Do you need a car in Sweden?

No — Stockholm and Uppsala are directly connected by frequent SJ regional trains (about 40 minutes each way), and Stockholm itself is easy to cover on foot and by public transit.

Is Sweden safe for celiacs?

Yes — Sweden scores 7/10 for GF friendliness. Celiac awareness is high, allergen labeling on menus is common, and supermarkets carry extensive GF ranges, including in a smaller city like Uppsala.

What's the best time to visit Sweden?

May through September is the most reliable window — long daylight hours in summer, and September still offers mild temperatures with fewer crowds before the weather turns.

Sweden — GF Gone Global

What to Pack for Sweden

Autumn (Sept)

GF Snacks & Essentials

Nuts & crunchy snacks Protein-dense and shelf-stable for long museum days, archipelago trips, or day trips like Uppsala where GF options thin out.
Texas pecans Pistachios Edamame Crunchy corn
Bars & crackers Easy to toss in a daypack for museum visits, ferry rides, or long walks between meals.
KIND protein bars Simple Mills cheddar crackers
Condiment packets Standard soy sauce contains wheat, so I carry tamari packets rather than relying on every restaurant having a GF option — useful for any sushi stop, which is common across Swedish cities. PB packets turn any bread or fruit into a real snack.
Tamari packets PB packets
Backup GF meals Just-add-hot-water options for hotel or hostel kitchens on nights when GF dining falls through.
Instant GF noodles GF mac & cheese
Hydration & energy Electrolytes for long travel days, plus a caffeine boost for early departures.
Electrolytes Energy sticks
Celiac dining card (Swedish) English is widely spoken, but a card in Swedish reinforces the seriousness when ordering.
Swedish celiac society info Svenska Celiakiförbundet publishes a card and resources at celiaki.se.

Travel Essentials

Documents & money Passport, ID, and any visa or entry paperwork Sweden requires, plus cards and some cash. Photograph everything on your phone and leave a copy with someone at home, along with emergency contact details.
RFID card wallet Passport holder & organizer
Clothing basics Underwear, everyday socks, sleepwear, and a couple of casual outfits for evenings out, plus a sweater or sweatshirt as a mid-layer option beyond the technical pieces below. For shoes that aren't hiking boots or a rain shoe, something like this works well for everyday wear. My Pick: everyday shoes
Reusable water bottle Tap water in Stockholm and Uppsala is excellent — refill freely instead of buying bottled water. My Pick
Toiletries Travel-size essentials for hotel bathrooms and shared showers — one less thing to shop for once you land. Round it out with any skincare, makeup, or period products you use daily.
Electric travel toothbrush Travel toothpaste (4-pack) Detangler hairbrush Shampoo & conditioner Body wash Lotion Sunscreen Contact solution Razor Toilet spray Hair ties Claw clip Hand sanitizer Deodorant Floss Lip balm Face wash Travel tissues Wet wipes
Travel medicine cabinet Small over-the-counter basics so a headache, allergy flare-up, or rough transit day doesn't derail the trip. Pack any prescriptions in their original bottles with a few extra days' buffer, plus bandages or blister treatment for the walking-heavy days.
Travel Advil Benadryl Dramamine
Bags & packing organization Keeps everything corralled and easy to pull out at airport security — or find in a shared hotel drawer. A plastic bag works fine for separating dirty laundry, no need to buy anything special there.
Makeup brush holder Hanging makeup bag Compression packing cubes Hardside carry-on 60L travel backpack 50L travel backpack Personal item daybag Luggage tags TSA-approved lock
Technology A portable charger for everyday sightseeing days — museums, long walks, and photo stops add up fast. Round out the tech bag with a charging cable, a wall charger for the hotel room, and an AirTag if you want to track your luggage.
Portable charger Multi-device charging cable Wall charger block AirTag
Hair styling tools Universal voltage on both, so they're safe to plug in anywhere — no separate converter needed.
Universal-voltage hair straightener Universal-voltage travel hair dryer

Optional
Travel laundry detergent Sink packets for handwashing essentials if the trip runs long enough to need a rewear. A stain remover pen and a travel-size fabric refresher cover the rest.
Detergent sheets Stain remover pen Febreze fabric refresher

Optional

Sweden-Wide Essentials

EU power adapter (Type C/F) Standard European two-pin plug used throughout Sweden. My Pick
Comfortable waterproof walking shoes Cobblestones in Gamla Stan are uneven and hard on feet, and the cobblestones around Uppsala's Cathedral and Castle hill call for the same sturdy soles. My Pick
Light layers Breezy on the water, especially for Stockholm's archipelago trips and Djurgården walks — a layer you can add or shed through the day covers it. My Pick

Flight Essentials

Only relevant if you're flying into Sweden — skip this section if you're already local or connecting overland.

Sleep & comfort A proper neck pillow, a sleep mask that doubles as headphones, and real noise cancellation make a long flight actually restful.
Trtl neck pillow Sleep mask with headphones Bose noise-cancelling headphones

Optional
Compression socks Helps with circulation and swelling on longer flights, especially if you're connecting through a second airport to get here. My Pick
Optional
In-flight wellness Cabin air is dry and germy — small things that make arriving feel less rough.
Nasal spray Warm eye compress Antimicrobial face spray Hydrating face mask

Optional

Sweden

GF Friendliness

What to Pack for Sweden

Frequently Asked Questions