Getting Around Stockholm: Metro, Buses, Trams, Ferries & the 72-Hour Pass
- GSS Staff
- 12 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Stockholm is an easy city to explore once you understand how its transportation system works together.
You will probably walk quite a bit, particularly around central neighborhoods, but longer journeys can involve the metro, buses, trams and even public ferries. One day might take you across cobblestone streets and onto a light-blue tram toward Djurgården; another might involve taking the metro across the city or using a ferry to cross the water.
Stockholm's public transportation network is called SL, short for Storstockholms Lokaltrafik. The same SL ticket can be used on the metro, buses, commuter trains, trams and designated public ferries.
For a short visit, the main decision is whether to buy individual 75-minute tickets or an unlimited travel card.
Should You Buy a 24-Hour or 72-Hour SL Pass?
As of September 2026:
Ticket | Adult fare |
Single journey, 75 minutes | 43 SEK |
24 hours | 180 SEK |
72 hours | 360 SEK |
7 days | 470 SEK |
Discounted fares are 26 SEK for a single journey, 110 SEK for 24 hours, 220 SEK for 72 hours and 290 SEK for seven days. They apply to travelers under 20, people 65 and older, and eligible adult students carrying an approved Swedish student ID with the SL logo.
24 hours means a full 24 hours and 72 hours means a full 72 hours from activation, rather than one or three calendar days. Activate a 72-hour ticket at 2 p.m. on Monday, for example, and it remains valid until 2 p.m. Thursday.
Is the 72-Hour SL Pass Worth It?
At 2026 prices, eight adult single tickets cost 344 SEK and nine cost 387 SEK. A 72-hour pass costs 360 SEK, so it begins saving money when you would otherwise need a ninth separate fare.
A single ticket is valid for 75 minutes and includes transfers during that period, however, so nine rides do not necessarily mean nine tickets.
If you are staying centrally and expect to spend much of your time walking around Gamla Stan and Norrmalm, individual tickets may be enough.
If your itinerary has you moving regularly between Södermalm, Djurgården, museums and other parts of Stockholm, the 72-hour pass becomes more useful. During our visit, its biggest advantage was flexibility: we could take a bus for a few stops when everyone was tired or use the metro when it saved time without thinking about another fare.
The Metro Is the Simplest Place to Start
Train arrives at Mariatorget train station, Stockholm Artwork at a train station in Vattumannen, Stockholm
Stockholm's metro is called the Tunnelbana. The trains are quick, stations are generally straightforward to navigate, and our phones worked surprisingly well underground, making it easy to check the next part of a route while traveling.
The metro is also known for the paintings, sculptures, mosaics and installations incorporated into its stations. You can seek out particular stations for their art, but you don't necessarily need to build a separate metro-art tour into your itinerary. Simply pay attention to the stations you pass through.
Going to Djurgården? Remember Tram 7
Inside Tram 7 in Djurgarden, Stockholm Uniformed staff on Tram 7 in Djurgarden, Stockholm
Tram 7 connects central Stockholm with Djurgården, making it useful for reaching the Vasa Museum, Nordiska museet, ABBA The Museum and Gröna Lund.
The light-blue trams travel at street level through central waterfront areas, giving you a different view of the city from the metro. During our ride, uniformed staff came through checking tickets while people got on and off around us.
For visitors heading to Djurgården, it is both practical transportation and a pleasant way to see more of Stockholm along the way.
Buses: Check More Than the Bus Number
Catching the bus in Katarina, Stockholm In the bus near Maria Magdalena, Stockholm
This was the part that confused us at first. We were in Södermalm trying to reach the Vasa Museum and knew Bus 76 could take us toward Djurgården. The problem wasn't the route—it was figuring out where to stand. Several stops were clustered around the area, with buses traveling in different directions.
A Stockholm local eventually helped us find the correct stop. The useful lesson was to check the direction of travel and the route's final destination, not only the bus number.
Also look for a lettered boarding position. At larger stops, directions might tell you to use something like Stop H. Finding the intersection isn't enough; you still need to locate the correct letter.
Google Maps or the SL App?
We found Google Maps more useful for street-level orientation, particularly when trying to locate an unfamiliar bus stop. The SL app was useful for buying and managing tickets and checking official transportation information.
SL substantially redesigned its app in June 2026, so travelers who have used it on an earlier Stockholm trip may notice that it looks different. For us, the combination worked well: Google Maps for finding the stop; SL for tickets and official transit information.
How Do You Buy SL Tickets?
For a short visit, the SL app is a simple option. You can buy a 24- or 72-hour travelcard and activate it when you are ready to start using it. SL also sells a reusable green smart card for 50 SEK. Travelcards or individual tickets can be loaded onto it, and the card can be reused on future visits.
For individual journeys, you can tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard or American Express directly at an SL reader to purchase a 75-minute ticket. Transfers made during that period do not generate another fare.
At metro and commuter-train stations, use the reader or barrier. Buses have onboard readers, while trams and ferries have validation points depending on the stop. You tap in but do not tap out.
Yes, Your SL Pass Can Include Public Ferries
SL tickets and travel cards are valid on designated commuter ferry routes. Line 82 between Slussen and Djurgården is particularly useful for visitors because it connects areas many first-time travelers are likely to visit.
We considered taking an SL ferry but didn't end up using one. For our journey to Djurgården, the bus was more convenient, and we already had an archipelago cruise booked for later that day.
If an SL ferry fits your route, though, you can cross the water and see Stockholm from a boat without buying a separate sightseeing ticket.
Public Ferry or Archipelago Cruise?
An SL commuter ferry is transportation. An archipelago cruise is an excursion.
We chose an archipelago cruise because we wanted to travel farther beyond central Stockholm. The trip took us past forested islands, waterfront homes, summer houses and private boats, with a guide providing context about life in the Stockholm archipelago.
If you want to cross the water as part of getting somewhere, check the public ferry. If you want to experience the Stockholm archipelago, book an archipelago cruise.
E-Scooters and E-Bikes for Short Distances
A man on an electric bike near Kungstradgarden, Stockholm 
A man on scooter near Kungstradgarden, Stockholm 
Planning the route on Bolt scooters in Nordiska Kompaniet, Stockholm
Stockholm also has shared electric scooters and e-bikes. We tried a Bolt e-scooter for one of our shorter journeys and found it fun and practical. The app showed available vehicles, designated parking locations and restricted areas.
If you are already comfortable riding, an e-scooter can be useful for a short distance when you don't want to go underground or wait for a bus.
We wouldn't learn to ride one here! Stockholm has cyclists, pedestrians, scooters and vehicles moving around you, so you need to be confident on two wheels.
Getting From Arlanda Airport: Compare Before Taking the Train
The Arlanda Express reaches Stockholm Central in about 18 minutes. The standard 2026 adult one-way fare is 340 SEK, although group and youth discounts can make it more competitive.
Airport buses can be considerably cheaper. For our group of four, FlixBus from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm Cityterminalen cost 220 SEK total when booked through the app. From Cityterminalen, we took an Uber directly to our accommodation rather than making another transfer with luggage.
That was our fare, not a standard FlixBus price; fares vary by departure and booking date.
SL commuter trains also serve Arlanda, but travelers 18 and older using Arlanda Central must pay an additional 157 SEK passage fee on top of a valid SL ticket or pass.
If you are traveling alone and prioritizing speed, Arlanda Express may make sense. If you are traveling as a family or group, compare the total cost for everyone before booking.
Arriving into Cityterminalen, Stockholm 
Inside Cityterminalen, Stockholm
So, What Is the Best Way to Get Around Stockholm?
Walk when you're exploring central neighborhoods. Take the metro when speed matters. Use the bus when it offers the most direct route. Remember Tram 7 for Djurgården. Consider an e-scooter for a short journey if you're comfortable riding one.
For visitors making several journeys a day, the 72-hour SL pass makes switching between these options easy. If you're staying centrally and walking most of the time, individual 75-minute tickets may be enough.
And if an SL ferry happens to connect two places already on your itinerary, take the boat.
Stockholm Transportation FAQ
Is Stockholm Public Transportation Easy for Tourists?
Yes. The metro, buses, trams, commuter trains and designated public ferries operate within the same SL system. When taking a bus, check the direction of travel and boarding position as well as the bus number.
Is the Stockholm 72-Hour SL Pass Worth It?
At 2026 fares, the 360 SEK pass starts saving money when you would otherwise need a ninth separate adult fare, although 75-minute individual tickets include transfers. It is most useful if you expect to make several journeys each day.
Can You Use the Stockholm SL Pass on Ferries?
Yes. SL tickets and travelcards are valid on designated commuter ferry routes. Line 82 between Slussen and Djurgården is particularly useful for visitors.
Do You Need the SL App in Stockholm?
No, but it is useful for buying and managing tickets and checking official transportation information. Google Maps can be helpful for locating unfamiliar stops.
Is an SL Ferry the Same as an Archipelago Cruise?
No. An SL ferry is public transportation. An archipelago cruise is a separate excursion that travels farther beyond central Stockholm.
