Plan Your Next Trip to Sweden for Under $1,400
Now is the best time to plan a trip to Europe for next May. Flights and hotels are still extremely affordable.
Nestled in Northern Europe, Sweden is a country where the modern meets the ancient, and the natural landscapes are breathtaking in their pristine beauty. From the vibrant city life of Stockholm, with its rich history and contemporary flair, to the serene and stunning fjords of the north, Sweden offers a diverse array of experiences for every traveler. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, explore centuries-old castles, stroll through charming old towns, or embark on outdoor adventures in the vast forests and coastal archipelagos.
Price per person based on 2 people can be as cheap as $1,400, but to splurge on a nicer hotels the cost comes in around $1,700 per person (includes roundtrip airfare, hotels, and transportation). The And for most hotels, breakfast is included! For those on an even tighter budget, there are plenty of cheaper hotels and hostels. I have stayed in plenty of hostels and they provide you a central place to stay at usually half the price. See below for recommendations for each budget.
Note: All pricing is accurate at date of post, but is subject to change as hotels/airlines frequently update pricing. Pricing is usually accurate for 24-72 hours, may be longer especially for hotels.
What to do in the Sweden
Sweden is a large country and full of cute towns, beautiful coastlines, and green hills all throughout the countryside. Below is my recommended itinerary for your first trip to Sweden. You can absolutely move at a faster pace and spend only 2 nights in Stockholm or one in Orebro, but I enjoy spending more time in cities to really get to experience more than just the main tourist sites/areas.
Day 1 - Stockholm
Day 2 - Stockholm
Day 3- Stockholm
Day 4 - Head to Orebro
Day 5 - Orebro
Day 6 - Head to Gothenburg
Day 7 - Gothenburg
Day 8 - Head back to Stockholm
Day 9 - Fly home
My top recommendations for Sweden are:
Speed Boat Tour - If you like some adventure and want to see the Archipelago coast
Archipelago kayak tour, you can also just rent kayaks but if you are not experienced I recommend going with a guide
Take a food tour
Find a nearby hike or other outdoor activity, like taking a bike tour
Flight from Chicago to Stockholm
There are a number of affordable flight options to Stockholm in May One of the cheapest options is from May 9th - May 18th on Scandinavian Airlines. The cost is under $520 per person (currently $520 for SAS Go Lite and $590 for SAS Go Smart).
Hotel Recommendations
The hotels below are my recommendation in the top three cities to visit in Sweden.
STOCKHOLM
Downtown Camper by Scandic: Located in downtown Sweden, this fun hotel is one of my favorites in Sweden. It has a fun Scandinavian interior, and just a short walk from great restaurants, sites, and bars. It also has a beautiful rooftop with a pool, an onsite restaurant, full spa and more.
Cost: From $162/night in May
Hôtel Reisen in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt: The hotel is beautifully set directly on Stockholm's scenic waterfront surrounded by the picturesque Old Town and next to the Royal Palace.
Cost: $250/night in May
OREBRO
Clarion Collection Hotel Borgen: This hotel offers a beautiful view over the creek, and is close to the train station and the city center. Best of all the hotel has an amazing exterior and you can book rooms within the turrets. A nice treat is that they offer you breakfast, afternoon sweets and an evening meal, for free!
Cost: $96/night in May
GOTHENBURG
Clarion Hotel Post, Gothenburg: This converted post office building has beautiful rooms are very updated with large bathrooms, which have very nice robes (always a plus!) and fluffy, large towels. The fitness center is modern and spacious, and they also include an extensive free breakfast buffet.
Cost: $163/night in May
Avalon Hotel: For a splurge in Gothenburg, try out the Avalon Hotel. It has a beautiful roof deck, including a seasonal pool. The hotel is centrally located near all the restaurants, shops, and bars. Plus it has it’s own onsite restaurant and includes a free breakfast buffet.
Cost: $193/night in May
Getting Around Sweden
Airport Transportation
There are two main ways to get around Sweden, either by train or by renting a car. Trains are relatively cheap and run frequently, so if you are looking to mainly stick to the towns and do small organzied day trips to other areas, trains are probably your best option.
If you want to drive around the coast and try different hikes and other activities, you may want to rent a car.
Total Cost of Transportation: $150 for trains between cities, and leaves room for a few taxis. If you are looking to rent a car, it is closer to $250 when you count the car rental, gas, and insurance (i highly recommend getting insurance through the rental company when traveling internationally).
Budget Breakdown - $1,400
For those with a tight budget, you can do Sweden for $1,400 (this includes flights, hotels and transportation). See below for the budget breakdown:
Roundtrip Air Fare: $590
Downtown Camper by Scandic $740 (4 Nights total): $370/person
Clarion Collection Hotel Borgen $218 (2 Nights): $109/Person
Clarion Hotel Post, Gothenburg $370 (2 Nights): $185/person
Transportation: $150
Total Cost : $1,404
Budget Breakdown - $1,700
For those with more room within their budget, you can stay at some great hotels and still come in under $1,700 (this includes flights, hotels and transportation). See below for the budget breakdown:
Roundtrip Air Fare: $590
Hôtel Reisen in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt $1,200 (4 Nights total): $600
Clarion Collection Hotel Borgen $218 (2 Nights): $109/Person
Avalon Hotel $437 (2 Nights): $219/person
Transportation: $150
Total Cost : $1,668
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