Stockholm's public transport is run by SL (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik) and covers the city and the wider Stockholm County region. The centrepiece is the Tunnelbana — one of the world's most distinctive metro systems, where over 90 stations double as permanent art installations. Add to that a network of commuter trains, trams, buses and archipelago ferries, and you have a system that gets you almost anywhere in the capital without a car.
The Tunnelbana: the world's longest art gallery
The Tunnelbana (T-bana) has three main lines — Red, Blue and Green — each subdividing into branches, giving a total of seven branch routes. The system is often called the world's longest art gallery: since the 1950s, successive generations of artists have been commissioned to decorate the stations, and the results range from abstract cave sculptures hewn into bedrock to colourful mosaics, painted ceilings and full-scale environmental installations. The effect is quite unlike any other metro in Europe.
The three lines and their characteristics:
- Red Line (T13/T14) — runs southwest to northeast through the city, passing major hubs at T-Centralen (the main interchange), Slussen, and out to Norsborg/Fruängen in the south and Ropsten/Mörby Centrum in the northeast.
- Blue Line (T10/T11) — the newest tunnels (1970s), running west from T-Centralen to Akalla and Hjulsta. The Blue Line stations are particularly dramatic — Kungsträdgården is famous for its theatrical faux-marble columns and green ceiling panels, while Solna Centrum has a striking red-painted forest. Must-visit for anyone interested in public art.
- Green Line (T17/T18/T19) — the oldest tunnels, running northeast to southwest on a wide arc, with branches to Hässelby Strand in the west and Skarpnäck/Hagsätra/Farsta Strand in the south.
The main interchange is T-Centralen, connected to Stockholm Central Station (main railway station) and the Arlanda Express airport train. Most visitor journeys pass through here.
Commuter trains (Pendeltåg)
The Pendeltåg commuter rail network extends significantly beyond the Tunnelbana, connecting outer suburbs and satellite towns to the city. Key routes include the Pendeltåg to Märsta (for connection to Arlanda Airport by bus), and south to Södertälje and Nynäshamn (ferry port for Gotland sailings). All Pendeltåg services are part of the SL system and accept the same tickets and passes as the Tunnelbana.
Trams
Stockholm has several tram lines, mostly serving the inner suburbs and areas the Tunnelbana does not directly reach. Line 7 (Spårväg City) runs from T-Centralen along Strandvägen to Djurgården — very useful for reaching the Vasa Museum, ABBA Museum, Skansen open-air museum and the other Djurgården attractions. Line 21 connects the southern inner city with Lidingö island via Ropsten. The Lidingöbanan and Tvärbanan light rail lines serve outer areas. All trams are SL and take the same tickets.
Buses
SL buses cover the entire county, from inner-city routes to rural lines hours from the centre. In the city, blue inner-city buses (the blue "tunnelbus" variant) complement the underground. Night buses on most routes replace rail services during the small hours. Bus stops display real-time departure boards in urban areas.
Archipelago ferries (Waxholmsbolaget)
Stockholm is famously set on an archipelago of over 30,000 islands, and many inhabitants of the outer islands commute to the city by ferry. Waxholmsbolaget runs the archipelago ferry services, and these are integrated with SL ticketing for journeys within the county. The ferries depart from Strömkajen (in front of the Grand Hotel, near the Royal Palace) and Nybrokajen, and connect to popular destinations like Vaxholm, Sandhamn and Grinda. For visitors, a day trip by ferry into the archipelago is one of Stockholm's best experiences — and an SL monthly or multi-day pass often covers it.
Tickets and passes
SL operates a zonal system with Stockholm County split into A and B zones, though most visitors stay within Zone A (the city). Ticketing options:
- Single journey: valid for 75 minutes on all SL modes (Tunnelbana, trams, buses, Pendeltåg, Waxholmsbolaget ferries within zones) with unlimited transfers within that window. Purchased via the SL app, Pressbyrån convenience stores, or ticket machines at T-bana stations.
- 24-hour pass: unlimited SL travel for 24 hours from activation. A very practical option for a sightseeing day.
- 72-hour pass: three days of unlimited travel; the best value for a weekend or short trip.
- 7-day pass and 30-day pass: for longer stays or frequent visitors; charged to an SL Access card or the SL app.
- SL Access card: a reloadable card for resident-style use; requires registration. The app is now the primary method for most purchases.
Mobile tickets via the SL app (or third-party apps such as Klarna or Swish) are now the norm in Stockholm. Ticket machines at stations accept card payments. Note that cash is increasingly uncommon in Sweden generally — most transactions, including transport, are card or app only.
Getting to and from Arlanda Airport
Stockholm Arlanda Airport is about 40 km north of the city. The fastest link is the non-stop Arlanda Express train, taking around 20 minutes from T-Centralen/Stockholm Central Station. It is fast but significantly more expensive than other options and is not covered by SL passes — it requires its own ticket.
The cheaper alternative is the Pendeltåg to Märsta station, from which a connecting bus (Flygbussarna or SL bus) runs to the airport. Total journey time is around 50–60 minutes, but the cost is much lower, and it is covered by SL passes with the appropriate zone extensions. Some visitors split the cost and simply use an SL pass for the commuter train leg.
Art stations worth visiting
For anyone with even a passing interest in public art, a few stations are worth visiting simply for themselves:
- Kungsträdgården (Blue Line) — theatrical and opulent, with faux-classical columns and a greenhouse-ceiling effect.
- Solna Centrum (Blue Line) — a continuous red-painted forest mural with an expressionist landscape running through the cave ceiling.
- T-Centralen (Blue Line) — white floral vine motifs painted directly onto the rock; simpler than some but striking at scale.
- Stadion (Red Line) — a colourful rainbow-arched ceiling by Åke Pallarp.
- Hallonbergen (Blue Line) — children's drawings blown up to monumental scale on ceramic tiles, cheerful and surreal.
An official art map from SL lists all decorated stations; many visitors do a "T-bana art tour" as a dedicated activity.
Tips for getting around Stockholm
- Sweden is essentially cashless — always pay by card or mobile app. Cash is refused at most SL outlets.
- The Tunnelbana closes around 1 am on weekdays and runs later on Friday and Saturday nights. Night buses cover the gap.
- Djurgården — home to most of Stockholm's major museums — is best reached by tram Line 7 from T-Centralen or by ferry from Slussen/Nybrokajen.
- For onward travel within Scandinavia, connections from Stockholm Central (trains to Oslo, Gothenburg and Malmö/Copenhagen) are covered under the European rail network.
- Stockholm fits well into a broader Scandinavian trip — the Schengen 90/180-day rule applies across all four Nordic Schengen countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland) if you are travelling on a non-EU passport.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Stockholm Metro called "the world's longest art gallery"?
More than 90 of the Tunnelbana's stations feature permanent commissioned artwork, a programme running since the 1950s. The installations range from cave-blasted rock paintings to elaborate mosaics and sculptural environments — each station designed by a different artist or team.
Are the archipelago ferries included in SL passes?
Within Stockholm County, Waxholmsbolaget ferries are integrated into the SL system. A 24-hour, 72-hour or monthly SL pass covers ferry journeys to islands within the county. Very distant archipelago destinations may require extensions or additional ferry fares.
Is the Arlanda Express worth the premium price?
It depends on your priorities. It is by far the fastest option (20 minutes city to airport) and is very comfortable. If time matters or you have luggage and want to avoid a connection, the premium is reasonable. Budget travellers can save substantially by taking the Pendeltåg to Märsta and a connecting bus, at the cost of about 30–40 extra minutes.
Can I pay for Stockholm transport with cash?
Very rarely — Sweden is nearly cashless, and SL ticket machines and outlets primarily accept card and mobile payments. Always have a card or the SL app ready.
Sources and further reading:
- SL (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik) — routes, timetables and ticketing for all Stockholm County transport.
- Waxholmsbolaget — archipelago ferry routes and integration with SL.
- Arlanda Express — non-stop airport train schedule and fares.