Stockholm ranks among Europe’s mid-to-high priced capitals, but your actual costs depend heavily on travel style. Stockholm costs less than Oslo and Copenhagen but more than Barcelona or Prague.
Spending a day in Stockholm costs between 900–6,500 SEK per day (€84-607) depending on your travel style. Budget travelers spending 900-1,100 SEK per day stay in hostels and eat dagens lunch specials. Mid-range travelers at 1,800-2,300 SEK per day book three-star hotels and mix cafés with sit-down meals. Luxury travelers spending 4,500-6,500 SEK per day enjoy premium hotels and fine dining experiences.
How expensive is Stockholm compared to other European cities?
Stockholm ranks as the most affordable capital in the Nordic region: 10-25% cheaper than Oslo, 5-15% less than Copenhagen, and comparable to Amsterdam overall. You’ll pay more than in Southern European cities like Barcelona or Rome, but less than London or Paris.
Where Stockholm stands out is consistency. Even on a smaller budget, you can still eat well, get around easily, and do a lot without paying extra for “basic” quality.
What is expensive in Stockholm?
The biggest expenses are accommodation (300-3,800 SEK per night), restaurant meals (250-900 SEK for dinner), and alcohol (75-180 SEK per drink). However Stockholm also offers some essentials for a low cost and value: tap water is excellent (and free), public transport is efficient (at 67 SEK per day), and museums ranging from free to around 200 SEK. If you’re strategic about where you stay and how you eat, it’s realistic to cut daily spending significantly without sacrificing the Stockholm experience
Here’s exactly what you’ll spend and how to control your costs while experiencing the best of Sweden’s capital.
How much should I budget per day in Stockholm?
Pick the travel style that fits you best. Your daily budget will mostly come down to where you sleep, how often you eat out, and how much you spend on drinks and attractions.
As a general guide:
Budget traveler: 900-1,100 SEK/day (€84-103)
Mid-range traveler: 1,800-2,300 SEK/day (€168-215)
Luxury traveler: 4,500-6,500 SEK/day (€420-607)
What you get for your money
Stockholm’s higher prices reflect genuinely higher standards across nearly every part of the visitor experience. Unlike cities where costs vary wildly between budget and premium options, Stockholm maintains consistent quality whether you’re eating a 120 SEK lunch special or staying in a 3,000 SEK hotel room. Here’s what you’re actually paying for.
Reliable and easy-to-use public transport. Stockholm’s public transport is generally reliable and easy to use, with clean stations, clear signage in English, and integrated ticketing across the metros, buses, trams, and public transport ferries. The same ticket that gets you across the city also takes you to island destinations and suburban attractions. Most services run frequently, and even in winter delays are usually minor, though weather and maintenance work can sometimes affect individual lines. Also, the metro stations double as an underground art gallery with commissioned works at over 90 stations.
Reliable food safety and quality. Even budget meals meet a solid baseline, helped by Sweden’s food safety rules and a culture that takes hygiene seriously. A 120 SEK dagens lunch (weekday lunch special, usually a set meal with salad and coffee) is usually freshly cooked and filling, and some places highlight seasonal or locally sourced ingredients. At several cafés the coffee served comes from beans roasted locally, not from a far away coffee roaster. Street food is generally held to the same food safety requirements as restaurants, so grabbing a quick bite from a kiosk or food truck is a safe choice.
Design and presentation standards. In Stockholm, even simple places often put some thought into how a space feels – good lighting, practical furniture, and a clean, functional look. You’ll see it in hostels as well as hotels, just at different price points and with different materials. Restaurants also tend to plate food with care regardless of cost, and many public spaces, from metro stations to parks, feel designed rather than accidental. The result is a city where design is often part of the everyday baseline, not something reserved for high-end places.
Tap water you can happily drink. Stockholm’s tap water is clean, cold, and easy to rely on throughout your trip. Tap water is usually free at restaurants and hotels if you ask for it, which can save you money compared with buying bottled water during the day. Many visitors end up preferring it simply because it tastes fresh and is always available.
Safety and cleanliness. Stockholm generally has clean public spaces, and many visitors notice how well-kept the metro, streets, and parks feel. It’s also a city that tends to feel safe to walk around in, though the usual common sense still applies late at night. Public toilets are often free, but in stations and some malls you may pay a small fee (commonly around 10-15 SEK). More broadly, Stockholm’s higher cost base is part of what supports regular cleaning, maintenance, and well-run public services.
Service standards without tipping pressure. Swedish service culture is professional and straightforward. Staff are paid through wages rather than tips, so service often feels calm and unforced. Museum staff, shop workers, and restaurant servers are helpful and knowledgeable as part of the job, not because they’re trying to earn extra money at the table.
The premium you pay in Stockholm isn’t just about prices. A lot of it comes down to the city’s baseline: clean water, a strong sense of safety, dependable public transport, and solid food standards. Whether you’re travelling on a budget or staying somewhere high-end, those basics are usually consistent, and in many places, that same consistency costs extra.
Complete budget breakdown
Budget traveler
Budget travelers can experience a lot of what Stockholm has to offer without breaking the bank. You’ll likely stay in a hostel or a budget hotel (either in a central location or slightly outside the centre), cook some meals in a shared kitchen, and eat dagens lunch (weekday lunch specials) as your main meal out. Your days include free attractions like visiting parks and viewpoints, and free museums and galleries, with the occasional paid museum If you time it right, you can also catch a one-off free event like the Changing of the Guard, or the Stockholm Culture Festival. If you opt for an SL travelcard or buy a travel ticket, you’ll also have access to the water via the SL public ferries.
Total: 900-1,100 SEK/day (€84-103)
- Accommodation: 300-500 SEK (€28-47)
- Hostel dorm bed or budget hostel private room
- Consider staying slightly outside city center (Solna, Sundbyberg)
- Food: 300-400 SEK (€28-37)
- Breakfast: 50-70 SEK (€5-7) (grocery store or budget café)
- Lunch: 100-120 SEK (€9-11) (dagens lunch special or street food)
- Dinner: 100-150 SEK (€9-14) (cook at hostel or cheap Asian/Middle Eastern restaurants)
- Coffee/snacks: 50 SEK (€5)
- Activities: 150-200 SEK (€14-19)
- Mix of free attractions (Changing of the Guard, walking tours, Djurgården walks)
- 1-2 budget museums per day (140-200 SEK)
- Many parks and viewpoints are free
- Transportation: 65-100 SEK (€6-9)
- 7-day SL travelcard (470 SEK) = 67 SEK/day
- Or pay-per-ride for less frequent travel
Mid-range traveler
Mid-range travelers balance comfort with exploring the city. You’ll book a three-star hotel or a good quality private room in neighborhoods like Södermalm or Norrmalm, enjoy “dagens lunch” (weekday lunch specials) at good restaurants and sit-down dinners, and visit major attractions like the Vasa Museum and the Royal Palace without having to count every kronor. This budget gives you flexibility for a spontaneous fika, an evening drink, or a boat tour, without the need to micro-manage your spending every day.
Total: 1,800-2,300 SEK/day (€168-215)
- Accommodation: 800-1,200 SEK (€74-112)
- 3-star hotel or quality private hostel room
- Neighborhoods like Södermalm or Kungsholmen
- Good location with breakfast sometimes included
- Food: 500-700 SEK (€47-65)
- Breakfast: 100-150 SEK (€9-14) (hotel or nice café)
- Lunch: 150-200 SEK (€14-19) (dagens lunch at decent restaurant)
- Dinner: 250-350 SEK (€23-33) (mid-range sit-down restaurant)
- Drinks/coffee: 100 SEK (€9)
- Activities: 300-500 SEK (€28-47)
- Stockholm Pass (795 SEK/day or 1,095 for 2 days = 400-550 SEK average)
- OR 2-3 museums/attractions per day
- Mix of paid attractions (Vasa Museum, Royal Palace, boat tours)
- Transportation: 100-150 SEK (€9-14)
- SL card plus occasional taxi for convenience
- Public ferries to archipelago (included with SL on many routes)
- Bike rental for variety (best in warmer months)
Luxury traveler
Luxury travelers can enjoy Stockholm’s premium experiences with very few compromises. You’ll stay in four- or five-star hotels in central neighbourhoods like Norrmalm or Östermalm, dine at acclaimed restaurants with wine pairings, and book experiences like private guided tours or an archipelago boat charter. Taxis make it easy to move around on your own schedule, and most choices prioritize convenience, comfort, and memorable experiences over cost considerations.
Total: 4,500+ SEK/day (€420+)
- Accommodation: 2,200-3,800 SEK (€205-355)
- Four- or five-star hotel in premium locations (Norrmalm, Östermalm)
- Hotels like Grand Hôtel, Nobis, and At Six
- Central location with full amenities
- Food: 1,200-1,800 SEK (€112-168)
- Breakfast: 200-300 SEK (€19-28) (hotel or upscale café)
- Lunch: 400-600 SEK (€37-56) (quality restaurant)
- Dinner: 600-900 SEK (€56-84) (fine dining, Michelin-starred options)
- Drinks/wine: 200-300 SEK (€19-28)
- Activities: 600-1,000 SEK (€56-93)
- Private guided tours (500-1,500 SEK)
- Premium experiences (for example, a private boat charter)
- Special exhibitions, guided visits, or front-of-line tickets (where available)
- Spa treatments at luxury hotels
- Transportation: 300-500 SEK (€28-47)
- Taxis and private car service
- Airport transfers (for example, Arlanda Express or a private car – check current fares)
- Flexible, convenient transport without schedules
What costs the most in Stockholm?
For visitors, the largest costs are alcohol, restaurants, accommodation, and taxis. Below is a breakdown of each.
Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the biggest “Stockholm sticker shock” categories. Taxes play a role, and Sweden’s retail system for stronger alcohol (Systembolaget – Sweden’s state-run alcohol store) is designed around a restrictive alcohol policy. The main difference you’ll feel day to day is that drinking out is much more expensive than buying alcohol to have elsewhere. A beer at a bar often lands around 70–100 SEK (sometimes more), while buying beer at Systembolaget is usually noticeably cheaper.
Restaurants
High wages, rents, and VAT mean dining out can be a noticeable expense in Stockholm (restaurant food is typically 12% VAT). One easy way to keep costs down is to lean on street food and weekday lunch specials (dagens lunch), which many restaurants offer..
Tipping is appreciated but not expected. If you want to tip for great service, rounding up or leaving a small extra amount is common, but there’s no pressure to do it.
Accommodation
Hotels in central Stockholm, especially in areas like Norrmalm and Östermalm, are often the biggest line item. Prices rise in summer (June-August), when demand is at its highest, and higher costs for staffing and property also feed into room rates.
If you travel in the off-season or in shoulder season (spring and early autumn), or stay a bit outside the centre, prices can drop quite a bit.
Taxis
Taxis are expensive in Stockholm, with a typical ride within the city often landing around 200–300 SEK (and more for longer trips, heavy traffic, or late-night times). Taxi fares in Sweden are not regulated, which means companies can set their own prices with no upper limit.
To help customers compare, taxis must display a yellow-and-white price label showing a comparison price (jämförpris) for a standard trip (10 km / 15 minutes). In practice, it’s easy to miss or hard to interpret quickly, especially if you’re tired, stressed, or in a hurry.
To avoid overpaying, stick to well-known taxi companies or book through an app where you can see the estimated price up front. Many locals use Uber or Bolt, but regular-taxi apps work well too.
Money-saving strategies
Stockholm can be pricey, but a few local habits make it much easier to keep costs down. Small choices like eating dagens lunch instead of dinner, visiting in shoulder season, and using public transport instead of taxis can make a noticeable difference – without making your trip feel “cheap”. Here’s how to get the best value without compromising your Stockholm adventure.
- Travel in shoulder season (or off-season): hotel prices are lower in January-March (off-season), and April-May and September–October (shoulder seasons).
- Book early: you’ll get better availability and prices, especially in central areas.
- Use museum free-entry times: some museums have free days or free hours each week (or opt for free museums).
- Use the dagens lunch: weekday lunch specials are often the best-value meal out.
- Use public transport instead of taxis: the metro, buses, trams, and many SL ferries cover most visitor routes. It’s efficient and cheaper than taxis.
- Bring a refillable bottle: Stockholm’s tap water is excellent, so you rarely need to buy bottled water.
- Watch your alcohol spend: if you drink, limiting bar and restaurant drinks is one of the fastest ways to reduce your daily costs.
- Experience free nature and views: parks, waterfront walks, viewpoints, and many outdoor areas cost nothing
How Stockholm compares with other cities
These comparisons are rough, and they change with exchange rates and season. They’re best read as a general “price level” guide, not a promise.
Stockholm vs Nordic neighbors
Oslo: 10-25% more expensive
Copenhagen: 5-15% more expensive
Helsinki: 5-15% more expensive
Reykjavik: 5-10% cheaper
Stockholm vs European cities
London: 10-20% more expensive
Paris: 5-15% more expensive
Amsterdam: About the same
Rome: 10-20% cheaper
Barcelona: 10-20% cheaper
Berlin: 15-25% cheaper
Prague: 25-40% cheaper
Lisbon: 30-45% cheaper
Stockholm vs North American cities
New York: 20-30% more expensive
Los Angeles: 15-25% more expensive
Chicago: 10-20% more expensive
Miami: 15-25% more expensive
Toronto: About the same
Vancouver: 5-10% more expensive
Montreal: 5-10% cheaper
Takeaway: Stockholm tends to feel most expensive in the categories tourists notice fastest: accommodation, dining out, and especially alcohol at bars and restaurants.
Is Stockholm worth the cost?
Whether Stockholm feels “worth it” depends on what you value in a trip, but the city does offer clear advantages for certain travel styles.
Stockholm tends to suit travelers who prioritize quality and reliability. The premium you pay often shows up in the basics: clean tap water, a city that often feels safe and orderly, and public transport that’s easy to use. Even on a budget, you’re usually not trading down on hygiene or day-to-day comfort. A 120 SEK dagens lunch weekday lunch special) is typically a solid, filling meal, and many everyday details, like clear signage, well-kept parks, and clean stations, make the city feel straightforward to navigate. For many visitors, that consistency reduces stress and makes planning easier.
But Stockholm isn’t only about “smooth logistics.” It’s also a city with genuinely strong draws: standout museums like the Vasa Museum and Skansen, a design culture you can feel in cafés, hotels, and shops (from iconic interiors at places like Svenskt Tenn to the broader Swedish design tradition), and an archipelago that’s unusually easy to reach from the city. There’s also a lively nightlife scene, especially around Södermalm and central areas (though it’s smaller and pricier than Europe’s biggest party cities). And if you like shopping, Stockholm’s second-hand scene is a real part of the city’s culture, ranging from low-cost chains to curated vintage and flea markets.
If you’re cost-conscious, Stockholm can still reward you. You can build great days around parks, viewpoints, waterfront walks, and free sights, and you’ll often find museums with free entry times or discounted periods if you plan ahead. If you’re planning to visit many major attractions in a short time, the Stockholm Go City pass can sometimes be worth considering, but it depends on your pace and what you actually want to see.
If your goal is to experience a Nordic capital, Stockholm can also be a practical choice. It’s often cheaper than Oslo and Copenhagen, while still offering plenty of what people come to the region for: design, waterfront neighbourhoods, and a well-run city feel. The trade-off is straightforward: you’ll usually pay more than in many Southern European cities, but less than in some other Nordic capitals.
Stockholm may not be the best match if your main goal is to maximise experiences per euro, or if your trip is centred on beaches, guaranteed hot weather, or nightlife as the main event. Cities like Lisbon, Prague, or Barcelona often stretch a budget further (and offer a different kind of trip). But if you’re drawn to Nordic city life, maritime settings, and a well-run, easy-to-navigate city, Stockholm’s prices often reflect the local cost level more than tourist pricing. Whether that peace of mind is worth it will vary from person to person.
