Stockholm Public Transport Guide: Tickets, Prices, Metro, Buses and Ferries

How does public transport work in Stockholm?

Public transport in Stockholm County is operated by SL (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik). The network connects central Stockholm with surrounding municipalities and includes several types of transport:

• Metro (Tunnelbana): The fastest way to travel between many central neighbourhoods and suburbs.
• Buses: Connect areas that are not directly served by the metro or commuter trains.
• Trams: Useful for travelling to places such as Djurgården and other parts of the city.
• Commuter trains (Pendeltåg): Connect Stockholm with towns and suburbs across the county.
• Local trains: Connect selected areas outside the central city.
• Ferries: Certain passenger ferry services are included in the SL ticket system.

Most of these services use the same SL ticket. This means you can combine different forms of transport during one journey without buying a separate ticket for each vehicle, provided your ticket is valid for the journey.

Official website: https://sl.se/en/

1. Stockholm SL ticket prices in 2026

SL offers single-journey tickets and travel cards for different periods. The best option depends on how often you plan to use public transport.

Adult ticket prices:

Ticket Price Validity
Single journey 43 SEK 75 minutes
24-hour ticket 180 SEK 24 hours
72-hour ticket 360 SEK 72 hours
7-day ticket 470 SEK 7 days
30-day ticket 1,060 SEK 30 days

Discounted ticket prices:

Ticket Price
Single journey 26 SEK
24-hour ticket 110 SEK
72-hour ticket 220 SEK
7-day ticket 290 SEK
30-day ticket 650 SEK

Discounted fares generally apply to passengers under 20, passengers aged 65 and over, and students who hold a qualifying Swedish student identity card with the SL logo.

Children under the age of 7 travel free when accompanied by a ticket-holding passenger.

Prices are based on SL’s published information checked on 31 October 2026. Always check the official website before travelling, as fares may change.

2. Which SL ticket should tourists buy?

Choosing the right ticket can make a significant difference to your travel budget.

If you only need one or two journeys

A single-journey ticket costs 43 SEK and is valid for 75 minutes. During this period, you can change between SL services as part of the same journey.

This is usually the best option if you plan to walk around most of the time and only occasionally use public transport.

If you are visiting Stockholm for one day

A 24-hour ticket costs 180 SEK and allows unlimited travel on SL services during its validity period.

It can be useful if you plan to visit several attractions in different parts of the city.

If you are staying for a weekend

A 72-hour ticket costs 360 SEK. It is a convenient option for visitors spending three days in Stockholm.

If you are staying for a week

A 7-day ticket costs 470 SEK and allows unlimited travel for seven days from activation.

For tourists planning to explore Stockholm and its surrounding areas, this can be a practical and cost-effective option.

3. Where can you buy SL tickets?

There are several ways to purchase tickets.

SL mobile app

The official app is called SL – Reseplanerare och biljetter.

You can use it to:

• Buy single-journey tickets.
• Purchase 24-hour, 72-hour and 7-day travel cards.
• Plan journeys.
• Check departures and connections.
• Activate tickets when you are ready to travel.

You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play.

Official information: https://sl.se/en/fares-and-tickets/smart-phone-ticket-app

Contactless bank card

You can also use a contactless Visa, Mastercard or American Express card on SL ticket readers.

The system automatically purchases a single-journey ticket when you tap your card.

Important rules:

• The adult fare is 43 SEK.
• The ticket is valid for 75 minutes.
• You must use the same physical or digital card when changing transport.
• One contactless card can only purchase a ticket for its individual cardholder.
• You cannot use one bank card to pay for several passengers through this system.

If you travel with another person, that person needs a separate ticket or their own contactless payment method.

Official information: https://sl.se/en/fares-and-tickets/contactless-pay-as-you-go/how-to-pay-as-you-go

Ticket machines and sales points

Tickets can also be purchased at selected metro and commuter train stations, SL customer service centres and authorised ticket agents.

A green SL smart card is available for visitors who prefer not to use the mobile app. The card itself costs 50 SEK and can be reused.

4. How to use Stockholm’s metro

The Stockholm metro, known as Tunnelbana, is one of the easiest ways to travel around the city.

The network has three main colour-coded lines:

• Green line: Connects central Stockholm with southern and western suburbs.
• Red line: Serves areas including Södermalm, Östermalm and southern suburbs.
• Blue line: Connects central Stockholm with districts including Kungsholmen, Solna and northern suburbs.

The main interchange station is T-Centralen, located directly beneath Stockholm Central Station.

Other important stations for visitors include:

• Gamla Stan: For Stockholm’s historic Old Town.
• Slussen: For Södermalm and connections to ferries.
• Kungsträdgården: Near central attractions and the waterfront.
• Östermalmstorg: For Östermalm and nearby shopping streets.
• Stadion: Convenient for parts of Östermalm and the Olympic Stadium area.

Metro trains operate frequently during the day. Services and departure intervals vary depending on the line and time of day.

On Friday and Saturday nights, the metro also operates overnight, with reduced frequency. Check the SL journey planner for the latest departures.

5. Travelling by bus in Stockholm

Buses are an important part of the public transport system and often provide the most convenient connection between neighbourhoods.

They are particularly useful in areas where there is no nearby metro station.

For tourists, buses can also provide scenic journeys through central Stockholm.

How to travel by bus:

1. Check your route in the SL app.
2. Find the correct bus stop and route number.
3. Have a valid ticket before boarding.
4. Board the bus and follow the route information.
5. Get off at your destination.

You can use your SL mobile ticket or contactless payment where supported.

Do not assume that you can buy a ticket from the driver. Cash ticket sales are not available on board SL services.

6. Trams and local trains

Stockholm also has tram and local rail services that are useful for reaching specific attractions and neighbourhoods.

Djurgården tram

The Djurgården tram connects the central city with Djurgården, where visitors can find attractions such as the Vasa Museum, Skansen and ABBA The Museum.

Tvärbanan

Tvärbanan is a light rail service connecting several areas outside the central metro network. It is useful for travelling between suburbs without going through the city centre.

Roslagsbanan

Roslagsbanan connects Stockholm’s northern areas with several municipalities in the northeast of the county.

These services are useful if you want to explore more than the main tourist districts.

7. Can you use SL tickets on ferries?

Yes. Certain ferry services are included in the SL ticket system.

One of the most useful routes for visitors is the ferry between Slussen and Djurgården.

It provides a scenic connection between Södermalm and the island of Djurgården.

Other SL ferry routes serve parts of the Stockholm archipelago and surrounding areas.

However, not every boat service in Stockholm is operated by SL. Commercial sightseeing cruises and some other passenger boats require separate tickets.

Always check the operator and ticket conditions before boarding.

Official information: https://sl.se/en/

8. How to plan a journey in Stockholm

The easiest way to plan a journey is to use the official SL app.

Enter your starting point and destination to see available routes, departure times and suggested connections.

You can also use Google Maps for general route planning, but check ticket information and service disruptions through SL.

Useful places to know:

• T-Centralen: The main metro interchange in central Stockholm.
• Stockholm Central Station: The main railway station.
• Slussen: An important transport hub connecting Södermalm and Gamla Stan.
• Odenplan: A major metro and commuter train station.
• Fridhemsplan: An important interchange on the metro network.

9. Important ticket rules and common mistakes

Understanding a few basic rules will help you avoid unnecessary costs.

A single ticket lasts 75 minutes

You can change between SL services during the validity period. If your journey requires a transfer, you must make the final change before the ticket expires.

You do not need to tap out

Unlike transport systems in some other countries, SL generally uses a tap-in system. You validate your ticket when starting your journey, but you do not tap out when leaving.

Use the same contactless card throughout your journey

If you start with a physical bank card, do not switch to the digital version in your phone when changing transport. The system may treat them as separate payment methods.

Make sure your ticket is valid before boarding

Passengers are responsible for having a valid ticket. Failure to show a valid ticket during an inspection can result in a penalty fare of 1,850 SEK plus the cost of a single ticket.

Do not confuse SL with other transport operators

Arlanda Express, airport coaches and some commercial boat services require separate tickets.

10. Public transport for families travelling with children

Stockholm is relatively easy to explore with children using public transport.

Children under 7 travel free when accompanied by a ticket-holding passenger.

Children and young people under 20 generally qualify for discounted SL fares.

If you are travelling with several children, check SL’s special rules for children travelling with adults during weekends and public holidays.

Strollers can be taken on SL services, but space may be limited during busy periods. Allow extra time when changing between stations.

Official information: https://sl.se/en/fares-and-tickets/visitor-tickets

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does public transport cost in Stockholm?

An adult single-journey ticket costs 43 SEK and is valid for 75 minutes. A 24-hour ticket costs 180 SEK, a 72-hour ticket costs 360 SEK and a 7-day ticket costs 470 SEK.

Is Stockholm public transport easy to use?

Yes. Most services use the same SL ticket system, and the official SL app helps visitors plan journeys and check departures.

Can tourists use contactless bank cards?

Yes. Visa, Mastercard and American Express contactless payments are accepted on SL readers. The system purchases one single-journey ticket for the cardholder.

Can I use one bank card for two people?

No. Each contactless card can only purchase a ticket for its individual cardholder. Additional passengers need their own tickets.

Do I need to tap out when leaving the metro?

No. SL generally requires passengers to validate their ticket when starting the journey. There is no normal tap-out procedure.

Are ferries included in the SL ticket?

Certain SL-operated ferry services are included. Commercial sightseeing cruises and other independent boat services may require separate tickets.

Do children travel free on public transport in Stockholm?

Children under 7 travel free when accompanied by a ticket-holding passenger. Older children may qualify for discounted tickets.

Does Stockholm have public transport at night?

Yes. The metro operates overnight on Friday and Saturday nights, while night buses and other services operate according to their timetables.

Can I use SL tickets on Arlanda Express?

No. Arlanda Express is a separate airport train service. You need a separate ticket.

Final advice: Which SL ticket should you choose?

For a short visit, the 24-hour or 72-hour ticket can be convenient if you plan to use public transport frequently.

For a longer stay, the 7-day ticket offers unlimited travel throughout its validity period.

If you only need occasional transport, a single-journey ticket may be enough.

The most important thing is to understand how the SL ticket system works before you start travelling. With the official app and a valid ticket, exploring Stockholm by public transport is straightforward.

Welcome to Stockholm!