Getting around in Stockholm

...have a valid ticket before getting on the train. It is not easy for the non-Swede to realise this. If you are caught by the inspectors without a ticket, you can face a fine of 600kr.

Trams
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Just a few routes, a total of 35 vehicles carry 40,000 passengers per day. The most interesting is perhaps the Djurgården line, running from Norrmalmstorg to Djurgården (Vasa & Nordic museums, Skansen etc) which operates the old ...
...1940s style trams run every 10-12 minutes, except in the winter months.

Prices
******
Travel is acutally very cheap in Stockholm, and various discounts and passes are available. The whole Stockholm area is broken up into various zones, pretty much the same as the London Underground. The more zones you cross during your journey, the more coupons the journey will cost.

The minimum cost for any journey on ... more

I recently read an opinion on "Getting Around in Stockholm", which contained very little or true information, so decided to write my own. Perhaps not many people will read it, but the opinion I read does nothing to portray the real Stockholm public transport system.

Stockholm has one of the best public transport systems in Europe, controlled by the company called SL. The Stockholm T-bana (the underground system) is also considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe, especially stations such as T-Centralen and Kungstädgården. As well as the T-Bana, public transport consists of a network of 9000km of bus routes, 284km of trainlines and 17km of tramlines.

Underground (T-Bana)
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Stockholm's T-bana is 108km long, of which 62km is underground, 10km is over bridges or viaducts. There are around 680 underground trains carrying 1million passengers per day between 100 stations. By the end of the year all stations will have lifts for the disabled. The 1st line (the green line) was opened in 1950 between Slussen and Hökarängen, a suburb in the south. The red line opened in 1964 between T-Centralen and Örnsberg/Fruängen and was completed in 1975. The same year the blue line was opened.

Stations can be found almost on every street in the centre, by looking for the big "T" sign.

It runs between 5am and 1am, later on weekends. Trains run every 10 minutes during the day in outer areas and about every 3-5 minutes in the city centre.

Buses
*****
There around 2000 buses, operating on 475 routes, which like the T-Bana carry 1 million passengers per day. Buses always seem to run on time, there are many bus stops, which all have accurate timetables. Some have electronic displays to show how many minutes wait you have. Because the buses/trains etc are all part of the same company, on occasions, the bus will wait for the train to arrive (if it's late), to carry passengers onward...always useful. If you have a child in a pram, you (and your child) travel free! Most buses are low level allowing prams and wheelchairs to get on and off easily. Seats are comfortable. Press the button when you want to get off! Most doors open by a sensor you trigger by your feet, once the bus has stopped. Night buses operate during the hours when the T-bana is closed down. Buses in the centre are also environmently friendly, with all 250 buses in the inner area, fuelled by ethanol, rather than the polluting diesel.

Trains
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9 routes, 420 vehicles, carrying almost 300,000 passengers a day. These operate outside of Inner Stockholm, in all directions. Generally a fast reliable service, stopping at a large number of large and small stations. Electronic timetables are at most stations. Seats are not the most comfortable for long journeys, but perfectly acceptable for the shorter ones. Some of the vehicles are a bit dirty, and there are no longer litter bins provided. All vehicles are non-smoking, and have windows which can be opened. Announcements, both audible and visual tell you the next station, so you don't miss your stop. Ticket inspectors will check you have a valid ticket, or issue you with one if you haven't already purchased one. If you start your journey at certain stations however, you must ensure you have a valid ticket before getting on the train. It is not easy for the non-Swede to realise this. If you are caught by the inspectors without a ticket, you can face a fine of 600kr.

Trams
*****
Just a few routes, a total of 35 vehicles carry 40,000 passengers per day. The most interesting is perhaps the Djurgården line, running from Norrmalmstorg to Djurgården (Vasa & Nordic museums, Skansen etc) which operates the old style trams - literally a moving museum. 1920s, 1930s and 1940s style trams run every 10-12 minutes, except in the winter months.

Prices
******
Travel is acutally very cheap in Stockholm, and various discounts and passes are available. The whole Stockholm area is broken up into various zones, pretty much the same as the London Underground. The more zones you cross during your journey, the more coupons the journey will cost.

The minimum cost for any journey on the T-bana, or buses / pendeltåg is 20kr, about £1.30, however to get better value, purchase either a;
10-Coupons Ticket - 60kr
20-Coupons Ticket - 110kr

If you are staying for between one and three days, consider either;
24-Hour Pass - 80kr
72-Hour Pass - 150kr

Spending a few weeks, or living here, then most sensible is the 30-Day Pass for 500kr (£33), which will give you unlimited travel on the whole public transport system for the whole of the Stockholm area.

4 month and annual passes are also available which offer even more savings! Further discounts are available for pensioners and students. Children under 7 always travel free. On weekends, from 12:00 Friday - Sunday, a paying adult can bring up to 6 children under the age of 12 at no extra cost!

The "Stockholm Card" is also an option which give you free entrance to most musuems, and attractions, free travel and discounts etc.., available in 1,2 or 3 day options.

Development of a new ticket system is planned for 2005. The plan is to introduce an electronic rechargeable Smart -Card.

Information
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You can pick up a map of the T-Bana, and other transport maps at most stations, tourist information etc. Large maps are also displayed in the stations and on the platforms themselves. Central Station is always a good start, and a place to head back to if you really get lost. Timetables can also be picked up on most buses. If you have web access, you can view timetables, and plan journeys using www.sl.se this really is a great site, working out all the routes, connections and times for you. An English version is being worked on. Most Stockholmers are also pretty knowledgable about the transport system, so if you get really stuck, don't be afraid to ask, most people speak good english.

Well that's about it as far as public transport is concerned. You can of course drive your car, or hire a taxi, ride a bike (the choice of thousands of Stockholmers), or simply walk around the city. Plenty of boat trips too, take you between the islands, and are reasonably priced, most of these are available from outside the Grand Hotel / National Musuem area....Enjoy your trip.

 

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