Let’s face it – buying drinking water in plastic bottles in places where the tap water is perfectly drinkable is a terrible waste, both of money and resources. Nowhere is this more true than in the Nordic countries, which have some of the cleanest and most delicious tap water in the world. There really is no reason to ever buy bottled water when travelling in the Nordic region, and paying airport prices for a bottle of drinking water once you’re through security is even more ridiculous.
Fortunately, many airports around the world have free water fountains where you can refill your own water bottle. BUT – they’re often not easy to find! Signs may be few and far between and the fountains are sometimes hidden in obscure corners.
Here we’ve tried to make the search for free airport drinking water easier next time you’re at the airport on the way to or from for one of our outdoor adventures, whether’s it’s a self-guided canoe tour, packrafting and camping trip, backcountry ski expedition or once-in-a-lifetime dog sledding holiday.
If you just can’t find a water station next time you’re at the airport, simply take your refillable bottle to one of the cafes or kiosks – they will usually be happy to fill it for you. Don’t be shy!
Where to Find Free Drinking Water at Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN)
Arlanda is Stockholm’s main airport. See here for a map of Stockholm Arlanda airport.
The airport has undergone a lot of re-modelling recently and some facilities may have moved, but based on information from the WaterAtAirports website, drinking water fountains in Terminal 5 are located as follows (information in brackets is older and may not be current):
- (Between Gates 3A-B and 6A-B)
- (Opposite Gate 13B)
- Between Gates C37 and C38
- Between Gates D14 and D16
- By Gate E3
- By Gate F29
- (By Gate F59)
Where to Find Free Drinking Water at Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL)
Gardermoen is Oslo’s main airport. See here for a map of Oslo Gardermoen airport.
Oslo airport publishes its own list of where to find the drinking water fountains. Wouldn’t it be nice if all airports did this?
- Immediately after security there are two water stations.
- If taking a Domestic flight, there are water stations at Gates A10, B2 and C4 in the Domestic terminal.
- For International flights, there are stations at Gates D4 and E12.
- In the Non-Schengen area of the airport, there is a station between Gate F17 and F19 and also stations before and after Gate F26.
- In the Baggage Reclaim area for International Arrivals, there is a water station by Customs.
- In the Domestic Arrival Hall, there is a station between Wagamama and the WHSmith Kiosk.
Where to Find Free Drinking Water at Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL)
Vantaa is Helsinki’s main airport. See here for a map of Helsinki Vantaa airport.
Helsinki airport is even more helpful than Oslo in that it publishes its own map showing the location of drinking water stations. Hooray!
- There are water stations in the Departures and Arrivals Halls and in the Gate area, usually near the entrances to toilets.
- In the Gate area 1-36, the water station is near Security next to the Transfer Service point.
- In the Gate area 37-60 there are water stations dispensing both hot and cold water.
- There are also water stations in the gate waiting areas at Gates 43-45 and Gate 54.
- Please refer to the map above for detailed information.
Where to Find Free Drinking Water at Copenhagen Kastrup Airport (CPH)
Kastrup is Copenhagen’s main airport. See here for a map of Copenhagen Kastrup airport.
You may be forgiven for thinking Copenhagen airport has no water stations, but it’s just that the airport organises things a little differently.
The drinking water taps are located in the sinks in the lavatories. Sinks with taps which dispense drinking water are clearly labelled with the sign “Koldtvandshane / Cold Water Tap” and a symbol of a tap and drinking glass.
Not all the toilets have these special sinks, and usually only one of the sinks in the row will dispense drinking water, so only fill your bottle from the sinks with the sign.
Happy Hydrating! (Oh, and don’t forget to bring a reusable drinking water bottle with you in your hand luggage of course, or you’ll have nothing to fill!)
Best regards
The Nature Travels Team