visit stockholm transport

Photo: Visit Stockholm

Public transportation in Stockholm

Publish date : 19 April 2024

By subway, tram, bus, ferry, or commuter train. Stockholm's local transportation network takes you almost anywhere.

Stockholm Public Transport, SL, is responsible for buses, underground trains, commuter trains, trams, and certain ferry lines in Greater Stockholm.

A single ticket is valid for 75 minutes, costs 42 SEK (26 SEK for senior citizens and children/teenagers/students up to the age of 20), and can be purchased at SL's customer service shops, through their app, or directly at the turnstiles and on buses using a credit card. It's also possible to buy 24-hour, 72-hour, 7-day and 30-day tickets. A parent with a stroller gets to ride for free on any of Stockholm's buses.

It's not possible to pay cash for tickets on buses in Stockholm. Failure to show a valid ticket during a control will result in a 1500 SEK penalty fee.

Stockholmers are always heedful of their beautiful surroundings, which has led to many inner-city buses running on eco-friendly fuels such as biodiesel. The Stockholm underground is also known as the world's longest art gallery as so many of its stations are adorned with the works of different artists. Read more about art in the subway here .

Stockholm's public transport system also has an accessibility guarantee to ensure travelers with disabilities reach their destinations.

Plan your journey and read more about the various subway lines, buses, and trams on SL's webpage .

Looking for more?

Anchors aweigh: enjoy stockholm from a boat.

Categories : Activities

Discover Scandinavian design through the hotels of Stockholm

Categories : Tourist attractions

Have a sustainable stay in Stockholm

Spend a night or two in the stockholm archipelago.

Categories : Excursions

Tourist information

Categories : Travel info

To and from the airports

27 handy apps to use in stockholm.

Stockholm Public Transport – how to get around town

Last Updated on June 10, 2023 by Göran Ingman

The Stockholm Public Transport System is efficient and covers most parts of town. Even if this is a perfect city to explore by foot it can be nice to gain some extra time by using the public transport every once in a while. [Updated 10-06-2023]

The Swedish capital has a very well-organized transport system and you can choose between taking the subway, the light railway, commuter trains, buses or navigate the city by boat.

The bus-and rail transport is operated by SL . Below is our Stockholm public transport guide.

Stockholm subway – 3 main lines

The easiest way to get around is to use the subway. The Stockholm city subway provides 3 main lines – the green, the red and the blue line serving approximately 100 stations with T-centralen (Central Station) being the transport hub. Stockholm subway runs daily from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.

A really nice thing to note about the subway in Stockholm is all the art that embellishes the stations.

About 90 of the 100 stations are filled with murals, sculptures, ceramic and mosaic. Stockholms subway is sometimes called “the worlds largest art gallery”.

There are also four light rail lines called Tvärbanan , Nockebybanan , Djurgårdslinjen (Spårväg City) and Lidingöbanan .

Tram no.7 reaches Djurgården and connects you to many of the most well-known museums and attractions in only 10 minutes. A perfect way to discover the city as well.

Buses in Stockholm

If you prefer taking a bus instead, there are many lines operating in and around Stockholm. Stockholm city bus lines use Slussen as a transport hub which is close to Gamla Stan (Old Town).

Moreover, the disabled are sure to enjoy a nice ride as well whether they go by subway, by bus, or by tram. If you have a stroller you also get to ride for free.

There are four main bus lines in Stockholm:

• Inner-city blue buses
• Inner-city red buses (operate less frequently)
• Suburban blue buses
• Service buses for elderly people

Commuter trains

You can either take the commuter trains if you want to have a look around and go further outside the city area, or you can catch a national train to visit another city. The commuter services and the national rail both connect at T-centralen (Central Station).

Boat lines in and outside town

Several boat lines are operating from Nybrokajen and allow you to explore the archipelago. If you fancy a boat trip “within” the city, you can take the Djurgården ferry from Slussen. Main boat lines are:

• Waxholmsbolaget
• Cinderellabåtarna

Stockholm Public Transport – tickets and travel cards

Buying tickets is easy! Just tap your contactless credit card, or mobile device, to pay. It works on the automatic barriers in the metro, on buses, and on card readers on the tram and light railway, as well as on the commuter train stations.

Please note that there's no need to touch out after your journey.

A single ticket is valid for 75 minutes and you can use it for multiple journeys during that time.

If you do not manage to show a valid ticket or travel card you may have to pay a penalty fee of 1500 SEK.

However, if you will be using public transport for a couple of days during your stay in Stockholm, the best and the cheapest way to get around is to use a prepaid travel card.

There are cards for 24 hours, 72 hours, 7 days and even longer. For tourists these are the most likely ones to be used.

SL has a really informative English website. Please go there to know all about tickets and fares .

Local expert, travel writer (visited 50+ countries), and I've been living in Stockholm for more than 20 years. My mission with this travel guide is to give you the best possible advice for your visit to Stockholm and to share tips on my own personal favorites in this beautiful city.

Hotel deals in Stockholm

Book your tours and tickets here, recent posts.

• Finally! Nationalmuseum is open again
• Nature meets city in new cool Scandic hotel
• New direct flight from Delhi to Stockholm

How to get around in Stockholm

Aug 9, 2021 • 7 min read

Illuminated Stockholm Royal Opera in the Evening, Sweden

Compared to many European capitals, getting around Stockholm is a breeze. Its compact size makes it a dream for visitors who are keen to walk or cycle between sights. Public transportation is reliable, intuitive, and clean.

Bus services run round-the-clock in the city center, while trains and ferries can help you get further afield. There’s also been a strong focus on accessibility for decades, designed to help those with visual and mobile impairments as well as parents with young children.

Known as the tunnelbana or t-bana to locals, Stockholm’s efficient underground network includes more than 100 stations. It runs between 5am and 1am on weekdays, with trains at least every 10 minutes at peak times of the day. Reduced services operate round-the-clock on Friday and Saturday nights. There are three color-coded lines (green, blue, and red).

These split into different branches once you leave the city center, so be careful to check that the end destination on the front of the train tallies with your direction of travel. The underground (alongside buses, trams, trains, and ferries) is part of Stockholm’s unified public transport network, known as SL , which has an excellent journey planner on its website or via its app.

Stockholm’s commuter train network has been strengthened in recent years, with slick new stations built at major transport hub Stockholm City (which is connected to Stockholm Central station, also known as T-Centralen), and Odenplan, slightly further north. These trains are a quick and comfortable way to traverse the capital and a handy option for day trips outside the city center.

Bus services supplement trains, trams, and subway lines in the city center, operating round-the-clock when the rest of the network has shut down for the night. They have a strong reputation for running to timetable, with any delays usually visible in the SL public transport planning app. And they aren’t just a way to get around urban areas – services regularly reach some of the most remote villages and islands within Stockholm’s borders.

There are several tram lines connecting Stockholm’s outer suburbs, but for visitors, the most popular route is Line 7. This serves Djurgården island, where many of Stockholm’s most popular museums are based. You can board it from two stops in the city center, Hamngatan or Nybrokajan, both of which are just a short walk from Kungsträdgården or Östermalmstorg subway stops.

Ferries are intertwined with Stockholm’s waterfront identity and for decades commuters lucky enough to live on the city’s coastline have been using them to get to work. SL network cards are valid on all commuter services to and from the city center, including the popular shuttle between Slussen and Djurgården ( route 82 ) which takes just a few minutes.

Waxholmsbolaget ferries run deeper into the archipelago – you can buy tickets onboard or use the SL app or an SL Access Card to pay (more information below). Note that single Waxholmsbolaget journeys are significantly pricer than normal SL single journeys, costing between 56 and 169 SEK for adults or between 38 and 112 kronor for over-65s, under 20s, and students.

A local’s tips for using the SL public transport network

A single journey ticket for the Stockholm subway, as well as buses, trams, commuter trains and short-distance SL ferries costs 38 SEK for adults, or 25 SEK for those under 20 or over 65, and registered older students. It’s valid for 75 minutes and includes as many station or line changes as you need during that period. You can also switch to any other forms of transportation within the SL network during your trip.

If you’re likely to be making more than a couple of journeys a day, you’re usually better off choosing a travelcard valid for 24 hours, 72 hours, or 7 days.

Given the Swedish capital’s reputation as a tech-savvy, digitally-minded city, there are multiple ways to pay. But beware, you always need to purchase a ticket in advance of boarding.

Digital single tickets and travel cards can be bought using the free journey planner mobile app SL , which you then use to tap in at any one of SL’s readers upon entry to a station. Alternatively, you can buy a plastic SL Access card, on which you load prepaid credit or a travel pass. These are available at subway stations or Pressbyrån and 7-11 convenience stores.

For single-journeys you can also tap in using physical contactless bank cards connected to major card networks (Mastercard, Visa or American Express), or digital wallets such as Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Apple Pay and Fidesmo Pay. But note that discounted fares for students and seniors aren’t available using these methods.

Stockholm is prepped for cyclists, with more than 100km of largely well-maintained bike lanes, including many that are gritted during colder months. The city council has put together a route map and a map of free pump locations .

Unfortunately renting a bike is trickier than it used to be, after a long-running city-wide bike-sharing system was stopped in 2019. However there are still decent rental spots including Rent-a-Bike in Östermalm and the similarly-named RentBike , which has a collection point on Kungsholmen. In the Old Town, try Gamla Stans Cykel .

There’s been a boom in app-based electric scooter companies operating in Stockholm over the past couple of years. It’s divided locals, with some embracing them as an innovative, convenient way of exploring the city, and others raising concerns about safety following an increase in accidents, especially in the evenings. Voi , Lime and Tier are the major competitors.

Taxis are pricey in Stockholm, but can be a good option for larger groups. The major operators are Taxi Stockholm and Sverige Taxi , which you can hail in the city centre, or book by phone, online or using the firms’ apps.

Beware of rogue operators with similar branding at major ranks such as Arlanda Airport and Stockholm Central Station. Uber is licenced to operate in Stockholm, alongside European competitor Bolt .

Stockholm’s impeccable public transport system means you’re unlikely to need to rent a car during shorter stays, and finding parking can be tricky. But if you’re planning multiple-day tours or overnight trips in the region, most major European operators service the Swedish capital including Avis , Europcar and Hertz . Snapcar is a cheaper option, where you rent cars directly from owners in your neighborhood. You need to be 18 years old to rent a vehicle in Sweden, and to have held a licence for a minimum of two years.

City planners have long worked to ensure the Swedish capital is a walkable destination, with wide sidewalks, well-lit footpaths and thoroughfares in parks and residential neighborhoods, and strong marking and signposting when it comes to coastal or woodland trails. Many of Stockholm’s most popular tourist spots are within a 30-minute walk from one another.

If you don’t have a smartphone, free fold-out maps are available from city tourist information offices . When heading to nature spots outside the centre, you might want to enlist the help of a hiking app like Naturkartan or AllTrails .

Accessible transportation in Stockholm

Stockholm set a goal to become Europe’s most accessible city back in 1998, and it has made great improvements for those with visibility or mobility challenges, as well as parents traveling with small children.

There are lifts at every subway and train station on the SL public transport network. Subway trains and platforms are at the same level at nearly all stops, although some commuter trains require ramps. All city center buses have automatic ramps. Travel is free for one adult accompanying a child in a stroller. Stop names and journey progress is usually displayed on a digital screen, and via an audio system. SL also offers free phone advice on accessibility, as well as bookable guiding assistance .

Most major attractions are well-designed for wheelchairs, including ABBA The Museum , The Royal Palace , Fotografiska and Skansen . For a full list head to the Stockholm Museums website . The Association of Qualified Tourist Guides offers tours from locals fluent in sign language, and is specifically designed for small children.

Ramps suitable for wheelchairs and strollers are common at public staircases around the city centre, especially in locations close to public transport. Other initiatives include improved water access for wheelchair users at city beaches including Ångebybadet , Sätrabadet and Tanto strandbad.

You may also like: Top 10 free things to do in Stockholm Guide to Stockholm Pride

Explore related stories

Train Travel

Jan 5, 2024 • 10 min read

Our slow travel series explores how you can take more mindful journeys by train, boat, bus or bike – with tips on how to reach your no-fly destination, and…

Oct 19, 2023 • 8 min read

Jul 28, 2023 • 6 min read

Jul 3, 2023 • 3 min read

May 17, 2023 • 12 min read

Dec 20, 2022 • 3 min read

Dec 9, 2022 • 9 min read

Oct 13, 2022 • 2 min read

Sep 25, 2022 • 7 min read

Jul 26, 2022 • 7 min read

• Experience Guide (sv, dk, no, eng)
• Corporate (in Swedish)
• Press & Media
• Travel Trade
• Destinations
• Middle Sweden

Sightseeing like a local

Stockholm has a fantastic public transportation network covering almost every nook and cranny of the capital on sea, land and below ground. Join the locals and discover the city using boats, buses and the metro.

In a city built on 14 islands, getting around by boat is a given. SL, Stockholm’s Public Transport, runs several boats which are included in the route network and accessible with the same ticket as buses and the underground. 

Line 80 is perfect for sightseeing. It traffics between Nybroplan and Frihamnen via Allmänna gränd and Nacka Strand, among other stops. There are several interesting places to visit along the route. Hop off at Allmänna gränd to explore Djurgården, a National City Park. Here, you can roam in unspoiled nature, enjoy lunch or coffee or visit one of the many attractions. The Vasa Museum, Gröna Lund, the Abba museum, the Viking museum, Skansen and Liljevalchs art gallery are all just a short walk from the boat stop. When the boat passes Nacka Strand, you can get off and have brunch, lunch or dinner at Restaurant J with a fantastic terrace by the water. Don’t miss the spectacular statue by Carl Milles, a 24-meter fountain at the inlet to Stockholm from the Baltic Sea. 

Line 89 is great for those wanting to take a cruise on Lake Mälaren. Start at Klara Mälarstrand on Kungsholmen, sail towards the island of Ekerö, get a cup of coffee and enjoy the views. 

More information:  sl.se

Taking the bus is a classic and enjoyable way of seeing a city. In Stockholm, the blue busses numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 work especially well. They drive across the city from north to south and east to west, passing many classic sights and other attractions along the way.

• Number 1 starts in Frihamnen, passes Hötorget and Vasastan, and ends up on the island of Stora Essingen. Don’t forget to pack your swim suit: a lovely beach called Oxhålsbadet is just a short walk away from the bus stop “Flottbrovägen”.
• Number 2 crosses the northern part of the city centre, continues via the well-heeled district of Östermalm towards Slussen, a traffic junction currently going through a major transformation in one of Stockholm’s largest infrastructure projects. On the way, you pass the Royal Castle and the Old Town. 
• Number 3 is handy for traveling between Södermalm and Kungsholmen. It also drives past the Old Town and a few minutes later, the City Hall, famous for hosting the Nobel banquette.
• If you ride number 4, from Radiohuset to Gullmarsplan, you’ll get to see two of the city’s well-known architectural landmarks: the Västerbron bridge and Garnisonen, a listed 1972 building by architect Tage Hertzell. 

Stockholm’s tunnelbana, as the metro is called in Swedish, is by far the fastest way of getting around the city. The possibilities for sightseeing are endless as the system covers not only the inner city but also the outskirts.

But the metro is also a sight in itself. The 110-kilometer long metro system houses  a unique collection of sculptures, artworks and exhibitions.  More than 90 or the 100 stations are decorated by artists. The art program was initiated in the 1950s, and the oldest works can be found at the Stockholm Central station, 'T-Centralen' (or 'Centralen' for short) station. 

Since then, the collection of art has grown for every decade thanks to the municipality’s so-called two percent rule, which states that up to two percent of the cost of publicly funded construction projects is earmarked for art. 

Useful map for getting around

The page  tunnelbanakarta.se  is a subway /metro map that lets you see upcoming departures for the station when you click on it.

Take a free tour of the art

Free guided art walks in English are available from June to August every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 3 pm, starting from the SL Customer Centre at T-Centralen. 

During the rest of the year, you can naturally enjoy the art on your own – all you need is a valid ticket for the metro. Some of the most interesting stations include T-Centralen, Solna Strand, Mörby Centrum and Hötorget. 

Commuter trains, railways and trams

In addition to the metro, Stockholm’s public transportation network includes other railways. 

Commuter trains allow you to travel quickly over longer distances, from the north and south across the city. The system is made up of four lines and 53 stations, from Nynäshamn and Gnesta in the south to Bålsta and Uppsala in the north. Uppsala, for instance, is a perfect day trip from Stockholm. The city boasts the oldest Gothic cathedral in the Nordic region, charming old cafés and great shopping such as the fashionable mini department store Rådhuset.

Five local railways – Tvärbanan, Nockebybanan, Saltsjöbanan, Roslagsbanan and Lidingöbanan – also connect travelers from Danderyd, Täby, Vallentuna, Österåker, Bromma, Saltsjöbaden and Lidingö with the metro network. Do take time to explore where they can take you. One tip is the beautiful, wooden bathing house from 1913 in Saltsjöbaden. In the summer, you can swim in the sea from piers in the house, spend a sunny day on the small sandy beach and lunch in the outdoor restaurant.

In recent years, Stockholm has also invested in trams. Tram number 7 is the perfect sightseeing line, taking you from T-Centralen across Djurgården all the way to Waldermarsudde, where you’ll find one of Stockholm’s most beloved museums: Prince Eugen’s Waldemarsudde. It showcases the prince’s art along with works from his collection of Swedish art, including works by icons such as Anders Zorn and Bruno Liljefors.

Practical information

Tickets for Stockholm’s public transportation system can be purchased at; 

- SL centres - metro ticket booths - newsagents - via SMS  - or with  the SL app

Note that it's not possible to pay cash for tickets on board buses. 

The best thing to do is to buy an SL Access card, an electronic smart card which nearly all tickets are loaded on. The card itself costs 20 SEK and you can re-use it on future visits to Stockholm. You can load the card with money for single tickets or a 24 hour-, 72 hour- or 30-day ticket. A single ticket is valid for 75 minutes on all buses, metro lines and commuter ferries. Once on board, you place your card on the card reader and the fee is automatically drawn.

When you want to board one of the ferries, you may need the use the semaphore, a round sign on the quay, to signal that you want to get on the boat. It should be in a vertical position when you want to get on board. Nybroviken, Nacka strand and Frihamnen have no semaphores; the boat will stop there in any case. 

The tickets for the commuter ferries are bought at the same place as the tickets for all buses and metro lines and is valid for 75 minutes. 

You can find all the timetables at  sl.se

There are three different stations clustered in the city centre.

Cityterminalen  - the hub for bus transportation with departures to practically every large city as well as hundreds of smaller town.

Stockholm Central Station  - the hub for railroad-traffic. It actually has the most traffic of all the rail road stations in the Nordics and have 222 000 visitors at the station daily. 

Here you'll find both  Arlanda Express , long distance, local as well as regional train departures. SJ is the market-leading train operating company in Sweden. Read more:  sj.se/en  

T-Centralen ( Central Metro Station ) is where all of the Stockholm metro lines meet, but of course there is more transfer stations where lines cross or diverge.

Travelling by boat in Stockholm

Stockholm is built upon 14 islands, and you can go by boat between the islands with a public transport ticket.

Photo : Henrik Trygg/mediabank.visitstockholm.com

Exploring Stockholm

Photo : Visit Stockholm

Buses by Fotografiska

Tram at Strandvägen, Stockholm

Old-fashioned tram in Stockholm

Related articles

Stockholm metro art, stockholm old town, external link accessibility guarantee in the local transport system, explore stockholm archipelago.

Transport in Stockholm

Public Transportation in Stockholm

The public transportation in Stockholm is very efficient, safe and comfortable. Stockholm Public Transport SL is responsible for buses, underground trains, commuter trains, trams and certain ferry lines in Greater Stockholm.

An excellent public transport system

In Stockholm, the public traffic systems are divided into three zones, and zone tickets are suitable for several trips within 75 to 120 minutes. You can buy your tickets at SL Ticket Centres, underground metro platforms, kiosks or online. It is not a choice to pay by cash in for tickets on board buses in Stockholm. Most bus stops have ticket machines that take both coins and cards. Prepaid cards are the best solution for tourists in Stockholm. It's possible to buy 1, 3, or 7-day cards, which allow free travel in all zones during the validity period.

Stockholm Card

Another alternative is the Stockholm Card , which allows free travel and entry to more than 75 museums and attractions in the city. Stockholm Cards are valid for 2, 3 or 5 days.

Local boat transport

Travelling by local ferries is a fantastic way to experience a city built on islands. Ferries are used by both commuters and tourists wanting to take a better look around. There are ample ferry departures from Nybroviken and Slussen out to the leafy island of Djurgården. An SL Card includes ferries from Slussen, and you can also buy single tickets on the quay.

Stockholm by bus and metro

Take a trip on the number 69 bus or number 7 tram; it is a superb way to discover Stockholm. The lines go out to Djurgården and major attractions like Skansen and the Vasa Museum. The inner city buses run on eco-friendly fuels such as ethanol, which also helps to make Stockholm one of Europe's greenest cities.

The Stockholm underground is also known as the world’s longest art gallery, as so many of its stations are adorned with the works of different artists. The underground is the easiest way to get around town.

Travelling by local ferries is a fantastic way to experience a city built on islands. Ferries are used by both commuters and tourists wanting to take a better look around. There are ferry departures from Nybroviken and Slussen out to the leafy island of Djurgården. An SL Card includes ferries from Slussen, and you can buy single tickets on the quay.

 See more:  Stockholm Guide

To & from the international airport

Stockholm Arlanda international airport is Sweden's largest airport. It acts as an important hub for the Stockholm region and Scandinavia - owing to flights to 172 destinations worldwide and good ground transportation to and from other parts of the Stockholm region. Stockholm-Arlanda Airport is located 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Stockholm City.

How to go to Stockholm from Arlanda

The Arlanda Express train operates from Arlanda Airport to/from Stockholm Central Station every 15 min. throughout the day. The travel time is only 20 min. Single fare is SEK 280 (2016), return SEK 540 (2016).  A surcharge is applicable when purchasing your ticket on board the train. Another option is the Commuter trains (operated by the public transport company in Stockholm, SL) to Stockholm depart twice an hour from Arlanda Central Station in Sky City. The total travel time between the airport and Stockholm Central Station is 43 minutes.

You can take the Flygbussarna Airport Coaches to and from the airport. They depart every 10-15 minutes between Arlanda Airport and the City Terminal (located next to the Central Station). It takes around 40 minutes to Arlanda airport. Buses also run to Liljeholmen via Karolinska, Fridhemsplan and Södermalm (50 min). To Bromma airport via Kista and Sundbyberg. (54 min). There is also a possibility to take Air Shuttle buses. They depart every 20 minutes from Arlanda Airport and the City Terminal. The travel time is around 35 minutes to Arlanda.

A number of taxi companies operate in Stockholm, and their rates can vary. Note that there are fixed rates for transfers to and from Stockholm Arlanda Airport ranging from SEK 395-599. Make sure to confirm the rate before you leave the airport.

Explore more

• Public Transport Tickets
• Airport Express Train Tickets
• Flubussara Express Bus Tickets
• Plan Your Journey
• Nordic Countries
• Inspiration
• Heritage & Culture
• Nature & Activities
• Design & Shopping
• Nordic Vikings
• Seasons & Weather
• Visitnordic
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Become a Partner

Stockholm   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Domingo Leiva | Getty Images

Getting Around Stockholm

The best way to get around Stockholm is by the excellent public transportation system; several bus lines, metro, commuter rails, trams and ferries cover the big city very efficiently. Biking is another popular option for getting around, as the city boasts numerous bike lanes and paths. Neighborhoods like Gamla Stan are certainly walkable, but the expansive city is tough to cover solely on foot. Although we don't recommend driving, rental cars are available at the Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) – about 30 miles north of the city. But it's easier to take the commuter rail or the Arlanda Express high-speed train into town instead. Taxis from the airport to the city center charged a fix fare of 450 to 500 kronor (about $52 to $58).

Explore More of Stockholm

Things To Do

Best Hotels

You might also like

# 2 in  Best Day Trips from Florence

# 1 in  Best Places to Visit in July 2024

St. Petersburg

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Recommended

The 18 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Sharael Kolberg April 23, 2024

The 25 Best Beaches on the East Coast for 2024

Timothy J. Forster|Sharael Kolberg April 19, 2024

The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2024

Christina Maggitas February 6, 2024

The 32 Most Famous Landmarks in the World

Gwen Pratesi|Timothy J. Forster February 1, 2024

9 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida for 2024

Gwen Pratesi|Amanda Norcross January 5, 2024

24 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for 2024

Erin Evans January 4, 2024

26 Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts for 2024

Zach Watson December 28, 2023

Solo Vacations: The 36 Best Places to Travel Alone in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Erin Vasta December 22, 2023

26 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget

Kyle McCarthy|Sharael Kolberg December 4, 2023

The 50 Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches in the World

Holly Johnson December 1, 2023

Public Transportation in Stockholm

Maskot / Getty Images 

Hopping from one island to another using public transportation in Stockholm requires a fairly intricate public transportation network. Luckily, the Swedes have greatly simplified the system to accommodate all types of visitors the city receives year-round.

The Swedish language can make the system difficult to interpret at times, but staff are very helpful (if asked) and have an impressive command of English. Though much of the city is contained within reasonable walking distance, seeing many attractions will usually require a short ride on the metro. There are also a few lesser-known ways of getting around the city, which can save some kronor and reveal parts of the city which might otherwise go unseen.

Taking the Metro and Bus

From the heart of the city to deep into the suburbs, the public transportation network, Stockholms Lokaltrafik (SL), is the most common way to get around. This consists of the metro, bus, commuter train networks, and even several ferries. Their website , can be an invaluable resource in getting around via the journey planner (English-translated version), which will guide you as to which bus or train to take and when. The journey planner is also custom designed for smartphones.

Three main metro lines ( red, blue and green ) serve the entire region around Stockholm, all running north to south. These lines all travel through Stockholm’s central station “T-Centralen” and transfer to one another at different points marked on the system map, visible within each metro car.

Buses are more necessary on the city perimeter and into the suburbs. Though those up late on a weeknight might require the use of a night bus, as the metro stations will be closed from roughly 1:00-5:30 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday.

All trains and buses are made accessible for strollers and the handicapped through a large number of ramps and elevators. Audio announcements are also available at subway stations for the hearing impaired.

Getting Tickets for Public Transportation

Often the easiest and best value option for visitors is the SL Access card, which allows unlimited rides in the entire Stockholm region, to and from the airport and even ferry rides to the large park Djurgården. These can be purchased at various SL Centers, which are located throughout the city, at the central station and even at Sky City at Arlanda Airport . Ticket prices range from 155 SEK for 24 hours to 930 SEK for 30 days, and various durations are available.

The SL card itself also costs 20 SEK (but can be reused in the future). These tickets are also all available for roughly 40 percent off for those under 20 or over 65. Children under 7 travel for free with an adult, while up to 6 children from ages 7-11 can travel for free during weekends when accompanied by someone older than 18.

For those just passing through Stockholm or planning on the limited use of the metro, single tickets can be bought for 50 SEK (within one zone – longer trips will cost slightly more) which allow free rides for 75 minutes. These can also be purchased at Presbyrån stores for a reduced price. Under-20 and over-65 discounts also apply. Note that tickets are not for sale on the bus!

Arriving in Stockholm?

Train services to Stockholm will arrive at the central station T-Centralen, allowing immediate access to the SL system. If arriving from Arlanda Airport, there are a number of trains and buses to choose from via the Arlanda website. If you are planning to use the SL card later in Stockholm, the card can be purchased at Sky City, allowing a ride to Stockholm at no extra cost via bus 583 to Märsta, then taking the commuter train to Stockholm. This takes roughly an hour to the central station. The same ride can be done towards the airport.

Last and certainly not least, Stockholm is incredibly bike-friendly and can be a spectacular way to see the city in the warmer months. City Bikes has a rental system set up from April through October, where bikes can be used for several hours a day and exchanged at one of the 90+ stations around the city . A three-day card is only 165 SEK while a 250 SEK card is good for the entire season. The many bike lanes around the city allow for safe, fairly casual rides away from congested traffic.

Getting Around Madrid: Guide to Public Transportation

Getting Around Mexico City: Guide to Public Transportation

Getting Around Paris: Guide to Public Transportation

Getting Around Seattle: Guide to Public Transportation

A Guide to Airports in Scandinavia

How to Travel Around Paris Like a Local

Getting Around Frankfurt: Guide to Public Transportation

Getting Around Jamaica on Public Transport

Getting Around Salt Lake City: Guide to Public Transportation

Getting Around Beijing: Guide to Public Transportation

Getting Around Detroit: Guide to Public Transportation

Getting Around Naples: Guide to Public Transportation

How to Visit Los Angeles Without a Car

Getting Around Switzerland: Guide to Public Transportation

Taking the Roissybus to or From Charles de Gaulle Airport

Getting Around Lisbon: Guide to Public Transportation

Your Guide to Public Transport in Stockholm

Let me explain you how to travel by public transport when visiting Stockholm , travelcards and prices and how to get around by underground, commuter trains, trams, buses and boats as there have been some modifications that simplified the system but still can be tricky for tourists visiting Stockholm.

Let’s get into detail!

What’s New About Public Transport in Stockholm

Public transportation or mass transit as other prefer to call it is managed by the company Storstockholms Lokaltrafik o SL. There are no longer ABC zones into which Stockholm was divided and thus a single ticket covers the entire city of Stockholm and outskirts. You pay a fix price and are able to travel for 75 minutes. Now you are able to travel even to Gnesta, Bålsta or Sigtuna without paying an extra fee.

Some travel categories like “helt” (complete) or “reducerat” (reduced) which granted you access to lower prices have disappeared completely. Now you belong to one of these 4 categories: vuxen, pensionär, student, ungdom – adult, senior, student, youth (20 years or less!) .

Children & Public Transport in Stockholm

If you are traveling with kids remember that they need not buy a valid transportation ticket if they are aged 6 years or less . There is no limit for the number of kids that can travel with an accompanying adult. During weekends, from Friday at 12 PM until Sunday at 12 AM every adult can be accompanied by up to 6 children aged 12 or less. This applies also to holidays and the previous day, midsommar and its previous day and from December 23rd at 12 PM until January 6th at 12 AM. So if you are planning to visit Stockholm during Christmas time or New Year your children under 12 need not pay for public transportation.

Public Transportation for Students

When staying in Stockholm as an Erasmus student – or any other kind of exchange program of studies for that matter – you will need a valid SL student card with its logotype on it and study at least 75% of your time so that you can get a 75% discount on public transportation. Unfortunately this discount for students is not available for the regular student traveler visiting Stockholm.

Tickets, Validity and Prices For Public Transport in Stockholm

In Stockholm you can buy single travel tickets for public transport or buy a travel card called SL-Access, top it up with the desired amount and travel until no more funds are available. This is called reskassa and its way cheaper even for the sporadic commuter. The SL-Access card costs 20 SEK (1.90 € / $2.10 /£1.60).

Notice that this card is NOT the tourist visitor card Go City Stockholm Pass which grants you access to museums, sights, attractions and boat trips . The SL-Access complements the Stockholm card offering a cheaper way to travel on public transportation in Stockholm.

In 2022 you cannot buy the SL-Access travel card together with the Go City Stockholm Pass .

Single ticket prices for transportation in Stockholm are as follow:

• Single ticket bought on board (when possible): 50 SEK (4.75 € / $5.20 / £4 ) adults; 34 SEK (3.25 € / $3.50 / £2.75) other categories
• Single ticket bought through the mobile app, ticket vending machine or SL employee : 37 SEK (3.50 € / $3.85 / £3) adults; 25 SEK (2.40 € / $2.60 / £2) other categories
• Single ticket bought with the credit from your previously topped up SL-Access travel card : 37 SEK (3.50 € / $3.85 / £3) adults; 25 SEK (2.40 € / $2.60 / £2) other categories.

As a tourist in Stockholm you will enjoy the sortiment of period tickets – travelcards – which will entitle you to travel for for 24 or 72 hours and 7, 30, 90 or 365 days. After a few years without any rise on their prices this year has seen a minimal increase.

The price for travelcards used on public transportation in Stockholm are as follow:

• 24-hour travelcard : 155 SEK (14.65 € / $16.10 / £12.40) adults and 105 SEK (9.95 € / $10.90 / £8.40) others
• 72-hour travelcard: 310 SEK (29.35 € / $32.10 / £24.85) adults and 210 SEK (19.90 € / $21.75 / £16.85) others. Notice that you get a day for free as the price matches two 24-hour travelcard but you are allowed to travel during 72 hours. If you are planning to buy a 24-hour or 72-hour period ticket you need not buy an SL-Access card because both period tickets exist in a paper version.
• 7-day travelcard : 405 SEK (38.30 € / $42 / £32.45) adults and 270 SEK (25.50€ / $28 / £21.65) others
• 30-day travelcard : 930 SEK (88 € / $96.35 / £74.55) adults and 620 SEK (58.65 € / $64.25 / £49.70) others
• 90-day travelcard : 2770 SEK (255.45 € / $287 / £222) adults and 1810 SEK (171.25 € / $187.55 / £145) others
• 365-day travelcard : 9770 SEK (924.25 € / $1012.45 / £783) adults and 6550 SEK (619.65 € / $678.75 / £524.95) others

* Prices and exchange rate updated on February 2020. Current exchange rate may differ.

If you are interested in traveling by train between Arlanda airport and Stockholm central station you can do it by paying an extra fee. If you already have a valid ticket or enough money in your travelcard to do a single journey you will only need to pay a 120 SEK (11.35 € / $12.45 / £9.65) fee. Otherwise you can buy an airport valid single ticket for 157 SEK (14.85 € / $16.25 / £12.60) adults or 145 SEK (13.75 € / $15 / £11.60) other categories. Those under 18 need not pay an extra fee and can travel to Arlanda airport on a regular single ticket.

With single tickets you are allowed to travel for 75 minutes and with travelcards during the indicated validity period. 24-hour and 72-hour travelcards work in 24-hour periods , that is, upon activation at 2 PM on a given Monday it will be valid until Tuesday 2 PM or Thursday 2 PM respectively. 7-day travelcards count calendar days . Upon activation at 11:50 PM on a given Monday night it will be valid until 11:59 PM on a Sunday night. Is it so? Yes. It experienced it myself when trying to use the cheapest way to travel to Arlanda aiport and not being able to do it because my card had already expired.

What You Can Do in Stockholm With a Travel Ticket

With a valid ticket you can use the underground trains, buses, trams (basically tram line nr. 7 from Sergels torg square to the Island of Djurgården and Waldemarsudde Museum and a great way to visit museums in that area of Stockholm ), commuter trains (up to Uppsala – paying a fee – Märsta, Gnesta, Södertälje or Nynäshamn) and boats between some stops on the central islands in Stockholm. These are the five boat lines included in your ticket:

• nr 80 Frihamnen to Nybroplan through Allmänna gränd on Djurgården beside Gröna Lund amusement park. This bus line is perfect if you are arriving in Stockholm on a cruise and during the port of call want to visit the museums in Djurgården. This is the red route from point 1 to point 3 in the next map.
• nr 82 from Slussen to Allmänna gränd on Djurgården with a stop-over on the island of Skeppsholmen. This bus line is also used very frequently to get to the museums in Djurgården from Södermalm or Gamla Stan. This is shown as a blue route from point 5 to point 2 through point 4 in the map.
• nr 84 from Nybroplan to Hammarbysjöstad – available from spring time only – useful to visit Stockholm’s most ecofriendly and sustainable neighborhood known as Hammarbysjöstad. My map features this route in fuchsia from point 3 to a place outside the map.
• nr 85 from Klara Mälarstrand – out of service indefinitely since Jan 1 2019 – in the surroundings of Stockholm Central Station and Stockholm’s City Hall bound for Kungholmstorg whose deck is located a little bit beyond Stockholm City Hall . Orange route from point nr 6 in the map to point nr 7, Söder Mälarstrand, and then Kungholmstorg.
• nr 89 connecting Ekerö, the island where Drottningholm palace is located (although ver far away from the boat stop), to the island of Lilla Essingen in central Stockholm. This boat line works on working days only. Not featured in the map as it is not used by tourists.

If you wish to visit Stockholm from the water you will find a lot of boat sightseeing tours and excursions in Stockholm & the archipelago included in the tourist visitor card Go City Stockholm. See my article on How to Buy Your Go City Stockholm Pass With a Discount .

Where to Buy the SL-Access card

You can buy your SL-Access card at the counter on underground stations, SL-centers and kiosks (Pressbyrån, 7-eleven, etc) as well as at some hotels. If you are looking for a reseller near your accommodation in Stockholm , browse through the map located at Stockholm transportation official website , click on the map on the Symbols layer and choose Sales point to show all of them. In this screen capture I chose two Pressbyrån kiosks located near the central station and Cityterminalen where the airport transfer buses depart and arrive.

Identifying Stations and Stops

Underground stops are marked with a big T sign standing for the Swedish word tunnelbana , train stations with a big J for järnvägen, tram stops with an S for spårvagn and the commuter trains are usually know as pendeltåg . Moreover, bus stops show an H sign for hållplats and boat decks are marked with the Swedish word brygga .

Stockholm Public Transport Maps

You can find PDF maps for the entire transportation network in Stockholm on SL official website. For instance: map for commuter trains and underground, underground only, commuter trains only, tram , bus lines in the heart of Stockholm , or in the south of the city and from bus terminals to know the different departure locations.

Planning Your Trips

If you are interested in planning your trips in advance or during your stay you can use the planner on SL website . Providing the current location and the destination you will be given the best and the fastest way to travel between these two points.

This is my complete guide on how to use public transport in Stockholm. I hope I didn’t forget anything. If you have any questions, suggestions or want me to help you plan your stay write me a comment below.

Selected Articles For You

The Go City Stockholm tourist visitor pass will allow you to discover over 45 attractions…

If you are thinking of visiting Stockholm in December be it during Christmas or around…

Kanelbullensdag, the Day of the Cinnamon Bun, is celebrated in Sweden every 4th of October.…

Stockholm has more than 70 museums which makes it one of the cities in the…

More and more travelers are flying to Sweden arriving in Skavsta Airport, located in Nyköping…

Select your Dates and Book Your Accomodation in Stockholm

About Israel Úbeda

143 comments.

Hi. I have a child/student studying abroad for the next 6 months. Does he qualify for the student transportation discount of 75% off. If so, how does he go about getting this? Right now he’s paying $15 daily US currency. There has to be a cheaper option for him. Please advise! Thanks!!

Hi how old is the child/student? There is a discounted fare up until 19 years of age. Then if they are older than 20 they need a student ID with the SL (public transportation) logotype like Studentkortet, Mecenatkortet, WeStudents.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and site URL in my browser for next time I post a comment.

Buy Your Go City Stockholm Pass Online!

Read also …

• Best Things To See and Do in the High Coast of Sweden
• United’s Daily Flight Stockholm-New York to Return in 2023
• Sweden365, customize your Chrome browser with photos and stories from Sweden
• Is Skansen included in the Stockholm tourist card?
• Top 5 Boat Tours in Stockholm
• 6 Places to Celebrate June 6, Sweden’s National Day, in Stockholm
• 5 Things to Do in Dalarna, Sweden in September
• 9 Newest Hotels to Book in Sweden
• Dates For Boat Trips & Tours in Stockholm in 2023
• Nobel Week Lights in Stockholm, Light in the Dark During the Nobel Prize Week

Buy Your Go City Gothenburg Pass Here

Hotel Deals in Stockholm

Recent comments.

Follow us on Instagram

Sweetswedenes.

Cogesa Expats – Spanish Insurance Broker

Best Home Insurances for Expats in Spain

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best things in life are free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to do
• Restaurants
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

Your guide to public transport in Stockholm

Here’s how to navigate public transport in Stockholm like a local – whether by bus, tram, commuter train or ferry

Stockholm is a visitor’s dream when it comes to public transportation. The city’s subway network is intuitive and efficient and runs through the night on weekends. Buses, trams, commuter trains and ferries also connect the capital’s 14 islands – and all their top attractions . Almost all these options are operated by the same company, Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL), so you can easily switch between different transport modes.

Paper or mobile tickets cost 44 SEK for a 75-minute journey. But it’s usually better value to buy a plastic SL card for 20 SEK and top up with credit, or buy a 24-hour, 72-hour or weekly pass if you’re planning frequent trips. Whether you’re finding your way to your hotel or just want to get lost in the city – and then find a great bar or restaurant along the way – we’ve got you covered.

RECOMMENDED: Your essential Stockholm travel guide

An email you’ll actually love

Public transport options in Stockholm

Stockholm’s extensive underground network, known as the tunnelbana, is made up of three colour-coded lines (green, red and blue), which split into different branches on the outskirts of the capital. Subway trains typically run between 5am and 1am during the week and there are through-the-night services on Fridays and Saturdays—very handy in a city where taxis are expensive. Stations in the city centre are typically well-marked at ground level with large ‘T’ signs. There’s wheelchair and stroller access at every station, although not necessarily at each exit. Tickets should be bought in advance from subway stations or Pressbyrån and 7-11 convenience stores.

The bus network in Stockholm is trickier to navigate than the subway, and probably isn’t worth it if you’re only visiting for a short period of time or are planning to do most of your travelling by day. However, busses are a great option if you need to travel after 1am during the week, when the subway is closed. Services are well-heated and are typically calm and safe. The key inner-city night route is Line 4 (which turns into Nightbus 94) between Radiohuset and Gullmarsplan. SL cards are accepted on all busses. If you don’t have a ticket , you can pay using the SL app; it costs 44 SEK for a 75-minute journey (compared to 31 SEK with an SL card).

You can travel surprisingly far outside the city borders on a single SL ticket, making Stockholm’s aboveground train network a top choice for both commuters and weekend day-trippers. Two popular tourist spots are the ports of Nynästamn and Saltsjöbaden. Sigtuna, the oldest town in Sweden, can also be reached via an SL train to Märsta, followed by a short bus ride. However, if you’re travelling to Uppsala from Stockholm you’ll need to buy a separate UL ticket or, if you’ve already bought an all-inclusive SL ticket for 24 hours or more, you can buy an SL ticket extension. It’s easiest to arrange the latter from an SL counter; ticket machines are available but can be confusing for first-time visitors.

Trams serve Djurgården island, where many of Stockholm’s most popular museums are based. You can pick up the Line 7 service from two adjacent stops in the city centre—Hamngatan or Nybrokajan. Both stops are within walking distance from central station and Östermalmstorg and Kungsträdgården subway stops. Tram line 22 serves various city suburbs. Valid SL cards or mobile tickets must be bought in advance from subway stations or convenience stores and shown on board.

Taking the ferry rarely saves time in Stockholm, but it offers a fun and scenic way to get around, especially during good weather. The Djurgården ferry connects Slussen (follow signs from the Södermalmstorg subway exit) to Djurgården island, often stopping off at Skeppsholmen island en route (check with staff before you board). The Sjövägen 80 boat line connects central Nybroplan (close to Kungsträdgården subway stop) and Frihamnen port, also stopping off at Djurgården island along the way. SL tickets are valid for both services but must be bought in advance. There are also several private companies running boats from the city centre to the Stockholm archipelago. Waxholmsbolaget and Stromma are the largest.

Time to check out some neighbourhoods

Where to stay in Stockholm

To a newcomer, Stockholm can be dizzying. Where to begin? The trick is to find an island whose character suits yours, and go from there. 

[image] [title]

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising
• Time Out Market

Time Out products

• Android app
• Time Out Worldwide

Public transportation in Stockholm

While exploring Stockholm on foot is ideal, understanding the costs and schedules for the subway , trams , buses , and taxis can also be beneficial. Navigating the city's public transport system is particularly handy for getting to various museums in Stockholm .

Sightseeing bus

You may also be interested in.

Skavsta Airport

Skavsta Airport is located 110 kilometers (68 miles) from Stockholm. Although it's the farthest from the city center, it offers flights with low-cost airlines, so it can be a good option if you want to save some money.

Stockholm's buses are blue, run almost everywhere inside the city, and go all the way to the suburbs. Find out how to get around Stockholm by bus.

• [ 2 mai 2024 ] À DÉCOUVRIR — Stolen : Adaptation Netflix d’un Best-seller suédois Histoire
• [ 30 avril 2024 ] Valborg, Valborgsmässoafton et Walpurgis, mais qu’est-ce qu’on fête ? Fêtes suédoises
• [ 29 avril 2024 ] Déclaration d’impôts 2024 Impôts
• [ 23 avril 2024 ] RANDO — Le guide des sorties natures en Scanie Nature
• [ 9 avril 2024 ] Réveillez votre balcon, c’est le moment des plantations ! Loisirs, activités

La Suède en kit

Le guide pour s'installer et vivre en suède, all you need to know about stockholm’s public transport.

SL  (Stockholms Länstrafik) is the state-owned company that runs the public transport system in Greater Stockholm. MTR is responsible for the metro; Keolis, Arriva and Nobina manage the buses; and Waxholmsbolaget oversees the boats. Here is a guide to understand Stockholm main transport map: colours, insignias and numbers.

The metro – tunnelbanan (T)

In 1877, the first public transport was introduced in Stockholm with trams pulled by horses. From 1901, trams were powered by electricity. In 1931, construction of the metro started in Södermalm. A tunnel of 1.37 km was dug between Slussen and Ringvägen. Three years later, trains were running. In 1943, the metro was extended west towards Alvik.

Today the tunnelbanan consists of three lines:

The green line, from west to south, is 41.25 km long and has three branches: number 17 from Åkeshov to Skarpnäck, 18 from Alvik to Farsta Strand and 19 from Hässelby Strand to Hagsätra;

The red line, from south-west to north, built in the 1950s, is 41.23 km long and is divided in two branches: number 13 from Norsborg to Ropsten and 14 from Fruängen to Mörby centrum;

Finally, the blue line, running from north-west to central Stockholm. Opened in 1975, it is 21.5 km and has 2 branches: number 10 from Kungsträdgården to Hjulsta and 11 from Kungsträdgården to Akalla.

In total, there are 100 tunnelbanan stations, easily identifiable by a blue T in a white circle. There are 108 km of tracks, of which 62km are underground. As Stockholm is built on rock, much time and dynamite were required.

Stockholm metro is famous for being « the biggest art gallery in the world ». Each station features public art pieces: statues, installations, decorated ceramic murals. Guided tours are organised for the cost of a travel ticket. More info  here .

The trams — spårvagnen

Line 7 (grey) is the oldest train line, and runs between T-Centralen and Djurgården. In the summer, you can travel in old wagons and even take a fika onboard.

The tvärbanan between Liljeholmen and Gullmarsplan (22 – orange) dates from 2000, and was later extended to Alvik and Sikla Udde, connecting Hammarby sjöstad and the west part of the city.

The lines 21 (brown) from Ropsten and 12 (dark grey) from Alvik to Rockby extend the network further out of the city.

Commuter trains — pendeltågen

6 lines, 40 to 45 and 48 (pink) cover 211 km of tracks and run every 15 minutes from the Northern commuter belt (Bälsta, Märsta, Uppsala) to the Southern suburbs of Södertälje, Gnesta and Nynäshamn.

Light rail — lokaltåg

Saltsjöbanan is divided into two lines (25 and 26 — turquoise) heading east, one runs from Slussen to Saltsjöbaden via Nacka (16 km), the other between Igelboda and Solsidan (3 km). Due to construction work at Slussen, Saltsjöbanan currently departs from Henriksdal.

Roslagsbanan, in the north of the city, has three lines (27, 28 and 29 — purple) and departs from Stockholm Östra: Kårsta (42 km), Österskär (29,5 km) and Näsbypark (11,8 km).

Useful terms:

• Kort tåg = short train (evenings and weekends)
• Långt tåg = long train
• Ankommer om 5 min = Arrives in 5 min
• Dörrarna stängs! = Doors are closing!

Busses — bussarna

Busses became popular in Stockholm from 1919. Now there are approximately 500 bus lines.

The lines starting with a “1” run within the city centre. Blue buses numbered from 1 to 6 are express ones travelling along the edges of the centre.

Buses starting with 100 cover the western and southern suburbs of the Stockholm district. The blue buses in suburb areas connect subway stops with trains ( pendeltåg ); other buses are red.

Bus lines directions:

• From 200: Lidingö district, starting from Ropsten
• From 300: Ekerö district, starting from Brommaplan
• From 400: Nacka and Värmdö districts, starting from Slussen
• From 500: Järfälla, Upplands Bro, Upplands Väsby and Sigtuna
• From 600: Täby and Norrtälje
• From 700: Huddinge, Botkyrka, Salem, Södertälje and Nykvarn
• From 800: Tyresö, Haninge and Nynäshamn

Boats — båtarna

Public transport by boat is what makes Stockholm charming. Stockholm is called the Venice of the north after all! Public boats are larger and more stable than gondolas, so maybe not as romantic but more practical.

Trains can be suspended due to leaves or ice on tracks, buses can be delayed by traffic or snow but nothing stops the boats; not even ice, as they are equipped with ice-breakers. Come when it is -10/15°C to live this wonderful experience of gliding through the ice in Stockholm’s harbour.

Djurgårdsfärjan shuttles back and forth between Slussen/Gamla Stan and Djurgården, every 20 minutes.

Sjövägen runs between Frihamnen and Nybroplan, via Lidingö, Nacka strand, Finnboda and Djurgården.

Riddarfjärdslinjen (line 85) links Södermalm and Kungsholmen, forming a triangle between Söder Mälarstrand, Klara Mälarstrand and Kungsholmstorg.

For a free ride, take the line between Södermalm and Hammarby Sjöstad.

There are no tariff zones in Stockholm. Each ticket (single or pass) gives you access to the entire network (subway, bus, train(s), boat). Adults pay full price. If you are retired ( pensionär ), student ( student ) or young ( ungdom , up to 20 years old), you benefit from a reduced price.

Adults who study at least 75 % of the time and have a student card featuring the SL logo can get cheaper tickets. Anyone older than 65 is considered a pensionär ; if you have retired younger, you would need a letter from   Pensionsmyndigheten  (Swedish pension office) or   Försäkringskassan  (Swedish Social Security).

Since January 2022, a full price monthly card costs 970 SEK, and a reduced one 650 SEK.

Using the Access Card

During the past few years, the transport card has become magnetic ( Access-kort ). You can charge it with your monthly/weekly/daily fee or load it with a minimum of 200 SEK if you only want to pay for single trips ( reskassa ). You can buy an Access card for 20 SEK in any Pressbyrån (small convenience stores often located near stations) or at SL centers (Sergels Torg, T-Centralen, Fridhemsplan, Tekniska Högskolan).

It is recommended to register your card on the SL website. If your card is stolen or lost, you will be able to block it or request a new one — loaded with the same credit.

If your card fails to work, you’ll need to go to an SL center. They will give you a new one and charge it with your remaining credit.

You can renew your monthly pass or top up your credit in Pressbyrån or any automatic machines in stations. Please note that you cannot by tickets on buses. Your card needs to be pre-loaded before you step on.

If you buy a ticket for a single trip, it will cost 39 SEK (reskassa , by SMS, SL app or ticket booth) or 54 SEK (if you buy from the controller on the tram). Your ticket is valid on all public transport for a duration of 75 min.

You need to ‘beep’ your Access-card before boarding subways or trains, or when stepping onto the bus. On the tramway line 7 to Djurgården, controllers check your ticket. If you fail to show a valid pass, you will be fined 1 500 SEK. Controls are becoming more regular in Stockholm.

Families travelling with children

Children under the age of 7 travel free with a paying adult. From 7 years and above, you will need to buy your child a reduced-fare ticket.

Children between 7 and 12 travel free with a paying adult between 12pm Friday and Sunday night.

On buses, an adult with a pram rides for free. You board through the back door(s) while any other accompanying adults need to pay and step on at the front.

Generally, all public transport is accessible with pushchairs. Most stations have lifts or escalators. On buses, there are dedicated spaces for prams. If this area is full (with prams), you’ll need to wait for the next bus.

Stockholm's public transport prices from January 2022

To view all timetables, plan your journey, check traffic or buy single tickets, download the SL app from Appstore or Google Play .

To travel to central Stockholm from Arlanda, Bromma or Skavsta airports, read  here  (in French).

• public transport

Sur le même thème

En rouge et noir… les menstruations dans le métro

Depuis l’année dernière et jusqu’à septembre prochain, la station de métro de Slussen expose des dessins de l’artiste suédoise Liv Strömquist, des dessins qui ont fait parler d’eux dans la presse suédoise et internationale, de part […]

Bleu, blanc, roues : arrivée des nouvelles rames à Stockholm

Peut-être les avez-vous aperçues ? Portes bleues sur fond blanc, lignes épurées, les nouvelles rames ont fait leur entrée (discrète) sur la ligne rouge du métro de Stockholm. La Suède en Kit vous dit tout […]

Les 10 commandements de l’hiver

Températures qui s’approchent dangereusement de zéro, pénombre qui s’installe dès le début d’après-midi, collègues suédois qui deviennent encore plus froids… pas de doute, le long hiver suédois s’installe. La Suède en kit vous aide dans votre préparation […]

6 Commentaires

Bonjour Christelle. Félicitations pour votre page, cela a été très utile. Savez-vous s’il existe des réductions pour les familles nombreuses sur les transports à Stockholm? Merci beaucoup.

Bonjour Ana, le concept de famille nombreuses n’existe pas en Suède mais les enfants jusqu’à 7 ans voyagent gratuitement accompagnés d’un adulte et les jeunes jusqu’à 20 ans et étudiants ont accès au tarif réduit.

Very interesting article. The prices have changed in 2020, you might have to update that.

Thanks for the reminder! 🙂 It is done!

Bonjour, Faut il obligatoirement un personnumber pour enregistrer sa carte sur le site ? Si non, comment faire ? J’ai perdu ma carte SL mais j’ai toujours le ticket, j’espère pouvoir m’en sortir comme cela…

Bonjour Lauriane, Pour enregistrer la carte en elle-même, il ne semble pas que le personnummer soit requis. Vous pouvez créer un compte sur le site de SL soit avec une BankId (auquel cas il vous faut un personnummer), soit avec un nom d’utilisateur et un mot de passe (pas besoin de personnummer).

Laisser un commentaire Annuler la réponse

Votre adresse de messagerie ne sera pas publiée.

Commentaire

Ce site utilise Akismet pour réduire les indésirables. En savoir plus sur comment les données de vos commentaires sont utilisées .

Copyright © 2024 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes

Getting around Stockholm

The most enjoyable way to explore Stockholm is on foot. The oldest part of the city, Gamla Stan , is extremely compact, and lots of Stockholm’s main sights are within a half-hour walk of that neighbourhood.

If you start to get tired or want to strike out beyond the city centre, you can always let the public transport system take the strain.

Stockholm’s boats, trams, buses and subway trains are almost all operated by one company – Storstockholms Lokaltrafik ( SL ) – which means you can easily hop from one mode of transport to another. Scroll down for details on paying for journeys in Stockholm .

Tunnelbana (subway) Buses Trams Ferries Planning a route Paying for tickets Taxis Bikes Scooters Walking Tours

The tunnelbana (subway)

Stockholm’s tunnelbana, or T-bana, consists of three colour-coded lines. Stations are marked at ground level with a large ‘T’ and are dotted around the city centre.

Trains run from roughly 5am–1am each day, and provide one of the best options for getting around Stockholm.

One thing you’ll notice when riding the tunnelbana is the art covering the stations’ walls and ceilings.

We particularly like the blue leaf and flower motifs by artist Per Olof Ultvedt in the T-Centralen, which was the first metro station to feature art.

Another of our favourites is the animal sculptures, paintings and foliage in Tensta subway station, which were designed to remind immigrants of their home countries and celebrate the people of all cultures who live in Tensta.

Occasional free, guided art walks that describe some of the works in more detail are run in English and Swedish. All you need to attend one is a valid SL ticket.

Check the programme  here to see if there’s a guided tour coming up. 

Alternatively, you can download the SL ArtGuide app , which is an audio guide that tells you all about certain pieces of art at 21 central metro stations.

Or, click here for details of the art in 14 of the most beautiful subway stations.

For many journeys, especially if you’re heading out into the suburbs, buses are the best option. There are dozens of lines crisscrossing the city and the buses are generally clean and reliable, even when it’s snowing.

Press the yellow or red ‘stop’ button when you want to get off and the driver will pull over at the next stop.

Note that the buses we mention in the arrival section (for airports and ferry terminals) are privately run – you need a separate ticket to travel on them.  

The buses also have an advantage over the metro in that they provide scenic views of the city. We particularly like route #55 from Kungsträdgården to Södra Station, which gives great views of the waterfront en route.

Trams only really serve Djurgården . There’s no subway service on the island so the trams provide a scenic alternative, linking central Sergels Torg with Waldemarsudde at the southern tip of Djurgården, passing a few excellent museums en route. 

Ferries are one of the joys of travelling around Stockholm, and there are three routes that are included on the SL network. Boats run from the city centre to the Stockholm archipelago, but there are also a couple of really useful city-centre lines that make it easy to hop between central islands.

The year-round Djurgården ferry (route 82) shuttles between Slussen (at the southern tip of Gamla Stan ) and the island of Djurgården . Often, the same service also stops at a jetty on the eastern side of Skeppsholmen.

The Sjövägen 80 boat line connects central Nybroplan with Frihamnen in an almost-circular loop, stopping at Allmänna Gränd on Djurgården along the way. This route is handy if you want a quick way to get from the downtown area to the museums on Djurgården.

In addition, line 89 (Ekerö–Stockholm) shuttles between Tappström and Klara Mälarstrand, via Kungshättan, Ekensberg and Lilla Essingen.

Planning a route

To plan journeys by public transport in Stockholm visit SL.se – the service is available in English but the website can be clunky.

There is also an app for iPhone and Android that allows you to buy tickets quickly and easily – though if you’re doing a lot of travelling on public transport, it may be cheaper to buy a travelcard.

All the attractions we’ve listed in our Stockholm guide include details of the nearest subway station, bus stop, ferry dock or tram station.

Paying for travel in Stockholm

There are four ways of paying for travel on public transport in Stockholm; with a contactless debit or credit card; by the SL app; by a time-limited travelcard; or by individual single tickets.

★ SUGGESTED DISCOUNT

Save with the stockholm pass.

Get up to 50% off at Stockholm's top attractions, including the Vasa Museum, SkyView Stockholm and The Viking Museum, plus discounts on some of the city's best boat trips.

By contactless card or digital wallet

For visitors who are only making a couple of journeys a day by public transport, the easiest way to pay is by contactless debit or credit card, which must be backed by Mastercard, Visa or American Express.

You can also use digital wallets such as Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Apple Pay and Fidesmo Pay. 

The vast majority of stations on the tunnelbana have automated barriers, while buses, boats and trams have a reader that you need to hold your card over as you climb aboard.

Just tap your card or phone on the ticket reader as you start your journey, and the fare will automatically be deducted.

The default fare for a single journey is 39 SEK. Single tickets are valid for 75 minutes on all SL services. 

To buy a discounted fare (26 SEK for students, seniors and children aged 6–19), you need to register your card details at least a day in advance on the SL website and change the category to discounted fare. The reduced fare will automatically be deducted.

The SL ticket app

First you need to download the SL ticket app, then enter the bank card details that you want to pay with.

For visitors who are only making a couple of journeys a day by public transport, the easiest way to pay is by downloading the SL ticket app, and entering the bank card details that you want to pay with.

Each time you want to use public transport, you buy a single-use ticket through the app (39 SEK; or 26 SEK for students, seniors and under-20s), which is valid for 75 minutes on all SL services.

Note that the time starts running out as soon as you complete the purchase, though you can change transport as many times as you like within the 75 minutes.

If you are planning to do more than four journeys within a day (that are longer than 75 minutes apart), you’ll find it better value to buy the day travelcard (see below).

You can also buy travel cards through the app (see below).

SL travelcards

If you plan to make more than four journeys a day on public transport, you’re best off buying an SL travelcard.

These are available in 24-hour (165 SEK; 110 SEK for students, seniors and under-20s), 72-hour (330 SEK; 220 SEK for students, seniors and under-20s), seven-day (430 SEK; 290 SEK for students, seniors and under-20s) and 30-day versions (970 SEK; 650 SEK for students, seniors and under-20s).

The cards are valid from the first time you touch in on a card reader on your first journey. 

Travel cards and single journey tickets can be bought via the app or an electronic smart card. The reusable green SL smart card costs 20 SEK, and can be bought through the SL App, at metro and commuter rail stations and at ticket agents around Stockholm. 

Single paper tickets

Single paper tickets can be bought from staff at ticket booths at metro and commuter rail stations, at staffed SL centres and at ticket agents. They cost the same as via the app or contactless card – 39 SEK.

The Stockholm Pass

Although the Stockholm Pass no longer covers public transport, it does include the hop-on, hop-off bus and boat which take you to many of the city’s main sights as well as a variety of boat tours and cruises to islands in the archipelago. 

It also gives admission to many of the city’s top museums and attractions. To work out whether this is the best option for you, read our guide  The Stockholm Pass: is it worth buying ?

Taxis are generally safe but a few dodgy drivers have given the industry a reputation for ripping off tourists, either by charging extortionate prices or driving around in circles to bump up the fare.

All taxis should display yellow stickers in their windows – the large number on the right represents the highest amount they can charge you for a 10km journey that takes 15 minutes.

It’s a crude way of allowing passengers to quickly compare prices before getting in. Our advice: only use taxis that display these yellow stickers, and ask for an estimate of the total price before you set off.

The taxi market is unregulated so don’t be afraid to ask around until you get a price you’re happy with.

Stockholm is a great city for cyclists and dedicated bike lanes thread their way through the city centre.

There are also bike pumps dotted around the city if you need to pump your tyres up: this useful map shows you where they are.

Stockholm has loads of bike rental places: click here for some of more central ones. Or you can sign up for a guided bike tour of the city . 

The city also runs an e-bike hire scheme –  City Bikes  – from April to October each year. Rates are a bargain 12 SEK for 24 hours, and 29 SEK for a week. 

Like many European cities, scooters are everywhere in Stockholm. Voi is the main operator, though you’ll also find scooters run by Lime, Bird, Bolt and Link.

Scooters are banned on pavements and pedestrian area, so you have to ride on cycle lanes or the road.

In order to pick up a scooter you need to download the app.

Prices vary according to each company, but Voi currently charges around 10 SEK to unlock the scooter, plus 2.50 SEK a minute.

If you’re happy walking, you might want to check out our nifty walking map – it shows the approximate amount of time it will take you to walk between each subway stop. You’ll be surprised by how quick it can be!

Renting a car

We wouldn’t recommend driving when you take inner-city journeys, but if you fancy taking a few day trips or want to explore further afield, having your own wheels can be very handy. Just make sure you rent a place with parking, as those charges can quickly spiral out of control!

Find a cheap rental car in Stockholm

To book a rental car before your trip starts and to pick it up when you arrive in Sweden, use the form below. It’ll search hundreds of local providers for you to find you the best deal.

Accessibility in Stockholm

On the whole the public transport system in Stockholm is pretty good for those with limited mobility. 

Almost all metro, team and commuter train stations have platforms and trains at the same level, though wheelchair users will need to use ramps at commuter stations because of the gap.

All buses have level-floor access and carry ramps for wheelchair users.

For more detailed accessibility info, SL runs a 24-hour toll-free line (020 120 20 22). 

Peak travel times

If you can avoid using public transport during rush hour you’ll have a more comfortable trip.

Around 8am and 4pm are peak times on the metro, with the T-Centralen station being particularly crowded.

In terms of sights and museums June, July and August are the busiest months, and weekdays are generally quieter than weekends. 

Avoid public holidays too, if you can – for more on Sweden’s public holidays, click here .

Weather considerations

Stockholm’s weather is notoriously fickle. If you set out in bright sunshine, it’s quite likely to be pouring with rain within an hour or two or vice versa.

So, it’s worth checking the weather forecast before you decide on your method of transport. If it’s cold wet or snowy, you’re better off taking the metro rather than opting for a walking tour, bike ride or boat trip.

For advice on the best time to visit Sweden, read our guide . 

Useful apps

There are several handy apps that can help with getting around Stockholm. 

The SL app is the probably the most useful as you can plan your journey on public transport and buy tickets on it. It’s available in  Android and Mac versions.

If you’re driving, Easypark ( Mac and Android ) identifies which parking zone you’re in and tells you how much you need to pay. You can also pay for and extend your parking time via the app.

Trafiken.nu Stockholm ( Mac and Android ) updates you on any traffic problems in the city and sends notifications if any traffic jams develop while you’re driving.

You can also order taxis via an app. Both Uber and Bolt ( Mac and Android ) operate in Stockholm.

Travis ( Mac and Android ) combines several forms of transport in one app. You can find the nearest electric scooter, bike hire outlet and metro station and buy public transport tickets through it.

And finally the Stockholm Pass app gives free access to loads of attractions, museums, boat tours and island trips.

Child-friendly tips

Generally speaking Stockholm is quite child-friendly. Children under 7 travel free on public transport, and those under 20 pay a discounted rate.

The MiniPass app provides tips for parents with young children, such as family-friendly activities, restaurants and attractions that are fun with toddlers and strollers.

Boat trips , the Skansen outdoor museum and the Vasa Museum are all good activities for young kids in Stockholm. 

For more info on Stockholm for kids, see our guide .

Wifi availability

High-speed wifi is widely available in Stockholm, and it’s free for customers to use in most cafés and restaurants.

There’s also free wifi at the Arlanda airport, Central Station the Cityterminalen and the Stockholm visitor centre.

Public toilets

On the whole public toilets in Stockholm are clean and well-kept though you may have to pay between 5–10 SEK to use one.

To find the nearest public toilet in Stockholm and check whether you have to pay, download the free ToaSverige app ( Mac and Android ). It lists the most popular toilets, tells you when they were last cleaned and provides user reviews too!

Night transport

Most buses stop around 12.30am and the metro stops at about 1am, but there are several night bus routes in Stockholm that run between 1am–4.30am.

Night bus route #797 from Södertälje centre, via Brunnsäng, Rosenlund and Östertälje and #798 from Södertälje centre, via Geneta and Ronna to Hovsjö have flexible stops at night, so that people can get off where they feel safe even if it’s not an official bus stop.

Taking a tour

And if you fancy exploring Stockholm and its sights accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, there are plenty of tours that will take you round the city using a variety of different types of transport.

Yes, this really is the most fun way of getting round Stockholm with its pretty parks, palaces and museums.

After a quick briefing, you’ll soon be whizzing around the island, led by a knowledgeable guide who’ll show you some of the city’s main sights including the Evert Taubes Terrace, the Royal Castle, and the Nobel Museum.

The best way to explore the Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town, is on foot. This guided walking tour gives you the low-down on the medieval city, taking in the Royal castle and telling you tales of historical blood baths, princes and dragons.

Do as the locals do and get round the city on two wheels with this three-hour guided bike tour . An English-speaking guide will show you famous sights such as Gamla Stan and the Kungsträdgården, and also take you off-the-beaten-track to explore less-visited parts of the city.

Bikes are included – all you need to do is turn up and pedal off!

Explore Stockholm’s beautiful waterways on a historic wooden boat . You’ll get to see the sights of the city from the water and go further afield around the pretty wooded islands of the Baltic Sea’s second largest archipelago.

Can I buy tickets on board the buses in Stockholm?

The short answer is no. You can’t buy tickets on board buses or commuter ferries, nor on most trams and light railways. But all buses, boats and metro stations have readers where you can tap in with your card (or simply use the app).

Are ferries included on SL tickets?

Three routes are included: route 82 between Slussen and Djurgården ; the Sjövägen 80 boat line; and route 89 (Ekerö–Stockholm).

Can I take a bike on the ferries in Stockholm?

Some routes will take bikes, some won’t. Line 80 will accept bikes as long as there’s room, while line 82 is usually too busy, so will only take bikes at quiet times.

Line 89 has room for 30 bikes when there’s no ice (only 10 if Lake Malaren is icy), so is usually happy to take bikes.

See also: Getting to Stockholm Getting from Arlanda airport to Downtown Stockholm 110 Cheap and free things to do in Stockholm  

The best places to visit in Stockholm

You may also like.

Where to buy liquorice in Stockholm

Six fun ways to meet people in Stockholm

Where to find the best meatballs in Stockholm

Visiting Drottningholm Palace from Stockholm

Stockholm Archipelago: 10 amazing islands near the city

The Vasa Museum in Stockholm: is it worth visiting?

Stockholm’s best ice rinks and wild skating spots

Day trips from Stockholm

Where to stay in Stockholm

Get the Routes North newsletter delivered once a month. No spam.

• Skip to content

Cookies on hållbart.stockholm

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. If you haven't accepted cookies, we only use essential cookies. You can choose which cookies we use.

Sustainable travel

Your everyday commutes affect the environment. Choose a climate smart way to move around in Stockholm – walk, bike or take the tube.

Travels and transportation represents almost half of the greenhouse gas emissions in Stockholm. Half of these come from passenger cars. The biggest challenge we are facing to reach the climate goal of a fossil free Stockholm 2040 are the emissions from transportation.

Therefore we need

• to lessen car traffic
• to transition from fossil fuels to renewable fuels
• to change to vehicles with smaller energy demand
• efficient transportation to make the city available .

You can contribute to decreased greenhouse gases.

• Choose to walk or ride a bike if it is possible. People walk 3 kilometers in about 30 minutes and bike 3 kilometers in about 10 minutes.
• Walk or bike to the nearest public transportation if you are travelling further. Many Stockholmers have public transport within close proximity.

Travel by public transportation

Stockholm public transportation is one of the world´s most environmentally friendly. Today the commuter trains, metro, and local trains run 100 percent on electricity from renewable sources. All busses run on renewable fuels. 

900 000 commuters in the Stockholm region make 2,9 million trips per day by bus, subway, commuter train, local train, or ferry. The whole traffic net uses the same ticket system which makes it easy to buy a ticket and travel to the destination.

Public transportation in Stockholm, SL website

Soon you can take the subway to more locations

At this time a historically large investment is being made in the Stockholm public transportation system, with the expansion of the metro network to Barkaby, Nacka, Arenastaden and more.

Bike or walk

Many people ride bicycles in Stockholm and the City of Stockholm wants to encourage this even more.

The City of Stockholm is working towards being a walk- and bicycle friendly city where it´s both easy and safe to walk and bike. Walkways and bicycle paths can be improved, and the maintenance is being continually monitored.

If you are going a shorter distance there are several walkways in Stockholm to choose from.

The walkways run along the public transportation lines so that you can easily take the subway or tram when you want to.

The ambition is to find nice and safe walkways in calm environments without traffic noise, and if possible, in parks and green areas. The walkways often run along the waters and by interesting houses and places.

Walking school bus for children

Many children enjoy walking to school in a so called “walking school bus”. This means that families take turns to accompany their own kids and kids from other families to and from school. If, for example, five families in a residential area participate, every family can take responsibility for one day a week.

Other ways to move about

Many cars in Stockholm are not being used a large part of the time. Different solutions for car transportation can replace owning a car.

• Think about if you really need to own a car. Car-pools, car sharing and rental cars are often cheaper alternatives in the long run, while it also saves our common resources.
• Ask for an environmentally friendly car when you book a taxi. Many taxi companies offer this.

Travel climate smart with the car

Your own car

Lower the impact on climate and environment then you use the car.

Travel outside of Stockholm

Your effect on the climate varies a lot depending on how you choose to travel.

What the experts says

What is the true price of travelling?

How do you travel climate smart?

Updated 2022-04-28

Your favourites will be stored here so you quickly can find them again.

10 Cities With the Best Public Transportation, From Medellín to Stockholm

By Laura Walsh

From the cable cars of Medellín to London’s double-decker buses, cities with the best public transportation systems make it easy to travel efficiently, affordably, and sustainably—all while offering a unique glimpse into a society's values.

In some cities around the world—as in Stockholm and Moscow —public transportation isn’t just about getting from point A to point B either. Instead, these transitory spaces have been elevated to become attractions in their own right, featuring impressive feats of art, architecture, and design. Most of the cities included on this list have also excelled at providing step-free access, making independent travel accessible for those using wheelchairs or strollers.

These are truly exceptional global systems: well-designed with residents and dignity at their core, but thoughtfully executed to warmly welcome travelers from around the world. Below, see the 10 cities with the best public transportation around the world—ranked in no particular order—based on a variety of factors including accessibility, sustainability, efficiency, dependability, cleanliness, and design.

1. Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s public transit system offers such extensive, affordable, and accessible service that the majority of residents do not own cars.

Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway has an unbelievable on-time rate of 99.9%, with 97 of its 98 stations accessible from the street level. Additionally, each station offers free WiFi, charging stations, and clean public toilets; many now include breastfeeding rooms, too. With rides that cost only about 60 cents, it is impossible to find a cheaper, faster, or more predictable way to get where you want to go.

You can also take in the spectacular sights of the city while riding the double-decker Hong Kong Tramway, or gaze down below from the impressively steep heights of the Peak Tram funicular. For island hopping, take the Star Ferry across the harbor from Hong Kong Island to visit Kowloon while enjoying the jaw-dropping skyline.

How to experience it: Take the 10-minute Star Ferry from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon for $3.70 HKD (US$ 0.50) for an upper deck seat.

The Delhi Metro is a beacon of cleanliness and a model of safety and efficiency. India’s largest mass rapid transit system connects the country’s capital to adjoining satellite cities with a total of 12 color-coded Metro lines and 288 stations (an additional 45 new stations expected by 2026). The Delhi Metro was also the world’s first transit system to receive UN carbon credits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and today gets 35% of its power from renewable sources.

Trains run every 2-5 minutes during peak hours (and every 10 minutes during off-peak). With clean bathrooms and elevators at every station, the Delhi Metro is ahead of many in providing a transportation system that affords independent access with dignity for all.

To help prioritize a safe environment, the Delhi Metro introduced women-only carriages in 2010 that are now available on each train.

The trains and stations are all air-conditioned, making Delhi's metro a fast and comfortable way to traverse the vast city that’s often hot and humid. Fares are calculated based on distance and start at just $0.12.

How to experience it: Relax in Delhi on the Yellow Line: explore the Garden of the Five Senses (Saket Station) or Lodhi Gardens (Jor Bagh Station).

The Moscow Metro cruises onto this list thanks to its unwavering commitment to efficiency and its extraordinary stations. During rush hour, the trains of the Moscow Metro run every 90 seconds. But once you step into these breathtaking stations—also known as the “palaces of the people”—you may find yourself slowing down to take it all in. Emulating the grandeur of Russia’s historical palaces, Moscow’s Metro is an attraction in itself and demonstrates that even something as seemingly basic as public transportation is deserving of care and artistry.

The Moscow Metro probably won’t win any awards in the easy-to-understand category, but with almost 300 stations and 17 lines—including two circular lines which eliminate the need to travel to the city center for transfers—it is the fastest, most affordable, and the most inspiring way to get around.

How to experience it: Stations you won’t want to miss: Park Kultury, built with five types of marble and connected to Gorky Park, the stained-glass filled Novoslobodskay, and Mayakovskaya station, named for the famed Soviet artist.

Tokyo’s metro is vast, clean, fast, and reliable. It’s a breeze to figure out where you need to go—even if you don’t know the Japanese alphabet. Thanks to the sensible naming, numbering, and color-coding of the stops, there are numerous ways to locate your destination all while enjoying a comfortable ride (in almost virtual silence).

Convenient to almost every attraction in the city of Tokyo, the metro serves nearly 7 million people every single day and is globally recognized for its rigorous cleaning and maintenance (the trains are deep-cleaned every 15 days). Tickets are available for purchase at every station; adult fares start at 180 Yen (around $1) and increase depending on how far you’re traveling.

Many stations are equipped with elevators and lifts, making the metro accessible for those using wheelchairs or with strollers or luggage.

How to experience it: Check out Shinjuku Station, the Guinness Book of World Records holder for the world’s busiest train station serving over 2.7 million passengers per day on 12 different train lines.

Hannah Towey

CNT Editors

Jessica Puckett

Steph Koyfman

5. Singapore

Singapore is a city and a nation rolled into one on an island nearly the same size of New York City. As the third-most densely populated country in the world, well-designed transportation that can move millions is essential for this small nation.

Singapore’s MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) currently has 6 lines with 140 stations and is scheduled to double in size by 2040. In a country of just over 5.5 million people, Singapore’s MRT carries an outstanding 3 million every day.

The MRT’s trains are fast and predictable, running every 5 to 7 minutes most of the day and every 2 to 3 minutes during the morning rush. The MRT’s reach is complemented by the LRT, a light rail system with 2 lines and another 40 stops.

With station signage and announcements in Singapore’s four official languages—English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil—the MRT makes it remarkably easy to navigate without a car or a care. They have also installed protected walkways on every quarter-mile leading to every MRT station, making it easier to walk to transit, monsoon or shine.

How to experience it: Don’t miss Singapore’s breathtaking Garden by the Bay located at the MRT station with the same name on the Thomson–East Coast Line.

London’s transit is such an integral part of the city that their red double-deckers are instantly recognizable as national symbols of the UK. Pioneers of the world’s first underground railway, London’s transit system is vast and continues to expand. The “Tube” serves 5 million people every day on 11 lines and 272 stations—nearly half of which operate 24 hours a day.

Beyond the traditional Underground is the newest addition to London's transit system, the Elizabeth line . First launched in 2022, the new energy-efficient railway connects London's outer suburbs to the heart of the city, bringing an additional 1.5 million people within a 45 minute commute of central London. Visitors can travel from Heathrow Airport to central London in 45 minutes onboard Elizabeth line trains that run every half-hour.

Numerous above-ground options allow for simultaneous sightseeing, like the Overground with 6 lines and the iconic double decker buses with 675 routes, the IFS Cloud Cable Car, or the robust bikeshare system tied to an ever-expanding network of “cycleways.”

How to experience it: Stroll through one of London’s 3,000 parks, like Hyde Park, located at the Paddington Station on the Elizabeth line.

Seoul is home to some of the world’s largest, fastest, and most reliable public transit systems. The city goes the extra mile to make sure its public transportation is easily navigable by people from all over the world.

For example, stations have signage in Korean and English and stops are announced in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. To make navigation even easier, each line is color-coded and numbered, and every station has a corresponding number for identification. Many stations also feature restaurants, shopping boutiques, convenience stores, and even surprise concerts.

Buses are also color-coded by distance and destination type, and all bus stops are clearly marked—plus, many offer heated seats. Every metro station is accessible by elevators, climate-controlled, and equipped with clean public restrooms and breastfeeding rooms.

Onboard the trains, every subway car has yellow “priority seats” reserved for the elderly, those with physical disabilities or illnesses, and people with young children. Additionally, every car has pink seats reserved for pregnant women.

How to experience it: Take Seoul’s metro to Anguk Station (Line 3) to the 1000-year-old Changdeokgung Palace , a UNESCO Heritage site with opulent grounds and gardens featuring 56,000 plants.

8. Medellín

Medellín’s metro system is a stellar example of how well-executed transit can be fun, functional, and help uplift an entire city.

The Metro de Medellín opened in 1995 and is the only rail-based transit system in Colombia . In addition to its clean and rapid rail options, the city is also served by a tram, a bus rapid transit line, and hundreds of other bus lines—many of which can be used in conjunction with the Metro.

The real show stopper is the Metrocable, a gondola lift system with a 7-line network that soars over the city and connects numerous neighborhoods.

Though cable cars have typically been used for tourism, Medellín was the first city to include them as part of a mass public transportation system. The cable cars connect downtown Medellín to communities isolated by the steep hills surrounding the mountainous city—in some cases cutting a 2 hour commute to just 30 minutes. Medellín’s Metro was thoughtfully-planned with community input and is a symbol of pride for the city.

How to experience it: Take in the lush hillsides around Medellin while riding Metrocable Line K to Parque Arvi where you can find unbeatable bird-watching, wildflowers, and over 50 miles of hiking trails.

9. Washington, DC

Washington, DC’s transit system is the second busiest in the United States and serves the nation's capital as well as surrounding areas in Virginia and Maryland. With extensive rail and bus service, complemented by a bikeshare system, the DC Metro makes it incredibly easy to live in or visit Washington, DC without a car.

Each Metro station is reachable by elevator, ensuring everyone, including those with strollers or wheelchairs, has access to the entire system to travel independently—without having to rely on the kindness of strangers.

DC’s Metro stations also demonstrate a commitment to health and hygiene. Last month, the Metro completed renovations of all 169 of its public restrooms, a massive undertaking that took 14 years.

Trips on the DC Metro start at just $2 within Washington, DC but traveling to/from Virginia or Maryland is distance-based.

How to experience it: The Smithsonian stop on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines is home to numerous free museums like the African American History and Culture Museum and the Air and Space Museum .

10. Stockholm

Last but certainly not least is Stockholm . Sweden's capital city is made of 14 islands connected by a robust public transport network including a metro system with 100 stations, ferries, buses, and trams.

Stockholm’s metro, the Tunnelbana (or T-bana) forms the world’s longest art gallery . Though initially envisioned as a way to reduce traffic, Stockholm’s underground embraces another worthy goal: making art accessible to people of all economic backgrounds. Today, 94 of the T-bana’s 100 stations feature the work of 250 artists, including paintings, sculptures, and large-scale installations.

The art at most stations depicts the history and culture of the surrounding neighborhoods, providing a colorful escape from the city’s gray winters. If you have a chance to visit, don’t miss the otherworldly Rådhuset station or Solna Centrum. The red cave-like ceiling mimics a forest sunset—look closer and you’ll find sporadic wall illustrations depicting social commentary from 1970s Sweden. Free guided art tours are available from June to August every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 3p.m., starting from the SL Customer Centre at T-Centralen.

As you’d expect, the Stockholm metro is clean, climate-controlled, and sustainable. When you’re done soaking in the stunning stations of Stockholm metro, you can also see the city and attractions by ferry, for the same price as a bus or metro ticket (SEK 42 or about $3.86).

How to experience it: To see Stockholm from the water, hop on the SL ferry line 80 and visit popular tourist attractions such as the Abba museum or wander around nature in Djurgården, a National City Park.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final Rule Requiring Automatic Refunds of Airline Tickets and Ancillary Service Fees

Rule makes it easy to get money back for cancelled or significantly changed flights, significantly delayed checked bags, and additional services not provided  

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris Administration today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule that requires airlines to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed. The new rule makes it easy for passengers to obtain refunds when airlines cancel or significantly change their flights, significantly delay their checked bags, or fail to provide the extra services they purchased.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them - without headaches or haggling,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg . “Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.”  

The final rule creates certainty for consumers by defining the specific circumstances in which airlines must provide refunds. Prior to this rule, airlines were permitted to set their own standards for what kind of flight changes warranted a refund. As a result, refund policies differed from airline to airline, which made it difficult for passengers to know or assert their refund rights. DOT also received complaints of some airlines revising and applying less consumer-friendly refund policies during spikes in flight cancellations and changes. 

Under the rule, passengers are entitled to a refund for:

• Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. For the first time, the rule defines “significant change.” Significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.  
• Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.  
• Extra services not provided: Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service.

DOT’s final rule also makes it simple and straightforward for passengers to receive the money they are owed. Without this rule, consumers have to navigate a patchwork of cumbersome processes to request and receive a refund — searching through airline websites to figure out how make the request, filling out extra “digital paperwork,” or at times waiting for hours on the phone. In addition, passengers would receive a travel credit or voucher by default from some airlines instead of getting their money back, so they could not use their refund to rebook on another airline when their flight was changed or cancelled without navigating a cumbersome request process.  

The final rule improves the passenger experience by requiring refunds to be:

• Automatic: Airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops.   
• Prompt: Airlines and ticket agents must issue refunds within seven business days of refunds becoming due for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.  
• Cash or original form of payment: Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in cash or whatever original payment method the individual used to make the purchase, such as credit card or airline miles. Airlines may not substitute vouchers, travel credits, or other forms of compensation unless the passenger affirmatively chooses to accept alternative compensation.    
• Full amount: Airlines and ticket agents must provide full refunds of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used. The refunds must include all government-imposed taxes and fees and airline-imposed fees, regardless of whether the taxes or fees are refundable to airlines.

The final rule also requires airlines to provide prompt notifications to consumers affected by a cancelled or significantly changed flight of their right to a refund of the ticket and extra service fees, as well as any related policies.

In addition, in instances where consumers are restricted by a government or advised by a medical professional not to travel to, from, or within the United States due to a serious communicable disease, the final rule requires that airlines must provide travel credits or vouchers. Consumers may be required to provide documentary evidence to support their request. Travel vouchers or credits provided by airlines must be transferrable and valid for at least five years from the date of issuance.

The Department received a significant number of complaints against airlines and ticket agents for refusing to provide a refund or for delaying processing of refunds during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, refund complaints peaked at 87 percent of all air travel service complaints received by DOT. Refund problems continue to make up a substantial share of the complaints that DOT receives.

DOT’s Historic Record of Consumer Protection Under the Biden-Harris Administration

Under the Biden-Harris Administration and Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has advanced the largest expansion of airline passenger rights, issued the biggest fines against airlines for failing consumers, and returned more money to passengers in refunds and reimbursements than ever before in the Department’s history.

• Thanks to pressure from Secretary Buttigieg and DOT’s flightrights.gov dashboard, all 10 major U.S. airlines guarantee free rebooking and meals, and nine guarantee hotel accommodations when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation. These are new commitments the airlines added to their customer service plans that DOT can legally ensure they adhere to and are displayed on flightrights.gov .  
• Since President Biden took office, DOT has helped return more than $3 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to airline passengers – including over $600 million to passengers affected by the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown in 2022.   
• Under Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has issued over $164 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations. Between 1996 and 2020, DOT collectively issued less than $71 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations.  
• DOT recently launched a new partnership with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general to fast-track the review of consumer complaints, hold airlines accountable, and protect the rights of the traveling public.  
• In 2023, the flight cancellation rate in the U.S. was a record low at under 1.2% — the lowest rate of flight cancellations in over 10 years despite a record amount of air travel.  
• DOT is undertaking its first ever industry-wide review of airline privacy practices and its first review of airline loyalty programs.

In addition to finalizing the rules to require automatic refunds and protect against surprise fees, DOT is also pursuing rulemakings that would:

• Propose to ban family seating junk fees and guarantee that parents can sit with their children for no extra charge when they fly. Before President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg pressed airlines last year, no airline committed to guaranteeing fee-free family seating. Now, four airlines guarantee fee-free family seating, and the Department is working on its family seating junk fee ban proposal.  
• Propose to make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory so that travelers are taken care of when airlines cause flight delays or cancellations.   
• Expand the rights for passengers who use wheelchairs and ensure that they can travel safely and with dignity . The comment period on this proposed rule closes on May 13, 2024.

The final rule on refunds can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news and at regulations.gov , docket number DOT-OST-2022-0089. There are different implementation periods in this final rule ranging from six months for airlines to provide automatic refunds when owed to 12 months for airlines to provide transferable travel vouchers or credits when consumers are unable to travel for reasons related to a serious communicable disease. 

Information about airline passenger rights, as well as DOT’s rules, guidance and orders, can be found at   https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer .

Airlines must cough up cancellation cash and can no longer hide fees under new federal rule

A federal rule announced Wednesday will require airlines to quickly give cash refunds — without lengthy arguments — to passengers whose flights have been canceled or seriously delayed, the Biden administration said.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them — without headaches or haggling,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

The rule from the Transportation Department says passengers who decline other reimbursement like travel credits are to get cash refunds.

It applies when a flight is canceled or has a “significant change,” the administration said.A “significant change” includes when departure or arrival times are three or more hours different from the scheduled times for domestic flights or six hours for international flights, and when the airport is changed or connections are added, it said.

Passengers are also to get refunds when their baggage is 12 hours late in delivery for domestic flights.

The new rule comes after promises to hold airlines accountable after major disruptions that made travel hell for passengers, including the 2022 Southwest Airlines meltdown , which resulted in almost 17,000 significantly delayed or canceled flights and a missing baggage nightmare.

The Transportation Department said that the new rule means refunds are automatic and that "airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops."

Also announced Wednesday was a rule requiring airlines to more clearly disclose so-called junk fees upfront, such as surprise baggage or other fees, the department said.

It said that rule is expected to save fliers around $500 million a year.

The surprise fees are used so tickets look cheaper than they really are, and then fliers get the unwelcome surprise of fees on checked bags, carry-on bags or reservation changes — or even discounts that are advertised but apply to only part of the ticket price, officials said.

Airlines will also have to tell fliers clearly that their seats are guaranteed and that they don't have to pay extra to ensure they have seats for flights, according to the Transportation Department.

Airlines for America, an industry trade group, said that its member airlines “offer transparency and vast choice to consumers from first search to touchdown” and that they do offer cash refunds.

The 11 largest U.S. airlines returned $10.9 billion in cash refunds last year, an increase over $7.5 billion in 2019 but slightly down from $11.2 billion in 2022, the group said.

“U.S. airlines are providing more options and better services while ticket prices, including ancillary revenues, are at historic lows,” Airlines for America said.

Left out of the federal changes announced Wednesday are those involving "family seating fees," but the Transportation Department said in a statement that "DOT is planning to propose a separate rule that bans airlines from charging these junk fees."

Travelers have complained to the Transportation Department that children weren’t seated next to accompanying adults, including in some cases young children, department officials said last year.

Fees on bags specifically have made up an increasing amount of airline revenues, the Transportation Department said Wednesday in announcing the new rules.

A Transportation Department analysis found that airline revenue from baggage fees increased 30% from 2018 to 2022, while operating revenue — which is from the flights themselves — increased by only half that amount, the department said.

Jay Blackman is an NBC News producer covering such areas as transportation, space, medical and consumer issues.

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Automatic Refunds and No More Hidden Fees: D.O.T. Sets New Rules for Airlines

The Transportation Department issued new requirements on refunds when flights are canceled or delayed and on revealing “junk” fees before booking. Here’s what passengers can expect.

By Christine Chung

The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced new rules taking aim at two of the most difficult and annoying issues in air travel: obtaining refunds and encountering surprise fees late in the booking process.

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them — without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement, adding that the changes would not only save passengers “time and money,” but also prevent headaches.

The department’s new rules, Mr. Buttigieg said, will hold airlines to clear and consistent standards when they cancel, delay or substantially change flights, and require automatic refunds to be issued within weeks. They will also require them to reveal all fees before a ticket is purchased.

Airlines for America , a trade group representing the country’s largest air carriers, said in a statement that its airlines “abide by and frequently exceed” D.O.T. consumer protection regulations.

Passenger advocates welcomed the new steps.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, the chief executive of AirHelp, a Berlin-based company that assists passengers with airline claims, called it a “massive step forward and huge improvement in consumer rights and protection” that brings the United States closer to global standards in passenger rights.

Here’s what we know about the D.O.T.’s new rules, which will begin to go into effect in October.

There’s now one definition for a “significant” delay.

Until now, airlines have been allowed to set their own definition for a “significant” delay and compensation has varied by carrier . Now, according to the D.O.T., there will be one standard: when departure or arrival is delayed by three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Passengers will get prompt refunds for cancellations or significant changes for flights and delayed bags, for any reason.

When things go wrong, getting compensation from an airline has often required establishing a cumbersome paper trail or spending untold hours on the phone. Under the new rules, refunds will be automatic, without passengers having to request them. Refunds will be made in full, excepting the value of any transportation already used. Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in the original form of payment, whether by cash, credit card or airline miles. Refunds are due within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payments.

Passengers with other flight disruptions, such as being downgraded to a lower service class, are also entitled to refunds.

The list of significant changes for which passengers can get their money back also includes: departure or arrival from an airport different from the one booked; connections at different airports or flights on planes that are less accessible to a person with a disability; an increase in the number of scheduled connections. Also, passengers who pay for services like Wi-Fi or seat selection that are then unavailable will be refunded any fees.

Airlines must give travel vouchers or credits to ticketed passengers unable to fly because of government restrictions or a doctor’s orders.

The vouchers or credits will be transferable and can be used for at least five years after the date they were issued.

Fees for checked baggage and modifying a reservation must be disclosed upfront.

Airlines and ticket agents are now required to display any extra fees for things like checking bags or seat selection clearly and individually before a ticket purchase. They will also need to outline the airline’s policies on baggage, cancellations and changing flights before a customer purchases a ticket.

The rules, which apply to all flights on domestic airlines and flights to and from the United States operated by foreign airlines, have varying start dates.

For example, automatic refunds must be instituted by the airlines within six months. But carriers have a year before they’re required to issue travel vouchers and credits for passengers advised by a medical professional not to fly.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Elon Musk visits China as Tesla seeks self-driving technology rollout

• Medium Text
• Company Tesla Inc Follow
• Company General Motors Co Follow
• Company Xpeng Inc Follow

GM'S BARRA VISITED

Sign up here.

Reporting by Zhang Yan and Brenda Goh; Additional reporting by Liz Lee, Jenny Wang, Daniel Leussink, Alessandro Diviggiano, and Akanksha Khushi; Editing by Jamie Freed, Sharon Singleton and Mark Porter

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Business Chevron

Apple shares jump as record buyback, sales growth forecast lure investors

Apple shares jumped nearly 6% before the bell on Friday as the iPhone maker's record stock buyback plan and promise of sales growth drew back investors who have shunned the stock on concerns over weak demand and increased competition in China.

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

FILE - Passenger drop off their baggage at United Airlines in C Terminal at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Houston. The Biden administration issued final rules Wednesday, April 24, 2024, to require airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for things like delayed flights and to better disclose fees for baggage or canceling a reservation. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP, File)

• Copy Link copied

The Biden administration issued final rules Wednesday to require airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for things like delayed flights and to better disclose fees for baggage or canceling a reservation.

The Transportation Department said airlines will be required to provide automatic cash refunds within a few days for canceled flights and “significant” delays.

Under current regulations, airlines decide how long a delay must last before triggering refunds. The administration is removing that wiggle room by defining a significant delay as lasting at least three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international ones.

Airlines still will be allowed to offer another flight or a travel credit instead, but consumers can reject the offer.

The rule will also apply to refunds of checked-bag fees if the bag isn’t delivered within 12 hours for domestic flights or 15 to 30 hours for international flights. And it will apply to fees for things such as seat selection or an internet connection if the airline fails to provide the service.

Complaints about refunds skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as airlines canceled flights and, even when they didn’t, many people didn’t feel safe sharing a plane cabin with other passengers.

Airlines for America, a trade group for large U.S. carriers, noted that refund complaints to the Transportation Department have fallen sharply since mid-2020. A spokesperson for the group said airlines “offer a range of options — including fully refundable fares — to increase accessibility to air travel and to help customers make ticket selections that best fit their needs.”

The group said the 11 largest U.S. airlines issued $43 billion in customer refunds from 2020 through 2023.

The Transportation Department issued a separate rule requiring airlines and ticket agents to disclose upfront what they charge for checked and carry-on bags and canceling or changing a reservation. On airline websites, the fees must be shown the first time customers see a price and schedule.

The rule will also oblige airlines to tell passengers they have a guaranteed seat they are not required to pay extra for, although it does not bar airlines from charging people to choose specific seats. Many airlines now charge extra for certain spots, including exit-row seats and those near the front of the cabin.

The agency said the rule will save consumers more than $500 million a year.

Airlines for America said its members “offer transparency and vast choice to consumers” from their first search.

The new rules will take effect over the next two years. They are part of a broad administration attack on what President Joe Biden calls “junk fees.” Last week, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that his department will let state officials in 15 states help enforce federal airline consumer protection laws .