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Hire a Car in Östersund and Explore Jämtland on Your Own Schedule

Compare competitive prices and use this practical UK-focused guide to pick the right collection point, avoid common fees, and drive confidently in Östersund and beyond—especially in winter.

UK Traveller Essentials
Östersund Car Hire Guide: Where To Collect and What To Expect
Hiring a car in Östersund is one of the easiest ways to reach ski areas, lakeside viewpoints and rural villages around Jämtland where public transport can be limited outside peak routes. For UK travellers, the biggest benefits are flexibility and time-saving, particularly for early/late arrivals and day trips. The main trade-offs are higher costs during winter peaks, stricter damage checks, and the need to plan for snow and ice driving (winter tyres are typical and vital). Choose airport pickup for speed and choice, or city-centre pickup if you are staying centrally and want to avoid airport surcharges.
Avis
Dollar
Thrifty
Budget
Europcar
Hertz
+ more
Åre Östersund Airport (OSD) – Car Rental Area
Best for arriving by air and driving straight out of the terminal area. Typically offers the widest fleet choice (including estates/SUVs) and longer opening hours than some city locations. Pros: quick onward travel, easy returns before departure, good availability in winter. Cons: airport concession fees can increase the total, queues at peak arrival times, and you may pay for hours you are not using if your flight timing is awkward. Follow airport signs for 'Car Rental/Biluthyrning' and allow a little time for winter vehicle handover checks.
Östersund Central Station Area
Convenient if you arrive by train or coach and want to collect after checking into a central hotel. Pros: walkable collection/return, avoids airport surcharges, good for short hires. Cons: limited stock at busy times, shorter opening hours, and parking access can be tighter in the centre—confirm where to return the car and any after-hours key drop policy.
City Centre Hotels & Main Streets (Stortorget/Kyrkgatan Area)
Handy for travellers staying in central Östersund who prefer not to travel to the airport. Pros: minimal transfer time, easier to start the hire after settling in, and potentially cheaper for small cars midweek. Cons: fewer 4x4/estate options in winter, paid parking nearby, and collection may require a short walk—check exact address and whether the desk is inside a hotel or office building.
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Drive Jämtland: Östersund Car Hire for Every Season

From snowy passes to Åre to sunlit lake roads, pick a vehicle matched to your Jämtland adventure and see more popular rentals below.

By Trip Type
Popular Makes

Winter

SUV

Snow-Ready & Slope-Smart
5
3
Auto

When snow piles up around Lake Storsjön and the E14 to Åre turns icy, a 4WD SUV is the safest choice. Raised clearance copes with unploughed lanes, winter tyres grip black ice, and a heated cabin keeps you cosy after a day on the slopes. Automatic gearboxes are widely available and well suited to British drivers.

Wilderness

Pickup Truck

Built for the Backcountry
5
4
Auto

A rugged pickup opens up Jämtland's remote corners, from gravel forest tracks to riverside fishing spots. The open load bed swallows skis, fishing rods, camping kit and any moose-safari gear. High ground clearance copes with potholed rural lanes, and four-wheel drive keeps you moving when the weather turns.

Summer

Medium

Smooth, Spacious, Family-Ready
5
2
Auto

From May to September, a medium saloon or estate is a comfortable, fuel-efficient way to tour the lake district, visit Frösön and chase the midnight sun. The boot swallows luggage for a family of four, automatic gearboxes ease long motorway stretches, and parking in central Östersund is far simpler than in larger vehicles.

Choose Your Ride

Find the perfect vehicle for your trip. Compare options below.

Airport
City Centre

Choose Åre Östersund Airport Pickup for Speed and Selection

Collecting at OSD is ideal if you land with luggage or sports gear and want to drive straight to Åre, ski lodges, or rural stays. You will usually see better availability of automatics, estates and SUVs, plus simpler returns before departure. Do compare total price carefully, as airport location fees and out-of-hours charges can apply.

logo
Town-friendlySmall
Kia Niro

Kia Niro

BudgetIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
2
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$727.78
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Town-friendlySmall
Kia Niro

Kia Niro

AvisIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
2
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$748.42
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Town-friendlySmall
Peugeot 208

Peugeot 208

BudgetIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
2
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$747.04
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Comfort cruiserLarge
Kia Ceed Estate

Kia Ceed Estate

BudgetIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$855.75
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Comfort cruiserLarge
Kia Ceed Estate

Kia Ceed Estate

AvisIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$890.16
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Comfort cruiserLarge
Volkswagen Passat Estate

Volkswagen Passat Estate

BudgetIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$858.51
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Snow conquerorSUV
Ford Kuga

Ford Kuga

BudgetIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
2
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$859.88
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Snow conquerorSUV
Ford Kuga

Ford Kuga

AvisIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
2
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$891.53
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Snow conquerorSUV
Kia Niro

Kia Niro

AvisIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
2
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$869.52
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates

Discover Ostersund Car Hire Ratings from Real Travellers

Browse genuine customer reviews and ratings for car hire services at Ostersund Airport (OSD), helping you choose a trusted provider for your Swedish journey.

Rental companyRatingAvg. Daily RatePickup Method/DistanceSecurity depositAccepts Debit CardsKey Advantages
Sixt
3.6
200+ reviews
$960.3 mi from Ostersund DowntownLow deposit
  • Professional and friendly staff
  • Easy and smooth rental process
  • High-quality well-maintained vehicles
Budget
2.1
10 reviews
$99In terminal, Walk to counterLow deposit
  • Vehicle collection and return process
  • Competitive pricing structure
  • No significant operational issues
Mabi
1.9
130+ reviews
$834.7 mi from Ostersund Downtown-
  • World-class customer service
  • Clean and modern fleet
  • Transparent pricing
Europcar
1.7
88 reviews
$1281 mi from Ostersund Downtown
$543 - $1,091
  • Smooth pick-up and return process
  • Helpful and friendly staff members
  • Cars provided in excellent condition
Hertz
1.5
120+ reviews
$112Shuttle bus
$217 - $1,004
  • Smooth self-service kiosk
  • Professional staff
  • Clean and modern vehicles
AvisBudget Friendly
1.2
156+ reviews
$99In terminal, Walk to counterLow deposit
  • Easy booking process
  • Straightforward return
  • Competitive pricing

*Rating and review data are sourced from Trustpilot. Policy details may vary by location and vehicle type. Please confirm at the time of booking.

Data source: QEEQ Car Rental
Last updated: Jun. 7 2026
Essential Rental Hub
Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.
A Complete Guide to Fuelling Your Hire Car in Sweden
This guide provides essential tips for first-time visitors on how to fuel a hire car in Sweden, including understanding fuel types, navigating petrol stations, and payment processes.
View details

Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

Expertise Metrics

Platform Recognition

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023&2024

Booking Volume

Review Quality

10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

Market Experience

Data Authority

Expertise Verification

QEEQ data verified against local official data sources

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Airport locations account for 45% of rentals in northern Sweden, with Östersund Airport serving as the primary hub. Sixt and Europcar lead with combined 40% market share in the Jämtland region."

Booking Patterns

"SUV/4x4 bookings increase 35% in summer for F-road travel. Short-term rentals grew 30% annually. Peak season June-August sees 60% higher demand. Average rental duration is 4-5 days."

Customer Pain Points

"42% of renters report confusion over CDW vs Super CDW coverage, while 38% underestimate gravel road insurance needs for F-roads."

Data Sources

  • QEEQ internal booking databse
  • Ken Research - Sweden Car Rental & Leasing Market
  • Statista Market Insights - Car Rentals Sweden
  • Ken Research - Sweden Car Rental & Leasing Market
  • Statista Market Insights - Car Rentals Sweden
  • Nordic Visitor - Sweden Driving Guide
  • Konsumentverket - Swedish Consumer Agency

Drive Östersund – Experience Sweden's Winter Paradise

Essential driving insights for exploring Östersund and central Sweden – from frozen lakes to scenic forests, with expert tips on local traffic rules, car rentals, and fuel costs for British travellers

LANGUAGES

Swedish

CURRENCY

SEK

DRIVE ON

Right-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+46

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$72 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

6 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

30-70 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

80-120 km/h

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.02% (Strictly Enforced)

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$2.09/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$0.96/L - $2.87/L

Ostersund Car Hire FAQs for UK Travellers

Essential answers on UK licences, moose, winter tyres and Norwegian crossings for a Jamtland road trip

Does my UK photocard licence work in Ostersund, or do I need an IDP?
Your valid UK photocard licence is accepted on its own for visits of up to one year, so an International Driving Permit is not legally required to drive in Sweden. That said, every major rental firm at Are Ostersund Airport — Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt — still asks for a passport, a credit card in the main driver's name, and a licence held for at least 12 months. Some smaller Jamtland depots also request a printed licence summary, so carry one to avoid a wasted trip.
Are winter tyres compulsory around Ostersund, and what about snow chains?
Studded or friction winter tyres are mandatory on any vehicle between 1 December and 31 March whenever road conditions are wintry, and rental fleets in Jamtland are switched to winter rubber from late November as standard. Studded tyres are permitted but cost roughly 30 SEK per day extra on top of the base rate. Snow chains are not compulsory on the E14 or main arteries, but a 50-metre set kept in the boot is a sensible lifeline on forest tracks around Areskutan ski resort or Bydalsfjallen.
How real is the moose risk around Ostersund, and when is it worst?
It is genuinely the single biggest road hazard in the region. Jamtland records thousands of elk (moose) collisions a year, with peaks at dawn (04:00–07:00) and dusk (18:00–22:00), especially on the E14 between Storlien and Svenstavik and the forest roads north of Krokom. Slow to 60 km/h whenever you see the yellow Älg warning sign, and switch to full beam on dark rural stretches — the reflective eyes show up long before the animal's body does. A single collision usually totals the car and is rarely covered by basic insurance.
Are there any tolls or congestion charges to drive into Ostersund?
Ostersund itself is essentially toll-free, including the E14 corridor, the Frösö Bridge and all access roads to Are Ostersund Airport. You will not pay to enter the city centre, to cross the lake, or to drive between Ostersund and Are. Sweden only levies congestion-zone fees in Stockholm and Gothenburg, both several hours away, so a Jamtland road trip is refreshingly free of road pricing. The only charge you will meet is paid street parking in the centre, typically 15–25 SEK per hour via the P-skiva disc or the EasyPark app.
Can I take a rental car from Ostersund into Norway or Finland?
Yes — cross-border driving to Norway is straightforward because both countries are Schengen and recognise the same third-party insurance. You must, however, notify the rental company in writing before collecting the car; most agents (Hertz, Avis, Europcar) levy a flat cross-border fee of 200–400 SEK per rental and may insist on the full premium insurance pack. Finland is also possible but adds roughly eight hours' drive via Sundsvall and Umea, with the same paperwork. Without written permission, driving out of Sweden can void your cover entirely and trigger a police report.
What is the trickiest part of driving in Ostersund for UK motorists?
The biggest shock is sitting on the right of the car while driving on the right of the road — gear changes, toll buttons and overtaking mirrors all feel reversed for the first day. Dipped headlights are also compulsory 24/7 in Sweden, and every speed limit is in km/h, not mph. Read each sign carefully: the E14 hits 110 km/h, rural roads 70–90, and built-up areas drop sharply to 50 or 30 near schools, with automated cameras issuing 2,000–4,000 SEK fines to foreign cards on the spot.

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