Practical information for visitors to Stockholm and IETF 75

Photo: Niklas Alm

IETF 75 Google map

IETF 75 food map

Download-and-bring

Most of the information on this web page is now available for download in PDF format for off-line (or paper) reading.

• Getting around and finding things to do and eat
• Practicalities
• Welcome reception and social at the Vasa
• .SE  is pleased to announce the social event
• Stockholm City Conference Center overview map
• Stockholm City Conference Center congress hall map
• IETF75 in Stockholm map
  
• IETF75 food map
• IETF75 extra map

Detailed description

The conference venue and hotels are located in the city centre of Stockholm. Most participants will arrive at Arlanda Airport, about 40 km north of Stockholm.

The following is valid if you arrive at Terminal 5 (most international airlines do, but not all):
When exiting from the customs you continue walking (to the right) for about 50-70 meters. Turn right, and You’re in front of the Arlanda express elevator taking you down to the train platform. This is train station Arlanda North.

If Arriving at any other Terminal than 5 (probably Terminal 2) you just follow a very similar walk, but end up at train station Arlanda South instead.

Buy ticket in vending machine outside customs or down at train platform (works with all major credit cards).   Oneway trip is usually SEK 250 (about US$ 32). During this summer and conference, two persons in company travel for the same price (SEK 250).  If buying ticket on the the train, the price is SEK 50 extra.

The whole train line is only three stops where ‘Arlanda’/ARN is the name of the Airport (Arlanda North -terminal 5, Arlanda South-terminal 2, and Stockholm central station). You get off the train at the only stop after station Arlanda South, some 20 minutes later.

At Stockholm train station, go through nearest exit, and you will end up at the Vasa Street (”Vasagatan”, small white signs at corner of every block will confirm this). At Vasagatan, turn left an walk 5-700 meters (4 blocks) to reach Conference venue

Please have a look at
http://www.ietf75.se/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/ietf-75-google-map.pdf
There you can find the four hotels that IETF secretariat suggested. Most hotels are in a 500 meter radius from train station.

High-speed shuttle train

The quickest and easiest, if not cheapest, way of getting from the airport to the city centre is by the high-speed shuttle train Arlanda Express. All airport terminals have access to underground stations from which the train departs four times per hour. The trip to Stockholm Central Station takes 20 minutes.

Arlanda Express tickets are bought with cash or credit card from vending machines on the platforms or in the airport area. Buying tickets on the train costs extra. A return ticket is 460 Swedish kronor (SEK) (about US$ 57), but in summertime there are usually special 2-for-1 campaigns that you might be able to take advantage of. A maximum of four children, 0-17 years old, travel for free in the company of a paying adult.

Taxi

If you decide to take a taxi from Arlanda Airport to central Stockholm, you should make sure that you get a fixed rate. The ride should cost you no more than around SEK 500 (roughly US$ 65) for a normal car, and no more than SEK 750 (about US$ 95) for a large car taking 5-7 people. Depending on the traffic situation, the taxi ride takes about 40 minutes.

Airport coach

The budget option is going by the Flygbussarna Airport Coaches. A return ticket costs SEK 199 (US$ 25). You can only pay with a credit card onboard the coach, so if you want to use cash you must buy your ticket at the information booth in the airport area. In the city centre the airport coaches arrive at a bus terminal adjacent to Stockholm Central Station. Depending on the traffic situation, the coach ride takes about 40 minutes.

Walking distance from station

From Stockholm Central Station, the main hotel, Clarion Hotel Sign, is only three blocks walking distance away (i.e. a little shorter than your ordinary airport hub walk). Other hotels are also located nearby. Clarion Hotel Sign is situated about 200 metres from the conference venue and the other hotels are not much further off. See maps:

IETF 75 general map

IETF 75 food map

Latitude and weather

Stockholm is situated far north, which means long nights in winter and short nights in summer. At the time of the conference, the sun rises very early in the morning (04:20 AM) and sets late at night (09:30 PM).

The summer weather in Stockholm is quite unreliable. Days in July can be sunny and wonderful with temperature highs of 30° Celsius (86° Farenheit). But they can also be rainy and windy with temperatures as low as 15° C (59° F). So pack for every eventuality and hope for the best. It is also good to know that, in spite of the sun staying up late, temperatures tend to cool down in the evening. The average (24 hours) temperature in Stockholm in July is 17° C (62 ° F).

Electricity

In Sweden, the electricity is 230 V/50 Hz and the so-called “europlug” (CEE 7/16) and “Schuko plug” (CEE 7/4) are used. You can find pictures of the plugs and outlets here (type C & F).

Local currency and ATM

Local currency is Swedish kronor (SEK, aprox SEK 8 to US$1). Major credit cards are generally accepted, even though you sometimes are requested to show a photo identity card when paying.

The swedish word for ATM is ”Bankomat”, and the typical ATM is light blue.

Mobile phones

Most common mobile (cellular) phones work in GSM (900/1800) and 3G (UMTS). There is a regulated maximum price within Europe (voice only, not yet applicable for data transfer, though).

Laundry service

Coinop laundry is not something that really exists in Sweden, as everyone has access to a private or shared washing machine, but there are places where you can have your laundry done for you. These places are normally used for more delicate clothing, but most can also do laundry ”by weight”.

Close to Clarion Hotel is ”Drottningtvätten” (Google Maps link) but if you prefer to do your own laundry you can also try ”Tvättomaten” (Google Maps link) which self-proclaims ”We provide a unique alternative for tourists since Tvattomaten is the only laundry in Stockholm which includes self-service”.

Vacation time

Compared to the European continent, Swedes go on vacation early. July is the biggest vacation month and Stockholm has less of its city pulse than during the rest of the year. The city is partly taken over by tourists from abroad and other regions of Sweden, while many locals leave on their own holiday trips. For visitors this has both advantages and disadvantages. The city is calmer and less crowded, but in less touristy areas services like restaurants can be closed.

Tipping

There is no obligation to leave a tip in Sweden, and gratuity for service charges like hotel staff or hairdressers is already included in your total bill. Tipping is not expected for these type of services in Sweden – with two exceptions:

Swedish tipping behavior changes when you go out to eat or drink. It’s common to leave a small tip of 5-10% in a restaurant or bar. In Sweden, you tip by rounding up the amount of the bill.

For example, if bill for your dinner is 121.60 it would be appropriate to give the waiter an even amount of 130.- in Swedish kronor, the local currency.

Note that you can also give taxi drivers a tip that is a little higher. Also give this tip in form of ”rounding up” to the nearest even amount (e.g. for a charge of 73.50, simply give 80.00 even). (from about.com)

How to reclaim VAT

Here is some info about how to recliam VAT on consumer goods bought in Sweden. Rules vary depending of your country of origin.