How to Get Around Stockholm?

Are you visiting Stockholm soon and wondering how to get around the Swedish capital? You're right, it's a great question to ask before you leave! If you want to see as many museums, monuments, neighborhoods, and points of interest as possible, you need to optimize your travels. But how?

When it comes to public transport, Sweden's network is quite efficient and pleasant. Travelers have multiple options, including trams, the subway, buses, ferries, and bicycles Of course, I won't overlook the taxi and car options; we'll discuss those solutions in this post Here's everything you need to know about getting around in Stockholm!

If you're wondering how to get around Stockholm during your stay in Sweden, know that the capital has an excellent public transport network managed by Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL).

Among the most popular options are the public transport systems like the subway, trams, and buses. You can also get around by bike or on foot, especially to save money if you're on a budget or simply to enjoy your sightseeing days to the fullest.

Transportation is always a key concern when going on vacation. It's possible that you've booked a rental car in Stockholm, which could be an interesting solution if you want to explore the surroundings as part of a road trip in Sweden, for example

One way or another, this guide will provide you with all the necessary information to help you choose the transportation method that suits you best If you have any doubts, feel free to leave a comment at the end of this article so I can clearly address all your questions!

If you usually read the articles I publish on this blog, then you know that walking is undoubtedly the first mode of transportation to prioritize when you visit a city. Not only is it completely free, but walking is also a great way to immerse yourself in your vacation destination and see as much as possible For instance, you might discover small shops, squares, and even an authentic restaurant you would have never noticed!

However, it's nearly impossible, in my opinion, to explore the Swedish capital solely on foot. To facilitate your travels and conserve your energy, you will still need to use public transport to easily get from point A to point B.

If you're only staying for 2 or 3 days in Stockholm and want to see as much as you can, walking will waste a lot of your time. In that case, I highly recommend opting for a Hop-on-Hop-off bus ticket or using public transport to save time

The second option I highly recommend is to visit Stockholm by bike. It's a very pleasant way to explore the city without spending too much time getting to the museums and monuments!

This way, you'll be able to see as much of the Swedish capital as possible and fully enjoy the architecture of various buildings. There are many bike lanes that will allow you to move safely without fearing an accident

If you visit Stockholm in spring, the Stockholm City Bikes are available for rent starting in April, but not in winter due to the cold These self-service bikes are spread across no less than 150 stations in the capital, and each bike can be borrowed for 3 consecutive hours.

To use them, you'll need to get a card available at newsstands, hotels, as well as 7 Eleven convenience stores. Once you have the card, head to a rental station to pick up a bike.

Using the subway is undoubtedly the best mode of transport to choose in Stockholm! It's not only simple and fast, but the Swedish system is really efficient, with only 3 lines facilitating city navigation The Stockholm subway stretches approximately 100 kilometers with about a hundred stations, accessible from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays and from 5 a.m. to 3 a.m. on weekends

If you're not a big fan of the subway, I have another compelling reason for you! The subway stations in Stockholm are adorned with beautiful, original, and colorful decorations that will immerse you in a unique universe with each of your travels throughout the city, featuring sculptures, paintings, and local artworks It's truly worth a look!

Before you go, I suggest taking a few notes! Below, you will find the main subway stations in Stockholm as well as the lines that serve them. This should be helpful:

The T-Centralen station is simply the central station of Stockholm, allowing you to connect to the train station! (Lines 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19)

The Gamla Stan station serves the old town of Stockholm and many major attractions like the Royal Palace and the cathedral. (Lines 13, 14, 17, 18, 19)

The Kungsträdgården station will take you to the National Museum, Moderna Museet, and the Stockholm Opera. (Lines 10 and 11)

The Slussen station serves the Katarina-Sofia neighborhood in Södermalm and the ferry terminal for reaching or returning from other Baltic destinations! (Lines 13, 14, 17, 18, 19)

The Medborgarplatsen station will also take you to the Katarina-Sofia neighborhood, especially if you want to enjoy Swedish nightlife! (Lines 17, 18, 19)

After sharing the main subway stations in Stockholm, it's time to quickly look at the 3 main lines of the Swedish capital. As I stated at the beginning of this section, the Stockholm subway is really easy to understand; here's what you need to remember:

BLUE LINE: from the center, it takes you to all the neighborhoods in the northwest of the city. This line is divided into two branches, here they are:

T10: Kungsträdgården - Hjulsta

T11: Kungsträdgården - Akalla

RED LINE: this line will allow you to get from the southwest neighborhoods to the northeast neighborhoods while passing through the city center. It divides into two sections:

T13: Norsborg - Ropsten

T14: Fruängen - Mörby centrum

GREEN LINE: this line connects the west to the southeast of Stockholm while passing through the center, here are the branches:

T17: Åkeshov - Skarpnäck

T18: Alvik - Farsta strand

T19: Hässelby strand - Hagsätra

All the details and information are available on the official Storstockholms Lokaltrafik website

You're lucky enough to be traveling to the Swedish capital but are still unsure about what to do in Stockholm? You're in the right place because on this blog, you'll find all the info for exploring the city and visiting its main tourist sites! In Stockholm, you can go on a sightseeing cruise, ride the Skyview, visit the ABBA Museum, taste the local cuisine, or even go on safari in the Stockholm Zoo! Regardless, whether you're with family, a partner, or friends, you'll definitely find some very interesting activities to do during your stay I simply recommend that you book your outings in advance, as Stockholm remains quite touristy as a capital!

The tram is definitely an excellent way to get around Stockholm. It's considered the little brother of the subway. If I had to recommend one line, it would be line 7. It runs from the large Sergel Square to Djurgården, passing many of Stockholm's major attractions, including the Vasa Museum, Skansen Museum, and Gröna Lund

The bus is also another option to consider. The network is a bit complicated, with no less than 500 different lines, making it hard to navigate! That's why it's advisable to stick to the subway/tram if you're only staying for 2 or 3 days in Stockholm. However, I recommend bus line 69, which serves the main sites of the capital Otherwise, as stated earlier in this article, you always have the option of the sightseeing bus!

If you plan to visit Stockholm, I first recommend checking out my article on the best activities to enjoy in the capital, where I discuss the boat trips operated by Waxholmsbolaget!

This is a network encompassing 24 ferry lines, including line 82, which will take you between Slussen, Skeppsholmen, and Djurgården island As with the bus, if you prefer to combine utility with pleasure and take a boat while enjoying a sightseeing tour, you can also opt for a guided sightseeing cruise in the Stockholm archipelago, available from around €33 per person.

When you arrive in Stockholm, I highly recommend getting a rechargeable card to simplify purchasing your transport ticket. It's a small magnetic card you can find almost everywhere, be it at the airport, in convenience stores, or at train stations

The SL card is reusable for up to 5 years

Usable for the subway, tram, bus, and ferry

Once you have the card, you simply need to load it with cash or a debit/credit card for the amount of your choice. You can also obtain a physical ticket, but it's more expensive and this option will soon disappear.

Expect to pay 42 SEK (Swedish Krona) per trip, which is about €3.74. The ticket is valid for 75 minutes.

Those under 20 and over 65 get a discount of 26 SEK, which is about €2.30.

The trip is free for children under 7 years old.

Tickets are available at machines and via the SL app.

Depending on your length of stay in Stockholm, you can get a rechargeable card! Whether it's for 24 hours, 72 hours, or 1 week, you'll enjoy unlimited access to public transport. This is the TravelCard, a convenient option to have peace of mind and not worry about reloading.

Here are the new rates for an adult (20-64 years old) effective January 2024:

A reduced rate applies if you are over 65, a student with a valid Swedish student ID showing the SL logo, or under 20 years old.

If you already have an SL card, you will only pay for the chosen fare. However, for those without this card, a fee of 20 SEK (€1.80) will be charged.

I really recommend opting for a rechargeable magnetic card, as it will be the most cost-effective option if you plan to use public transport during your stay in Stockholm. Note that it is impossible to purchase a ticket directly from the driver. Before using the card, make sure you have sufficient funds available for payment

You can download the free SL app directly to your smartphone from the Apple Store or Google Play.

If there's one mode of transport I advise against in Stockholm, it's the car While having your own vehicle can be very convenient for discovering areas a bit further from the center, driving in the Swedish capital can turn into a real headache you'd want to avoid!

I think you get it; it's about an archipelago with several different islands! So traffic can be quite complex, with many interchanges, tunnels, bridges, and numerous no-entry signs that will waste a lot of your time as you try to figure out the system.

As for parking, almost all parking lots in Stockholm are paid, and you'll really struggle to find a place to park your vehicle. If you happen to find a free spot, chances are it won't be allowed, adding even more challenge to each trip...

Moreover, if you unfortunately break a rule, the fine must be paid directly online, and it is impossible to pay your parking spot with coins at the meter, only by credit card or through a mobile app (Betala P) that you need to download beforehand

And that's it for me! Now that you know how to get around Stockholm, I invite you to continue planning your trip by browsing the other articles on this blog! For example, discover the best places to stay in Stockholm!