Help

Questions about staying at STF

I live in another country. Can I be a member?

Of course! For members living outside of Sweden we have a post and package fee of 140 SEK for residents in Europe and 185 SEK for non-European residents. Do you know that a membership in your own country’s hostelling organisation is valid in Sweden as well? This can be less expensive for you and gives you the same discounts at our hostels.

Which cancellation policy applies to reservations with STF?

You must cancel your reservation no later than 18.00 the day before the planned date of arrival; otherwise you will be charged for one night. This also applies if you make your reservation on the arrival day and then do not come to the hostel. You should therefore make a special agreement on the cancellation rules if you book on the same day as you plan to arrive. If the hostel has had specific costs in connection to your booking you must pay for this too if you cancel. Deviations from these rules may occur; and the hostel then announces what rules apply when you make your reservation. Any special cancellation rules for online reservations will be easily found when you make your reservation.

How long may I stay at a hostel?

When demand is high you may stay up to 5 nights.

Should I book in advance?

If you want to be sure of a place at the hostel, or require a certain type of room at the mountain station, we recommend that you book your accommodation in advance.

If I want a room to myself, but there are only 2-bed rooms, must I pay for the other bed too?

If I want a room to myself, but there are only 2-bed rooms, must I pay for the other bed too?

Is there a shower and a toilet in the room?

A number of hostels and mountain stations have rooms with a shower and a toilet. Those that do display a symbol on the homepage and in “Discover Sweden”.

Must I sleep with several other people in the same room?

Mountain stations and most hostels offer private rooms. In mountain cabins, however, you do share a room with other guests.

Can I cook my own food?

Yes. There are self-catering facilities at some hostels, mountain stations and mountain cabins.

Can I pay with a credit card?

Yes. At all STF’s mountain stations and mountain cabins, and at most hostels, you can pay with most commonly-accepted bank- and credit cards, e.g., VISA and Eurocard (not Diners). Those places that accept cards display a symbol on the homepage and in “Discover

Can I sleep in a sleeping bag?

At many hostels this is fine, as long as you have a bottom-sheet with you. It is, however, up to the hostel’s warden to decide whether it’s OK or not. At mountain lodges and mountain cabins it’s not a problem.

Do I have to take my own sheet with me, or can I rent one?

Some of STF’s mountain stations and most hostels have sheets available for rent. If you’re staying in a mountain cabin, though, you must take your own sheets or sleeping bag.

What does it cost for young children to stay at STF?

At STF hostels, children stay free until the year they become two years old. This applies as long as they do not occupy a bed of their own. Three or four year old children pay the child member's price if the parents are members. Children who are not members pay 25 SEK extra per night.

Do I have to be a member to stay at STF?

No, but it does make it cheaper. You can pay for your membership on the spot at hostels, mountain stations and mountain cabins.

Is it possible to book a place in advance?

At hostels and mountain stations, yes, that’s fine. We don’t accept advance bookings at mountain cabins, but everyone is always welcome. The cabin wardens make sure that everyone has a place to sleep, even when it’s getting full. During peak-season weeks, at the end of July and beginning of August, this could mean a mattress on the floor. Usually there’s plenty of room. If you’re a group of ten or more people, it’s probably a good idea to let them know you’re coming.

Can I take pets, and does it cost extra?

Many hostels accept pets, and these display a dog symbol on the webpage and in the “Discover Sweden” book. At some hostels you pay a charge for the pet’s accommodation. Pets are welcome free of charge at STF’s mountain stations and mountain cabins

I am a member of DNT (Den Norska Turistförening). Do I qualify for members’ prices at STF?

Yes, in our mountain huts and stations but not at our hostels. A member of Hostelling International you pay members’ prices at all STF accommodations.

Where can I find information about hostels abroad?

Visit the website of the international hostelling organisation, Hostelling International at www.hihostels.com.

Commonly-asked questions about the mountains

I would like to take a distance course to become a guide. Does STF run such courses?

No. STF doesn’t run distance learning courses any longer. The Mountain Safety Council has brought out a standard course for guides. You can find these at the website www.fjallsaker.nu. You’ll also find there the Council’s contact details, for advice on who currently runs courses.

Can I pay with credit or bank cards in the mountains?

Yes. All mountain stations and mountain cabins accept credit and bank cards.

Can I book a place in a mountain hut?

No, you cannot book a bed in a mountain hut (Arådalen excluded). You are, however, guaranteed a roof over your head. There are extra mattresses for those days when all the beds are taken. Larger groups should ring in advance so that the hut warden can prepare for your arrival.

Will my mobile telephone work throughout the mountains?

No. There’s relatively good coverage in the vicinity of the mountain stations, but don’t count on being contactable at all times. The further into the mountains you venture, the worse the coverage becomes.

Which mountain trip is best for beginners?

Jämtland’s mountains (Jämtlandsfjällen), for example the so-called Jämtland’s Triangle (Storulvån, Sylarna, Blåhammaren), is suitable for beginners.

Do you sell maps of the mountains?

Maps of the mountains are available for purchase at the Lantmäteriet´s website or from good bookshops. At our mountainlodges you may buy maps for the surrounding area.

Can one cycle on the Kungsleden?

Yes, but parts of it are very stony.

How do I pay if there is no hut warden around?

In the hut you will find a payment slip that you can take home and use to pay for your stay. You can also pay the money into the PlusGiro account PG 517-3: with the payment you should include your name, which hut you stayed at, and the date of your stay.

Is it possible to stay overnight in mountain huts and mountain stations out of season?

Yes, but only in emergencies. There is a safety room in some mountain huts and mountain stations without any road connection.

I want to go to the summit of Kebnekaise. How do I go about it?

You go first to Kebnekaise’s mountain station, 19 km from Nikkaluokta, a bus journey from Kiruna. Then you spend the night at the mountain station and set out with the STF guide to reach the summit. You ought to allow a couple of extra days - depending on the weather it might not be possible to make the trip some days. The hike to the summit is tough, but most people can make it with moderate effort.

Must I be super fit to go on a trip to the mountains?

Absolutely not. There are plenty of ways to enjoy Swedish mountain life without great hardship. Many people enjoy just walking or skiing in the vicinity of the mountain lodge or mountain cabin. Those planning to make longer excursions will, of course, feel better if they’re not completely out of condition.

Can I buy food during my journey?

Yes. STF’s mountain stations and most cabins have a good range of provisions for sale.

Is it true that there are a lot of mosquitoes in the mountains?

The truth is that there are many mosquitoes in the mountaion but not more than you can find in places in the archipelago of Stockholm or in the woods in Skåne. It’s worst in late spring/early summer, in mountain birch forests and beside boggy areas. Later in the summer there are few mosquitoes - sometimes none! Up on the mounatin where the wind almost always blows there are none or few mosquitoes.

How far apart are STF’s mountain huts?

Between 12 and 25 km. A good day's journey for most people.

Can I camp in the mountains?

Yes, you can. If you choose to camp by one of STF’s mountain cabins or mountain stations there’s a service charge, for which you get access to the services the cabin or station provides.

Where can I see the midnight sun, and when?

In the very far north of Sweden, north of the Arctic Circle. At Nuolja in Abisko you can see the midnight sun between 27 May and 18 July.

Can my children, aged 6 and 8 years old, walk in the mountains?

Yes, of course! Make short trips of a varied nature so that they don’t get tired. It can take half a day before they’ve finished playing beside a stream - so take it slowly. A good idea with young children is to have a base (tent or mountain cabin) from which to make trips, so you don’t have to carry too much.

Can I take my dog along in to the mountains?

Yes. According to the Rights of Public Access dogs must be kept on a lead from 1 March-20 August. Animal life is at its most sensitive to disturbance just then from even the most peaceful pet dog. Outside these times you must keep close watch over your dog, so that it doesn’t scare the wildlife. Special rules apply, according to the Nature Conservation Act, when taking your dog into a national park area. These rules can be found on the website for the respective county’s administration committee (länsstyrelse). For Norrbotten you can find the information at www.fjallen.nu

Who’s responsible for taking care of the pathways?

The Nature Conservation Authority is responsible for the public pathway system. In Norrland’s county they’re maintained by the county’s administration committee (länsstyrelse). Upkeep of local pathways is the responsibility of a local-authority leader.

May I fish wherever I like in mountain lakes and streams?

No, you may not. It is, however, possible to purchase a fishing permit for a large number of lakes and stretches of water. Several of our mountain stations and mountain cabins sell these fishing permits. A county’s administrative committee (länsstyrelse) has information about its permitted waters.

Is it safe to drink the water from mountain streams?

Yes - there’s nothing better! The water should be running and clear. You can even drink the lake water in the mountains.

At which times of year can one go walking in the mountains?

The season starts at midsummer and keeps on through into September. High season is between about 20 July and 10 August. There are a lot of people in the cabins then, and in some places it can get a bit crowded. Winter season begins at New Year. Most mountain stations, however, open in February and remain open until the beginning of May. Mountain cabins open in late February/early March and are open until the beginning of May.

Common questions about membership

My membership card has been lost or stolen. What should I do?

Contact our Customer Services by phone (+46 8 463 2270) or e-mail (medlemskap@stfturist.se) and they will send a new card for a fee of SEK 25.

What is the duration of membership – is it one year from purchase, or a calendar year?

Membership is always valid for a calendar year, from 1 January to 31 December. If you join after 15 September in any year, however, the membership will be valid for the coming calendar year.

I am a member, but not my partner. Is the member’s price for accommodation valid in this case?

No, membership is personal and everyone (older than 5 years) must possess a membership card for the member’s price to be valid.

Must children have their own membership card?

Yes, all children older than five (those born in 2006 or earlier) must have their own membership card.

We are two adults, do we constitute a family?

Yes. The family membership is valid for a maximum of two adults living in the same household, with an unlimited number of children and young people who also live there.

How much do I save by being a member?

Adults receive a SEK 50 discount per night when staying at our hostels. Adults and young people receive a SEK 100 discount at our mountain stations and mountain cabins. There are also many other inspiring special offers, benefits and discounts. You receive our prize-winning magazine Turist, and the STF yearbook, which is always worth reading. Note that all publications are in Swedish.

When will I receive the yearbook, and how often is the Turist magazine published?

Turist is published five times a year. The yearbook is distributed towards the end of the year. Note that all publications are in Swedish.

Help with your onlinebooking

Why can´t I find any available accommodation?

The reason might be:
• The chosen accomodation is fully booked, there is no availability.
• The accommodation might not have all their availability online. Please contact the accommodation directly by phone or email
• The accommodation might be closed for the season
• Onlinebooking is not possible after 18.00 the day before arrival

I can’t find a certain accommodation, why?

All STF facilities are not bookable online yet, but we work constantly to increase the number of accommodations bookable online.

How do I book children 0-2 years old?

At STF hostels, children stay free of charge until the year they become two years old. This applies as long as they do not occupy a bed of their own.

How do I pay?

Full payment is made at the time of booking. When booking, give the credit card number from which you want the payment to be debited. We will send a confirmation by e-mail when the payment has been completed. All prices are shown and debited in Swedish krona (SEK).

What creditcard can I use?

The following cards are accepted for payment: Visa and Mastercard.

Can I change my booking?

You cannot make a change in your reservation. You have to cancel it and make a new reservation. Please contact the hostel/mountain station before your cancellation in order to check if they can meet the new requirements. Contact details can be found on our website.

I have cancelled my booking but haven´t got my money back

Reimbursements of amounts paid will be made to your credit card within 3-7 days.

How do I cancel my booking?

Log in with your user name and password on this link. These are given on the confirmation that you have received by e-mail. Cancellations will also be confirmed by e-mail. See also the cancellation terms. Reimbursements of amounts paid will be made to your credit card within 3-7 days.

Cancelling your booking

For most hostels/mountain stations cancellations can be made up to 18.00 the day before arrival, while for certain hostels/mountain stations cancellations can be made up to 7 days before arrival. You will find a complete list under General conditions.

Groups?

It is not possible to make group bookings online. Please contact the hostel/ mountain station directly. N.B. that children’s price does not apply for groups.

Do I have to pay the invoice that was enclosed to my confirmation?

No, your credit card will be charged with the sum and you shall not pay the invoice as well.

Forgot your password?

If you have forgotten your password, please click here. Enter the email address you used when you booked. Your username and password will then be sent to this email address.

Where do I find booking terms and conditions?

You will find it on this link.

Where do I find booking terms and conditions for arrangements?

You will find it on this link.

Some questions about the website

Can I use the photographs on this website on my own website?

The photographer who took a photograph owns the rights to it, and thus the photographs here may not be used without permission.

Can I set up a link to svenskaturistforeningen.se?

Oh, yes – please do!

What software do I need to see the films?

You need Windows Media player or a similar program to see the films.

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