A Guide to Stockholm Arlanda Airport Lounges
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Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Stockholm Arlanda Airport is Sweden's largest and busiest airport, serving millions of passengers each year. Located 37 kilometres north of Stockholm, Arlanda provides easy access to the city and surrounding areas through various transportation options. Arlanda Airport is one of the four airports in the Stockholm area.
The airport is the primary hub for Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). With four terminals, Arlanda Airport offers a range of amenities, including restaurants, cafes, duty-free shops, and lounges. The airport also boasts a range of services, from free WiFi to prayer rooms and a medical centre.
SkyCity is the commercial area between Terminals 4 and 5 on the landside. It is the heart of Arlanda Airport. Skycity is full of restaurants and bars, shops and there are even hotels. Arlanda C railway station is located in the Skycity.
Terminal Layout
Stockholm Arlanda Airport has four connected terminals. Terminal 2 in the south is used mainly by oneworld and SkyTeam airlines. Other airlines use Terminals 4 and 5 in the north. Terminal 1 does not exist and Terminal 3 is closed after the pandemic.
All terminal buildings are connected. It is possible to walk between Terminals 4 and 5 on the airside. However, there is no walkable airside connection between Terminal 2 and Terminal 4 or 5. To move from Terminal 2 to another terminal, you need to exit the security area or take an airside bus to reach the other terminals:
| Bus | Terminal 2 | Terminal 4 | Terminal 5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen | Gate 70 | Gate 24 | Gate F1 | |||
| Non-Schengen | Gate 61C | Gate 11 | Gate F5 |
If you are departing from Terminal 4 or 5, you can easily access lounges in both of these terminals. Terminal 2 is more isolated and so basically, you are restricted to the services in Terminal 2 only. All the lounges are in the Schengen area so you must clear the passport control after a lounge visit if you are flying to a non-Schengen destination.
Lounges
There are 6 lounges at Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
| Lounge | Terminal | Location | Target Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl Lounge T5 | 5 | Near Gate 1 | Priority Pass LoungeKey Diners Club Eurocard |
| Pearl Lounge C37 | 4 | Near Gate C37 | Priority Pass LoungeKey Diners Club Eurocard |
| Pearl Lounge T2 | 2 | Near Gate 85 | Priority Pass LoungeKey Diners Club Eurocard |
| SAS Lounge | 5 | Near Gate 1 | SAS premium customers |
| SAS Gold Lounge | 5 | Near Gate 1 | Eurobonus Gold / Diamond members Star Alliance Gold members |
| Amex Pop-Up Lounge | 5 | Near Gate F26 | Amex Platinum / Centurion cardholders |
It is important to confirm from your lounge membership provider the exact access terms.
All the lounges are in the Schengen area on the airside.
Pearl Lounge T5
Pearl Lounge T5 is maintained by Menzies Aviation. It is located in Terminal 5 near Gate 1. You need to take an elevator or stairs up to the 4th floor.
The lounge is open for passengers who belong to Priority Pass or LoungeKey Programs. There are discounted prices for Diners Club and Eurocard cardholders. You can also buy single lounge access from Lounge Pass.
This lounge serves only cold snacks and drinks.
Pearl Lounge T5 is the best lounge for travellers departing from Terminal 5 without access to SAS or Amex lounges.
Pearl Lounge C37
Pearl Lounge C37 is also maintained by Menzies Aviation. It is located in Terminal 4 near Gate C37. You need to walk the stairs up or take an elevator straight to the lounge. If you choose to take the stairs, you will find a metal-framed door with a big letter M and the text "lounge" written on it. You need to push the door yourself to enter the lounge.
Pearl Lounge C37 is open for passengers who are a member of Priority Pass or LoungeKey Programs. There are discounted prices for Diners Club and Eurocard cardholders.
This serves only cold snacks and drinks. During our last visit, the lounge did not have a license to serve alcoholic drinks. Even the old coffee machine in the lounge was somehow broken.
Pearl Lounge C37 is the best option for travellers departing from Terminal 4. It is usually quieter than the lounges in Terminal 5. Also, passengers flying out from Terminal 5 can visit Pearl Lounge C37 but you need to reserve 10 minutes more to reach your gate.
Pearl Lounge T2
Like the other Pearl Lounges, this lounge is also maintained by Menzies Aviation. It is located in Terminal 2 after the security check. Near Gate 87, you need to go a floor up to reach the lounge.
Pearl Lounge T2 is open for passengers having a membership of Priority Pass or LoungeKey Programs. There are discounted prices for Diners Club and Eurocard cardholders. You can also buy single lounge access from Lounge Pass.
Catering in Pearl Lounges is simple containing mainly cold dishes and drinks.
Pearl Lounge T2 is the only practical option for passengers flying out from Terminal 2 of Stockholm Arlanda Airport because there is no walkable airside access from Terminal 2 to the other lounges located in Terminals 4 and 5.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Lounges
SAS Lounges are maintained by Scandinaviatin Airlines. They are located in Terminal 5 near Gate 1. You need to take the stairs or elevator up to the fourth floor. The lounges are just next to Pearl Lounge on the left.
The lounge area is divided into two parts. The ordinary SAS Lounge is meant for Plus and Business class passengers and SAS Gold Lounge is for Star Alliance Gold and Diamond members. Plus class is the SAS's best class in regional routes. SAS have Business Class only on long-haul flights.
SAS Lounge is open to travellers flying in First, Business or Plus classes of Scandinavian airlines. Also, other Star Alliance airlines may invite their premium passengers to this Lounge. SAS sells inexpensive lounge passes for their economy passengers.
SAS Lounges serve warm food and drinks. The selection is probably the best when compared to the other Stockholm-Arlanda Lounges.
SAS Lounge and SAS Gold Lounge are one of the best lounges at Stockholm Arlanda Airport but you need an invitation from the airline. Lounge membership cards are not accepted.
Amex Pop-Up Lounge
Amex Pop-Up Lounge is near Gate F26 in Terminal 5. It is called Pop-Up because the traditional Amex Lounge is currently in construction. Amex Pop-Up Lounge is not a typical lounge but a restaurant serving warm food or giving lounge-on-the-go food packages. The lounge is open only for American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders and their guests.
Amex Pop-Up Lounge is the best for passengers departing from Terminal 4 and 5 who are hungry and want to enjoy complimentary warm food.
After the security checkpoint and duty-free Shop, turn right and walk towards Pier F. When you have passed the Uncorked Wine Bar, turn right to find the Amex Pop-Up Lounge. If you are flying out from Terminal 4, you need to reserve 10 minutes extra time to reach your gate after the lounge visit. Passengers flying out from Terminal 2 should not use this lounge because access to Terminal 2 is complicated.
United Spaces Business Lounge
Swedavia lists United Spaces Business Lounge on their website. We tried to contact them but were unsuccessful. According to our understanding, this is not a real airport lounge but more like a co-working space. You will find meeting rooms and places to sit and work before heading to the airport. United Spaces Business Lounge does not accept any lounge membership cards.
The space is located on the landside at the airport, in Skyscity. You will find the lounge by following the signs to SkyCity, walking past Clarion Hotel and taking the down escalator. Office One is across the street. Because they are not answering queries, we are unsure if they are open.
How to Access Stockholm-Arlanda Business Lounges
Premium Customers
If you are flying in First, Business or Plus class, the airline will invite you complementarily to a lounge. Follow the instructions provided by the airline.
Amex Platinum / Centurion Cardholders
We advise Amex Platinum and Centurion cardholders to enjoy a complimentary warm meal at Amex Pop-Up Lounge near Gate F26. Another option is to fetch a lounge-on-the-go food package. Based on our experience, it includes water, salad and chocolate.
Lounge Members
People who are members of lounge programs should head to the nearest Pearl Lounge. These lounges are not as good as SAS Lounges or Amex Pop-Up Lounge. The lounge at Gate C37 is quieter than the lounge near Gate 1.
Other Passengers
If you are flying with SAS, you can buy lounge access to SAS Lounge. It costs about 30 euros.
Another option is to buy a visit to one of Pearl Lounges from Lounge Pass which sells affordable lounge passes to airport lounges all over the world. If the plans change, the lounge voucher can be cancelled.
Opening Times
Airport lounges in Stockholm Arlanda Airport close surprisingly early. We were surprised that Amex Pop-Up Lounge was closing already at 19:30 and Pearl Lounge in Terminal 5 half an hour earlier. If you are flying out from Arlanda late in the evening, it is most probable that your favourite lounge is not any more open. You should take note of this in your itinerary not to arrive at the lounge door disappointed.
SAS Lounges make an exception because its schedule is tight to SAS' flight schedules.
Best Lounge at Stockholm Arlanda-Airport
Amex Pop-Up Lounge and SAS Gold Lounge are the best lounges at the airport. However, they are different.
SAS Lounges are a typical lounge offering drinks and warm food. Other necessary services are available. Amex Pop-Up is more like a restaurant so the concept is different. We recommend visiting Amex Pop-Up Lounge if you are hungry. Otherwise, SAS Lounges are a better choice but you need the privilege to access either of them.
Common Questions
- How many lounges are there at Stockholm Arlanda Airport?
- There are 6 lounges.
- Can I walk between Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 on the airside?
- Yes, you can. It takes about 10 minutes.
- Can I walk from Terminal 2 to other terminals on the airside
- No, that is impossible. It would help if you took an airside bus.
- Which lounges at Stockholm-Arlanda accept Priority Pass?
- All Pearl Lounges accept Priority Pass membership.
- Which lounges at Stockholm-Arlanda accept LoungeKey?
- All Pearl Lounges accept LoungeKey membership.
- What is the difference between SAS Lounge and SAS Gold Lounge?
- SAS Lounge is meant for Plus and Business Class passengers. SAS Gold Lounge is meant for Eurobonus Gold and Diamond members.
- How can I get into SAS Lounges?
- You need an invitation from the airline.
- Where can I buy a single-entry lounge pass?
- You can buy a single lounge access to Pearl Lounges on Lounge Pass.
- Who can visit Amex Pop-Up Lounge?
- Amex Pop-Up Lounge is meant for American Express Platinum and Centurion members.
- What is the best lounge at Stockholm Arlanda Airport?
- If you want a traditional lounge, SAS Gold Lounge is perhaps the best.
Bottom Line
Stockholm Arlanda Airport has many airport lounges. None of them are in the non-Schengen area so travellers need to clear the passport control after the visit if the flight destination is outside the Schengen zone. All the lounges except United Spaces Business Lounge are on the airside so there is no need to clear the security anymore.
It depends on which terminal you are departing from to select to most suitable lounge. Fortunately, it is fast to move between Terminals 4 and 5. Terminal 2 is more isolated. We advise choosing a lounge from where you can easily reach your gate after the visit.
Do you fly often via Stockholm-Arlanda Airport? Which lounge is your favourite? Comment below!
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