Major city · Sweden
GällivareVáhčir
Go for 1–2 nights as a rail junction and Dundret base: Malmbanan and Inlandsbanan meet here, and Laponia trailheads start nearby.
Gällivare is a mining town and rail junction above the Arctic Circle, where the Inlandsbanan ends and the Malmbanan ore line to Narvik passes. Most travellers use it as a transfer point for Laponia national parks, a Dundret viewpoint stop, or a winter aurora base. The town itself is small and walkable; the countryside is vast and needs a car or a tour.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SEK
- Best months
- Jun–Aug for midnight sun and hiking; Feb–Mar for auroras and skiing
- avoid Nov–Jan (polar night, extreme cold, limited daylight)
- Airport
- GEV
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Sweden ↗Sweden is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Sweden ↗Many shops, cafés, buses and even toilets do not accept cash: bring a card that works with PIN and contactless.
- Sweden ↗The right of public access (allemansrätten) lets you walk and camp for a night on most land; keep away from homes and leave no trace.
- Sweden ↗Drinks stronger than light beer are sold only at the state Systembolaget shops, which close in the evenings and on Sundays.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Gällivare112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gällivare, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Swedish krona (SEK, kr); the euro is not used.Sweden-wide
- SIM or eSIMEU roaming applies for EU/EEA SIMs.Sweden-wide
- Tap waterTap water is excellent; ask for 'kranvatten', often free.Sweden-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Included; add 5–10% on the card terminal for good service.Sweden-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Sweden-wide
- SafetyA small, generally safe town; the real risks are extreme winter cold, white-out driving conditions and reindeer on the roads.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are clean but often card-paid (SEK 5–10 (≈ US$1–2)); cafés reserve them for customers.Sweden-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, fire, ambulance · 114 14 police non-emergency · 1177 Health advice (1177) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums often close on Mondays outside summer; Systembolaget closes around 19:00 weekdays, 15:00 Saturdays and all Sunday.Museums often close on Mondays outside summer; Systembolaget closes around 7:00 PM weekdays, 3:00 PM Saturdays and all Sunday.Sweden-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckGEV Gällivare Lapland Airport (About 10 km (6.2 mi) from town; check current carriers and schedules, as service has changed.).GEV Gällivare Lapland Airport (About 6.2 mi (10 km) from town; check current carriers and schedules, as service has changed.).
- Getting aroundGällivare and Malmberget form a walkable core, but winter cold makes walking hard.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffeekr 30–50
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, town centre to Dundretkr 250–400 (check)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus single farekr 22 (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekkr 200–400
- Budget bedHostel or camping dorm bed, a night, per personSEK 220 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomSEK 1,500 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomSEK 2,600 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SEK 700 (≈ US$75) · Mid SEK 1,300 (≈ US$140) · High SEK 2,200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GEV Gällivare Lapland Airport (About 10 km (6.2 mi) from town; check current carriers and schedules, as service has changed.)GEV Gällivare Lapland Airport (About 6.2 mi (10 km) from town; check current carriers and schedules, as service has changed.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
Feb
Best
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
Mar
Best
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Apr
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
May
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Jun
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jul
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Sep
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Oct
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Nov
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Dec
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Best: Feb–Mar, Jun–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)), coolest Jan (−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C) low), wettest Jul (10 rain days), driest Apr (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gällivare: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
8 rd
Feb
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
7 rd
Mar
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
7 rd
Apr
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
6 rd
May
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
Jun
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Aug
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Sep
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Oct
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Nov
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
8 rd
Dec
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Gällivare and Malmberget form a walkable core, but winter cold makes walking hard. Local buses (Falcks Omnibus) cover the town and Malmberget; Länstrafiken Norrbotten runs regional services to villages and national parks from outside the train station. For Dundret, Aitik or the mine, a taxi or guided tour is the practical option.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dundret
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Taxi or tour bus from town; the summit road is about 10 km (6.2 mi)Taxi or tour bus from town; the summit road is about 6.2 mi (10 km)
Viewpoint and ski area; midnight sun in summer, aurora views in winter.
Ritsem
overnightDoor to door: Several hours
Regional bus from outside the train station, seasonal
Trailhead for Laponia and Stora Sjöfallet; check bus timetables before committing.
Door to door: About 1.5 h by train
Malmbanan train or E10 by car
Icehotel at Jukkasjärvi and the moving mining city.
Jokkmokk
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
E45 south by car; limited bus service
Better as a stop on a longer drive than a return day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Storgatan / Centralplan)
Walkable to shops, museum and restaurants; Quality Hotel Lappland sits across from the train station.
Vassara river / hembygdsområde
Gällivare Camping with cabins and tent pitches, about 8 minutes' walk from the centre.
Malmberget
Separate settlement 5 km (3.1 mi) away, tied to the mine; limited visitor accommodation.Separate settlement 3.1 mi (5 km) away, tied to the mine; limited visitor accommodation.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- kr 700–1,100 excl. bed
- Mid
- kr 1,100–1,800 excl. bed
- High
- kr 1,800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 2 nights × SEK 1,500 | SEK 3,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × SEK 1,300 | SEK 5,200 |
| Local bus single fare2 × SEK 22 · check | SEK 44 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × SEK 250 | SEK 500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SEK 874 |
| Trip total≈ SEK 2,405 per person per day, bed included | SEK 9,618≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in kronor; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | kr 30–50 |
| Lunch, husmanskost or pizza | kr 100–180 |
| Fast-food burger meal | kr 90–130 |
| Local bus single fare | kr 22 (check) |
| Taxi, town centre to Dundret | kr 250–400 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | kr 200–400 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter temperatures can fall to -40 °C (−40 °F) or colder; white-out conditions occur behind trucks and buses — keep your distance.Winter temperatures can fall to −40 °F (-40 °C) or colder; white-out conditions occur behind trucks and buses — keep your distance.
- Reindeer on the roads cause traffic accidents, sometimes involving whole herds.
- Distances outside town are vast and public transport is very limited; do not rely on it for trailheads without checking timetables.
- Aitik and the LKAB mine are working industrial sites: visits only with an organised tour.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 112
- Police non-emergency
- 114 14
- Health advice (1177)
- 1177
Pocket card
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GällivareVáhčir
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Till den här adressen, tackTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance112
- Police non-emergency114 14
- Health advice1177
Embassy
No embassies in Gällivare; most countries have embassies in Stockholm and consulates elsewhere in Sweden.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Local bus single fare: about kr 22 (check)
- Taxi, town centre to Dundret: kr 250–400 (check)
- Train Gällivare → Kiruna, Malmbanan: check current timetable and fare
Say or show
- Hej — Hello (hey)
- Tack — Thank you (tack)
- Hur mycket kostar det? — How much is it? (hoor mykket kostar deh)
- Kan jag betala med kort? — Can I pay by card? (kan yag betahla med kort)
- Var är toaletten? — Where is the toilet? (var air toa-letten)
- Jag behöver hjälp — I need help (yag behurvelp)
English is widely spoken; Sámi, Finnish and Meänkieli are official minority languages in the north.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gällivare. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug for midnight sun and hiking; Feb–Mar for auroras and skiing · avoid Nov–Jan (polar night, extreme cold, limited daylight) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for GEV: check current carrier schedules, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: train station and centre, Malmberget, Vassara river camping, Dundret.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Gällivare Museum, Dundret, Sápmi Nature Camp) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and polar-night fixtures so gates A–D can go green.