Before you book, get a second opinion from someone with 25+ years in aviation. I compare your options openly and give you a clear plan. You decide and book yourself.
Most travel advice comes from someone who earns money when you book. I don't. My job is to save you time and help you avoid costly mistakes, like the wrong airport, a tight connection or a closed museum.
| A travel agency | Ulf Trip Planner |
|---|---|
| Sells trips and earns commission | No commission, nothing to sell |
| Shows its own offers | Compares all options, cheapest first |
| You buy a package | You decide and book yourself |
| Standard packages | A plan built around your needs |
Short, checked tips I give my own clients. Each one links to its source, because rules and prices change.
The Early Bird ticket costs 199 SEK if you buy at least 5 days ahead (instead of 349 SEK). It can't be rebooked, so buy it once your flight is fixed.
Source: arlandaexpress.com
Pre-bought tickets give no priority entry, and there are no lockers for large bags. Go early, travel light, and bring a sweater: it's about 18–20 °C inside.
Source: vasamuseet.se
Online tickets are released one week ahead. Same-day tickets are sold in the City Hall shop from 08:30. The tower is closed for renovation until about 2029.
Source: stadshuset.stockholm
The SL 72-hour card (360 SEK) counts from your first trip. It works on the Djurgården ferry and all year on the boat between Strömkajen and Vaxholm.
Source: sl.se
A single SL ticket is valid for 75 minutes, and you can pay by tapping Visa, Mastercard or Amex. Riding without a ticket costs a 1,850 SEK fine.
Source: sl.se
Stronger drinks are only sold at Systembolaget. Shops close early on Saturdays (by 15:00 at the latest) and are closed on Sundays.
Source: Systembolaget opening hours (check your local store)
Istanbul has two big airports: IST on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side. Pick your hotel area only after you know which one your ticket uses.
Source: istairport.com
Metro M11 runs to Gayrettepe in about 30 minutes. Change to M2 for Taksim. Havaist buses run around the clock but take about 60–90 minutes depending on traffic.
Source: istairport.com – transportation
The airport is about 40 km from Taksim. A taxi normally takes 35–60 minutes, but can take 70–100 minutes in heavy traffic. Plan your first evening with that in mind.
Source: Wego travel guide
Turkish Airlines' Touristanbul offers free tours for layovers of 6–24 hours on an international connection. Your ticket must start with 235, and the times must fit the tour schedule.
Source: turkishairlines.com
YOTELAIR is inside the international area. Rooms are booked by the hour (4 hours minimum), and you need a boarding pass for an international flight.
Source: yotel.com
In 2025 IST handled about 84 million passengers. Walking between gates can take around 20 minutes, even with moving walkways. Don't stop for shopping until you've found your gate.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News / ACI
If your flights are on separate bookings, the second airline doesn't have to wait for you if the first one is late. Leave a much bigger margin and check if you need to re-check your bags.
Arlanda Express stops at Arlanda South (terminals 2–4) and Arlanda North (terminal 5). Travel between T4 and T5 is free on the train. Check your terminal the day before.
Source: arlandaexpress.com (FAQ)
Take a photo of your baggage tag and your bag at check-in. If the bag goes missing, the tag number and a picture make the claim much faster.
Even with a mobile boarding pass, you may still need to drop a bag or show documents at the desk. Bag-drop counters close before the gate does, so check your airline's cut-off time.
Book with your name exactly as it is in your passport. Small spelling errors can mean fees or problems at check-in, especially on international trips.
Be ready for a security check already at the terminal entrance, before check-in. Arrive in good time, especially at a large airport like IST.
Facts checked in October–November 2026. Prices and opening hours change, so always confirm with the official source before you travel.
Two small tools built from the questions I get most often.
A guide, not a guarantee. Minimum connection times vary by flight, so check with your airline.
One-way prices for adults, checked Nov 2026: Arlanda Express, SL Arlandapassage. Kids 0–17 ride Arlanda Express free with an adult aged 26+.
This is the list I go through before I recommend a trip. Tick them off. Your progress is saved in your own browser.
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Arriving, getting to the city, connections and long layovers. The video loads from YouTube when you press play.
A full day-by-day walkthrough, the way I'd make it for a client.
You tell me your dates, budget and interests. I deliver a ready-to-use plan with links, so you can book yourself and keep full control.
Dates, departure city, who's travelling, budget and what you love.
Open comparisons with pros, cons and prices, and my honest recommendation.
You get a clear plan with links. You stay in control of payments and changes.
These are examples made for fictional travelers, so you can see the format before you order. Open them as PDF.
I've worked at Stockholm Arlanda since 2001, in check-in, ground handling and staff planning. I've seen what goes wrong for travelers: missed connections, the wrong airport, bags that don't arrive. Now I use that experience to help people plan before they book.
I'm based in Sweden, I know Türkiye well, and I speak English, Swedish and Turkish.
“I don't sell trips. I help you choose the right one, and I'll also tell you when something isn't worth it.”
Send me a message with your dates and ideas. I'll reply with honest advice on what's possible, even if you decide not to order.