10 essential tips about Sweden by motorhome or camper
What to know before visiting Sweden by motorhome or camper?
1. Before visiting Sweden in a motorhome or campervan, you should know that the currency is the Swedish krona. Although it's a different currency than the Euro, don't worry, you can pay for everything by card (you can pay for anything there by card, even something as small as €1). Just make sure you bring a card that doesn't charge currency exchange fees . For example, we have the Evo card, which doesn't charge fees for currency exchange or for withdrawing cash from any ATM worldwide. Before you leave, carefully review the terms and conditions of any cards you have, and if you don't have one, look for one like this.
2. There's no still bottled water in any supermarket. They only sell sparkling water. Also, there are no water fountains on the street due to the winter frosts. So, fill your trunk with bottles and refill them at the designated water stations for your campervan or motorhome. Ideally, use your own hose... just in case someone else has decided to use the public water supply for other things... you know... Luckily, Swedish tap water is of high quality.
3. There aren't as many motorhome areas with services as here, neither free nor even those that require a small fee… So, if you're traveling to Sweden in a motorhome or campervan and don't want to camp, you'll have to plan your waste disposal and water filling. You'll find the most toilet disposal and water filling points along the motorways . When there's a rest area with toilets, they usually have a portable toilet disposal point and a drinking water tap right next to them . It's harder to find places to empty grey water, but they do exist. However, nothing is ever signposted, so don't look for signs specifically for motorhome disposal. Without a doubt, the Parking4night app, or something similar, is essential in this country. For us, it was a great help in organizing our waste disposal and water filling.
4. The roads are generally free. Furthermore, the main roads are in pretty good condition; you'll only encounter unpaved sections during roadworks. You'll start seeing reindeer once you cross the Arctic Circle. Be careful, don't speed. Also, if you see black garbage bags hanging from trees or fences along the road, there are definitely reindeer there, so keep an eye out. The Sami people put them up to warn others that they have a herd nearby.
5. The average summer temperature is 18°C. Highs range from 15°C to 30°C. It rains quite a bit, but it's usually a light drizzle. If you're going to Sweden in your motorhome or campervan, pack mostly technical clothing, like trekking gear, for spring and autumn, as you'll use it most often, and some summer and winter clothes for the extremes. A raincoat, swimsuit, and water shoes for rivers, lakes, and beaches are three essentials. In Sweden, you'll see that as soon as the sun comes out, people go swimming at the beaches even if it's only 15°C; you'll probably end up swimming too.
6. Stock up your campervan or motorhome's pantry before arriving in Sweden. Food is almost three times more expensive than in Spain . Rice is nearly €3 per kilo and a beef steak costs €40... these are just a couple of examples. At lunchtime, restaurants offer a "dagens ratt" (dish of the day) , which is a good meal for €8-13. The daily special includes a main course, a drink, and a salad. Oh, and coffee with pastries ( "fika" ) is practically a Swedish national pastime; they drink it at all hours—a whole ritual you have to experience.
7. Along the road you'll see signs for "Loppis" . These are private homes where people clean and hold their own secondhand markets. A fun experience and some great finds guaranteed!
8. In Sweden, many museums are free , and almost all are designed with children in mind. Many of these free museums have a donation box; it's always nice to contribute a little to help keep them that way.
9. The sale of alcoholic beverages over 3° is monopolized by the State in stores called “Systembolag”. If you want a beer like the Spanish ones, you'll have to go there and pay almost €3 for each one.
10. If you're coming to Sweden in the summer with your motorhome or campervan and don't want the kids waking you up at 2 a.m. demanding hot chocolate, bring sleep masks . Here, in summer, there's no real night, and the further north you go, the worse it gets!
Sweden photo gallery by motorhome
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thanks for the information, I had to have left on day 15 but due to the issue that we are having, I postpone it for next year
These days are being difficult for everyone. We with all the enthusiasm were also going to travel to Morocco for 20 days and finally everyone at home. The important thing is that we will get out of this and sooner rather than later we will all be traveling again and alive, the most important thing! A hug Javier and encouragement for these days we live
Hello, I am going to start reading your blog, which I find most interesting. Our intention is to prepare the trip to Cabo Noerte by motorhome in June 2021. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Je viens de vous lire car nous avons l idea de parte au mois de juillet en suede en camping car.
Vous mavez déjà bien eclaire sur plein de choses et vous en remercie.
Il nous reste à préparer notre itinéraire.
Merci mon ami, content de t'avoir aidé. Toutes les questions, nous sommes ici. You apprécierez surement le voyage.
Many thanks. Beautiful photos!!
Après avoir fait la Norvège et le CapNord. Nous prévoyons la Suède au mois de June 2023.
Merci pour vos conseils et vos beauties photos
Thanks to you! un plaisir de vous aider, même si notre français est très très rudimentaire, mille excuses
Good afternoon, interesting your page.
In May 2023 we plan to rent a camper from Stockholm to Norway, the Bergen fjords etc.
We are trying to plan the trip but we are concerned about the few places to park the camper, your advice would be great.
We live in Argentina but we are Spanish.
Thank you very much and good year 2023, with Peace and Health.
Best regards.
Hi Alejandro, we're here to help with anything you need. If you're interested, we offer a personalized route planning service that you can request here: https://www.kucavana.es/asesoria-autocaravana/
Hello, a very nice trip, we are Spanish and we are in it, a bit of a total adventure, we are currently in Malmo, from here, we will take it easy, we want to reach the North Cape, we are doing a retirement trip, like this Thank you very much for the information, it has been useful and encouragement, beautiful photos. Health
Thanks Pilar. Enjoy your trip very much. It is a great trip to the North Cape, something that you have to live as you will slowly to savor it as it deserves 🙂 Hugs from your colleagues from the Kucavana
Good afternoon, I came across you by chance. This summer we are going from Switzerland to travel through Sweden, Finland and North Cape and, looking for information, it has been wonderful to find you since our trip is going to be “very similar” to yours. We have all summer to enjoy these two countries and part of northern Norway. Your blog is super complete. THANK YOU!!!
Thank you for this lovely comment Elisa, kind words always resonate very well in our speech. A hug 🙂