Nordic Countries - Where to rest/sleep at Arlanda/Stockholm before our flight? (and where to park)

We're taking a 6AM flight from Arlanda to Vienna.

Since we live about a 5 hour drive away, we're going to drive down at like 6PM the night before, aiming to arrive around ~midnight. So then we have 6 hours or so before our flight leaves. What's the earliest we can check in our luggage at the airport? What can we do in the time that we're waiting, can we even enter the airport?

In addition, where is the best place to park the car for long term parking? We're going to be away for roughly 2.5 weeks.

e: We're flying with Austrian, Terminal 5. Flight OS318.

Hi.
If that was me, I'd probably drive to ARN earlier and get a room at the airport. There are several hotels at or near ARN, and also a cheap (more or less) place inside the Sky City building (between Terminals 4 & 5) called Rest & Fly. The rooms are more like cabins without a window, but perfectly adequate for a few hours sleep. I used it a while back, had no issues. There's a link to their website under the "Hotels" section at arlanda.se

ARN, most of the terminals anway, is open 24 hrs, but I wouldn't count on getting much real rest in the public areas. If you don't want to be completely exhausted when you get to your destination, I wouldn't hang around there all night.

As for parking, I always use the "official" long term parking near Radisson Arlandia and the rental car lots, but I know there are a little cheaper options slightly further from the airport. Don't know their locations, but a google search would probably find something.

Hi.
If that was me, I'd probably drive to ARN earlier and get a room at the airport. There are several hotels at or near ARN, and also a cheap (more or less) place inside the Sky City building (between Terminals 4 & 5) called Rest & Fly. The rooms are more like cabins without a window, but perfectly adequate for a few hours sleep. I used it a while back, had no issues. There's a link to their website under the "Hotels" section at arlanda.se

ARN, most of the terminals anway, is open 24 hrs, but I wouldn't count on getting much real rest in the public areas. If you don't want to be completely exhausted when you get to your destination, I wouldn't hang around there all night.

As for parking, I always use the "official" long term parking near Radisson Arlandia and the rental car lots, but I know there are a little cheaper options slightly further from the airport. Don't know their locations, but a google search would probably find something.

Looking at the website, it seems like you can rent a 4 person room and pay an extra 120 to have two people use one bed. http://www.restandfly.com/_eng/priser.html

Is that accurate do you know? If so, that's not too bad (1000kr for 5 people).

Ah apparently you can't have 5 in one room. Muh, that makes it 1600 for 5 people which is a bit more painful :(

Looking at the website, it seems like you can rent a 4 person room and pay an extra 120 to have two people use one bed. http://www.restandfly.com/_eng/priser.html

Is that accurate do you know? If so, that's not too bad (1000kr for 5 people).

Had to take a good look before I found the 120 kr you mention... No, thats the fee if you want your bed made, as opposed to them just putting the sheets on top of the bed for you. I doubt there's room for five, when I stayed there the room had two quite narrow double beds.

I don't know if you're five adults or a family with three kids. If the latter, a family room at the Radisson Arlandia could be a good deal. Around SEK 1500 including breakfast, at least during the summer. Just across the road from the long term parking, and a bus stop for the terminal bus.

Had to take a good look before I found the 120 kr you mention... No, thats the fee if you want your bed made, as opposed to them just putting the sheets on top of the bed for you. I doubt there's room for five, when I stayed there the room had two quite narrow double beds.

I don't know if you're five adults or a family with three kids. If the latter, a family room at the Radisson Arlandia could be a good deal. Around SEK 1500 including breakfast, at least during the summer. Just across the road from the long term parking, and a bus stop for the terminal bus.

We're 5 adults. The Rest & Fly doesn't really seem like a possibility now anyway since only 4 person rooms are available on the night we need, and I'm not willing to book an extra four person room for one person. Hmm.

e: Actually the price differential for 2x 4 people rooms is nothing, so I guess we'll just take that. Thanks for the advice :)

5 people split into two "family" rooms is doable. Two of the people better be significant others, or else they just might become one. Those beds aren't wide.

I think Rest & Fly would meet your needs quite well, although you would need 2 rooms. BTW, the rooms are quite small with just enough space for the beds and not much more. They are, however, very comfortable, quiet and convenient. Read more here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/scandinavia/857088-hotel-review-rest-fly-arlanda-airport.html