Transport in Stockholm

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Metro

Stockholm Transport website:

The fastest method of getting around with public transport in Stockholm is the subway system, also known as the Metro, the Tunnelbana and the T-bana. Individual tickets can be bought at the start of your journey for 20 kronor (about 2 euros). Once stamped, the ticket is valid for an hour on metro or buses. Alternatively you can buy a book of ten tickets for 180 kronor (about 20 euros). Bus routes are simple to navigate and single tickets can be bought from the driver.

Bus

The main bus station in Stockholm is called Cityterminalen and is located near the Central Station in Stockholm. Transport in the Greater Stockholm area is operated by SL and an English journey planner is available on their website:

There are frequent Flygbussarna buses that run between Arlanda international airport and downtown Stockholm. The journey takes around 40 minutes. Ryanair or Wizz flights mostly arrive at Skavsta Airport, which is about 75 minutes' drive south of Stockholm. The cheapest way to get to Stockholm in this case is to take the bus. These buses usually depart about half an hour after the flight lands and a return ticket costs 249 SEK. Ryanair flights from Dublin and London also land at Västerås, which is at a similar distance from Stockholm. Tickets can be purchased by card or cash at the customer service desks or from machines in the arrivals area. You can also book online. More info about airport bus services:

Trains

All parts of the Greater Stockholm area can be reached by metro, bus, commuter train and tram. Consider buying a Stockholm Card which gives you unlimited travel on Greater Stockholm’s public transport. The Stockholm Card Guide will give you tips on the best way to get to the different attractions plus contains and a map of the metro network. Schedules are available at all SL centres. Note that the Stockholm Card does not work in the metro’s automatic turnstiles; you must show the card to the ticket collector or bus driver at the beginning of your journey.

International flights arrive at Arlanda airport, the largest airport in Scandinavia, about 27 miles north of Stockholm. The efficient Arlanda Express train departs for Central Station every 10 to 15 minutes; the journey takes 20 minutes:

Taxis

Taxis are an easy travel option for visitors to Stockholm because they can be hailed on the street almost everywhere in the city. Note that Stockholm doesn’t have a regulated taxi service, which means that fares vary widely. Taxis are expensive and you are advised to fix the rate with the driver before accepting a taxi ride. The main taxi rental company in Stockholm is Taxi Stockholm, phone number: 08-15 00 00. They are reliable and have many English-speaking drivers. This company also offers ninety minute and two hour guided tours for visitors. Other major reputable taxi companies in Stockholm are: Taxi 020 (Phone: 020-20 20 20) and Taxi Kurir (Phone: 08-30 00 00). All of these three companies are safe and accept major credit cards. Tipping your driver isn't expected, but you can round the total up a bit if you feel so inclined.

Boats

A nice way to travel in Stockholm, even in winter, is by boat, especially the ferry between Slussen and Djurgården, and trips to the amusement park Gröna Lund, the children's Astrid Lindgren World and other museums. There are also boats to Fjäderholmarna, Drottningholm Palace and other places outside Stockholm. Boats depart from Strömkajen in the centre of town. During the summer the archipelago is filled with sailing boats as many Stockholmers travel from island to island. To fully explore the archipelago, purchase the 5-day archipelago pass, “Båtluffarkortet” at SEK 300. This pass entitles you to unlimited boat travel throughout the archipelago. You may use the pass for day trips out from Stockholm or for more extensive excursions, perhaps spending a night or two at one of the many Bed & Breakfasts, hostels or hotels in the region. On some of the islands you will find simple camp sites too. The card can be purchased at the Stockholm Tourist Centre, Sverigehuset, Hamngatan27, or online at:

Tram

Visitors who prefer to see the sights while travelling above ground can opt for the trolley system, also known as the trams. There are two tram lines, with the preferred tram being Tram No.7. This tram runs from Norrmalmstorg to Waldemarsudde and passes through many popular tourist districts.

Car

If you'd like to drive yourself around Stockholm you can easily rent a car at the airport. Car hire is relatively inexpensive in Stockholm but for the best rates opt for one of the local firms in the city rather than one of the big-name companies at the airport. The most popular is probably Berras. If you are a non EU-citizen you must get a Swedish license after your first year of living in Sweden.

Like more and more of the world’s capitals (notably London) there has been a congestion tax in place in Stockholm since 2006 which applies to vehicles entering the centre of the city between the hours of 6:30am and 6:30pm, Monday to Friday.A system of cameras monitors the number plates of vehicles as they enter and leave the charge zone. How much you pay depends on the time you enter the zone and varies from ten kronor between 6:30am and 6:59am, and twenty kronor between 7:30am and 8:29 am and between 4pm and 5:29pm. You will never be charged more than 60 kronor per day in any case. Only vehicles registered in Sweden are subject to the charge and certain vehicles, notably cars that run on natural gas and ethanol, are exempt. You have up to two weeks to pay your charge and payment can be made on line or at 7-eleven and Pressbyrån stores. You won't receive a reminder, and if you pass the deadline you’ll be fined.

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Update 15/05/2008


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