Travelling with Ski Bags, Bikes or Camping Gear from Arlanda
A ski bag, a bike box or a full set of camping gear takes up a different kind of space than a normal suitcase — long, awkward, or simply bulky in ways that a standard car boot wasn't designed around. Working out whether your gear actually fits before you land, rather than discovering it doesn't at the terminal, is worth five minutes at the booking stage.
This guide explains how our vehicle categories handle oversized outdoor gear, and how the luggage system actually counts space, so you can pick the right car with confidence rather than guessing.
How luggage space actually works
Rather than a vague "how many bags" question, our booking system counts luggage in units: a large item — a full suitcase, a ski bag, a bike box — counts as two units of space, while a small item, like a backpack or a boot bag, counts as one. Each vehicle category has a stated unit capacity, so you can add up what you're bringing and match it to a category before you book, instead of hoping it fits on the day.
This matters most for exactly the gear that doesn't behave like normal luggage — a ski bag or bike box is long and inflexible in a way that two suitcases of the same total volume aren't, so the unit system is there to make sure the vehicle you book has genuinely usable space for the shape of what you're carrying, not just its volume on paper.
Which category fits what
For most travellers with ski equipment or a bike box alongside normal luggage, the SUV/XL category is the practical choice — it comfortably takes around four large items (so a ski bag or bike box plus a suitcase or two per person, within reason) while still seating up to six passengers.
For a larger group travelling together with a full set of gear each — a family or small group all bringing ski bags, or several bike boxes for a cycling trip — the minibus category gives both the seating and the luggage space to keep everyone and everything in one vehicle rather than splitting across two cars.
- Standard saloon/estate: fine for normal city-break luggage, tight for a ski bag or bike box alongside more than one other large item
- SUV/XL: the practical choice for a ski bag, bike box, or bulky camping gear alongside standard luggage, seats up to six
- Minibus: for a larger group each bringing their own oversized item, seats up to eight with full luggage space
Working out what you need before you book
Count each large item — ski bag, bike box, big suitcase, full camping pack — as two units, and each small item — day pack, boot bag, small holdall — as one unit. Add it up per traveller, then check that total against the stated capacity of the category you're considering. If you're close to the limit or unsure, it's worth booking the category above rather than finding out at the terminal that something doesn't fit.
Camping and outdoor gear beyond skis and bikes
The same unit logic applies to any other bulky outdoor gear — a large rucksack with a tent strapped on, a duffel of camping equipment, oversized outdoor clothing bags. If a single item is large and awkward rather than small and soft, count it as a large unit and size your vehicle category accordingly.
Booking with oversized gear
- Add up your luggage in units — large items count double — for everyone travelling together.
- Choose the vehicle category whose stated capacity comfortably covers that total, not just meets it exactly.
- Add your flight number and pay by card; your fixed price accounts for the vehicle category you've chosen, agreed before you fly.
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
- 60 minutes free waiting, from actual landing
- No terminal fee
- No surge pricing, ever
- Free cancellation up to 12 hours
Questions people ask before booking
Does a ski bag count as one item or more?
A ski bag counts as one large item, which is two units of luggage space in our system — the same as a full-size suitcase.
Can a bike box fit in a standard car?
It's tight in a standard saloon or estate alongside other luggage. The SUV/XL category is the more reliable fit for a bike box, and the minibus for more than one.
What if my group has a mix of ski bags and normal suitcases?
Count each ski bag as two units and each suitcase as two units, add them up per person, and choose a category whose stated capacity covers the total comfortably.
Is there an extra charge for oversized items like ski bags or bike boxes?
The price is set by the vehicle category you choose at booking, not itemised per bag — pick the category that fits your total luggage and the fixed price covers it.
What's the largest group you can take with full ski or camping gear?
Our minibus category seats up to eight passengers with room for a full set of oversized gear between them, making it the right choice for larger groups.
Should I book a larger category if I'm not sure my gear will fit?
Yes — if your total is close to a category's stated limit, booking the next category up avoids any uncertainty at the terminal.