We're about to make a trip to Sweden. We are currently holding a lot of U.S.Dollars, and European Euros. Which currency is used these days in Sweden? Is it still the Kronor? Can we exchange Euros for Kronors when we arrive at the airport in Gothenburg, Sweden? How about in the airport at Frankfurt, Germany? Anyone who knows, please advise us.

TIA,

AC

Sweden voted down joining the Euro pact in a referendum several years ago. The Krona is still the Swedish currency. You should be able to exchange Dollars or Euros at any major airport currency exchange booth.

I would make a withdraw from a MAC machine. You get the exact exchange rate and usually no extra fees.

Some banks require the money to be in a checking account as opposed to a savings account.

Canuk, You gonna go see the old Husqvarna factory and then look for some old rifles and shotguns to send back?

quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:
Can we exchange Euros for Kronors when we arrive at the airport in Gothenburg, Sweden? How about in the airport at Frankfurt, Germany? Anyone who knows, please advise us.
AC

Actually, the most valued currency in Sweden is spelled A-L-C-O-H-O-L... If you are visiting anybody, make sure you remember to bring whatever tax-free ration is allowed!

Seriously, Sweden has a modern banking system, and the airport in Stockholm (or Gothenburg) will have one or more banks open to perfom currency exchange operations for you. Note, depending on when you arrive, banks in town may not be open, but usually there is always one open in the airport.

You can exchange either US$ or Euro to Swedish Kronar (SEK), no problem. The banks of the Scandinavian countries often demand a fee for an exchange operation, on top of sticking it to you with the exchange rate, but such is life. I doubt it will break the bank....

Exchanging money in Franfurt Airport is also a viable possibility. However, here you would only want to change from Euro -> SEK. If you were to exchange US$ -> SEK, the bank would probably charge you for US$ -> Euro -> SEK - i.e. a double hit on whatever fees and disadvantageous exchange rates they can stick to you... But exchanging from Euro -> SEK is worth exploring in terms of fees charged. Perhaps the Franfurt option would have lower fees than they do in Stockholm (sorry, can't answer that for you).

- mike

quote:

The banks of the Scandinavian countries often demand a fee for an exchange operation, on top of sticking it to you with the exchange rate,

When I'm out of the country I merely use my visa card.....I get the correct exchange rate and no transaction fees. It has worked very well for me!

Ditto on that Vapodog !.

I don't know anywhere they wouldn't except the Euro now , seeing as it is appreciating in value rather than declining .

Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...

Here in denmark a "swedish passport" is a sixpack of beers

Alberta:
We just got back from a trip to Italy. Personally, I'd try to avoid using my credit card for cash. The balance is way up there - at least for me. Conversely, I'd use my debit card on my checking account for cash and other purchases. Check with your bank to be sure it'll work in the European ATM's and also inform them that you'll be traveling so that they don't put a block on your card. Do that with your credit cards too, BTW. We had no problem of using the ATM's and our debit cards on our trip. ATM's were located everywhere.
When you get the bank statement, you'll find lots of little tranaction fees such as "currency exchange fee" for a piddling amount - like $0.09 , or "cross border fee" for $0.34, etc. Ya just gotta live with it.
Hope this helps some. Have a wonderful trip.
Bear in Fairbanks

quote:

Originally posted by jens poulsen:
Here in denmark a "swedish passport" is a sixpack of beers

Yeah, mostly cause we`ve learned from you guys... You know;-Carlsberg, probably the best beer in the world...

Seriously, to pay with your card will be easiest, but Euros work too.

Thanks everybody, for the advice. Does that mean we can just pay for lodging, meals, etc., with the VISA, instead of having to have actual folding money in hand?

Also, the comment that Euros will work...does that mean we can just use the actual Euros we already have, and that they will normally be accepted as payment for pretty much anything we might want to buy?

In response to those of you who wondered, NO, we won't be buying any nice old rifles or shotguns to send or bring back. The last time I bought such items in Europe there was no problem or advance paperwork requiired to bring them into Canada, but that was before the Canadian FAC came into existance. As far as the U.S. goes, I am led to understand that a form 6 import permit will not be issued by BATFE unless one has the correct serial number of each and every firearm listed on the application for the permit. And we don't plan to stay there several months, so will not be able to buy something, get the serial number from it, then apply to BATFE, then wait for them to process and mail us the permit(s). I did that to bring in about 100+ guns from Canada, and the border crossing was pure and simply bureaucratic version of HELL. Am sure not going to try it from Europe.

We are only going to be in ? Sweden a week to compete in the World Cup, then it's back to Oregon.

Thanks again for the advice you have already given and for any more you care to add.

Be careful useing your card and relying on the company to make the exchange rate for you. When I went to Sweden, I carried cash and travelers checks and converted as I needed. When out, I carry lots of cash in different places and haven't worried about it.
Have fun, Sweden is a very nice place to visit and the people are first rate polite and fun to be around.

_Baxter

Sweden is not the place to worry about using your card. They dont cheat and does everything by the book.

Basicaly you can use your visa-card, for most payments, at hotels and in shops, you mighe change some Euros to Swedish (lire, or pesos)(that is what we in Denmark calls the devaluating Swsdish Kroner) You can do that in the airport in Gothenburg (localy called Göteborg)
As an Canadian or American you will find the pricelevel in Sweden realy scary.


I will send you an PM

Visa is the one who does the exchange rate, not the Swedes. That's who I meant by 'the company.' Never have nor would imply Scandinavians are anything other than top shelf people.

_BAxter

quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:
Thanks everybody, for the advice. Does that mean we can just pay for lodging, meals, etc., with the VISA, instead of having to have actual folding money in hand?

My ancestors are from Sweden. I may still have family there. If I do, they may put us up. Buy another ticket and we'll go have a look see.

AC ; Is it safe to assume your heading over to Sweden ?.

Out of general curiosity , what part will you be in ?.

I have a few friends who live there , how ever know many people over that way . One of My very best friends and his wife are Swedish and all their relatives still live over there .

When I was over that way it seemed I couldn't pay for anything for weeks . Super people !.

So I insisted on being the designated driver on more than a couple of trips . They seem to have enjoyed that more than my money !.

Then I found out what happens if one is caught drinking and driving . YOU JUST DON'T !.

Have a look see for all of us on what 6.5 X 55mm swedes are going for over there will you . Thanks .
If the prices are decent ?, I'll ask Bjorn to call his cousin and see what's entailed as far as shipping is concerned ?. I don't have a clue after 9-1-1 , but would think it's still possible .

Those Swedes like to hoist a few , but I met a couple of Norwegians who were no Slouches when it came to exercising that Drinking elbow !.

Have a fun trip .

Shoot Straight Know Your target . ...

Perhaps we should add the following regarding all the jokes and comments being made about the Swedes and alcohol...

The Swedes are certainly not alone with regards to appreciating a drink or two. Other Scandinavian countries, Germany or England (to mention a few) hold their share of heavy drinkers too. The Swedes have been unfortunate (or fortunate, as you like?) to live in country where it was considered politically necessary to try to minimize risks on the individual citizen - for the benefit of society. This included the risks of alcoholism - widespread in days past. Consequently, alcohol is higly regulated and very expensive in Sweden.

Many Swedes (as well as many other Scandinavians) therefore tend to let their hair down a bit, when they go abroad and are faced with (compared to home) cheap and plentiful alcohol. This does not amount to Sweden being a land of raving drunkards, although it is often irresistible to make jokes to that effect . The Swedes really deserve a lot of admiration for their high standard of industrial production and organized society in general.

- mike

There isn't a Country on the face of this planet that doesn't have Drunks , Druggies , Derelicts , rapist , perverts , child molesters , murders or lunatics !.

A high percentage hide behind a form of religious guise !

No society is immune !. How they are dealt with is the difference .

Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...

Thank you all for your advice. This trip is not a holiday, so I likely won't have time for any gun-related activities....much to my sorrow.

I have a number of friends who live in Sweden, but they don't fancy the internet, so I asked here because I know there are number of you who live in or travel Europe. Surprisingly, Oregon has a large number of"scandahoovians" too! Could be becausemostof the state is logging country, and the climates are similar. There are tiny towns in Oregon named Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Probably named after families who lived adjacent to the highways in those areas, and were of those ancestrys.

Dr. K is correct in his observation of the world as related to alcohol. I do not know of any society or country where alcohol is not consumed rather vigorously by at least some parts of the society there....including the Muslim world. In fact, some of the most ardent boozers I have ever encountered have been Muslims on holiday in France or here in the Americas. Likewise, they sometimes are the least able to control their actions in those circumstances because they have not learned to "hold their liqour". No insailt intended there, either. How much is "enough" is hard to learn when the only opportunities you have are infrequent binges.

Anyway, I do not disrespect any nationality for their drinking habits. How they treat ME is what counts in my book. A person who is friendly to me is my friend. Period.

Thanks again, all.

I haven't seeny many/any Swedes respond to your post...so...While I am not 'Swedish', I am posting this from my home in Sweden.

First, you will need Swedeish Kronor for currency. You can certainly exchange dollars, euros, etc for them at the airport, but you are better off using an ATM card, as most banks offer better rates than the airport currency exchange booths.

Other than for 'pocket money', I would recommend the use of a Visa card. They are universally accepted in Sweden (AMEX is probably only 90% accepted), and you will receive a 'reasonable' exchange rate once the charge settles.

Enjoy Sweden. It's a wonderful country where most everyone speaks English--making it very friendly for English speaking visitors.

USD, Euro, GBP, NOK, DKK and some other currencies can be used, but it is easier to use a VISA/Mastercard. I would guess that 98% of the companies in the country within the service/sales sector accept all the major credit cards.

If You use an ATM machine (called Bankomat, Minuten) there might be a extra charge of around 6-10 USD per withdrawal depending on your credit card details and the maximum limit of withdrawal at one time is around 5000 SEK, or $850, while the one week withdrawal cash limit is 10-15 KSEK.
There are probably Forex offices at the airport or in Gothenburg. Last time I bought some USD Forex had better rates than the banks and only a $4 fee. I doubt if the banks would change money without a fee, I would guess they have a administration fee of $10-20.

I would use a visa card for any larger transactions (around $100 or more) while smaller things are easier to pay cash.

I would not leave any credit card in the bar or hand it out where I cannot see where they pull it through the register. The risk of abuse is not more or less than in any other western world country, but that does not mean that one can ignore the existence of credit card thieves.

The price level varies somewhat in the country but I would guess that if you want to eat a pizza it could fetch from $ 10 for the cheapest take out, to $ 25 if you eat in a restaurant such as Hard Rock Café or pizza hut.

An 1,5 litre (3 pint) coca cola can cost $ 3 + refund in a supermarket and more than twice that on a petrol station/ 7-eleven. So the prices do vary and it might be a good idea to window-shop before buying something.

Husqvarna m96 in 6,5x55 can be had for around $ 85 if you know where to look, but those might have some hidden problems.

1 litre (2 pints) of gasoline/petrol was 12,74SEK yesterday ($2,15).

Pm me if there are any questions or if I could help, although I am in the opposite part of the country.

Sincerely
Daniel