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When is the queue shortest at Arlanda?

What Swedavia says about busy times, live queue times, Fast Track and how early to arrive.

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Short answer

Swedavia does not name a quietest time, but it says Arlanda generally has more traffic in the morning and that longer waits can also occur at other times. The security wait times on its website and app are real time and change quickly. Fast Track, bought through your airline, is the quickest way through security.

Arlanda and alternatives Illustration of a water bottle, a luggage locker, a toilet sign and a clock

Why

  1. According to Swedavia, in the morning Arlanda generally has more traffic, and longer waiting times can also occur temporarily during other parts of the day.
  2. According to Swedavia, the security wait times shown on its website are real time and can change quickly, so they are not suited to deciding when to leave for the airport.
  3. According to Swedavia, Fast Track is the quickest way through the security checkpoint, you buy it through your airline, and it is available in Terminals 2 and 5.

Details

Swedavia recommends arriving 1.5 hours before departure on domestic flights, 2 to 2.5 hours within Europe and 3 to 3.5 hours outside Europe. Security in Terminal 2 is open daily 04:30–21:00 and in Terminal 5 daily 03:45–22:00, and for flights before 05:00 it opens two hours before departure. Being prepared makes the process faster, and for passport checks and the EU Entry/Exit System see what the EES is and how it affects travel to Sweden. More on getting to and from the airport is in Arlanda and alternatives.

Tip

Check the live wait time, but plan your arrival by Swedavia's recommended times, and be at the counter when check-in opens if you are checking baggage.

What may differ

Swedavia says the right arrival time depends on baggage, whether you check in at a machine or a counter, documents, border control and the time of day. Terminal 5 lets liquids and electronics stay in the bag, while Terminal 2 requires liquids in a one-litre bag.

Common misconception

The wait time shown on Swedavia's website tells you how long the queue will be when you arrive.

What actually happens

According to Swedavia, the queue times on the web are real time and can change quickly, so they should not be used to decide when to leave for the airport.

People also ask

  • What is the best time to avoid queues at Arlanda?
  • Why are there long queues at Arlanda?
  • What times are busiest at Arlanda?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Swedavia before you travel.

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