Förare
Arriving at ArlandaFirst-time flyers

First-Time Flyers Landing at Arlanda

3 min read

Airports run on a sequence that's obvious once you've done it a few times and completely opaque the first time — signs assume you already know what a baggage carousel is, what "customs" means as opposed to passport control, and where exactly you're supposed to end up. If this is your first flight, or your first arrival somewhere new, this walks through it in order, so nothing at Arlanda catches you off guard.

None of this needs preparation beyond reading it once. You'll follow signs and crowds most of the way; this just tells you what each stage actually is.

On this page
  1. Step 1 — off the plane and through passport control
  2. Step 2 — collecting your bags
  3. Step 3 — customs, and then the exit
  4. If you're lost or unsure

Step 1 — off the plane and through passport control

  1. Follow the signs marked "Arrivals" or the equivalent symbol — you'll be walking with everyone else from your flight, so following the crowd usually works too.
  2. At passport control, have your passport (and boarding pass if asked) ready. If you're an EU/Schengen citizen there's often a separate, faster lane; everyone else queues for manual checks. This is a routine step, not something to be nervous about.
  3. Non-Schengen arrivals may also go through an EES registration step (fingerprints and a photo) — official EU information explains this in detail if you want to read up before you fly.

Step 2 — collecting your bags

After passport control, screens show which baggage carousel your flight's bags are on — find your flight number on the board, then head to that carousel and wait for your bag to appear. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to twenty or more depending on how busy the airport is; that's normal, not a sign anything's wrong.

Step 3 — customs, and then the exit

  1. Beyond baggage claim, there's a customs point — normally you simply walk through the "nothing to declare" channel unless you're carrying something that needs declaring (large amounts of cash, certain goods). If in doubt, ask an official rather than guess.
  2. After customs, you're in the arrivals hall — this is where transfer drivers, family and friends wait, along with taxi ranks and signs for trains and buses.

If you're lost or unsure

Airport staff in uniform are there to help with exactly this — it's completely normal to ask "where's baggage claim" or "which way is arrivals" and nobody will think it's an odd question. Signage at Arlanda is in Swedish and English, so reading the English line under the Swedish one usually clears things up.

If you've booked a transfer, your driver's name, phone number and licence plate are sent before pickup — if you're not sure where the pickup point is once you're through, a call or text to that number is the simplest way to sort it out rather than wandering.

  • Arrivals → passport control → baggage claim → customs → arrivals hall, in that order
  • Airport staff and English-language signage are there to help if you're unsure
  • If you've booked a transfer, your driver's phone number covers any confusion on the day

What every Förare booking includes

The fixed price you see before booking is the price on your receipt — 6% VAT included, whole car, not per person.

  • Flight tracked — pickup follows your live arrival
  • 45 minutes free waiting, from your driver's confirmed arrival
  • No terminal fee
  • No surge pricing, ever
  • Free cancellation up to 12 hours

Questions people ask before booking

What order do I go through at Arlanda arrivals?

Passport control first, then baggage claim, then customs, then the arrivals hall where transfers and taxis wait.

How do I know which carousel my bags are on?

Screens in the baggage hall show your flight number next to the carousel it's assigned to — check the board rather than guessing.

What if I can't find my way through the airport?

Ask uniformed airport staff — it's a completely normal question. Signage is in Swedish and English throughout.

Do I need to declare anything at customs?

Most travellers walk straight through the "nothing to declare" channel. If you're carrying large sums of cash or specific goods, ask an official rather than guess.

How do I find my transfer driver once I'm through?

You'll have their name, phone number and licence plate before pickup — call or text if you're unsure where to meet.

Book your Arlanda pickup

Enter the address and you will see the price for the whole car before anything is paid. No account needed.

  • One fixed price for the whole car, 6% VAT included, shown before you pay.
  • Your driver's name, number and registration plate arrive before pickup.
  • Cancel free of charge more than 12 hours before pickup, refunded in full.
See your fixed priceSee the price list

Read next

All guides in Arriving at Arlanda