Is there a daily fare cap on Stockholm public transport?

Yes. When paying with a contactless bank card or phone, the automatic daily maximum is 180 SEK (approx. €16,20). After 5 trips (5 × 43 SEK = 215 SEK), you hit the cap and all subsequent trips that day are free. Always use the same card or phone to benefit.

What is the best ticket for a 3-day trip to Stockholm?

The 72-hour pass costs 360 SEK (approx. €32,40) plus a 50 SEK SL-kort card. Total: 410 SEK (€36,90), saving 130 SEK compared to using contactless for 3 days. The 72-hour pass is the most popular option for city trips.

Has Stockholm abolished its zone system?

Yes. As of 2026, Stockholm has replaced the old zones A, B and C with a single flat fare for the entire Storstockholm region. One ticket is valid everywhere — to Drottningholm, Solna, Sundbyberg and all suburbs. The only exception is Arlanda Airport, which requires a separate ticket.

How do I get from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm city centre?

Four options: Arlanda Express (18 min, 340 SEK), Pendeltåg commuter train (38 min, 200 SEK), Flygbussarna airport bus (45 min, 129 SEK online), or the budget hack — bus 583 to Märsta Station then Pendeltåg (60 min total, just 43 SEK, avoids the 157 SEK airport surcharge).

What is the fine for travelling without a valid ticket in Stockholm?

The fine is 1,500 SEK (approx. €135) on the spot. Always tap your bank card or use a valid SL app ticket before boarding. Contactless payment is activated automatically on the first tap — no separate validation step needed.

What is the SL-kort and do I need one?

The SL-kort is a bright green reusable physical card that costs 50 SEK. It is valid for 6 years and can be loaded with passes and tickets. You need it to use multi-day passes. For stays of 3 days or more, the card investment pays off. For 1–2 days, just use contactless.

Do children travel free on Stockholm public transport?

Yes. Children aged 0–6 travel free at all times. From Friday 12:00 through Sunday, children up to 12 years also travel free — a great bonus for families visiting on weekends.

Is there night transport in Stockholm after 01:00?

Yes. Night buses with an 'N' prefix operate after 01:00. Regular SL tickets and passes are valid on night buses. No additional night fare is charged.

Public Transport in Stockholm

Last updated: June 2026 · #16 most visited city in Europe

Best ticket 72-hour pass · 360 SEK (€32,40) + 50 SEK SL-kort card = 410 SEK total. Best for a standard 3-day city trip.

How to pay Tap your contactless bank card or phone at the blue readers. Automatic daily cap at 180 SEK — after 5 trips the rest of the day is free.

Don't get caught No cash accepted anywhere in Sweden. Fine for no ticket: 1,500 SEK (€135) on the spot. Arlanda Airport needs a separate ticket — it's outside the SL system.

Official app — SL App (iOS) · SL App (Android)

Key pitfalls to watch out for

1. Automatic Daily Cap! Stockholm has a smart system: with contactless payment you pay a maximum of 180 SEK (€16,20) per day. After that, all trips that day are free. This often makes separate day passes unnecessary!

2. NO more zones in 2026! Good news: Stockholm has abolished the zone system. A single flat fare now applies across the entire Storstockholm region. Only Arlanda Airport falls outside the SL system.

3. No cash! Sweden is almost entirely cashless. You need a working bank card or mobile payment app — cash is not accepted on any public transport.

4. Tunnelbana = Metro! Don't confuse it with the Pendeltåg (commuter train). The Tunnelbana has 3 lines (green, red, blue) and is recognisable by the blue "T" logo.

Quick Check before you board

Do you have your bank card or SL app ticket ready?
Phone >20% battery? (for digital tickets)
Are you on the right line? (Tunnelbana T vs Pendeltåg J)
Heading to Arlanda? (separate ticket required — SL pass not valid)
Are you using the same payment card consistently for the daily cap?

Which ticket should you buy?

Roammate advice For 3 days: the 72-hour pass (360 SEK + 50 SEK card) saves 130 SEK versus paying contactless each day. For 1–2 days, just tap your bank card and let the daily cap do the work.

Ticket	Price (2026)	Valid	Best when
Contactless (bank card)	43 SEK/trip cap: 180 SEK/day	75 min per trip	1–2 days, or if you make ≤5 trips/day
24-hour pass	180 SEK (€16,20)	24 hours	1 intensive day (5+ trips) — same cost as contactless cap
72-hour pass Our pick	360 SEK (€32,40) + 50 SEK SL-kort card	72 hours	Standard 3-day city trip
7-day pass	470 SEK (€42,30)	7 days	Longer stays (4+ days)

Cost example — 3 days in Stockholm

Contactless: 3 × 180 SEK cap = 540 SEK (€48,60)
72-hour pass: 360 + 50 SEK card = 410 SEK (€36,90) — save 130 SEK
Single trips: 15 × 43 SEK = 645 SEK — most expensive option

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Getting from Arlanda Airport to the city

Arlanda Airport (ARN) is 40 km north of the centre. Four options — from fastest to cheapest:

Option	Time	Price	Best for
Arlanda Express	18 min	340 SEK	Speed and comfort
Pendeltåg (SL commuter)	38 min	200 SEK	Direct, includes airport surcharge
Flygbussarna (bus)	45 min	129 SEK online 139 SEK on the spot	Budget-friendly — note: not accessible (steps, no ramp)
Bus 583 → Märsta → Pendeltåg Budget hack	60 min	43 SEK	Cheapest route — skips the 157 SEK airport surcharge

The budget hack explained Take bus 583 from Arlanda to Märsta Station, then board the Pendeltåg into the city. You pay a regular SL fare (43 SEK) instead of the 200 SEK Pendeltåg-with-surcharge — saving 157 SEK. Takes 20 extra minutes, but that's real money.

Fare system & rules

Big news: zones abolished in 2026 Stockholm replaced zones A, B and C with a single flat fare across the entire Storstockholm region. One ticket now covers everything — Drottningholm, Solna, Sundbyberg, all suburbs. The only exception is Arlanda Airport.

How contactless works

Find the blue card reader at the station or bus stop
Tap your bank card or phone — green light + beep = you're in
No exit tap needed
Always use the same card or phone to benefit from the 180 SEK daily cap

Groups: contactless doesn't cover everyone Each person must tap their own card or phone. For groups, buy multi-person tickets in the SL app or at a ticket machine.

The SL-kort (green smart card)

A reusable physical card you load with passes. Costs 50 SEK, valid for 6 years.

Price	50 SEK (the card is yours to keep)
Top up	SL app, ticket machines, Pressbyrån, 7-Eleven
Validity	6 years — bring it on your next Stockholm trip
Colour	Bright green (changed from blue in 2024)

Is the SL-kort worth it?

Yes: 3+ day stays — the 72-hour pass needs it, and 50 SEK pays off
Yes: if you visit Stockholm regularly (card is valid 6 years)
No: 1–2 days — just use contactless and skip the 50 SEK
No: if you use the SL app only — no physical card needed

Quick check before boarding

Bank card or SL app ticket ready?
Phone above 20% battery? (for digital tickets)
Right line? (Tunnelbana T vs Pendeltåg J — different services)
Heading to Arlanda? Separate ticket required
Using the same payment card consistently? (for the daily cap)

System essentials

Main app	SL App / contactless bank card
Multiple travellers on one card?	No — 1 person per card/device
Check-in / validate	Contactless NFC tap at blue readers
Exit scan required?	No — tap in on boarding only
Offline tickets?	Yes — purchased SL app tickets work offline
Payment methods	Credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Swish
Add to Wallet?	Yes (Apple Wallet & Google Pay)
Fine for no ticket	1,500 SEK (€135) on the spot
Real-time info	SL app + digital boards at stations

Discounts for families & seniors

Age / group	Fare	Notes
0–6 years	Free at all times	No ticket needed
0–12 years (weekends)	Free Fri 12:00 – Sun	Great bonus for weekend visits
7–19 years	~60% discount	Youth Card required — needs online registration or Swedish personal number; adult fare is often easier for tourists
65+ seniors	Reduced fare	New in 2026: non-Swedish seniors also qualify. Bring valid ID.
Students	No tourist discount	Student card is for Swedish students only

Weekend family tip If you're visiting with children aged 7–12, plan your transport-heavy days on a Saturday or Sunday — they travel free from Friday noon, saving you several tickets.

Accessibility & travellers with disabilities

★★★★☆ 4 / 5

Stockholm's network is largely accessible, with modern buses and trams. Some older Tunnelbana stations on the red line lack lifts — always check in advance.

By mode of transport

Tunnelbana (metro): Not all stations have lifts — especially older red-line stations. The blue line is virtually fully accessible. Check the SL app under "Hissstatus" (lift status) before travelling.
Buses: 100% low-floor with kneeling function, fold-out ramp, and wheelchair space. Drivers are trained to assist.
Pendeltåg: All stations accessible with lifts or ramps. Level boarding at most stops.
Trams: Modern trams (Djurgårdslinjen 7, Spårväg City) are fully accessible with level boarding.
Flygbussarna: Not accessible — multiple steps, no ramp. Strollers must go in the luggage hold (subject to availability).

Best accessible routes for tourists

T-Centralen → Gamla Stan

Bus 3 or 53 (fully accessible) — better than Tunnelbana stations without lifts.

Djurgården (museums)

Tram 7 from Sergels Torg — 100% accessible, level boarding, scenic ride.

Södermalm

The Katarinahissen (historic lift) — iconic and practical. Or bus 53 uphill.

Fotografiska museum

Bus 76 (accessible), beautiful views over the water.

Stations with guaranteed lifts

T-Centralen: main interchange, all lines, multiple lifts
Slussen: green and red line, recently renovated
Odenplan: green line, modern station
Kungsträdgården: blue line, fully accessible

Discounts & free travel

Ledsagarkort (companion card): person with a disability + companion both travel free
Service animals: always permitted at no extra cost
Assistance: call SL Kundservice +46 8 600 10 00 at least 24 hours in advance for guided assistance at stations

Visual impairment

Tactile paving: all pedestrian crossings and metro stations have tactile strips; Tunnelbana platforms have tactile edge markings.
Audio announcements: all Tunnelbana trains, buses and trams announce the next stop; the SL app supports screen readers for journey planning.

Stockholm accessibility wins Nearly all pavements have ramps, and major museums (Vasa Museum, ABBA Museum, Fotografiska) are fully wheelchair accessible. Gamla Stan (old town) has cobblestones on side streets — main routes are paved.

Night transport (after 01:00)

Stockholm runs night buses with an 'N' prefix after regular services stop. Your regular SL ticket or pass is valid — no extra night fare.

What's running when

Service	Runs until	Night cover
Tunnelbana	~01:00	No — use night buses
Day buses & trams	~01:00	No
Night buses (N-routes)	From ~01:00	Yes — regular SL tickets valid

Night transport tip Plan your return route in the SL app before going out — night buses run less frequently than daytime services. T-Centralen is the main hub where most night routes converge.

Shared transport: scooters, bikes & taxis

E-scooters

Voi & Tier: the most popular providers in Stockholm. Watch the strict parking rules — you'll be fined for leaving a scooter outside designated zones.

Taxis & ride-hailing

Taxi Stockholm: one of the most reliable traditional taxi companies — call 15 00 00
Uber / Bolt: both work well and are often slightly cheaper than traditional taxis

Roammate tip

umob — all shared transport in one app

In Stockholm you can use umob to book and pay for bikes, scooters and cars from different providers in one place — no separate accounts needed.

Get umob →

eSIM & internet in Stockholm

Stockholm has one of the world's best 5G networks. An eSIM lets you plan your route and access the SL app the moment you land at Arlanda — before you even reach the city.

Stockholm tip Sweden is nearly 100% cashless. With an eSIM you always have access to your banking app and the SL app for tickets — both essential in Stockholm.

Roammate tip

Airalo eSIM From $4,50

Recommended for most travellers. Quick activation and reliable coverage across Stockholm.

1GB / 3GB / 5GB Instant setup 5G support

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Firsty (free backup) Free / Paid

The perfect safety net. Free basic data for essential apps like WhatsApp or Maps.

Free basic data No credit card needed

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Holafly (unlimited) From €19,00

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Luggage lockers & storage

Don't drag your suitcases around. Stockholm has reliable options to store luggage safely. Prices are in SEK.

Most locations

Bounce Luggage Storage Typically 60 SEK/day

Safe storage in local shops and hotels. Best for flexibility and coverage across the city.

€10,000 protection 24/7 locations Free cancellation

Find storage near me →

Stasher Typically 70 SEK/day

Premium storage network working with reputable hotel chains and shops across the city.

Fully insured Vetted hosts No size limits

Book with Stasher →

Roammate advice For most visitors, Bounce is the best choice: a guaranteed spot (no "full" signs like at Stockholm Central), locations closer to attractions, and insurance up to €10,000. Central Station lockers are cheaper but can be full.