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Car Rental - Sweden
Certain words spring to mind when you think of Sweden, some of them even contradictory – cold and cozy, for example, but also beautiful and stark, stylish and simple.
Explore Sweden by rental car and you’ll pass through cities seemingly designed by fashion editors and towns that look like they were once inhabited by trolls.
It’s a place that is remarkably well-preserved, happy and welcoming, with wonderful food and outdoor pastimes. Sample on-trend food in Stockholm or opt for a simpler life in the countryside where you might spot moose and deer roaming wild – Sweden is whatever you want it to be.
We have pick-up locations all across the country for your convenience, in all the major cities including Malmo, Stockholm, Gothenburg - and even Sweden's northernmost town of Kiruna. Reserve online and pay on collection or in advance, whatever suits you. Our team on the ground will be on hand to make it a seamless process and get you into the right rental car for your vacation.
Top Locations in Sweden
A Quick Guide to Sweden
Wherever you start, heading out to see Sweden is sheer adventure. From the snow-topped mountain ranges to the serene, still lakes, dense Scandinavians forests and beautifully picturesque villages, towns and cities. It’s a country that has largely avoided the turmoil of history, which means that many of its finest churches and buildings stand perfectly preserved, just waiting for you to visit them.
Car rental in Sweden gives you the freedom to explore every corner of the country at your own pace and open up the very best of this varied and fascinating country.
Stockholm in Summer or Snow
A city of islands – more than a dozen – Stockholm is a sight for sore eyes whether you’re visiting when it’s sunny or when the streets and buildings are dusted with snow. The old town is called Gamla Stan, and it’s where the country’s nobility have long called home. The Royal Palace, Nobel Museum and Stockholm Cathedral all jostle for attention, and as you cross bridges and walk the cobbled roads you’ll find plenty of surprises.
Scandi-Noir crime fiction in books, films and on TV have driven visitor numbers here, and you can take a literary tour whether your taste runs to Stieg Larsson, Henning Mankell, Arne Dahl and, for something completely different, Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking.
Foodies will love Stockholm too. New Nordic cuisine has swept the country (and other parts of the world) with a focus on foraging and imaginative takes on local produce. But sometimes the simple things are perfect too – herring or the sensational things the Swedes can pile onto bread.
Marvelous Malmo
Malmo feels like a different country to Stockholm, it’s much closer to the rest of mainland Europe and linked by the incredible Oresund Bridge. The city itself is an eco-friendly oasis that has modernized rapidly, with a pretty old town and a lovely harbor area. You’ll be glad you have your rental car when you see the bridge –it’s a wonder of modern engineering that you’ll be itching to drive across.
Lapp of Honor
Away from the cities, Sweden has much to offer those who want to experience clear skies, stargazing, skiing and more. Head to Abisko in Lapland – even farther north than the Arctic Cricle. Here you’ll see reindeer and, if you’re lucky, the breathtaking Northern Lights. You’ll also enjoy the midnight sun in the driest area of Sweden, making it perfect for hiking.
The skiing season runs December through to May, when many flock to Are close to Lake Aresjon. t’s the setting for popular bike and extreme winter sports challenges every year, and there’s a real thrill to descending the slopes into the white wonderland below.
Grab a dog-sled, go rafting in the icy, white-water and then enjoy a warming hot chocolate and hearty Swedish fare. Alternatively, get a rare taste of Sami cuisine at Havvi I Glen, which does mouthwatering game, reindeer steak and great things with that Swedish staple, cloudberries.
Driving in Sweden
You’ll find driving in Scandinavia an exhilarating experience. Roads are modern but quiet, with little congestion except for peak rush hours in the largest cities. Drivers are calm and polite, and speed limits clearly signposted. It’s also the best way to uncover all the country’s contrasts, and escape from the cities to enjoy some of the freshest air on earth.
The lowest speed limits in Sweden are in built-up areas, where they’re as low as 18mph. Unlike many countries, limits aren’t based on the type of road but its quality, so they may change along different stretches of the same road – keep an eye out for signs. Dipped headlights are compulsory in the day and seatbelts must be worn at all times. Take extra care when driving in winter and, occasionally, you’ll see signs that warn you to watch out orf wild animals – moose, deer and wild boar.
As in much of Europe, roads can have both a local name and a Europe-wide one, prefixed with ‘E’. From Helsingborg, close to Denmark in the far south-west of Sweden, you can follow the E4 north-east and pass through Jonkoping, Linkoping and Norrkoping on your way to Stockholm. The road continues on to the far north of the country, hugging the east coast and eventually passing into Finland.
For the west of Sweden, the E6 connects the south to Gothenburg before moving on to Norway. From Gothenburg the E20 cuts west to east towards Stockholm. Alternatively, you can drive along the E45, which skirts vast lakes and cuts through the west and center of Sweden, taking you up to Ostersund, the far north-east and the Finnish border. Speak to our local team if you have any questions about driving in wintry conditions.
Top Cities in Sweden
