Overview
I had a 14 hour overnight layover in Stockholm before flying back to Chicago, and I needed a place to stay. Thankfully, I found Jumbo Stay right outside of the Arlanda airport. Jumbo Stay is a hostel in a converted 747 jumbo jet.
Getting There
When I left the international terminal (Terminal 5), I found bus stop #3 and waited for the Alfa bus. The Alfa bus drops guests off at Jumbo Stay. It also stops at domestic terminals, the Radisson Blu, and the parking lots. The Alfa bus runs every 15 minutes in both directions. The next morning, I crossed the street and waited just a few minutes for the Alfa bus to take me back to the airport. Jumbo Stay is within walking distance, but it was so easy and quick to take the bus.
The Details
After the bus dropped me off, I walked up a path to the huge jumbo jet. There is an elevator labeled for handicap use only. At the lobby entrance, there is a sign that requires guests to take off their shoes. There are shelves available to leave your shoes.
I initially booked a bed in a four person, female dorm for $30 USD. When I arrived I decided to upgrade to a single room with a view of Arlanda’s runway for $20 more. The staff was so kind and welcoming; we chatted for a while about the history of Jumbo Stay. The staff told me normally guests can walk onto the wing, but it was too icy that night.
My room had two beds, an overhead compartment like on real planes, and a beautiful view of one of Arlanda’s runways. I could hardly sleep because I was too busy watching planes take off and land.
Bring slippers or thick socks because the bathrooms were down the hall, and you still cannot wear shoes in the hall. I didn’t have any trouble waiting for bathrooms. It must’ve been a quiet night because I didn’t run into anyone else during my time at Jumbo Stay.
In the morning, I had a complimentary continental breakfast. There was an assortment of meats, cheeses, breads, fruits, juices, and cereals. There was also a sign telling guests to talk to the staff if they had allergies. It was a simple breakfast, but I enjoyed the ambiance and getting sustenance before my long day ahead.
Overall, I loved staying at Jumbo Stay. It was one of the coolest hostels I’ve visited. How often do you get to stay in converted 747? I would go back to Jumbo Stay in a heartbeat!
