Overview in Stockholm

Overview

The cheapest way to travel around the city by public transport is to purchase the Stockholmskortet (Stockholm Card). In addition to unlimited transportation on city subway, bus, and rail services, it offers free admission to more than 60 museums and several sightseeing trips. The card costs SKr 220 for 24 hours, SKr 450 for two days, and SKr 640 for three days; you can purchase the card from the tourist center at Sweden House on Hamngatan, from the Hotellcentralen accommodations bureau at the central station, and from the tourist center at Kaknäs Tower.

Stockholm has an excellent bus system, which is operated by SL (Stockholm Local Traffic). In 2000 the subway system was bought from SL by Connex, the same company that runs the subways in Paris and London. Tickets for Stockholm subways and buses are interchangeable. Maps and timetables for all city transportation networks are available from the SL information desks at Sergels Torg, the central station, Slussen, and online.

Bus and subway fares are based on zones. All trips in downtown will be SKr 30. As you travel farther out of downtown, zones are added to the fare in increments of SKr 10. Each ticket is good for one hour on both the bus system and the subway. Single tickets are available at station ticket counters and on buses, but it's cheaper to buy an SL Tourist Card from one of the many Pressbyrån newsstands. There's also a pass called a Rabattkupong, valid for both subway and buses; it costs SKr 80 and is good for 10 trips downtown (fewer if you travel in more zones) within the greater Stockholm area. There is no time limit within which the 10 trips must be used. If you plan to travel within the greater Stockholm area extensively during a 24-hour period, you can purchase a 24-hour pass for SKr 95 and a 72-hour pass for SKr 180. The 24-hour pass includes transportation on the ferries between Djurgården, Nybroplan, and Slussen. The 72-hour pass also entitles you to admission to Skansen, Gröna Lund Tivoli, and Kaknäs Tower. Those under 18 or over 65 pay SKr 50 for a one-day pass and SKr 90 for a two-day pass.

Contacts

Connex (08/6295000. www.connex.nu). SL (08/6001000. www.sl.se).