Capital
City of Stockholm
Time
GMT +1 (-2 hours to Moscow).
Political structure
Constitutional hereditary monarchy
Language
Swedish is recognized as the official language. English is used in tourist centers. See liuxers for Sweden customs and traditions.
Currency
The Swedish krona contains 100 öre. Banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 100 kroons, as well as coins of 1, 5 and 10 kroons and 50 ere are in circulation throughout the country.
In 2005 there was a seizure of old banknotes in denominations of 20, 100 and 500 and coins in 50 era. Local prices are rounded up to 0.5 crowns.
You can exchange currency at exchange offices, supermarkets, hotels, banks or post offices. As a rule, in banks the exchange rate is lower, but the commission for services is higher. Some exchange offices set a fixed amount for currency transactions, the cost of services of others is calculated as a percentage of the exchange amount. However, information about the exchange rate and the amount of the commission must be posted before each item.
You can cash out at 24-hour ATMs. Traveler’s checks and Diner’s Club, American Express, MasterCard, Eurocard, Visa credit cards are accepted everywhere. It is better to buy crowns in St. Petersburg or in Moscow – it will be cheaper this way.
Banks are open from 09.30 to 15.00 or from 09.00 to 17.30. Exchange offices located at the piers, airports, railway stations, as well as in the main post offices are open 7 days a week from 08.00 to 21.00.
Useful phone numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire brigade – 900-00 or 112
- 24/7 Medical Assistance – 644-9200
- Unified international reference service – 075-75
- Central Police Department, Stockholm Lost and Found – 401-000-000
- Gothenburg Police – 618-000
City codes:
- Stockholm – 8
- Gothenburg – 31
- Malmö – 40
You can make a call from the street phone of the machine using a phone card or credit card. Cards are sold in any kiosks and supermarkets in the country.
You can call Sweden by dialing the combination 8-10-46-city code – subscriber number. To call to Russia – 009 + 7 – area code – subscriber number
Transport
Sweden has a well-developed transport network. Airlines connect different parts of the country and are a link with other regions. Airports are located in Gothenburg, Stockholm and Malmö.
The central and southern regions of the country are interconnected by the state railway network SJ. Buying a single Scandinavian Scan Rail Pass gives you the right to travel by train not only within the country, but also to Denmark, Norway and Finland. The pass is valid for 5, 10 or 30 days. Also, by presenting it, you can get a discount when checking into a hotel or crossing on some ferries.
One and a half thousand settlements are covered by SweBus bus express lines. Travel in them is cheaper when compared with rail transport.
To use public transport in Stockholm, you need to purchase a special ticket. It gives the right to free movement in one of the transport zones of the capital for 1 hour.
It is difficult to catch a taxi on the street, so it is better to order it by phone. The passenger is issued a check after paying for the fare.
To rent a car, you need to present international driving license and a credit card at the rental point. The age of the motorist must be at least 18, and sometimes 24 years (depending on the type of car).
The roads in Sweden are equipped with bike paths, it is quite safe to ride on them. The average cost of renting a bike is 50 kroons per day, or 200 kroons per week.
Stockholm Card
When going to Sweden, be sure to purchase a Stockholm Card tourist card. With it, you can visit 75 museums for free, use public transport, park for free in the central part of the city near municipal parking machines, take a ride with a tour on a pleasure boat and get a discount on tickets to select cinemas. The card comes with a city guide with information in several languages and maps.
It is valid for 24 hours from the moment of activation. If the card has not been activated, then it can be used until the end of the year.
Accommodation
There is no official division into “asterisks” in Sweden. Most hotels are not distinguished by pathos or pretentiousness. Everything here is clean, well-maintained and practical. The rooms are quite expensive. So, for example, for a double you will give $ 100. A night at vandrarhem youth hotels will cost a little cheaper – you will be charged 14-20 dollars per night.
The shops
Shops in Sweden are open on weekdays from 09.30 to 18.00. Large department stores are also open on Sunday from 12.00 to 16.00. Grocery stores can be visited daily until 20.00.
Shopping
The best time to shop is in January or July. Prices are reduced by up to 50% these days.
In some stores, coupons are in use – they are taken from a special machine. Instead of standing in line, you can walk around the store. A special board will notify you of the time of purchase, which will reflect the number indicated on the ticket. You will only have to present it to the seller and pay for the purchases. If suddenly you missed your turn, then take a new ticket.
Good souvenirs from Sweden will be: crystal and glass, silver and steel products, wood crafts. Here you can buy high-quality women’s and children’s clothing. You must be at least 20 years of age to purchase alcohol.
From goods purchased in Tax-Free Shopping stores, when leaving the country, you will receive a partial refund of the amount of internal tax.
Electricity
The voltage in the network is 220 Volts, an adapter of the European type is required.
Tips
Hotels and hotels include payment for services in the bill. Tipping in restaurants is 7-10% of the total order. Moreover, the later you dine, the bigger the tip is expected from you. Taxi drivers are given a tip of 10% of the fare.
Healthcare
Medicine in Sweden is paid. When you go to the hospital, you must have medical insurance with you.
