The Stockholm Public Transport System is efficient and covers most parts of town. Even if this is a perfect city to explore by foot it can be nice to gain some extra time by using the public transport every once in a while. [Updated 10-06-2023]
The Swedish capital has a very well-organized transport system and you can choose between taking the subway, the light railway, commuter trains, buses or navigate the city by boat.
The bus-and rail transport is operated by SL. Below is our Stockholm public transport guide.
Stockholm subway – 3 main lines
The easiest way to get around is to use the subway. The Stockholm city subway provides 3 main lines – the green, the red and the blue line serving approximately 100 stations with T-centralen (Central Station) being the transport hub.Stockholm subway runs daily from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.
A really nice thing to note about the subway in Stockholm is all the art that embellishes the stations.
About 90 of the 100 stations are filled with murals, sculptures, ceramic and mosaic. Stockholms subway is sometimes called “the worlds largest art gallery”.
There are also four light rail lines called Tvärbanan, Nockebybanan, Djurgårdslinjen (Spårväg City) and Lidingöbanan.
Tram no.7 reaches Djurgården and connects you to many of the most well-known museums and attractions in only 10 minutes. A perfect way to discover the city as well.
Buses in Stockholm
If you prefer taking a bus instead, there are many lines operating in and around Stockholm. Stockholm city bus lines use Slussen as a transport hub which is close to Gamla Stan (Old Town).
Moreover, the disabled are sure to enjoy a nice ride as well whether they go by subway, by bus, or by tram. If you have a stroller you also get to ride for free.
There are four main bus lines in Stockholm:
Inner-city blue buses
Inner-city red buses (operate less frequently)
Suburban blue buses
Service buses for elderly people
Commuter trains
You can either take the commuter trains if you want to have a look around and go further outside the city area, or you can catch a national train to visit another city. The commuter services and the national rail both connect at T-centralen (Central Station).
Boat lines in and outside town
Several boat lines are operating from Nybrokajen and allow you to explore the archipelago. If you fancy a boat trip “within” the city, you can take the Djurgården ferry from Slussen. Main boat lines are:
Waxholmsbolaget
Cinderellabåtarna
Stockholm Public Transport – tickets and travel cards
Buying tickets is easy! Just tap your contactless credit card, or mobile device, to pay. It works on the automatic barriers in the metro, on buses, and on card readers on the tram and light railway, as well as on the commuter train stations.
Please note that there's no need to touch out after your journey.
A single ticket is valid for 75 minutes and you can use it for multiple journeys during that time.
If you do not manage to show a valid ticket or travel card you may have to pay a penalty fee of 1500 SEK.
However, if you will be using public transport for a couple of days during your stay in Stockholm, the best and the cheapest way to get around is to use a prepaid travel card.
There are cards for 24 hours, 72 hours, 7 days and even longer. For tourists these are the most likely ones to be used.
SL has a really informative English website. Please go there to know all about tickets and fares.
Local expert, travel writer (visited 50+ countries), and I've been living in Stockholm for more than 20 years. My mission with this travel guide is to give you the best possible advice for your visit to Stockholm and to share tips on my own personal favorites in this beautiful city.
The easiest way to get around is to use the subway. The Stockholm city subway provides 3 main lines – the green, the red and the blue line serving approximately 100 stations with T-centralen (Central Station) being the transport hub. Stockholm subway
Stockholm subway
The Stockholm Metro (Swedish: Stockholms tunnelbana) is a rapid transit system in Stockholm, Sweden. The first line opened in 1950 as the first metro line in the Nordic countries, and today the system has 100 stations in use, of which 47 are underground and 53 above ground.
The best way to get around Stockholm is by the excellent public transportation system; several bus lines, metro, commuter rails, trams and ferries cover the big city very efficiently. Biking is another popular option for getting around, as the city boasts numerous bike lanes and paths.
For us the SL card was worth it but not the Stockholm pass. After making all calculations, it became clear that the SL Access card is the best option for us (group of 3). We want to buy one card to add credit and use it with pay as you go.
It's a very pedestrian-friendly city, with well-maintained sidewalks, plenty of street lighting and good signposting. There are wide, expansive boulevards but also lots of cobbled lanes, particularly in the old town, so do wear sturdy shoes, or perhaps a neat pair of wedges in the evenings.
In order to travel with the SL services you will of course need a ticket. There are tickets and travelcards for short and longer periods of time. Use a contactless card or mobile device for pay as you go travel on all our transport services. Buy and store almost all tickets in the SL App in your mobile phone.
However, if you will be using public transport for a couple of days during your stay in Stockholm, the best and the cheapest way to get around is to use a prepaid travel card. There are cards for 24 hours, 72 hours, 7 days and even longer. For tourists these are the most likely ones to be used.
The stroll along Strandvagen in summer or winter is beautiful. Cafe society on water. The walk is breathtaking with beautiful wooden sailing boats some of which are lived in year round.
The Stockholm Card, or Stockholmskortet as it's called in Swedish, is the premier smart card tourist pass for the Swedish capital. It's good for 24, 48, 72, or 120 hours and includes free admission to 75 different attractions plus unlimited rides on public transportation.
SL Access Cards can be purchased for 20 SEK at many places: at the information desk at Arlanda Airport, at the SL Service Center in Central Station, or many common newsagents (such as "Pressbyrån"). The cards are reusable, so you can save them for your next trip to Stockholm.
The Arlanda express train provides a shuttle service between Stockholm Arlanda Airport and Stockholm Central Station. The platform is easily accessible underneath the arrival terminals. The trains depart every 10 minutes in rush hour traffic, and every 15 minutes at other times. Travel time: 18 minutes.
The Swedish capital is often considered one of the safest cities in Europe. While the city centre is very safe, avoiding outskirt areas like Tensta or Rinkeby is wise.
A smart traveler will bring a light jacket year-round to ward off any sudden chill. The maritime look is uber-popular in the summer, which makes sense given the sea salt in the air. Think navy blue plus white plus beige. Try a pair of Nudie jeans coupled with a striped t-shirt and jacket for a supremely Swedish look.
A single ticket is valid for 75 minutes, costs 42 SEK (26 SEK for senior citizens and children/teenagers/students up to the age of 20), and can be purchased at SL's customer service shops, through their app, or directly at the turnstiles and on buses using a credit card.
To pay the right fare, always touch in on a yellow card reader at the start of your journey and touch out at the end. On a bus or tram you only need to touch in.
Sweden is widely regarded as the most cashless society on the planet. Most of the country's bank branches have stopped handling cash; many shops, museums and restaurants now only accept plastic or mobile payments. Most terminals in stores are supporting the use of paying with contactless cards. But no need to worry.
Yes.The Uber app gives you the power to request a ride to get around Stockholm anytime, 24/7. What's the most affordable way to travel in Stockholm? With Uber, you can choose the ride option that works best for your budget when you travel in Stockholm.
The plan establishes nine strategic nodes in the outer city to concentrate development. It also aims to improve green spaces and connect different parts of the city to create a more vibrant, safe, and sustainable Stockholm for its growing population.
You could spend endless days exploring this city, but luckily 3 days in Stockholm is enough time to see the top attractions. Any less, and you'll likely find yourself rushing around. However, if you've only got one day in Stockholm, then you'll need to prioritise the places you want to visit.
The Arlanda express train provides a shuttle service between Stockholm Arlanda Airport and Stockholm Central Station. The platform is easily accessible underneath the arrival terminals. The trains depart every 10 minutes in rush hour traffic, and every 15 minutes at other times. Travel time: 18 minutes.
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