From the far end of T5, the north entrance usually wins
If you arrive on a non‑Schengen long‑haul at the northern end of Terminal 5, walking to Arlanda Express North can save 5–10 minutes compared with backtracking toward SkyCity and the southern access. Both entrances feed into the same 18‑minute train to Stockholm Central, so the only real difference is how far you drag your bag through T5.
The train itself is the standard Arlanda Express: about 18 minutes to Stockholm Central, $33–39 one way for adults (roughly 320–360 SEK), with the same pricing from any station entrance. Trains run every 10–15 minutes for most of the day, and the north and south accesses share the same platforms, so you never “miss out” by choosing the closer one.
How to use Arlanda Express North step by step
- 1. Clear arrivals in T5. After passport control on the far northern side of Terminal 5, stay in that zone instead of walking toward terminals 4 and 3 or SkyCity; regulars on Reddit point out this is where many people accidentally add several hundred extra meters.
- 2. Follow “Arlanda Express” signs, not just “trains.” Ignore the first generic “train/tåg” arrows and hunt for the red Arlanda Express logo; forum posts note the generic signs often funnel you toward SkyCity and the commuter rail instead of the closer north access.
- 3. Head down via escalator or elevator. The northern access has direct escalator and lift access; some frequent flyers with heavy luggage choose this route specifically, even if it means catching the next departure 10–15 minutes later.
- 4. Buy your ticket. Use the platform‑area machines to pay ~320–360 SEK, or tap a card if your bank allows contactless; prices match the southern entrance exactly, with no “airport surcharge” differences.
- 5. Board any Arlanda Express. All trains here run to Stockholm Central with no intermediate stops, and the ride clocks in at about 18 minutes door to door once you depart ARN.
What regulars do
Frequent ARN passengers check their arrival gate: if it’s on the northern T5 piers, they head straight to Arlanda Express North instead of walking toward SkyCity. Some Reddit threads mention deliberately ignoring the first “trains” arrows and scanning overhead for the specific “Arlanda Express” wording to avoid ending up at the wrong bank of escalators.
Watch out for
Wayfinding complaints pop up a lot: overlapping signage at the far end of T5 sends some people past the north access and into SkyCity, adding 5–10 minutes of walking. Also, even though the northern entrance can feel quieter right after certain long‑haul arrivals, the trains themselves are shared with the south side and can still be crowded at peak 10–15 minute intervals.
Tip: Before you leave the gate area in Terminal 5, check the airport map on your phone and aim for the nearest Arlanda Express icon; a 2‑minute check can save a 10‑minute hike with luggage.