How to Explore Sweden Like a Local (and Spend Less)

Sweden’s reputation as an expensive destination gave me pause, but with careful planning and creativity I discovered it’s absolutely possible to enjoy this Nordic wonderland on a tight budget.

From camping under the Midnight Sun to feasting on street food, here’s my personal journey, complete with current 2025 prices, money-saving tips, and an optimistic game plan for seeing Sweden on $50 (about 500 SEK) per day.

Budget Travel in Sweden

First, let’s define the challenge: $50 USD per day (roughly 500–550 SEK). As of mid-2025, $1 = 9.5–10 SEK. Conventional wisdom says Sweden isn’t cheap, average budget travelers might spend around $74 (706 SEK) per day or even $80–100 according to some guides.

My goal was more ambitious: 500 SEK per day to cover lodging, food, transport, and activities.

It wouldn’t afford any luxury, but with a few sacrifices and smart choices, I was determined to make it work.

How did I allocate 500 SEK? A typical day’s spending looked like this (in SEK/USD):

• Accommodation: 250 SEK ($25) for a hostel dorm bed
• Food: 150 SEK ($15) – mostly groceries and one cheap meal
• Transport: 40 SEK ($4) – local buses or metro (many days I just walked)
• Activities & Misc: 50–60 SEK ($5–6) – often free attractions, maybe a museum or a treat

This rough budget (about 490–500 SEK) kept me on track. Some days I spent even less (especially when camping or doing only free activities), which balanced out splurges like inter-city travel on other days.

With that game plan, I hit the ground in Sweden ready to pinch every krona and still have a fantastic time.

Hostels, Camping & Couchsurfing

One of the biggest expenses in Sweden is accommodation, so I got creative here. The most straightforward option is hostel dorms, which are plentiful in cities and generally clean and comfortable.

I found dorm beds ranging from SEK 200 to 300 per night (about $20–30) in city hostels. For example, in Stockholm I stayed at a popular backpacker hostel for around 250 SEK/night including linens, and in Gothenburg I found a dorm bed for as low as 195 SEK.

These places often come with perks vital to budget travelers: communal kitchens (to cook your own food), free Wi-Fi, sometimes even a free breakfast or coffee. I cherished the hostel vibe – meeting fellow travelers in the lounge – and didn’t mind the bunk-bed life when it saved me big bucks.

But I didn’t always pay for a bed. Sweden’s unique “Allemansrätten” – the Right of Public Access – was a game changer for my budget. This law allows anyone to camp in the wild for free on uncultivated land, as long as you respect nature and private property.

So on a couple of nights, I skipped town and pitched my tent by a lake or in a quiet forest clearing. Imagine waking up to sunrise over a mirror-calm lake, with no one around but birds – and knowing it didn’t cost a single krona!

Thanks to Sweden’s Right to Roam, I could camp by a lake for free – an unforgettable (and budget-friendly) experience. Wild camping saved me money and gave me some of my most memorable nights. (Of course, I followed the rules: staying only a night or two in one spot, keeping away from homes, and leaving no trace.)

When I craved a real roof or hot shower but still wanted to save, I turned to campsites. Sweden has hundreds of official campgrounds with facilities, and even these are relatively cheap – roughly 160–200 SEK per night for a tent spot, still cheaper than a hostel.

Some campgrounds offer kitchens and laundry, and I got to chat with road-tripping families and other campers. I also learned that many Swedish campsites and hostels are part of the STF (Swedish Tourist Association) network; an STF membership gives small discounts, so consider it if you’ll use several of their hostels.

Another zero-cost lodging option I used was Couchsurfing. It’s active in major Swedish cities, with friendly hosts offering a free spare bed or couch. I spent one night as a guest of a Stockholm local – not only did I save money, I got a personal tour of the city’s hidden gems from my host.

Couchsurfing, of course, requires planning and courtesy (always message well in advance and be a respectful guest), but it exemplifies the travel principle: “When you can’t spend money, spend time and goodwill.”

Accommodation tips to save money: Book early if traveling in peak summer (July) – hostels fill up. Carry a sleeping bag liner or lightweight sheet; many hostels charge extra (perhaps 50 SEK) for bedding rental, so bringing your own can save a bit.

Also, consider alternatives like renting a simple cabin with friends – outside cities you can find basic cottages or Airbnb rooms for $30–50 a night which, split between two people, can be budget-friendly.

But for my solo, city-hopping trip, hostel dorms, camping, and couchsurfing kept my accommodation costs well under $20 most nights.

Affordable Food in Sweden

I’m a foodie at heart, but in Sweden I quickly learned that eating out for every meal would annihilate my $50/day budget.

A sit-down restaurant easily costs 200 SEK ($20) or more per meal – not feasible for me. So I adopted a strategy of self-catering and savvy snacking.

Each time I passed through a town, I hit the grocery store. Grocery prices in Sweden are fairly reasonable and much cheaper than restaurants. For about 600–700 SEK I could buy a week’s worth of basic groceries – that’s roughly $60–70 for breakfast, dinner, and some lunches taken care of.

I loaded up on staples: pasta and sauce, bread and sandwich fixings, eggs, oatmeal, bananas, and of course some Swedish cheese and cured ham. If your hostel offers free breakfast or free coffee/tea, take advantage.

Mine in Stockholm had free pasta (just pasta, uncooked) in the communal kitchen – it sounds funny, but it meant I and other backpackers cooked huge pots of free spaghetti and just added our own store-bought sauce. Instant cheap dinner!

For lunches and snacks on the go, I found plenty of wallet-friendly local eats. One of my favorites was the ubiquitous korv stands – little street kiosks selling hot dogs for about 25–30 SEK (roughly $3). A grilled sausage with mashed potatoes or a bun is a classic Swedish quick bite and kept me full while sightseeing.

In cities, look for street food markets or stands: I got hearty falafel wraps in Malmö for around 60 SEK and a tasty Thai noodle box in Stockholm for 65 SEK. These kind of fast-casual takeaways (often run by immigrant communities) offer filling portions for under 100 SEK.

Also, keep an eye out for dagens lunch – many restaurants have a “daily lunch special” or buffet for about 100–120 SEK. I indulged in a fantastic all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet in Stockholm’s Old Town for 105 SEK and it was the best value meal of my trip.

Cooking for yourself doesn’t mean missing out on local flavor. I visited a farmers’ market in Gothenburg and picked up fresh lingonberries and chanterelle mushrooms on the cheap, which made my hostel pasta feel gourmet.

I also tried Swedish fika on a budget by getting coffee and a cinnamon bun from a convenience store bakery rather than a fancy cafe – a cup of coffee is about 30–40 SEK in a cafe, but many 7-Elevens or petrol stations have decent brew for half that.

A pro-tip: bring a reusable water bottle and drink tap water everywhere. Sweden’s tap water is pristine (often better than bottled), and it’s free – I never spent money on water or soda.

Alcohol can be a budget-buster thanks to high taxes. A beer at a bar runs 50–75 SEK (around $6–8), and cocktails even more. To save money (and still be social), I mostly skipped the bar scene.

I did enjoy a couple of beers bought from Systembolaget (the government liquor store) for about 20 SEK each and shared with new friends at the hostel – much cheaper than pub prices. If you’re really watching your funds, consider limiting alcohol; it’s a fast way to blow through kronor.

Food money-saving tips: Shop at discount supermarkets like Lidl or Willys if available – they often have the lowest prices. Check weekly store flyers or “red price” tags for sales; I scored a bulk deal on pasta and saved a few krona (every little bit helps!).

Take advantage of hostel “free food” shelves – many travelers leave unused items like pasta, rice, or spices behind. I concocted a pretty good stew one night with free lentils and spices left in the hostel kitchen by departing backpackers. Finally, embrace simple meals.

I often had oatmeal with fruit for breakfast (maybe 10 SEK cost), picnic sandwiches for lunch (15 SEK), and a home-cooked dinner for under 40 SEK. By minimizing restaurant meals, I kept my daily food costs around 100–150 SEK ($10–15) – and I certainly never went hungry.

Getting Around

Sweden is a large country, but I found ways to travel around without breaking the bank. The key is balancing speed, comfort, and cost – and often, sacrificing a bit of speed for big savings.

Within cities, I walked a lot. Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö – all are very walkable and pedestrian-friendly. Strolling the neighborhoods is free and often the best way to stumble on hidden gems. When I needed to go farther or my feet were dog-tired, I used public transportation.

City transit in Sweden is excellent: buses, trams, and metro are clean and efficient. A single ticket in Stockholm costs 38 SEK (about $4), but I saved by getting a multi-day transit pass. For instance, a 7-day unlimited pass in Stockholm is 415 SEK – if you’re staying several days, this brings per-day transit costs way down (and you don’t have to worry about buying tickets each time).

Gothenburg had a 3-day bus/tram pass for 210 SEK, which I also found worthwhile. Always check if your destination city offers a tourist card or transit pass – it can include unlimited transport and sometimes attraction discounts.

In my case, I stuck to just transit passes and free sights, but others raved about the Stockholm Pass (which bundles many museum entries, though it’s only worth it if you’re a heavy sightseer).

To travel between cities on a budget, buses were my best friend. Sweden has comfortable long-distance buses (like FlixBus and Vy/ Nettbuss) that connect major cities and towns, often at a fraction of the train price.

I booked a FlixBus from Stockholm to Gothenburg for 299 SEK ($28) by booking a few weeks early. Booking in advance (3–4 weeks) is crucial – it snagged me fares about 40–50% off.

Last-minute, the same bus could cost 500+ SEK. As an example, an 8-hour bus from Stockholm to Malmö is typically 280–370 SEK, and I met someone who booked early and paid just 200 SEK.

Yes, bus rides are long (Stockholm to Gothenburg took 6.5 hours), but I just considered it part of the adventure – I watched the countryside roll by, napped, and saved money on what would have been a night’s hostel if I took an overnight route.

Trains in Sweden are faster but can be pricey. The state-run SJ trains are wonderfully comfortable and quick – Stockholm to Gothenburg by train takes ~3.5 hours instead of 6.5 – but a full-price ticket can be over 600 SEK.

I managed to get one discounted train ticket for 250 SEK by using the MTR X service (a private competitor on the Stockholm–Gothenburg line) in a sale. If you love trains, look for deals: advance purchase on SJ or MTR can yield fares as low as 185 SEK for Stockholm–Gothenburg.

There are also rail passes (Interrail/Eurail) but for just a week in one country, those usually don’t pay off unless you’re traveling every day. Since I was on such a tight budget, I mostly stuck to the cheaper buses. Another trick: overnight trains/buses.

I took an overnight train to Lapland on a past trip which doubled as accommodation, but note that even a seat on the overnight train Stockholm–Lapland can cost 700+ SEK.

On this $50/day journey, I skipped long-distance night trains due to cost, but I did take a night bus once – saving the cost of a hostel for that night (just be ready to snooze upright!).

Within regions, I found that regional travel passes in summer can be an incredible bargain. Sweden’s counties offer summer cards with unlimited local travel. For example, in Skåne (southern Sweden), a summer ticket valid mid-June to mid-August costs 829 SEK (about $80) for unlimited bus/train in the region!

I wasn’t in one place long enough to justify buying a summer card, but if you plan to spend your whole week in one region (say, Skåne or around Gothenburg), it’s worth looking into these deals.

Even Stockholm had a summer deal but only for under-20 youth. These passes are a fantastic way to explore extensively without racking up extra cost per trip.

Other transportation tips: Use transportation apps or websites like Rome2Rio or Google Maps which helped me compare transit options and find the cheapest routes. In cities, some bike-sharing programs or e-scooters are available – fun, but check the price as they can add up per minute.

I mostly avoided taxis (pretty expensive – I saw meter rates that would easily be 300+ SEK for a short ride, so nope!). And while I didn’t try it this time, hitchhiking is occasionally done in rural Sweden – it’s quite safe generally, but you need patience.

If you’re very adventurous and time-rich, hitchhiking or rideshare communities (e.g. a local rideshare app) could cut transport costs to near zero. For most travelers though, the bus will be the go-to budget choice.

By optimizing my travel (and not bouncing to a new far-off city every single day), I kept transportation costs to around $5–10 per day on average – some days nothing, other days a bigger ticket – and it stayed manageable within my $50 budget.

Free & Low-Cost Things to Do

Exploring Sweden’s attractions turned out to be the highlight of my trip – and happily, many of the best experiences were free or very cheap. With a little research and local insight, I filled my week with activities that didn’t dent my budget.

Embrace the outdoors – it’s free! Sweden is a paradise for nature lovers, and all that open-air beauty costs nothing. I hiked forest trails, strolled along scenic waterfronts, and even took a refreshing dip in a lake (very Scandinavian!).

One day in the north, I wandered through Abisko National Park and was blown away by the mountain views and wildflowers – entry to all national parks is completely free. In total, Sweden has 30 national parks, plus countless nature reserves, and you can enjoy them without paying a cent.

I also visited local city parks like Stockholm’s Djurgården and Gothenburg’s Slottsskogen – the latter even has a free mini-zoo where I saw moose and seals at no charge. Simply lounging in a park with a picnic is a joy on long summer evenings.

Thanks to the Right to Roam, I even foraged some wild blueberries on my hikes (free snacks!). If you’re here in winter, watching the Northern Lights or cross-country skiing in the woods can be magical free adventures as well (just bundle up).

Sweden’s cities offer plenty of free culture too. In Stockholm, I joined a free walking tour (tip-based) that guided me through Gamla Stan (Old Town) with entertaining stories of its medieval past – well worth the small tip I gave. Many major cities have these volunteer-run tours; they’re a great introduction to history and help you meet other travelers.

After the tour, I continued exploring Gamla Stan’s narrow lanes on my own – soaking up the ambiance costs nothing, and there are lots of street performers and medieval alleys to discover. I also took advantage of Sweden’s generous museum policies.

Did you know dozens of museums in Stockholm have free entry either every day or on certain days? It’s true – for example, the Stockholm City Museum and Medieval Museum are always free, and the National Museum of Art has free admission on Thursday evenings.

I spent a rainy afternoon engrossed in the Swedish History Museum which had no entry fee (some exhibits were paid, but I stuck to the free sections). Checking the schedule, I timed a visit to the Nobel Prize Museum on a free entry day. Wherever I went, I flashed my student ID for discounts (students often get reduced tickets).

Even paid attractions weren’t too bad if you budget for a must-see: The Vasa Museum (home of a 1600s wooden warship) was fascinating and cost 170 SEK (~$17) – I opted to go because maritime history is my weakness, but I balanced it by doing free things the rest of that day.

Outside the big cities, heritage sites and small-town charms await at little or no cost. I visited the old university town of Uppsala and saw its cathedral (free entry) and wandered the botanical garden (also free).

In Kiruna (far north), I didn’t pay to do an expensive mine tour or anything – instead I walked around the unusual church and watched the midnight sun from a hill.

Coastal villages, medieval church towns like Gammelstad, or just driving (or bussing) through the countryside to see red cottages and lakes – these are the experiences that don’t require tickets.

When I did want some structured activities, I looked for discounts and local advice. For instance, in Gothenburg, I found a half-price ticket to the Liseberg amusement park by going late in the day.

And in Stockholm, rather than paying for an expensive boat tour of the archipelago, I used the public ferry (part of the transit system) to visit a nearby island for just the cost of a transit ticket – I still got my scenic boat ride on the cheap! Some other ideas I learned from fellow travelers: many Swedish cities host free festivals, concerts, and public events in summer.

I stumbled on a free outdoor music performance in Stockholm’s Kungsträdgården park – a full evening of entertainment at no cost. Always check city event calendars; there might be a cultural festival, open-air market, or celebration during your visit that you can enjoy for free.

Bottom line: You don’t need to spend a fortune on attractions to enjoy Sweden. Fill your itinerary with the country’s natural beauty, walkable historic neighborhoods, free museums, and local experiences.

By doing so, I kept my activities/entertainment expenses to a minimum – most days I spent little or nothing on sights, yet I was never bored. In Sweden, some of the best things (like a sunset over the Baltic, or a hike in a pine forest) really are free.

One-Week Budget Breakdown (Approximate)

To show how it all comes together, here’s a simplified breakdown of my one-week, $50/day budget in Sweden:

I ended up slightly above $50 on a couple of days (Stockholm days can be pricier), but other days I spent much less.

Overall, I managed to stick close to the $350 target for the week. By tracking my expenses in a notebook, I knew where I stood and adjusted if needed (for example, after an $18 museum day, I made sure the next day was full of free stuff).

Final Thoughts

Traveling Sweden on $50 a day can be done, and done joyfully. My week was packed with rich experiences: I savored herring and meatballs from street stalls, trekked through sunlit forests, enjoyed vibrant city life, and connected with locals and fellow backpackers, all while keeping on budget.

The keys to success were planning ahead (for cheap transit and lodging), living like a local (shopping at supermarkets, using public transit, enjoying free outdoor life), and staying flexible.

If you’re dreaming of Nordic adventures but worried about cost, don’t be discouraged. A frugal, fulfilling trip across Sweden is absolutely possible on $50 a day.

Pack your backpack, bring your curiosity, and remember that in Sweden, nature is free, hospitality is warm, and every krona saved is a krona you can spend on your next adventure.