There are really only two reasons to book hotels near Arlanda Airport rather than in the city: you’ve got a brutally early departure, or a flight landing near midnight and you can’t face the trek into town. For the first, you want a room you can walk to from the terminal. For the second, a reliable late-night shuttle matters more than anything. The single closest option is the Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport, physically attached to the terminals in Sky City; the best-value picks sit a three-to-five-minute free shuttle away.
If sightseeing is your real priority, honestly, don’t sleep out here at all — the Arlanda Express reaches the centre in 18 minutes and city rooms often cost about the same, a trade-off I dig into below and in our main Stockholm hotels and accommodation guide. Prices throughout are rough 2026 ranges; airport hotels flex hard with season and conferences, so confirm the current rate and shuttle times when you book.
Hotels near Arlanda Airport at a glance
Here’s the shortlist sorted by how you actually reach the terminal. Doubles are approximate per-night ranges — always verify.
| Hotel | Access to terminal | Rough double | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport | Attached (Sky City), ~5-min walk, no shuttle | ~1,400–2,500 SEK | Very early flights, big luggage, premium |
| First Hotel Arlanda | Attached (Sky City), no shuttle | ~1,200–2,000 SEK | Terminal convenience for less than Clarion |
| Comfort Hotel Arlanda | Free shuttle ~3 min | ~950–1,400 SEK | Reliable budget pick |
| Radisson Blu Arlandia | Free shuttle ~5 min (to ~01:00) | ~1,200–2,200 SEK | Families, Bonvoy members, late arrivals |
| Connect Hotel Arlanda | Free shuttle ~5 min | ~950–1,400 SEK | Budget with breakfast |
| Scandic Arlandastad | Free shuttle ~5–10 min (Märsta) | ~1,200–1,800 SEK | Scandic loyalty, mid-range |
| Best Western Arlanda Hotellby | Free shuttle ~5-min drive (Märsta) | ~950–1,400 SEK | Value, near the commuter train |
| Hotell Arlandastad | Limited shuttle (Märsta) | ~850–1,200 SEK | Lowest rate |
Terminal-attached: the Sky City hotels
If your flight leaves before 6am, this is the category to look at first, because a hotel you can walk to removes the one thing that goes wrong at 4am — a shuttle that’s late, full, or not yet running.
Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport
The closest bed to a boarding gate at Arlanda. It sits inside Sky City between Terminals 4 and 5, so you wheel your bags from the terminal to reception in under five minutes with no shuttle involved. It’s a proper four-star: strong breakfast, an indoor pool, a restaurant on site, and conference space that makes it a business staple. Two honest caveats — it’s the priciest option out here, and some rooms catch airport noise, so ask for a higher floor away from the runway side. For an early departure with heavy luggage or anyone with mobility needs, it’s the one I’d book.
First Hotel Arlanda
Also in Sky City, smaller and a touch cheaper than the Clarion. You get the same walk-to-the-terminal advantage without paying the top rate, at the cost of fewer facilities. A sensible middle path if you want terminal convenience but the Clarion’s price makes you wince.
Free-shuttle hotels (3–5 minutes)
For a mid-morning or midday flight, a shuttle hotel is the value sweet spot — you save real money over Sky City and the transfer is trivial. Just match the shuttle hours to your flight and you’re fine.
Comfort Hotel Arlanda
My default budget recommendation. The shuttle is the quickest of the bunch at about three minutes, breakfast is typically included in the rate, and there’s free coffee through the day. Rooms are compact and the décor is basic, but for a functional pre-flight night it does exactly what you need and rarely disappoints.
Radisson Blu Arlandia Hotel
The most comfortable of the shuttle hotels. Free shuttles run roughly every 15 minutes until about 1am — which makes it a strong pick for late arrivals — and there’s an indoor pool and sauna, good breakfast, and Marriott Bonvoy points since the acquisition. Family rooms and the pool also make it the easiest airport choice with kids. You’re trading a five-minute shuttle for the Clarion’s zero, but you’ll usually pay less.
Connect Hotel Arlanda
Straightforward budget stay near the Radisson on Kabinvägen, with a reliable free shuttle and breakfast in the base rate. Rooms are small (roughly 15–18 sqm) and on-site dining is limited, so it’s best if you just need a clean, dependable bed before an early check-in rather than an evening’s comfort.
Scandic Arlandastad
Out in the Märsta/Arlandastad area with a free shuttle, this is the pick if you collect Scandic points or want a familiar mid-range chain. It’s a little further out than the Kabinvägen hotels, so lean on the shuttle timetable.
Cheaper still: the Märsta area
Märsta sits five to ten minutes’ drive from the airport and trades a slightly longer transfer for lower rates. It has one nice bonus: Märsta station puts you on the SL commuter train (pendeltåg) into Stockholm Central in about 38 minutes, cheaper than the Arlanda Express — handy if you want an inexpensive airport night and a budget route into the city the next day. Best Western Arlanda Hotellby and Hotell Arlandastad are the value names here; the latter is usually the cheapest bed near Arlanda, though its shuttle is more limited, so check times carefully.
Which Arlanda hotel should you pick?
- Departing before 6am: Clarion (terminal-attached, no shuttle to worry about in the dark).
- Midday flight: any free-shuttle hotel — Comfort, Connect, Radisson Blu or Scandic all work.
- Landing after 10pm: Clarion for zero shuttle wait, or Radisson Blu whose shuttle runs to about 1am.
- With kids: Radisson Blu (pool, family rooms) or Clarion (pool plus terminal convenience).
- Business: Clarion (conference facilities) or Radisson Blu (Bonvoy, meeting space).
- Lowest possible price: Hotell Arlandastad or Best Western in Märsta.
Airport, or stay central?
This is the question worth pausing on. Because the Arlanda Express covers the 40-odd kilometres to Stockholm Central in just 18 minutes, and central hotels frequently cost about the same as airport ones, staying in town is the better call for most trips — you get evenings and mornings in the city instead of by a runway. Book near Arlanda only when the clock forces it: a pre-7am departure or a post-10pm arrival. If you’d rather be central but close to the transport hub, our guide to hotels near Stockholm Central Station covers that zone, and there are cheaper city options in our budget hotels in Stockholm under $150 roundup.
Getting between Arlanda and the city
| Option | Time to Stockholm Central | Rough fare |
|---|---|---|
| Arlanda Express | ~18 min | ~320 SEK adult one-way (cheaper with online/youth deals) |
| SL pendeltåg (commuter train) | ~38 min | SL fare plus airport station fee (~135–160 SEK) |
| Flygbussarna coach | ~45 min | ~119 SEK to Cityterminalen |
| Taxi | ~35–50 min | ~545–745 SEK fixed rate |
With taxis, agree the fixed fare before you set off — Sweden’s taxi market is deregulated and unmetered “airport specials” can be eye-watering. Fares and timetables change, so double-check before you travel.
Practical things to know about Arlanda hotels
- Shuttles: most run every 15–20 minutes across roughly 04:00–01:00, but hours vary by hotel — confirm the first and last departures fit your flight.
- Breakfast: the budget places (Comfort, Connect) usually bake it into the rate; the premium ones (Clarion, Radisson Blu, First) tend to charge separately, often around 165–225 SEK.
- Wi-Fi: free across the board.
- Parking and “stay-and-park”: most charge roughly 95–195 SEK a night, and many offer stay-plus-long-term-parking bundles that beat the airport’s own long-stay lots — worth it if you’re leaving a car while you travel. Confirm the deal at booking.
- Book ahead in conference season: big trade shows push rates up 30–50% and can sell out the terminal-attached hotels months out.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest hotel to Arlanda Airport?
The Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport. It’s connected to Sky City between Terminals 4 and 5, so you can walk from the terminal to reception in under five minutes with no shuttle. First Hotel Arlanda is the other Sky City option. Both are the go-to picks when you have a very early departure and want zero transfer risk.
How much is a hotel near Arlanda Airport?
Roughly 850–2,500 SEK per night depending on tier and season. Budget Märsta-area rooms run about 850–1,400 SEK, free-shuttle hotels like Comfort, Connect and Radisson Blu around 950–2,200 SEK, and the terminal-attached Clarion and First Hotel about 1,200–2,500 SEK. Rates spike in summer and during conferences, so confirm when booking.
Is there a hotel inside Arlanda Airport?
Yes — the Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport and First Hotel Arlanda are both inside Sky City, the connected complex between Terminals 4 and 5, so no shuttle is needed. You simply walk with your luggage from the terminal to the hotel, which is why they’re the top choice for early or late flights.
Do Arlanda hotels have free shuttles?
Most do. Radisson Blu Arlandia, Connect Hotel, Comfort Hotel, Scandic Arlandastad and Best Western Arlanda Hotellby all run free shuttles, typically every 15–20 minutes during operating hours (broadly 04:00–01:00). Hours differ by hotel, so check that the first and last shuttles line up with your flight before you book.
What’s the best hotel near Arlanda for an early flight?
The Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport, because being terminal-attached removes any shuttle wait at 4am — you just walk to check-in. The premium price reflects that convenience. If you’d rather save money, a shuttle hotel like the Comfort works too, but confirm the earliest shuttle covers your departure time.
Should I stay near Arlanda or in central Stockholm?
Stay near Arlanda only if your flight departs before about 7am or arrives after 10pm. Otherwise stay central: the Arlanda Express reaches Stockholm Central in 18 minutes and city hotels often cost about the same, so you gain evening and morning time in town instead of spending it by the airport.
How long does it take to get from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm Central?
The Arlanda Express takes about 18 minutes (around 320 SEK), the SL commuter train roughly 38 minutes (about 135–160 SEK), the Flygbussarna coach about 45 minutes (around 119 SEK), and a taxi 35–50 minutes depending on traffic (around 545–745 SEK fixed rate). Confirm current fares, as they change.
Are there budget hotels at Arlanda Airport?
Yes. Connect Hotel Arlanda and Comfort Hotel Arlanda (both roughly 950–1,400 SEK) sit a short free shuttle from the terminals, while Hotell Arlandastad (around 850–1,200 SEK) and Best Western Arlanda Hotellby in Märsta are cheaper still. The Märsta options trade a slightly longer transfer for lower rates.
Do Arlanda hotels include breakfast?
It varies. The budget hotels such as Comfort Hotel Arlanda and Connect Hotel usually include a basic breakfast in the rate, whereas the premium options — Clarion, Radisson Blu Arlandia and First Hotel — tend to charge separately, often around 165–225 SEK. Check what’s bundled when you compare prices.
Can I get cheap long-term parking at Arlanda hotels?
Often, yes. Many Arlanda hotels offer “stay-and-park” deals where one night’s stay plus long-term parking works out cheaper than the airport’s own long-stay lots — useful if you’re leaving a car while you fly. Terms and prices vary, so confirm the package and the number of parking days covered when you book.
Final thoughts
Keep the decision simple. If the flight time forces it, book the Clarion for a walk-to-the-gate early start, the Radisson Blu for a comfortable late arrival, or the Comfort for a no-fuss budget night. If it doesn’t force it, spend the night in the city and ride the Arlanda Express out in the morning — you’ll enjoy the trip more. Either way, reconfirm the current rate and shuttle times close to your dates, because both move around at this airport.
Related Stockholm guides
- Stockholm Hotels & Accommodation
- Hotels Near Stockholm Central Station
- Best Budget Hotels in Stockholm Under $150
- Best Family Hotels in Stockholm
- Best Boutique Hotels in Stockholm
- Best Hostels in Stockholm
- Best Hotels in Gamla Stan
Photo credits: hero image, stockholmtourism.org; hotel room, Ken Mwaura on Pexels.
