Stockholms Lokaltrafik (SL) is responsible for buses, underground trains (tunnelbana or T-bana), commuter trains, trams and certain ferry lines in Greater Stockholm area. Every day, more than 1 million journeys are taken with SL. 

Click here for a public transport map. You can request a free T-bana route map at any T-bana station.

Tickets

Where to buy tickets

You can use your debit card at the T-Bana ticket readers for a single ticket, or if you want to buy a pass for the school term or for more than one day, you will need to purchase these in advance: at SL Centers, underground stations, news agent kiosks such as Pressbyrån, or via the SL website or the SL App. Some bus stops in the greater Stockholm area have ticket machines where you can buy a ticket or re-load your travel card but only with credit/debit card.

Types of ticket

A single ticket is valid for 75 minutes of travel, making as many changes as you want (if Arlanda is a destination, you are allowed 2 hours travel time).

Other tickets include 24 hour / 72 hour / 7 day / 30 day / 90 / Annual passes.

For those who commute frequently, it is cheaper to buy a pre-paid 'SL Access' electronic smart card and the longer the period of validity of the ticket, the cheaper it will be. You may need to pay a fee of 20 SEK for the card itself, but you can keep re-loading credits on your card. On the SL website, under tab, 'Mitt SL', you can register your SL Access card, so that if it is lost, you can get a replacement card with the same amount that was loaded on it. This is especially useful for children who commute on SL to school.   

Reduced Fares

Students, youths (under 20s) and seniors (over 65s) qualify for reduced ticket fare. An unlimited number of children under the age of 7 always travel free when accompanied by a passenger with a valid SL ticket. From 12 noon on Friday until Sunday midnight and on röda dagar, (pubilc holidays) up to six children under the age of 12 may travel for free when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. On board most of the buses one passenger per baby carriage is allowed to board through the exit doors free of charge.  

SL Centers

SL Information (open 24h) - 08 600 10 00 

www.sl.se

SL Centers are full-service ticket and travel information centers. They are located in Tunnelbana stations at T-Centralen (Sergels Torg), Centralstation (downstairs hall), Slussen, Gullmarsplan, Fridhemsplan, Tekniska Högskolan.

Swedish Driver's License and Dispensations

If you possess a valid European Union (EU) driving license and your stay is temporary, you do not need a dispensation to drive in Sweden. If you come from a country outside the EU and will be here for more than 12 months, you must apply for a dispensation in order to drive legally using your foreign license. It is a good idea to apply for the dispensation before the end of your first year. To apply, contact: Länsstyrelsen, Körkortstillstånd, Box 22056, 104 22. 

If you wish to You need to apply for a learner's permit, then pass a theory and practical test, as well as risk training. For more information, click here. You can also contact the Swedish Transport Agency customer service (Tel number  0771 81 81 81) for questions regarding driver licences and the process on how to obtain a valid Swedish license. 

For detailed information on driving in Sweden, see www.trafikverket.se.

Swedish road rules (For the full list of road and parking signs, please click here). 

• In the center of Stockholm and many outlying areas, there is a 30 km/h speed limit restriction. Fines are heavy, and exceeding 20 km/h over the speed limit may lead to a loss of your license.

• Buses have the right of way in Sweden (on 30 and 50 km/hr roads), so look out for buses coming out of a stop. You will need to slow down or stop to accommodate a bus that pulls out. 

• Note that at unmarked crossroads, you should give way to traffic from the right. 

• It is against the law to sit in your car with the engine running for more than one minute.

• It is mandatory to stop for pedestrians at zebra/pedestrian crossings. You may be fined 3000 Kr, if you don't. 

• In Sweden you must drive with headlights on - 24 hours a day. Sweden is 54 percent forest, so there are many animal warning signs posted. These signs must be taken seriously. You should take extra care when driving around sunset and dawn.

• Winter tires are optional from 1 October. The law states that it is compulsory to have winter tires on all cars from 1 December while winter conditions exist, and a fine up to 1200 Kr can be issues for not complying or insufficient tires. As winter road conditions can be severe, it is recommended that you choose good quality winter tires. There are two types of winter tire, those with studs (dubbdäck), and those without (dubbfria däck or friktionsdäck). Studded winter tires have to be removed by 30 April. There are a number of places that will change tires for you. Look for places advertising däckservice.  The minimum legal remaining tread depth for summer is 1.6 mm and for winter is 3 mm. For more information, click here.

• Ensure that your car is ready for a Swedish winter. It is worth having a snow shovel and a small sack of sand in your car just in case you get stuck. Make sure that you have a snow brush and ice scrapers to clear windows of snow or ice, and also some lock oil (låsolja) to unfreeze the locks. Never use hot water! It is also worth checking that your battery is in good condition, headlights are clean, that you have spare bulbs especially for the headlights, and that you have antifreeze and plenty of screen-wash fluid.  When buying motor oil, check the temperature ranges on the can. For longer journeys, it is worth having warm clothes and blankets.

• If you own a car in Stockholm, you may have to take the car for a mandatory check or bilprovning. New cars and light commercial vehicles should be taken for their first periodic inspection when they are three years old, and for the second time when they are five years old. Thereafter, they are inspected once every year. You may be offered an appointment by post, or you can contact Bilprovning AB on 0771 600 800 or www.bilprovningen.se.

• If you should find yourself stranded with car trouble, contact Assistancekåren on 020 91 29 12.

• You can find accurate traffic information with live traffic webcams in Stockholm on www.trafiken.nu.

Charges and Fines

Swedish and internationally registered cars driving in or out of Stockholm city center and on Essingeleden are subject to a congestion charge (Diplomatic cars are exempt). Registration plates are automatically read as your vehicle passes through the toll. A monthly invoice is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. Charges are made between 6:30 am -18:29 pm and the cost varies between 10-35 Kr depending on the time of day. The maximum charge for a single day is capped at 105 Kr. There is no charge at weekends, public holidays, the day before a public holiday, or for the entire month of July. 

Parking in Stockholm

Parking is prohibited on and within a distance of 10 meters of a pedestrian or bicycle crossing; or within a distance of 10 meters from an intersection.This link has good information on anything to do with parking and stopping.

Parking fines are high, and tickets are issued often. In-house car parks are expensive, but relatively secure. On-street parking is cheaper, but it can be difficult to find a parking space within allowed zones. If you want to avoid a fine (of up to 1200 Kr), check the parking signs carefully. Buy and display your ticket from the curbside machine (or on the app BetalaP for Stockholm, and make sure you get back on time.  You can buy a residential parking for your area here.

Hiring a care

Local car share

www.car2go.com/SE/en/stockholm

www.sunfleet.com/bilpooler/stockholm

To lease a car 

Website to compare offers - www.biloffert.se