Find lower car hire prices in Sweden with Road Genius. Check live rates of SUVs, compact cars, people carriers and make reservations with no booking fees. Compare car hire at Stockholm Arlanda, Gothenburg Landvetter and Malmö, or collect in city centres where rates can be lower. Most providers offer one-way hire within Sweden, and winter tyres are included in season.
Location | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Airport Pickup | • Immediate mobility upon arrival • Wider vehicle selection • Extended hours (often 24/7 service) • Simplified logistics |
• Airport surcharges (10-15% higher) • Possible queues at peak flight times • Driving on unfamiliar roads after a long flight |
City Centre | • Potentially lower rates (no airport fees) • No need to drive in city traffic immediately • Convenient if arriving by train |
• Limited operating hours (often closed evenings/Sundays) • Need to reach city first via public transport/taxi • Finding the office can be challenging in unfamiliar cities |
On average, car rentals in Sweden cost around 604 kr per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from 369 kr per day.
City pickup can be cheaper than airport: Airports add 10-15%. If you’re starting in Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö, compare city locations, but check their limited hours.
Time your booking: For summer or big events, book 2-3 months ahead. In shoulder season, monitor prices and rebook if they drop, when your cancellation terms allow.
Pick the right car size: Compact or manual cars are usually cheaper and use less fuel. Small cars work great on Sweden’s roads and in tight city parking.
Tweak dates and durations: Weekly rates can beat daily. Shifting pickup/return by a few hours or a day may lower the price. Many airports allow late drop-off to avoid an extra day.
Avoid city-centre charges: Stockholm and Gothenburg have weekday congestion taxes. Park outside the core or drive outside charged hours to save.
Crossing to Denmark? The Öresund Bridge costs about 660 SEK each way. Pay at the toll plaza to avoid admin fees, or compare costs with parking in Malmö and taking the train to Copenhagen.
Location | Approximate Cost | Tips |
---|---|---|
Stockholm City Centre | Varies by zone and time | Use mobile apps like EasyPark for payment; reduced rates evenings/Sundays |
Gothenburg City Centre | Varies by zone | Colour-coded zones with varying rates; Nordstan garage good for central sightseeing |
Malmö City Centre | Varies | Less expensive than other major cities; good garage options |
Suburban Areas | Varies | Generally cheaper; watch for resident-only zones |
Shopping Centres | Often free or time limited | Good option for short stops, but verify time limits |
Location | Fee Range | Times | Extra Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Stockholm | Varies | Weekdays, daytime hours | Billed to the hire |
Gothenburg | Varies | Weekdays, daytime hours | Billed to the hire |
Öresund Bridge | Toll applies | 24/7 | Pay at toll plaza to avoid hire company charges |
Svinesund Bridge (Sweden-Norway) | Toll applies | 24/7 | Automated billing via the hire company |
Book a hire car so you can get to:
Gothenburg – E20, E18, Lake Vättern
Oslo – tolls, fees
Uppsala – Stockholm
West Coast Archipelago – Gothenburg, Strömstad, ferries
Copenhagen – Öresund Bridge, Malmö
Coastal towns on E6 – Halmstad, Varberg
What do I need to hire a car in Sweden?
You will need a valid driver's licence, a credit card in your name and your passport or ID. You also need an International Driving Permit if your licence isn't in the Roman alphabet.
Are there age restrictions for hiring in Sweden?
You usually need to be at least 19 or 20 years old. If you're under 25, hire companies often charge an extra fee for young drivers, which is about 100-125 SEK per day.
Can I take a hire car to neighbouring countries?
Yes, most companies let you drive to Norway, Denmark and Finland. You should tell the hire company beforehand and check if you need extra insurance.
What happens if I get a traffic fine or congestion tax charge?
The hire company will charge these fines to your credit card. They will also add a handling fee, which is about 300 SEK for each fine.
Will my hire car have winter tyres in winter?
Yes, hire companies in Sweden put winter tyres on their cars during the winter. Swedish law says cars must have winter tyres from 1 December to 31 March if there are winter road conditions.
Is an automatic transmission available?
Yes, but automatic cars are less common in the cheaper categories. You should ask for one when you book, and be ready to pay more for it.
How do I handle the deposit requirement?
The hire company will put a hold of about 3,000-10,000 SEK on your credit card. You need to make sure your card has enough credit available to cover this.
Can I pick up in one city and drop off in another?
Yes, most companies let you do one-way hire inside Sweden. They sometimes don't charge extra fees for this between major cities.