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Travellers Essentials
Currency and Banking
The basic monetary unit of Sweden is the krona, or crown,
which is divided into 100 öre (6.71 kronor equal U.S.$1; 1996).
The central bank of Sweden is the Sveriges Riksbank, or Bank
of Sweden (1668). It issues currency and determines monetary
policy in cooperation with government officials. Sweden also
has several commercial banks with many branches, in addition
to savings banks and a few other types of banking and loan
organizations. The main stock exchange is in Stockholm.
When to Go
If you want sunshine, visit between late May and late July,
bearing in mind that August can be wet. Many youth hostels,
camping grounds and attractions open only in summer, from
late June to mid-August. Summer in Sweden can be hot, sunny
and beautiful, but travel in winter should be better planned
and restricted. Big cities are in full swing all year round.
Getting There
The main international airport is Arlanda, half an hour's
bus ride north of Stockholm. There are daily services to and
from most European capitals. Most flights from North American
and Asian centres fly through Copenhagen where you may have
to change planes. An airport tax of 14 kr is included in ticket
prices. Buses and trains link up with ferries to provide services
to and from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, Poland,
Estonia and the UK. Swedish ports of entry include Gothenburg,
Helsingborg, Malmö and Stockholm, although ferries from north-western
Finland head straight for Umeå and Skellefteå in northern
Sweden and services to Germany leave from Trelleborg.
Getting Around
Daily domestic flights criss-cross the country, but Sweden's
extensive bus and train systems render flying unnecessary
unless you're really pressed for time. Trains are the basis
of Swedish transport outside cities, serving regional centres
more quickly than buses. Buses are often the only option once
you get off the beaten track.
Swedish roads are of a high standard, marred only by their
popularity with moose, reindeer and elk around dawn and dusk.
You need only a recognised full licence to drive in Sweden:
an international licence is unnecessary unless you want to
rent a car. Women should ask for discounts in Stockholm taxis
at night. The motorways are not open to cyclists but the long,
specially designed and scenic cycle routes are better anyway.
Archipelago boats sail around Stockholm and Gothenburg, and
steamers on lakes such as Vättern, Siljan and Torneträsk in
Lapland make popular summer cruises and handy links if you
are cycling or walking. Skippering your own boat can be perilous,
given the dramatic changes in water level. Expect to encounter
difficulties upon the slightest divergence from marked channels.
Banking Hours
Banking hours are weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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