Major city · Sweden
Uppsala
Day-trip from Stockholm, or stay one night: the cathedral, castle and Gamla Uppsala fill a day; add a second only for Linnaeus sites or a bike ride.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SEK
- Best months
- May–Sep, Dec
- avoid Jan–Feb (short daylight, cold); late Apr if you want a quiet visit (Valborg crowds)
- Airports
- ARN · BMA · NYO
- Nights
- 1
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.
Uppsala is Sweden's fourth-largest city and its oldest university town, 70 km (43 mi) north of Stockholm and 18 minutes by train from Arlanda Airport. The centre is small and walkable — a cross-town walk takes about 20 minutes — so the big sights (cathedral, castle, university, Gamla Uppsala mounds) fit in one day. Stay the night if you want Linnaeus's garden at Hammarby, the bike paths, or a slow student-town evening. Most travellers see it as a day trip from Stockholm, or an easy first or last stop if flying via Arlanda.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Uppsala, 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
- SafetyUppsala is a safe city; the practical risks are icy pavements in winter, bicycle traffic, and leaving a rental bike unlocked.
- RestroomsPublic toilets are clean but often card-paid (SEK 5–10); cafés reserve them for customers.Sweden-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, fire and ambulance · 114 14 police non-emergency · 1177 (≈ US$130) Health advice (1177 (≈ US$130) Vårdguiden) (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.
- AirportARN Stockholm Arlanda (35 km south; SL commuter or Mälartåg train to Uppsala Central in about 18 min, or UL bus 801 in about 30 min.ARN Stockholm Arlanda (22 mi south; SL commuter or Mälartåg train to Uppsala Central in about 18 min, or UL bus 801 in about 30 min.
- Getting aroundWalk: the historic centre is small and flat; a full crossing takes about 20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a bunkr 45–80
- Sit-down mealDinner main coursekr 180–320
- BeerBeer (0.4–0.5 L) in a barkr 70–110
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miShort taxi ride in townkr 120–200
- Museum or sight ticketCathedral entrySpecial exhibitions or tower visits may be ticketed — check.Free (donations welcome)
- Budget bedHostel or student-room bed, a night, per personSEK 250
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomSEK 1,500 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomSEK 2,800 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SEK 500 · Mid SEK 900 · High SEK 2,000 (≈ 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 →
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
- ARN Stockholm Arlanda (35 km south; SL commuter or Mälartåg train to Uppsala Central in about 18 min, or UL bus 801 in about 30 min. Buy the ticket before boarding.) · BMA Stockholm Bromma (Domestic and short-range flights; transfer via central Stockholm.) · NYO Stockholm Skavsta (About 170 km south; bus to Stockholm, then train north to Uppsala — about 2 h total (check).)ARN Stockholm Arlanda (22 mi south; SL commuter or Mälartåg train to Uppsala Central in about 18 min, or UL bus 801 in about 30 min. Buy the ticket before boarding.) · BMA Stockholm Bromma (Domestic and short-range flights; transfer via central Stockholm.) · NYO Stockholm Skavsta (About 106 mi south; bus to Stockholm, then train north to Uppsala — about 2 h total (check).)
Weather and climate
Uppsala: 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
0°C32°F
−5°C23°F
10 rd
Feb
1°C34°F
−5°C23°F
8 rd
Mar
5°C41°F
−3°C27°F
8 rd
Apr
11°C52°F
1°C34°F
7 rd
May
17°C63°F
6°C43°F
7 rd
Jun
21°C70°F
10°C50°F
8 rd
Jul
24°C75°F
13°C55°F
9 rd
Aug
22°C72°F
12°C54°F
10 rd
Sep
17°C63°F
8°C46°F
8 rd
Oct
10°C50°F
4°C39°F
9 rd
Nov
5°C41°F
0°C32°F
10 rd
Dec
2°C36°F
−3°C27°F
11 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk: the historic centre is small and flat; a full crossing takes about 20 minutes. Bike: the city is nicknamed 'Bike Town' — paths parallel nearly every road, and the terrain is flat; short-term rental bikes and e-scooters are common (check current apps and rates). Bus: UL runs the city and county network; single tickets cost more on board than pre-purchased (check current fares). Train: Uppsala Central is the hub — SL commuter trains and Mälartåg to Arlanda and Stockholm, SJ regional expresses to Stockholm every half hour.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Stockholm
goDoor to door: About 30–55 min
SL commuter or SJ regional train from Uppsala Central
Simple pairing: see Uppsala in the morning, Stockholm in the afternoon.
Gamla Uppsala
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
UL bus from central Uppsala, or bike via the cycle path
Royal burial mounds, church and museum; 5 km north of the centre.Royal burial mounds, church and museum; 3 mi north of the centre.
Sigtuna
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Train or bus towards Arlanda, then local bus (check connections)
Small lakeside town with rune stones and wooden houses; a half day.
Skokloster Castle
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h by car
Bus or car via Bålsta (check seasonal service)
Seasonal opening; check the official site before going.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre (west of the river)
Cathedral, castle, university and most sights on foot; quietest for a one-night stay.
Around Uppsala Central Station
Best for an early train or a late arrival from Arlanda; 10–15 min walk to the cathedral.
East of the river (shopping side)
Restaurants and shops; still within a 20-minute walk of the sights.
Fyrishov / north of centre
Cheaper beds, campsite and pool; bus or bike into the centre.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- kr 500–800 excl. bed
- Mid
- kr 800–1,400 excl. bed
- High
- kr 1,400 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × SEK 1,500 | SEK 1,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × SEK 900 | SEK 1,800 |
| Arlanda → Uppsala Central, train (single, incl. airport surcharge)2 × SEK 162 | SEK 324 |
| Arlanda → Uppsala, UL bus 8012 × SEK 117 | SEK 234 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × SEK 200 | SEK 400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SEK 426 |
| Trip total≈ SEK 2,342 per person per day, bed included | SEK 4,684≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in Swedish krona (kr); flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a bun | kr 45–80 |
| Lunch of the day (dagens lunch)Weekdays, often includes salad, bread and coffee. | kr 110–160 |
| Dinner main course | kr 180–320 |
| Beer (0.4–0.5 L) in a bar | kr 70–110 |
| Short taxi ride in town | kr 120–200 |
| Bike rental, first daycheck; e-scooters are metered per minute. | about kr 200 |
| Cathedral entrySpecial exhibitions or tower visits may be ticketed — check. | Free (donations welcome) |
| Museum entrycheck | kr 60–150 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buy your train ticket before boarding at Arlanda; exiting at Arlanda on a Stockholm ticket triggers a surcharge.
- Bike theft is common — never leave a rental bike unlocked.
- Winter daylight drops below 6 hours around the solstice; plan indoor sights for after 15:00.Winter daylight drops below 6 hours around the solstice; plan indoor sights for after 3:00 PM.
- Valborg (30 April) fills the city with students and parties; book beds early if you want that week.
- Some restaurants close on Sundays and public holidays outside term time.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 112
- Police non-emergency
- 114 14
- Health advice (1177 Vårdguiden)
- 1177
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
UppsalaUppsala
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Till den här adressen, tackTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance112
- Police non-emergency114 14
- Health advice (1177 Vårdguiden)1177
Embassy
Sweden is an EU and Schengen member; most travellers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland do not need a visa for short visits — see the Sweden visa page for the 90/180-day rule. The nearest non-EU consulates and embassies are in Stockholm.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Uppsala → Stockholm C, SJ regional: about kr 95, 30–40 min
- Uppsala → Stockholm C, SL commuter: about kr 81, about 55 min
- Arlanda → Uppsala, train: about kr 162 incl. airport surcharge, about 18 min
- Arlanda → Uppsala, UL bus 801: about kr 117, about 30 min
- Arlanda → Uppsala, taxi (fixed price 1–4 people): about kr 400–520; ask for the fixed price before you set off
Say or show
- Hej — Hello (hey)
- Tack — Thank you (tack)
- Ursäkta — Excuse me (uhr-SEK-ta)
- Hur mycket kostar det? — How much is it? (hoor MICK-eh KOSS-tar deh)
- Kan jag betala med kort? — Can I pay by card? (kan yag beh-TA-la med kort)
- Var är toaletten? — Where is the toilet? (var air too-ah-LETT-en)
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 Uppsala. 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: May–Sep, Dec · avoid Jan–Feb (short daylight, cold); late Apr if you want a quiet visit (Valborg crowds) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract: Arlanda train and bus times, ticket-before-boarding rule, taxi fixed-price sign.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: cathedral and river, castle and university, station and shopping side, Gamla Uppsala.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (cathedral, castle and art museum, Gamla Uppsala museum, Linnaeus sites) and eat pages with Sunday closures.
- Winter and Valborg fixtures so arrival gates can go green under both conditions.
Sources
- officialDestination Uppsala (official tourism)
- officialCity of Uppsala
- officialUL — Uppsala county public transport
- officialSJ — national rail
- officialSwedavia — Stockholm Arlanda Airport
- secondaryWikivoyage: Uppsala, revision 5373017 (CC BY-SA 4.0)