Public transportation in Stockholm is the integrated city transport system for Greater Stockholm, managed mainly by Stockholm Public Transport, SL. It covers the metro, buses, commuter trains, trams, light rail, and selected ferry routes, so you can move between the city center, suburbs, nearby municipalities, and waterfront areas with one coordinated network.
A single ticket is valid for 75 minutes and costs 43 SEK, or about $4. Reduced fare tickets cost 26 SEK, or about $2.50, for senior citizens, children, teenagers, and students up to age 20. Tickets are sold through SL customer service shops, the SL app, and by credit card at metro turnstiles and on buses. Cash is not accepted on buses, and traveling without a valid ticket can lead to a 1,500 SEK penalty, about $140.
For opening hours, opening times, schedule today, timings today, last train details, and closing time by route, use SL’s app or journey planner before you travel. Timings and frequency vary by line, time of day, and service type.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| Main operator | Stockholm Public Transport, SL |
| Transport types | Metro, bus, commuter train, trams, light rail, and selected ferry lines |
| Single ticket validity | 75 minutes |
| Single ticket price | 43 SEK, about $4 |
| Reduced fare | 26 SEK, about $2.50, for eligible seniors, children, teenagers, and students up to age 20 |
| Pass options | 24-hour day pass, 72-hour ticket, 7-day pass, and 30-day ticket |
| Payment | SL app, SL customer service shops, credit card at gates and on buses |
| Penalty fare | 1,500 SEK, about $140, for traveling without a valid ticket |
Map of Public transport system in Stockholm
Map of Public transport system showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the transport system map in PDF format.
Stockholm Metro
The Stockholm Metro is the core rail system for local transport in the city. It has three colored lines, blue, red, and green, which together form seven route variants linking the city center with major districts and suburbs. Metro station entrances are marked with a blue T symbol.
The network has 100 stations and runs for about 108 km, or 67 miles. T-Centralen is the main interchange, while Fridhemsplan, Slussen, and Gamla stan are also important transfer points. If you are checking a stations map or planning a path train by train, these are the names you will see often.
Stockholm’s metro is also famous for its art. Many stations feature sculptures, mosaics, paintings, installations, engravings, and reliefs, which is why the system is often described as the world’s longest art gallery.
Use the SL app for the latest metro timetable, route timetable, train schedule, starting time, running time, frequency, last train, and closing time. The same ticket works across the metro, bus, tram, commuter rail, and selected ferry services within the SL system.
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| T-Centralen | Main metro interchange in central Stockholm |
| Fridhemsplan | Key transfer station in the metro network |
| Slussen | Important transfer point with connections toward ferry services |
| Gamla stan | Central station serving Stockholm’s old town area |
Bus and tram services in Stockholm
Buses and trams fill the gaps between metro and commuter rail routes, making public transport useful far beyond the city center. SL manages buses, trams, underground trains, commuter trains, and selected ferry lines across Greater Stockholm, so transfers are straightforward with one valid ticket.
Buses serve central Stockholm, suburbs, neighboring municipalities, and areas outside Stockholm County. Blue buses operate as trunk routes, while regular buses are red. There are also service buses designed for elderly passengers and night buses that replace regular routes during the night.
Trams and light rail services are another practical part of transportation in Stockholm. They connect several urban areas, including Djurgården, and are useful when your route plan is not covered directly by the metro. The tramway network works with the same SL ticketing system as the bus and metro.
A single ticket costs 43 SEK, about $4, and is valid for 75 minutes. The reduced ticket price is 26 SEK, about $2.50. Available pass options include 24-hour, 72-hour, 7-day, and 30-day tickets. If you are comparing fare options, the SL app is the best place to check current cost, timetable, and schedule details; for most standard trips, you do not need a separate fare calculator because the single ticket has a fixed 75-minute validity.
Parents with strollers ride free on Stockholm’s red buses. This does not apply to the blue central buses with boarding through all doors. Many inner-city buses run on eco-friendly fuels such as biodiesel, and the system includes an accessibility guarantee for travelers with disabilities.
Boats or ferry service in Stockholm
Ferries are both public transport and part of the Stockholm experience. Because the city spreads across islands and waterways, boats connect central Stockholm with areas such as Djurgården, Hammarby Sjöstad, Vaxholm, and the wider archipelago.
Some ferry services are included in the SL ticketing system. An SL Card is valid on commuter ferries from Slussen and on routes such as line 83 to Vaxholm. Single tickets can also be bought on the quay, and on some services you can pay on board.
Main ferry operators include Waxholmsbolaget, Ressel Rederi, and SL Public Commuter Ferries. Waxholmsbolaget operates regular archipelago services year-round, with extra summer sailings from central Stockholm and other ports around the county. These boats are commonly used for trips to islands such as Fjäderholmarna, Dalarö, and Vaxholm.
SL runs commuter ferry routes from places such as Nybroviken and Slussen to Djurgården and Hammarby Sjöstad. The Djurgården ferry and Sjövägen are good choices if you want a short boat ride while staying within the local transport network.
Private operators add day trips, excursions, and sightseeing options. Strömma runs the Cinderella boats and offers archipelago cruises, restaurant cruises, and sightseeing tours. Taxi boats such as Båttaxi and Stockholm Watertaxi are useful for shorter cross-water transfers or trips outside regular ferry routes, especially for groups.
Cars and bicycles in Stockholm
Driving in Stockholm is usually less convenient than using public transport. The city is built across islands, traffic is shaped by strict speed limits, and a congestion charge applies in the city center. If you arrive by car, it often makes sense to leave it at a park-and-ride facility outside the center and continue by metro, bus, tram, or train.
Stockholm has an extensive network of bike lanes, and cycling is a practical way to move around compact central areas. Bicycle parking and station parking for bikes are available near metro stations, tourist sights, shopping centers, parks, and other public spaces.
Bicycle rental options include City Bikes, Rent a Bike, Cykelstället, and Gamla Stans Cykel. City Bikes is self-service, while other providers also rent bicycles and scooters.
Car rental is available from major companies such as Avis, Europcar, and Hertz. A national driving licence, passport, and credit card are required. Fire and third-party liability insurance is mandatory in Sweden and is included in rental deals.
Parking can be awkward in Stockholm. Parking meters almost never take cash, and foreign credit or debit cards may be rejected. In many cases, parking charges are paid through a smartphone app, so check the payment method and any parking charges per day before leaving the car.
Electric scooters are also part of city transport in Stockholm. Several brands operate in the city, and you use them by downloading the relevant app.
Taxi in Stockholm
Taxis are easy to find in Stockholm, with local operators and international services such as Bolt and Uber available. Approved taxis with metered fares have yellow number plates, and credit cards are widely accepted.
You can book a taxi by phone, app, street hail, or taxi rank. At Stockholm Central Station, a manned taxi center can help you choose a service, including vehicles with child seats.
Taxi prices are not regulated in Sweden and can vary greatly. Always check the yellow-and-white price label on the rear door window before getting in. The comparison price shown there is based on a 10 km, or 6 mile, 15-minute journey, and the taximeter shows the amount in Swedish kronor.
Booking a cab
Most taxi companies in Stockholm have their own smartphone app. The apps are free to download, but the ride itself is not. Common options include Taxi 020, Sverige Taxi, Taxi Stockholm, Taxi Kurir, Uber, and Bolt.
Central train station
When leaving Stockholm Central Station through the main exit, go left to reach the taxi stand. A host is available Monday to Friday, 07.00–22.00, to help passengers choose a taxi. You can also select Taxi Stockholm as your preferred company on the digital screen near the taxi host.
The landowner adds a surcharge of 25 SEK, about $2.40, and it appears on your receipt. If you have booked a taxi in advance, the pickup point is to the right of the main entrance, about 15 meters away.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| Taxi host at Stockholm Central Station | Monday to Friday, 07.00–22.00 |
| Standard taxi tariff | Every day, 00–24 |
| Big taxi tariff | Every day, 00–24 |
| Taxi type | Details |
|---|---|
| Taxi for 1–4 passengers | Tariff 1, every day 00–24: basic fee 59 SEK, about $5.50, plus 595 SEK per hour, about $56, plus 14.90 SEK per km, about $1.40. Comparison price: 357 SEK, about $34. |
| Big taxi for 5–7 passengers | Tariff 5, waiting time before travel around the clock: basic fee 90 SEK, about $8.50, plus 695 SEK per hour, about $65. Comparison price: 264 SEK, about $25. |
| Big taxi for 5–7 passengers | Tariff 6, every day 00–24: basic fee 90 SEK, about $8.50, plus 673 SEK per hour, about $63, plus 23 SEK per km, about $2.20. Comparison price: 494 SEK, about $46. |
| Hub | Charge details |
|---|---|
| Bromma Airport | 24 SEK, about $2.30, for all taxi journeys from Bromma Airport; 31 SEK, about $2.90, for pre-orders. |
| Arlanda Airport | 50 SEK, about $4.70, terminal fee for taxi journeys from Arlanda Airport; 31 SEK, about $2.90, booking fee for trips booked by phone, app, or web. |
| Skavsta Airport | 43 SEK, about $4, for pickup and drop-off at Skavsta Airport. |
| Arlanda Express | 32 SEK, about $3. |
| Stockholm Central Station | 27 SEK, about $2.50. |
| Viking terminal | 32 SEK, about $3. |
| Frihamnen berth 638 | 32 SEK, about $3. |
| Värtahamnen port | 32 SEK, about $3. |
| Stockholmsmässan | 25 SEK, about $2.40. |
Prices include VAT. The hourly price includes 30 km per hour, or about 19 miles per hour. After that, an additional 200 SEK, about $19, is added per started 10 km, or 6 miles. The minimum charge is 1 hour, and after that each started 30-minute period is charged. For journeys starting more than 15 km, or 9 miles, outside Stockholm’s customs, an extra 30 minutes is added to the basic price.
Waiting rate
Waiting rate starts when the taxi is at the address and waiting, luggage is being loaded, or the driver or passenger is fastening a child in a child seat.
- Direct order with taximeter journey: 2 minutes of waiting time included.
- Pre-ordered taximeter trip: no waiting time included.
- Direct order with fixed price: 2 minutes of waiting time included.
- Pre-order with fixed price: no waiting time included.
Waiting times when pre-ordering from an airport
For pre-ordered airport pickups, the included waiting time starts when the plane lands at Bromma or Arlanda.
- Arlanda domestic flights: 30 minutes included.
- Arlanda international flights: 30 minutes included.
- Bromma: 15 minutes included.
- Skavsta: 30 minutes included.
Airport Connections
Stockholm’s four airports are connected to the city center by airport coaches, and municipal transport options are also available. From Stockholm Arlanda Airport, travelers can also use the high-speed Arlanda Express train to Stockholm Central Station.
Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Stockholm Arlanda Airport is about 40 km, or 25 miles, north of Stockholm City. Arlanda Express runs between the airport and Stockholm Central Station, with platforms underneath the arrival terminals. Trains depart every 10 minutes during rush hour and every 15 minutes at other times. The running time is 18 minutes, and all trains offer free wifi.
Flygbussarna Airport Coaches run between Arlanda Airport and the City Terminal next to Central Station, with departures every 15–30 minutes. The journey takes about 35–45 minutes. These buses also run to Liljeholmen via Karolinska, Fridhemsplan, and Södermalm, and to Brommaplan via Kista and Sundbyberg. All buses offer free wifi.
SL commuter trains run twice an hour from Arlanda Central Station in Sky City to Stockholm. The travel time to Stockholm Central Station is 43 minutes. Other bus companies serving Arlanda include Flixbus and Nettbus.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| Arlanda Express to Stockholm Central Station | Every 10 minutes during rush hour; every 15 minutes at other times; 18-minute journey |
| Flygbussarna Arlanda to City Terminal | Departures every 15–30 minutes; journey time about 35–45 minutes |
| SL commuter train from Arlanda Central Station | Twice an hour; 43 minutes to Stockholm Central Station |
Other airports
Bromma Stockholm Airport, Skavsta Airport, and Västerås Airport are also connected to Stockholm City by airport coaches. Flygbussarna Airport Coaches serve all airports, with departures timed to match flight arrivals and departures.
Travel time is about 20 minutes from Bromma and about 80 minutes from both Skavsta and Västerås. Taxis are available at Stockholm Arlanda Airport and Bromma Airport. Taxi travel time is about 40 minutes from Arlanda, depending on the time of day, and about 15 minutes from Bromma.
Taxi fares are not regulated, so prices may differ sharply between companies. Well-known firms include Taxi Stockholm, Taxi 020, and Taxi Kurir.
How to get around in Stockholm
The easiest way to get around Stockholm is usually by combining metro, bus, tram, ferry, and commuter train services. SL’s system is integrated, so one valid ticket can cover several modes during the 75-minute validity window.
Use the SL app when you need a route plan, route timetable, schedule today, operating hours, working hours, opening hours, frequency, starting time, last train, or closing time. It is also useful for checking whether a station, bus stop, tram stop, or ferry route fits your planned journey.
A single ticket costs 43 SEK, about $4, and the reduced fare is 26 SEK, about $2.50. Tickets can be bought through the SL app, at SL customer service shops, or by credit card at ticket gates and on buses. Cash is not accepted on buses.
If you are traveling without a valid ticket, the penalty is 1,500 SEK, about $140. For longer stays, consider a 24-hour day pass, 72-hour ticket, 7-day pass, or 30-day ticket.
- Use the metro for fast cross-city trips and transfers between major stations.
- Use buses and trams for neighborhoods not served directly by the metro.
- Use commuter ferries when a water route is convenient or more enjoyable.
- Use airport trains or coaches for straightforward airport connections.
- Use taxis when you need door-to-door transport, but check the price label before entering.