Trains in Stockholm

Stockholm Central (Stockholm C) is the hub for SJ high-speed and InterCity trains, MTR Express, regional Mälartåg trains, SL commuter trains and night trains to northern Sweden. International trains run to Copenhagen, Hamburg, Oslo and Berlin.

SJ trains to Gothenburg run about hourly and trains to Malmö roughly hourly. Trains to Uppsala leave many times a day. Night trains run to Åre, Umeå and Luleå.

Tickets and prices

• SJ fares work like airline fares: cheapest when booked early. Tickets go on sale up to 6 months ahead
• Seat reservations are included in 1st and 2nd class tickets on SJ Snabbtåg and InterCity trains
• Children aged 0 to 15 get 15% off the adult fare. Pensioners aged 65 and over get about 10% off
• Stockholm to Gothenburg: SJ about hourly, and MTR Express is a competitor with its own tickets
• Snälltåget day train to Hamburg: fares from 499 SEK. Reservations are required on Snälltåget and night trains
• SL commuter trains (pendeltåg) are covered by SL tickets

Where to buy tickets

• SJ app or sj.se (seat is assigned when you book)
• Ticket machines at Stockholm Central
• Not sold on board SJ trains. Buy before you board
• Snälltåget: boka.snalltaget.se
• Night trains and Snälltåget need a reservation
• Commuter trains: SL app, or a bank card tap at the gates

Good to know: Buy your ticket before you board. SJ stopped selling tickets on its trains in 2012, so use the SJ app or sj.se.

Snälltåget (official site)

Direct trains from Stockholm

• Södertälje: about 20 min from Stockholm C, SJ, SL commuter train
• Uppsala: about 30 min from Stockholm C, SJ, SL commuter train
• Västerås: about 47 min from Stockholm C, SJ, Mälartåg
• Eskilstuna: about 50 min from Stockholm C, Mälartåg
• Norrköping: about 1 h 15 min from Stockholm C, SJ
• Örebro: about 1 h 15 min from Stockholm C, SJ
• Linköping: about 1 h 40 min from Stockholm C, SJ
• Karlstad: about 2 h 40 min from Stockholm C, SJ Snabbtåg
• Gothenburg: about 3 h from Stockholm C, SJ, MTR Express
• Sundsvall: about 3 h 50 min from Stockholm C, SJ
• Malmö: about 4 h 25 min from Stockholm C, SJ, Snälltåget
• Åre: about 6 h 30 min from Stockholm C, SJ
• Oslo (Norway): about 5 h 25 min from Stockholm C, SJ Snabbtåg
• Copenhagen (Denmark): about 6 h from Stockholm C, Snälltåget
• Hamburg (Germany): about 11 h 15 min from Stockholm C, Snälltåget
• Berlin (Germany): about 15 h 30 min from Stockholm C, RDC Deutschland

Trams and metro in Stockholm

SL runs the Tunnelbana (metro), buses, trams, commuter trains and some ferries on one ticket. Tram 7 and bus 69 serve Djurgården, and SL ferries run from Slussen and Nybroviken to Djurgården.

The Metro runs from about 05:00 to 01:00, and on Friday and Saturday nights it runs all night about every 30 minutes. By day trains come every 4 to 6 minutes. Check the SL app for exact times.

Tickets and prices

• Single ticket: 43 SEK, valid 75 minutes on metro, bus, tram, commuter train and selected ferries
• 24-hour ticket: 180 SEK. 72-hour ticket: 360 SEK. 7-day ticket: 470 SEK
• Reduced single ticket: 26 SEK for children, teenagers and students up to age 20, and seniors
• A bank card tap at the gates charges the 43 SEK single fare each time
• No valid ticket: 1,500 SEK penalty fee. Unaccompanied children under 15 are not fined

Where to buy tickets

• SL app (the ticket shows as a QR code)
• Tap a bank card at the gates and on buses
• SL customer service shops
• Cash is not accepted on buses
• Timed tickets start at first use

Good to know: If you will make more than four trips in a day, buy a 24-hour ticket in the SL app instead of tapping a card each time.

Visit Stockholm: public transport (official site)

Stockholm network

The Tunnelbana has three colour groups: blue, red and green, with 100 stations. All lines meet at T-Centralen. Many stations are decorated with art.

• Blue line 10: Kungsträdgården to Hjulsta. Stops: T-Centralen (Central station), Rådhuset (Art), Kungsträdgården (Art, park).
• Blue line 11: Kungsträdgården to Akalla. Stops: T-Centralen (Central station), Solna centrum (Art), Kungsträdgården (Art, park).
• Red line 13: Norsborg to Ropsten. Stops: T-Centralen (Central station), Gamla stan (Old Town), Slussen (Södermalm), Ropsten (Buses to Lidingö).
• Red line 14: Fruängen to Mörby centrum. Stops: T-Centralen (Central station), Gamla stan (Old Town), Östermalmstorg (Food hall), Stadion (Olympic stadium).
• Green line 17: Åkeshov to Skarpnäck. Stops: Hötorget (Market), T-Centralen (Central station), Slussen (Södermalm).
• Green line 18: Alvik to Farsta strand. Stops: T-Centralen (Central station), Slussen (Södermalm), Hornstull (Södermalm).
• Green line 19: Hässelby strand to Hagsätra. Stops: T-Centralen (Central station), Slussen (Södermalm), Hornstull (Södermalm).

Where lines meet: T-Centralen (All lines, trains); Slussen (Green + Red).

Buses in Stockholm

SL runs the city buses. Blue buses are the main trunk routes and board at all doors, and red buses cover local routes. Night buses replace some metro and bus routes after hours.

Buses run all day, with night buses after the metro closes. Check the SL app for your route.

Tickets and prices

• Same fares as the metro: 43 SEK single, valid 75 minutes
• Reduced fare 26 SEK for children, teenagers, students up to 20 and seniors
• A parent with a stroller rides free on red buses, but not on blue central buses
• Airport coach: Flygbussarna to Arlanda 129 SEK one way

Where to buy tickets

• SL app before you board
• Tap a bank card on the reader on board
• SL customer service shops
• Cash is not accepted on buses
• Flygbussarna: online or on the bus, cards only

Good to know: Carry a card or use the SL app. Cash is not accepted on buses.

Visit Stockholm: public transport (official site)

Airport links in Stockholm

Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) is north of the city. The Arlanda Express reaches Stockholm Central in about 18 minutes. SL commuter trains take about 40 minutes.

The Arlanda Express runs from early morning to after midnight, about every 15 minutes at peak. SL commuter trains run about twice an hour. Flygbussarna coaches take 40 to 50 minutes.

Tickets and prices

• Arlanda Express: 349 SEK adult one way, 598 SEK return. Early bird 199 SEK if booked 5 or more days ahead
• Arlanda Express: 199 SEK for youth (18 to 25), pensioners and children. Children travel free with a ticket holder aged 26 or over
• SL commuter train (line 41): an SL ticket plus an Arlanda station fee. The SL app shows the total
• Flygbussarna coach: 129 SEK one way
• Taxi to the centre: about 600 to 900 SEK

Where to buy tickets

• Arlanda Express: online, at Stockholm Central (counter or machines) and at Arlanda information desks or machines
• SL commuter train: SL app, SL sales points or Arlanda Central station counter
• Flygbussarna: online or on the bus
• Pay the Arlanda station fee at the counter in SkyCity if it is not in your fare

Good to know: The Arlanda Express is the fastest. A normal SL ticket does not cover Arlanda station, so add the station fee.

Arlanda Express (official site)

Airport to city centre: full guide

Tips for Stockholm

• A bank card tap costs 43 SEK each time. Buy a 24-hour ticket in the SL app if you make more than four trips a day.
• Buy SJ tickets before you board. Tickets are not sold on trains.
• The Arlanda Express is fastest at about 18 minutes. SL commuter trains add an Arlanda station fee.
• Cash is not accepted on buses. The fine without a valid ticket is 1,500 SEK.

Apps to download

• SL: Tickets and journey planner for metro, bus, tram and commuter train
• SJ: Train tickets and seat reservations
• Skånetrafiken: Tickets for Öresund trains to Copenhagen
• Arlanda Express: Airport train tickets, bought online