Weekend in Stockholm in Aug 2023: Day 2 – Morning in Stockholm

Having arrived into Arlanda International Airport, we needed to catch the Arlanda Express into the beautiful city of Stockholm.

It was 10:30 or so before we were heading towards the Arlanda Express – the fastest way into the city.

It wasn’t cheap £60 for a group booking of 2 (which included a discount) on a return basis.

At the same time we had both bought a 72 hour travel pass for about £15 each, which can be activated just before its first use.

SL offers a really useful app available on Android and iOS so that you can buy and activate tickets through your mobile. The travel pass can be used on metro, train, light railway, trams, buses and commuter ferries, so it really does cover all travel requirements in the county of Stockholm. Well recommended!

We caught the Arlanda Express from Platform 2 and 20 mins later we were arriving into Central Station. A long walk later and we found ourselves getting confused by Google Maps in terms of which local train we needed to catch.

Google Maps was suggesting we jump on trains headed in one direction and the SL app other trains heading in the other direction.

We chose to trust in the SL app and we were correct.

Just two stops later and we were getting off at Slussen, from where it was a short walk to the Hilton.

On checking in, we were warmly welcomed with a congratulations on your anniversary, advised there were no upgrades available, but as a Diamond member they were trying to “do something special” for us, but the room wasn’t ready just yet.

That “do something special” proved to be nonsense in the end, but we played along with the ruse initially, hoping they really were trying their best for us.

We dropped our bags and headed into the Old Town (also known as Gamla Stan), where we found the nearest Starbucks, so that we could quench our need for caffeine.

Starbucks tried the short measures tactic, which I quickly corrected them on. Always good to receive a product that reflect the money you have paid! Our drinks were enjoyed nonetheless.

We decided it was time for some lunch and Vick found a Mexican fast food place just up the road – perfect! When we got there it was closed – boo hoo.

As an alternative, we found Holy Greens almost next door, which was a similar set up as Chop’T in the US.

Vick went for a delicious veggie salad option; I went for a chilli bowl, which was tremedous.

We were satisfied tourists!

Follow the whole story here: Weekend in Stockholm in Aug 2023