Major city · Sweden
Östersund
Give Östersund 2 nights: one for the town and Jamtli, one for Frösön or the lake. Come for winter sports or a bright June–August; skip as a quick stop.
Östersund is Jämtland's only city and the gateway to a lake, a ski mountain and a lot of winter sport. It sits on the shore of Storsjön, Sweden's fifth-largest lake, with Frösön island across the water. The town itself is small and walkable; the reason to come is what surrounds it — Åre skiing 50 km west, biathlon and cross-country events, and long summer evenings by the water. Two nights covers the centre and one outdoor day; three if you add Åre or Storlien.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SEK
- Best months
- Jun–Aug for lake and light; Feb–Mar for winter sports and auroras
- avoid Nov (dark, wet, little open); late Jun if you want quiet — Storsjöyran fills the town
- Airport
- OSD
- Nights
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Östersund112 ▾
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 Östersund, 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
- SafetyÖstersund is a calm, low-crime town; the real risks are winter ice, wind off the lake and thin late-night transport.
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.
- AirportOSD Åre Östersund Airport (On Frösön, about 9 km (5.6 mi) from the centre; bus and taxi shuttles to town.OSD Åre Östersund Airport (On Frösön, about 5.6 mi (9 km) from the centre; bus and taxi shuttles to town.
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable in summer; in winter it is icy and the town tilts, so studded boots help.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a pastry in a café60–110 kr
- Sit-down mealDinner main course180–320 kr
- Beerdraught in a bar / can in a shop70–95 kr20–30 kr
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiPre-book; night surcharge applies.150–220 kr
- Metro or bus rideCity bus single ticketabout 40 kr (check)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personSEK 300 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomSEK 1,100 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomSEK 1,600 (≈ US$170)
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
- OSD Åre Östersund Airport (On Frösön, about 9 km (5.6 mi) from the centre; bus and taxi shuttles to town. Most flights connect via Stockholm Arlanda.)OSD Åre Östersund Airport (On Frösön, about 5.6 mi (9 km) from the centre; bus and taxi shuttles to town. Most flights connect via Stockholm Arlanda.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Feb
Best
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Mar
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Apr
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
May
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jun
Care*
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Oct
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Nov
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Dec
not flagged
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: Feb–Mar, Jul–Aug. Mixed: Jun. Avoid: Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Apr (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Östersund: 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
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
10 rd
Feb
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
8 rd
Mar
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
8 rd
Apr
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
May
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Sep
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Oct
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Nov
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
10 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
The centre is walkable in summer; in winter it is icy and the town tilts, so studded boots help. City buses are cheap and cover Frösön and the museum, but run thinly after 21:00 and on Sundays. Bikes work well — most streets have separate bike paths, and rentals exist. Taxis are pricey and best pre-booked by app rather than waved down.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Frösön and the Frösö Runestone
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
City bus 1 or 4 to Bergsgatan, then a short walk
The world's most northerly runestone, free to see; pair it with the Frösötornet viewpoint.
Åre
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train west from Östersund Central, about 1 h
Sweden's biggest ski resort in winter; hiking and lifts in summer. Doable as a day, better as an overnight.
Storlien
overnightDoor to door: About 2–2.5 h
Train west, roughly 1 h 30 min–2 h
On the Norwegian border; cross-country terrain. Too far for a comfortable return day.
Moose Garden, Orrviken
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
Car, about 15 min from the centre
Elk encounters by advance booking only; without a car it is awkward.
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.
City centre (Storgatan–Prästgatan)
Pedestrian core, cafés, bars and the bus station; walkable to the train station in 10–15 min.
Near Östersund Centralstation
Best for early trains and night-train arrivals; a few mid-range hotels on Storgatan.
Frösön
Across the bridge, quieter, close to the airport and the runestone; needs a bus or car.
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
- 700–1,100 kr excl. bed
- Mid
- 1,100–1,900 kr excl. bed
- High
- 1,900 kr+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × SEK 1,100 | SEK 2,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × SEK 1,300 | SEK 5,200 |
| Airport shuttle bus, both ways2 × SEK 200 · check | SEK 400 |
| City bus single ticket2 × SEK 40 · check | SEK 80 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × SEK 150 | SEK 300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SEK 818 |
| Trip total≈ SEK 2,250 per person per day, bed included | SEK 8,998≈ US$950 |
2026 estimate in kronor; flights and ski passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a pastry in a café | 60–110 kr |
| Lunch plate (dagens rätt) | 110–160 kr |
| Dinner main course | 180–320 kr |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can in a shop | 70–95 kr / 20–30 kr |
| 5 km taxiPre-book; night surcharge applies. | 150–220 kr |
| City bus single ticket | about 40 kr (check) |
| Jamtli adult ticketSummer ticket valid two days; free for under-18s. | 70 kr winter / 240 kr summer (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter streets are slippery and sloped: studs or grippy boots, and short steps.
- It is windy year-round because of the lake — a windproof layer matters more than an umbrella.
- Buses thin out after 21:00 and on Sundays; plan the last one or pre-book a taxi.Buses thin out after 9:00 PM and on Sundays; plan the last one or pre-book a taxi.
- Winter rail traffic to and from Stockholm can be delayed or cancelled by snow: build slack into a same-day connection.
- Ignore unlicensed drivers offering rides outside bars at closing; use a booked, metered taxi.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 112
- Police non-emergency
- 114 14
- Health advice (1177)
- 1177
Pocket card
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ÖstersundÖstersund
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 embassy in Östersund; most countries are represented in Stockholm. US, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens should register with their Stockholm embassy for anything serious.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- OSD airport → city centre, shuttle bus: about 100 kr, about 15–20 min (check)
- Taxi city centre → Frösön: 150–250 kr (check)
- Train Östersund → Åre: about 100–200 kr, about 1 h (check)
Say or show
- Hej — Hello (hey)
- Tack — Thank you (tack)
- Ursäkta — Excuse me (oor-SEK-ta)
- Hur mycket kostar det? — How much is it? (hoor MYK-eh KOS-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-LET-en)
Sweden is largely cashless — cards and mobile payment work almost everywhere, so carry a card rather than a lot of kronor.
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 Östersund. 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 lake and light; Feb–Mar for winter sports and auroras · avoid Nov (dark, wet, little open); late Jun if you want quiet — Storsjöyran fills the town · 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
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for OSD: bus and taxi shuttle times, night-arrival fallback.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Storgatan core, Jamtli and the museum hill, the harbour, Frösön.
- Place pages with verified hours (Jamtli, Frösö Runestone, Arctura) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialVisit Östersund (official tourism)
- officialÖstersund municipality
- officialSwedavia — Åre Östersund Airport
- officialSJ (Swedish rail)
- officialJamtli museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Östersund, revision 5272163 (CC BY-SA 4.0)