Compare car hire deals in Stockholm, Sweden

Why rent a car in Stockholm?

Stockholm, capital of Sweden, consists of 14 islands on Lake Mälaren connected by bridges. All islands can be accessed on foot or by boat. With a Stockholm hire car, you can also explore the rest of the country further south, even pop into neighbouring Norway. A journey to Oslo is just over six hours and Boden, in Swedish Lapland, is 10 and a half hours north of Stockholm, for an unforgettable experience of the Northern Lights.

How to get to and around Stockholm?

On arriving at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, you are only 25 miles or a half-hour drive away from the centre of Stockholm with a hire car in Sweden. Get a Stockholm card for free access to many of Stockholm’s museums and attractions and wander through the medieval alleyways of Gamla Stan, the old town, exploring its churches, chic galleries and museums. The most prominent buildings are the Royal Palace, official residence of Sweden’s monarch, and the Swedish Parliament.

From Gamla Stan take a ferry boat to the popular island of Djurgården, a calm green oasis in the middle of the city, where you will find some of Stockholm’s top museums. The Vasa Museum displays a 17th century ship that sank on its maiden voyage and has been restored over half a century. ABBA fans must not miss the ABBA Museum inside the Swedish Music Hall of Fame. The Skansen open-air museum takes you on a time travel with its replicas of 18th and 19th century Swedish houses from all parts of the country and people in costume re-enacting life from that era; it also has a zoo with animals native to Scandinavia.

A guided tour through the magnificent Stadshuset, the Stockholm City Hall on the Kungsholmen island, is a must. The iconic building is made from eight million bricks and has a 345-foot spire featuring the three golden crowns of the Swedish national coat of arms at the top. It is also the venue for the annual Nobel Prize ceremony. After the banquet in the Blue Hall, Nobel laureates and guests dance in the Golden Hall, so-called because of its 18 million gold mosaic tiles depicting Swedish history.

What brands are available?

Car hire in Stockholm is available from the following companies:

Must-sees within an easy drive of Stockholm

The cosmopolitan seaport of Gothenburg, is a five-hour drive southwest, and offers all manner of nautical delights in addition to being one of northern Europe’s culinary centres. Cinammon rolls apart, fish and seafood are a highlight here. For inspiration, pop into the Feskekôrka (‘fish church’) fish market, housed in a beautiful building resembling a neo-Gothic church. For family entertainment, enjoy the rides at Liseberg amusement park or go elk-watching in the 137-hectare Slottskogen Park with plenty more wildlife.

Fans of the TV series The Bridge, may want to visit Malmö, a little over six hours by car and maybe even cross the Øresund bridge to Copenhagen. Malmö has lots of green spaces and is very flat, perfect for walking or cycling. If you’re brave enough, experience their Kallbadhus (‘cold bath house’), a sauna overlooking the iconic bridge, before jumping into the sea to cool off. And, for a laugh, why not try the food at ‘Bastard’, on Mäster Johansgatan, believed to be the best restaurant in town.

In the direction of Oslo, four hours and 20 minutes to the west of Stockholm, is the town of Arvika, next to lake Glafsfjorden. So many lakes surround this town, legend has it you can swim in a different lake every day of the year, and there is wildlife galore – you may even spot a moose. Arvika is all about art and music. Many Swedish musicians started their career at Ingesund College of Music, and famous local artists’ works can be seen at the Rackstad museum.

Tips and tricks for driving in Sweden

Any valid driving licence issued in an European country is accepted in Sweden. International driving permits are also recognised. You must be 18 or older to drive.

Drive on the right, overtake on the left. Seatbelts must be worn at all times and headlights must be on even in daylight.

Signalling is required when exiting a roundabout. Slower traffic should always stick to the right lane to allow passing traffic through. Between 1st December and 31st March use of snow tires is mandatory.

Ready to plan your Stockholm city break?

Feeling excited to start planning your visit to Stockholm and other parts of Sweden? Check out this city guide and use the Expedia search tool to help you find the best car hire, flight and hotel deals and research the best attractions and activities.

Remember that Expedia car hire comes with no hidden fees. The price you see is the price you pay!