Self-Drive Tours in Sweden

Sweden is considered a safe place to drive in summer. Generally the road conditions are really good and there are strict driving rules. For example, you must keep your headlights on at any time of day. There are also lots of speed cameras, with a maximum speed limit of 110 kilometres (68 miles) an hour.

We do not recommend that you drive in Sweden in winter, as the snow and ice make for more challenging road conditions. Instead, why not immerse yourself in a real winter wonderland by visiting Swedish Lapland? Make the most of the snow and enjoy activities like dog sledding or snowmobiling.

In Sweden you drive on the right-hand side of the road. It’s good to know that Sweden’s Scandinavian neighbours – Denmark and Norway – also drive on the right. This makes things simple if you want to do a self-drive tour of Scandinavia.

Sweden is quite a big country. In fact, it’s the largest in Northern Europe at 450,295 square kilometres (173,860 square miles). If you wanted to drive the entire length of Sweden, from Malmö in the south to Karesuando in the north, it would take you 21 hours non-stop. We wouldn’t recommend it in one go!

Thankfully, driving across the width of Sweden takes much less time. You could drive from Stockholm to Gothenburg in just over 5 hours, non-stop. However, the best way to take in Sweden by car is to allow yourself at least 7 days. You’d get to explore at a steady pace and soak up top Swedish highlights.

In 7 days you could drive from Stockholm to Dalarna, via the delightful towns of Örebro and Sunne. This route blesses you with views of the countryside and gives you time to visit castles, palaces and museums.

In 10 or 14 days you’d get to see even more of Sweden’s beautiful southern and western regions. Visit the hip cities of Malmö and Gothenburg, discover picturesque coastline, and stop in charming Swedish villages.

Read our blog article on top Sweden road trips for expert self-drive itinerary ideas. 

You can easily drive between the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Denmark and Norway. These close neighbours are well-connected thanks to excellent transport links, with modern motorways and waterways.

One excellent driving route you might consider is the Scandinavian Triangle, incorporating the three capital cities. Start in Stockholm, Sweden then drive south to Copenhagen, Denmark, via the famous Øresund Bridge. Then take an overnight ferry north to Oslo, Norway, before returning to Stockholm.

You’d need at least 10 days to drive the Scandinavian Triangle to give you enough time in each city and break up the journey. Stay for a bit longer, and you could see more of Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

In Norway visit the stunning fjords, such as Geirangerfjord and Aurlandsfjord, and explore beautiful Bergen. Take time to soak up the Swedish countryside by exploring Dalarna and Skåne, or discover the cool city of Gothenburg. These are just a few of the incredible places you could experience.

Check out these Scandinavia self-drive packages to visit Sweden, Norway and Denmark in the same trip.

There are so many gorgeous locations that await you on a driving holiday in Sweden. Discover a natural wonderland of lakes, forests, beaches and islands. Expect grand castles and palaces, charming villages, and cool Swedish cities. These are the best places in Sweden to visit in summer:

• Gamla Stan, Stockholm
• Stockholm archipelago
• Österlen, Skåne
• Lake Siljan, Dalarna
• Gothenburg
• Öland, Skåne
• Malmö

Take a look at our guide to visiting Sweden in summer for our top tips on what to do and where to go. Plus, get inspired by these 15 things to see and do in Stockholm. 

The best time of year to visit Sweden depends on what sort of trip you’d like to have. If you want to rent a car and enjoy a Swedish road trip, go between May and September. This is when driving conditions are best, the scenery is most vibrant, and you can enjoy a range of excursions and activities.

For the best weather and long hours of daylight, visit Sweden in summer – June, July or August. This is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and go swimming, hiking or kayaking, for example. Time your trip for mid to late June and you could celebrate the summer solstice the Swedish way.

Although winter is not a good time for driving in Sweden, due to the tricky road conditions, it’s great for peace and quiet. Travel by train and cruise in the Scandinavian Triangle instead to experience the capital cities between October and April.

Or immerse yourself in a snowy wonderland by visiting Swedish Lapland in winter. This remote northern region is covered in snow between December and March. If you like the idea of dog sledding, snowmobiling and northern lights gazing, this is the best time to visit northern Sweden.

For inspiration on when to go to Sweden, take a look at these guides:

Sweden in summer: What to do and where to go

Sweden in winter: What to do and where to go

Scandinavia: The best times and places to visit

Yes, Sweden is a fantastic place to see the northern lights (aurora borealis). You’ll have the opportunity to spot them on a northern lights tour of Swedish Lapland, a region that’s close to the Arctic Circle where aurora activity is strongest.

To increase your chances of seeing them, base yourself around Kiruna and take northern lights excursions into Abisko National Park. This is one of the best destinations in the world for aurora gazing. That’s because the vast, open landscapes are set away from urban light pollution and tend to have clear skies.

Read these aurora viewing tips or discover the best time and place to see the northern lights in Sweden.

When you book a Sweden self-drive tour with Nordic Visitor, your car rental is included in the package price. We only work with trusted, reputable agencies to ensure that your vehicle is high quality. You can pick from a range of cars to find the one that works for you.

You’re also covered with our exclusive Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Basic Theft Protection (TP), unlimited mileage and the authorisation for one driver. This all comes included as part of your self-drive tour package, along with accommodation and daily breakfast.

All Nordic Visitor Sweden self-drive tours already incorporate stays in top recommended locations and suggestions for things to do. However, these holiday packages are customisable so we can tailor your itinerary to suit you.

Don’t hesitate to ask us about making any changes. This is your trip, so you decide how many days you want to spend in each place and what you want to do. Your dedicated travel consultant will be happy to make the adjustments you require.

Yes, you choose the arrival date that works best for you. Our self-drive tours are some of the most flexible, so select your arrival date online when you reserve your holiday package. For Sweden, you can pick an arrival date between the months of May and September.

If you want to travel in the winter season, we recommend you use other modes of transport. That’s because driving conditions at this time of year can be tricky. Take a look at these winter tours of Scandinavia, which include tickets for train, cruise or plane journeys.

Check online for availability, but do not purchase your flight tickets until your Nordic Visitor package has been confirmed. This is to make sure that all your tour bookings are secured first. Once your personal travel consultant confirms everything, you can go ahead and organise your flights.

What you pack for your trip to Sweden depends on the time of year you are visiting. In summer you’ll want light layers and sun protection with you. In winter you’ll need plenty of thermal clothing to keep you warm.

Here is an essential packing list for any trip to Sweden:

• Short and long-sleeve shirts
• Warm jumper or fleece
• Waterproof jacket
• Waterproof trousers
• Comfortable walking shoes or boots

In summer we recommend you also bring:

• Sunglasses, sun hat and SPF lotion
• Light scarf or thin jumper
• Swimsuit
• Sandals

In winter you should pack:

• Thermal layers
• Woollen socks
• Warm scarf, hat and gloves
• Insulated jacket
• Insulated boots

Don’t forget to bring your camera to take home cherished memories of your holiday in Sweden!