Stockholm Arlanda (ARN): The Complete Layover Guide

How Arlanda is laid out

Everything now revolves around Terminal 5. The October 2025 reorganization made it the home of SAS, the low fare carriers, and the gates that used to be Terminal 4.

Terminal 5 handles domestic and international flying on separated Schengen and non Schengen levels, with piers lettered out to the F gates and the former Terminal 4 building now serving as gates C30 to C44, connected by an airside walkway of about 7 minutes. Terminal 2 hosts other international carriers in a separate building, a 10 to 15 minute landside walk away; whether you can transfer to it airside is to be confirmed, so plan to clear security again. Terminal 3, the small regional building, opens its checkpoint only about 90 minutes before departures and closes overnight. Between Terminals 4 and 5 sits SkyCity, the landside hub with shops, the train station, and the hotels.

Transfers and the Schengen split

Connections here are calm by European standards. Schengen to Schengen transfers involve no passport control at all, just a walk between gates. Arriving from outside Schengen, you clear immigration at Arlanda when it is your first Schengen stop, then continue. The airport handled 24.3 million passengers in 2025 and rarely feels crushed outside the summer Friday peaks. Ninety minutes covers most connections involving a terminal change; within Terminal 5, an hour is usually fine.

Lounges, a short and honest list

Arlanda has five verified lounges. SAS runs three in Terminal 5: the Gold Lounge and the standard SAS Lounge near gate E1, and the SAS Lounge by Mastercard at gate F26 on the Schengen pier, opened February 2025 and open 06:00 to 20:00. Priority Pass and similar memberships open the two Pearl Lounges, one at gate C37 on Pier C and one in Terminal 2. The Pearl Lounge that stood near gate E1 closed in March 2025, and older guides referencing a Menzies lounge mean today's Pearl locations. An Amex space in Terminal 5 is reported, current status to be confirmed. Details in the ARN lounge directory.

Sleeping and getting into Stockholm

The terminal never closes, but Arlanda is a hard free sleep: no pods, no rest zones, bright lights, and a chill that regulars pack a layer for. The quietest reported corners are the SkyCity upper level and the benches around the F gates. The honest play for an overnight is SkyCity itself, where the Clarion, the Radisson Blu SkyCity, and the Comfort Hotel all stand within a walk and sell day rooms; the Comfort absorbed the old Rest and Fly budget concept. For the city, the Arlanda Express does Stockholm Central in 18 minutes for 340 kronor single, and the commuter train is cheaper but adds a station passage fee, current amount to be confirmed. Our ARN sleeping guide has the full map.

How I would play it

With SAS status or a SkyTeam business ticket, the Gold Lounge near gate E1 is the obvious base. With Priority Pass, check your departure gate first: C gates put the Pearl at C37 on your way, E and F gates mean a walk back for it. On a layover of 5 hours or more, take the Arlanda Express into town; 18 minutes each way leaves real time for Gamla Stan and a coffee, and the train is the one Stockholm expense that buys time back. Overnight, book a SkyCity day room before midnight rather than testing the benches, and keep a sweater handy either way. Arlanda is kind to planners and cold to improvisers, in both senses of the word.

ARN layover questions, answered

What happened to Terminal 4 at Arlanda?

In October 2025 Swedavia closed Terminal 4's own check in, security, and passport facilities and folded the building into Terminal 5. Its gate area is now gates C30 to C44 of Terminal 5, reached by an airside walkway of about 7 minutes. Old itineraries and signs still mention Terminal 4, ignore them and follow Terminal 5.

Which lounges can I use with Priority Pass at ARN?

The Pearl Lounge in Terminal 5 at gate C37 on Pier C, and the Pearl Lounge in Terminal 2, which serves both Schengen and non Schengen passengers. Note the Pearl Lounge that stood near gate E1 closed in March 2025. The SAS lounges require SAS or SkyTeam status or premium tickets.

Can I sleep overnight at Arlanda?

The airport stays open 24 hours and sleepers are tolerated, but there are no rest zones or pods, the lights stay bright, and travelers consistently report it gets cold. The quietest reported spots are the SkyCity upper level and the benches around the F gates. For real sleep, three hotels sit within walking distance at SkyCity.

How much is the train from ARN to Stockholm?

The Arlanda Express runs nonstop to Stockholm Central in 18 minutes, 340 Swedish kronor for a standard adult single, with youth and group discounts. The cheaper commuter train from Arlanda Central takes about 40 minutes but adds a station passage fee on top of the normal SL fare, current amount to be confirmed.

Is wifi free at Stockholm Arlanda?

Partly. The free guest network gives 1 hour instantly and 2 more hours after an email confirmation, 3 hours free in total. Beyond that Swedavia sells paid access by the hour or day. For a long layover, plan around the limit or buy a pass.

Do I clear passport control when connecting at ARN?

It depends on the route. Sweden is in Schengen, so connections between two Schengen flights involve no passport control at all. Arriving from outside Schengen you clear immigration at Arlanda if it is your first Schengen stop. Terminal 5 separates Schengen and non Schengen levels, and the transfer flow is signed clearly.