstanding shopping facilities in Stockholm. For shoppers looking to view all of these major brands a great store to visit is Store Stockholm, which is known for its large range of established and up-and-coming designers.
The most popular areas for shopping in the city include Drottninggatan in Norrmalm, Mood Stockholm [92] on Norrlandsgatan and in Östermalm. The city also has two well-known department stores: Nordiska Kompaniet and PUB.
Emergency
Police, fire & medical emergency 112
Australian Embassy, Stockholm
Klarabergsviadukten 63, 8th Floor
111 64 Stockholm, Sweden
Telephone +46 (0) 8 613 2900
Facsimile +46 (0) 8 613 2982
Email: reception@austemb.se
Website: www.sweden.embassy.gov.au
Insurance and Healthcare
The Swedish health care system is decentralised and mainly government-funded through the country’s high taxes at a federal and regional level. The system is managed at a national, regional and local level. Sweden is recognised for its high level of health facilities.
Expats in Sweden can also take out private care in Sweden, with an extensive range of services available for those willing to pay extra. Costs for private health treatment in Sweden are comparable to those in Australia.
Despite a very good standard of health facilities in Argentina, DFAT recommends all Australians travelling to the country take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any overseas costs.