Stockholm to Xiamen (ARN–XMN) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Swedish passport holders can enter China under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy when transiting through designated Chinese cities (including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Hangzhou) to a third country. This allows up to 10 days without a visa if your next destination is not Sweden. For a dedicated trip to China, apply for an L (tourist) visa at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Stockholm. The visa costs SEK 600 (about $55) for single entry and takes 4 working days. Express processing (2 to 3 days) costs SEK 900.

The L visa requires a passport valid for at least 6 months with two blank pages, a completed application form, a passport photo (48 x 33 mm with white background), proof of round-trip flights, and hotel reservations or an invitation letter. The visa is issued for 30, 60, or 90 days depending on the itinerary. Multiple-entry visas (6 months or 1 year) are available for frequent travelers. China requires fingerprint collection at the visa center.

Direct flights from Stockholm to Beijing Capital (PEK) run about 8 hours 30 minutes on Air China. Stockholm to Shanghai Pudong (PVG) runs about 10 hours on Juneyao Airlines (seasonal). Connections through Helsinki (Finnair, 9 hours to Beijing) or Copenhagen are fast alternatives. China uses the Chinese yuan (CNY), trading at roughly 0.69 CNY per SEK 1 or about 7.3 CNY per EUR 1. International Visa and Mastercard work at hotels and some larger stores, but domestic payments run on WeChat Pay and Alipay. Tourist versions of these apps now allow linking foreign cards. No mandatory vaccinations. Beijing's subway costs CNY 3 to CNY 10 per ride. Shanghai's metro starts at CNY 3.

The Arlanda Express train runs non-stop from Stockholm Central Station to ARN in 18 minutes (SEK 280–320 one-way, cheaper booked online). The Pendeltåg (commuter rail) stops at Arlanda South/North stations for SEK 145 total (including a SEK 120 airport supplement); the journey takes 40 minutes.Taxis from central Stockholm cost SEK 600–800 (45–60 min). Uber runs SEK 400–600. The E4 motorway connects the airport to the city; traffic can be heavy southbound during afternoon rush. Driving takes 35–50 minutes in normal conditions.

Metro Line 3 runs from the airport to central Xiamen and Xiamen North Station (high-speed rail hub) in 30–40 minutes for CNY 6–8. Taxis and DiDi are available outside arrivals; fares to the city centre are CNY 40–70. Airport buses serve multiple city destinations and the Wuyuan Bay ferry terminal for CNY 20.

Xiamen North Station connects via high-speed rail to Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai. The Gulangyu Island ferry is accessible from the city waterfront via taxi or bus from the airport. Rental car desks are in the arrivals hall.

Subtropical maritime climate. Summers (June–September) are hot and humid at 28–34°C, with the southwest monsoon bringing heavy rainfall and typhoon risk from June through October. Typhoons can close the airport entirely and are the primary operational risk. September is statistically the peak risk month for direct hits.

Winters (December–February) are mild and relatively dry at 12–18°C, among the most pleasant winter climates of any Chinese city. Spring (March–May) is warm but rainy and foggy. Flying conditions are generally excellent outside the typhoon and monsoon season.