Prices in Sweden

We found the prices in Sweden, Denmark and Iceland all to be quite pricey. If you are looking for budget relief, you might want to check out Poland: one of our favourite trips and very easy on the budget.

I've only been to Sweden for a few days (and only in the cities), but during that time I was struck by how reasonable the prices were. Maybe because I'd steeled myself for sticker shock and gone into penny-pinching mode, but overall the prices seemed to be either in line with or lower than those elsewhere in Western Europe (and the US and Canada). Some examples of what I paid:

• A one-person room in a mid-range hotel with breakfast: $95/night
• Public transportation: $10/day for a 3-day pass
• Train from Stockholm to Malmo, booked in advance: $23
• A light meal from a cafe or bakery: $7-10
• Fresh fruit on special in a grocery store: $1.25/kg
• All-you-can-eat buffet in Old Town: $17

Less expensive than Iceland maybe but I'd still say restaurants are on the expensive side in Sweden and alcohol is especially pricey. However in the cities there are a variety of more casual dining options and cafe/bakeries that are comparable to a big US city (food trucks, sandwich, falafel and burger joints etc). Of course, you can also eat cheaper if you buy things at grocery stores (better still if you can cook for yourself at your airbnb a few times). Generally though, Scandinavia is more expensive compared to other places in Europe like Germany or Italy.
You might not need a car as much (or at all) though, so that would potentially save you some money compared to Iceland.

I found Sweden in 2015 to be very reasonable compared to my more regulars of London and Paris. I traveled to Sweden as a solo traveler so I did not have anyone with whom to split hotel rooms and they still only averaged $117.00 per night, which includes hotels in central and northern Sweden. My Stockholm hotel was the least expensive. Not including long distance train travel (took an overnighter), but including taxis, local transport, a 3 hour taxi rental, food, museums, hotel, AND souvenirs (more than usual but not a lot), I spent $170.00 per day. This includes my favorite hotel of all time as well. Sweden could be done for a lot less money than I spent. My travel varies between picnics and nice, but not over the top, restaurants. I treated 3 Swedes to lunch on one occasion, etc. So, just saying I did not skimp with my expenditures so you could do it for less money. I think Sweden gets a bad rap as far as cost goes, but I live in Boston. It is a lovely country and everyone was so friendly. Personally, Sweden was my best trip ever.

khbuzzard's figures seem quite right to me.

This is our 1st time traveling to Scandinavia (Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo) for almost 3 weeks in June. We always enjoyed using RS guide books for planning our itinerary, sights to see, various price levels for dining and the like.

We generally agree with the ideas listed & practices mention by Wray (I'm also in Boston!) & Khbuzzard but we are having problems in 1 area - lodging!

What have you done to solve this or have advice to give? We did not want to do AirB&B for this trip as we enjoy small to midsize hotels, pensions and B&Bs for the personal advice & on the ground recommendations. I know RS discussed "rack rates" for Scandinavia but his suggestion to "just show up" with no reservations say in Stockholm on the podcast doesn't go over to well with my wife & me as this a anniversary trip!!

BTW, we have used RS books and travel forums, Trip Advisor, friends recommendations, travel search sites in 6 trips to Europe in past 10 years and we have never had as much trouble booking reasonable hotel rates across 3 & 4 stars!

Gene

One of the easier budget solutions for Scandinavia is to accept a downgrade from whatever you consider your normal standard to be, such as from 3-4 stars to 2 or from an Airbnb to a nice youth hostel or camping cabin. Quality and availability of these latter options tends to be much better in Scandinavia than in other parts of Europe, Rick lists more of them in his guidebook, they can be an especially good fit for a family of four, but some are also have private double rooms, and they often have kitchen access.

Have a look at the Hotel Hellsten and its sister hotels. (I stayed in Hellstens Malmgard and enjoyed it quite a lot. I have no direct experience with the others.) Note that they use "dynamic pricing," meaning the rates can fluctuate seemingly randomly from one night to the next, but if your dates happen to line up with their low rates, they're quite reasonable. They offer a discount for stays of 3 nights or more.

I also liked the look of Hotel Hornsgatan and came very close to staying there (which means I didn't, so I can't offer anything in the way of actual experience).

RetiredGene, This is where I stayed in Stockholm: http://www.hotelhornsgatan.se/?q=en It is a small hotel on the first floor of an apartment building. I thought it was lovely, old school, clean and safe. Free snacks 24 hours per day in the breakfast room! The reception desk is not staffed after 10:00 PM, but I never once felt nervous. Travelers all seemed to be pleasant people. There are rooms with private bathrooms. I actually got a single and used the single bathrooms down the hall, which were spotless, and never all busy simultaneously. This is a very small hotel. I loved staying in this neighborhood. However, if you need a lot of stars I'm sure this doesn't work. Also, if your flight is coming in late they will give you the code to get into the building and hotel/B&Bish. The workers were all charming and helpful. This is where I'd stay if I returned to Stockholm as well. I'm not a bathroom down the hall type of girl, but I went for this one and I enjoyed it.

Laura, Khbuzzard and Wray - thanks all the suggestions, good advice and I will checking them all out.

Because I was researching hotels to see what was available, I received quotes from them that slightly expensive but reasonable given their rating & location and a discount from regular rates. When I went back (several weeks later, my delay) I got the N/A in a number of them. So I in essence "reserved" some rooms via booking them BUT didn't prepay so I have cancellation abilities 24 to 48 hours before arriving BUT then that was the MOST expensive option 💰

As to sharing facilities, having stayed in all kinds of places in Italy, if clean & in a good neighborhood, that won't be a problem😀

Thanks again.......Gene

Thanks everybody. I appreciate your feedback!