Exploring Sweden's vast distances between cities and tourist attractions may lead to the idea of renting a car. It allows you to discover the country beyond a single city or resort.
Car Rental Prices in Sweden
All the major Eurozone car rental companies - Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, and others - are represented in Sweden, so the range of offers is quite wide. As everywhere else in the world, the prices for car rental in Sweden depend on the model class.
The average cost of renting an economy car from a large company is about 550 SEK per day. Smaller rental companies often lure customers with lower rates, but you can't relax for a minute with them: you may be charged for old damage that wasn't your fault.
On the other hand, you can save money on car rental in Sweden by booking cars in advance on the rental company's website. The reservation is not for a specific model, but for the class of car.
If there are no cars of the stated class available at the rental office when you arrive, you have the right to request a car of a higher class.
Fly&Drive, a popular service in Europe, can be used for an additional fee and will deliver a car directly to the airport on the day you arrive in Sweden.
Conditions for Renting a Car in Sweden
The car rental service is available to people over the age of 18 with a credit card and an international driver's license obtained at least one year ago. Some companies refuse to rent luxury cars to drivers under 25 or charge an additional youth fee.
The cost of renting a car in Sweden includes:
- Unlimited kilometers driven during the rental period;
- Civil MTPL insurance;
- Insurance in case of theft and traffic accidents;
- Local taxes and fees.
Super insurance and the installation of anti-skid chains, a navigator, a child seat for children up to 135 cm tall, and a second luggage rack for ski equipment are paid by the tenant separately.
The Peculiarities of Driving in Sweden
- There are no tolls on highways in Sweden. Only two bridges in the country are subject to tolls: Eresundsbrun between Copenhagen and Malmö and Svinesundsbrun on the highway between Gothenburg and Oslo. The toll for the Eresundsbrun bridge is 375 SEK; the Svinesundsbrun bridge is 23 SEK.
- Parking lots in Sweden are for the most part toll-free. Although the number of parking spaces is limited, stopping in an inappropriate place is subject to a hefty fine of 1400 SEK or more.
- In order to relieve the pressure on the historic center in major cities, a system of Park&Ride has been introduced, which gives customers of discounted parking in the suburbs the right to free travel on public transport.
- The cost of parking in the open parking lot is from 10 to 30 SEK per hour; in the underground parking lot - from 30 to 60 SEK per hour; in the evening, there are discounts.
- Parking is possible only on the right side.
- At any time of day, it is necessary to drive the vehicle with dipped beam on. The use of seat belts is also obligatory for passengers occupying the rear seat.
- The car must be provided with the essentials: first aid kit, fire extinguisher, emergency stop sign, tow rope, and reflective vest for the driver. In winter, antifreeze and a shovel will also be needed; tire replacement is mandatory.
- The permissible blood alcohol content of a driver is up to 0.2 ppm, and the consequences of drunk driving are not limited to a fine. Standard penalties include community service and imprisonment.
- Deer and elk often run out onto the roads, so it's important to remain extremely alert on backcountry highways. After an unexpected encounter with a large animal, the Swedish authorities' demand to adhere to speed limits of 70-100 km/h outside the city limits and 110-120 km/h on main highways is no longer objectionable.
- The strictest speed limits in Sweden are set in populated areas - from 30 to 60 km/h. A fine for exceeding the speed limits of 1500 to 4000 SEK is a serious blow to the budget of a trip.
The observance of traffic rules in Sweden is strictly monitored by inspections during the day and night. Administrative responsibility is provided for the use and transportation of radar detectors. By the way, it is not possible to negotiate with the inspector "amicably" here: traffic fines in Sweden are paid not on the spot, but by cashless payment.
The cost of gasoline in Sweden
Gasoline prices in Sweden have shown a slow but steady upward trend over the past two years. Rates for unleaded A-95 gasoline reached 14.63 SEK (1.33 EUR) as of early 2016; for A-98, the cost of a liter of gasoline in Sweden rose to 15.18 SEK (1.38 EUR).
Cheap leaded gasoline is banned for sale in the kingdom, so you can only save money on filling up with LPG fuel, which is still relatively inexpensive - 9.78 SEK (0.98 EUR) per liter. The cost of diesel fuel is almost close to the cost of gasoline A-95 and currently stands at 14.53 SEK (1.23 EUR).
The majority of gas stations in Sweden are self-service; payment is done with a bank card.
