Förare
Visiting from abroadChina

First Visit to Stockholm from China

Updated 3 min read

A first trip from China to Stockholm is usually a long one, often with a connection through another hub, landing after enough hours that finding your way through an unfamiliar airport is the last thing you want to be figuring out. Two practical things are worth having sorted before you fly: your visa documentation, and a plan for payment, since Sweden runs on cards and mobile payments far more than cash, and not every international card works smoothly with every Swedish system.

This guide covers what to expect at the border and how to plan around payment, whether you're paying for things yourself or a Swedish-based contact is helping arrange your transport.

Visa and border entry

Chinese passport holders generally need a Schengen visa to visit Sweden for tourism, arranged before travel through the relevant consulate or visa centre. Keep your visa, invitation letter if you have one, and any other supporting documents in your carry-on rather than checked luggage, since these are what you may be asked to show at the border check on arrival.

Once you clear that check, there's no second passport control elsewhere in the country during your stay, whether you're heading into central Stockholm or further out into the wider service area.

Payment in a near-cashless country

Sweden is one of the most cashless countries in Europe — cards and mobile payment are the default nearly everywhere, and carrying cash for a Swedish trip is largely unnecessary. The practical issue for some Chinese travellers is that not every domestically issued card works reliably for international online payments, which matters for booking things like a fixed-price transfer before you fly.

If your own card doesn't work for the online booking, a Swedish-based host, business contact or hotel can book the pickup on your behalf using their own card — there's no requirement that the passenger is the one who pays.

If someone in Sweden is booking for you

Whoever books on your behalf just needs your flight number and arrival details — the driver's name, phone number and licence plate are then sent to whichever contact number was given at booking, so make sure that's a number that will actually reach you, or have the details forwarded to you once they land.

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

Do I need a visa to visit Sweden from China?

Most Chinese passport holders need a Schengen visa for a tourist visit to Sweden, arranged in advance — check current requirements with the relevant consulate before you travel.

Can I pay for a booking if my Chinese card doesn't work online for international sites?

Yes — a Swedish-based host, contact or hotel can book and pay on your behalf with their own card, and the driver's details are sent to whichever number is given at booking.

Is Sweden really cashless, or should I still carry some?

Cards and mobile payment cover almost everything in Sweden day to day — carrying cash for a typical trip is largely unnecessary.

Will passport control take a long time at Arlanda?

How long the check takes varies by time and day rather than anything specific to your nationality — having your visa and documents ready in your carry-on is the main thing that keeps it moving smoothly.

What if my flight from China is delayed or I miss a connection?

Give us the flight number for the leg that lands at Arlanda and we track it live, so your pickup time follows the actual landing time.

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 Visiting from abroad