Stockholm Ferries & Commuter Boats Guide (2026)

Stockholm ferries are essential for navigating the city’s archipelago geography — Stockholm spans 14 islands, and ferries provide direct connections that the metro and buses can’t. The Djurgården ferry (Slussen–Skeppsholmen–Djurgården) is the tourist staple, running year-round and included in the SL travelcard. Sjövägen ferry covers Saltsjöqvarn and Lidingö residential islands. Waxholmsbolaget boats reach Vaxholm, and Stromma ferries reach Sandhamn and outer Stockholm archipelago islands, for day trips. This Stockholm ferries guide covers all routes, schedules, prices, and recommendations for tourists exploring Stockholm by water.

Stockholm ferries at a glance

Djurgården ferry (SL): Slussen–Skeppsholmen–Djurgården. Year-round. Included in SL travelcard.

Sjövägen ferry (SL line 80): Ropsten–Nybroplan via Frihamnen, Lidingö/Dalénum, Nacka strand, Saltsjöqvarn and Allmänna gränd. Year-round. Included in SL travelcard.

Lidingö ferry (SL): Frihamnen–Lidingö. Year-round. Included in SL travelcard.

Stromma archipelago ferries: Sandhamn, Grinda, Utö, etc. Mostly summer service. Separate Stromma ticket. Waxholmsbolaget boats to Vaxholm take every SL ticket all year.

Cinderella Boats (Strömma): Archipelago trips from Strandvägen to Sandhamn, Grinda, Gällnö and Vaxholm, back from April 2027. Separate ticket. Drottningholm Palace boats are a different Strömma service.

Stockholm Boat Sightseeing: Tourist sightseeing tours with audio guide. Separate ticket. Included in Stockholm Pass.

Djurgården ferry — the tourist staple

The Djurgården ferry (called “Djurgårdsfärja”) is Stockholm’s most-tourist-relevant ferry, connecting Slussen on Söder to Djurgården island via Skeppsholmen.

Route: Slussen–Skeppsholmen–Djurgården (Allmänna gränd / Liljevalchs). The boat does not always stop at Skeppsholmen, so tell the crew or press the button if you want to get off there.

Frequency: Varies by day and season. The timetable valid 25 September 2026–23 April 2027 mixes 15- and 20-minute gaps; check SL’s timetable for your date.

Journey time: About 7–13 minutes from Slussen to Allmänna gränd, depending on the departure.

Cost: Covered by SL travelcard. Single ticket 43 SEK.

Best for: Tourists getting to Djurgården attractions (Vasa Museum, ABBA Museum, Skansen, Junibacken, Gröna Lund) without the tram-or-walk option. Scenic alternative — passes Stockholm harbor, Skeppsholmen, and Djurgården approaches.

Sjövägen ferry

Sjövägen connects Saltsjöqvarn (Saltsjöqvarn waterfront) to Nybroviken (Stureplan area) and Frihamnen (Lidingö ferry transfer).

Route: Ropsten–Nybroplan, calling at Frihamnen, Lidingö/Dalénum, Nacka strand, Blockhusudden, Kvarnholmen, Finnboda, Saltsjöqvarn and Allmänna gränd (Djurgården).

Frequency: Departure times and intervals vary by stop, direction and day. The line 80 timetable for 17 August–12 December 2026 includes Monday–Thursday boats from Nybroplan at 05:30 and at 23:00, so check SL for your journey.

Cost: Covered by SL travelcard.

Best for: Travelers staying at Elite Hotel Marina Tower or visiting Saltsjöqvarn waterfront. Connects to Djurgården and central Stockholm.

Lidingö ferry

Lidingö ferry connects Frihamnen (Stockholm waterfront, Lidingö-side ferry terminal) to Lidingö residential island.

Route: Frihamnen–Lidingö.

Cost: Covered by SL travelcard.

Best for: Lidingö residents and visitors to Lidingö’s Millesgården outdoor sculpture park.

Stockholm archipelago ferries (Stromma and Waxholmsbolaget)

Stromma and Waxholmsbolaget run Stockholm’s archipelago ferries to popular destinations:

Vaxholm

Stockholm’s most-popular archipelago day trip destination. 1-hour ferry from Stockholm. Vaxholm Fortress, period architecture, summer atmosphere.

Departure point: Strömkajen ferry quay, central Stockholm.

Frequency: Multiple daily May–September; reduced winter service.

Cost: Every SL ticket is valid all year on Waxholmsbolaget boats between Strömkajen and Vaxholm. An adult SL single is 43 SEK, so two singles cover the round trip for 86 SEK.

Sandhamn

Stockholm archipelago’s most-fashionable summer destination. 2.5-hour ferry from Stockholm. Sandhamn Yacht Club, summer atmosphere, sandy beaches.

Best for: Summer day trips with archipelago focus.

Grinda

Mid-archipelago island with restaurants and walking paths. 1.5-hour ferry.

Utö

Outer-archipelago island with iron-mining heritage and cycling routes. 2-hour ferry.

Other destinations

The Stockholm archipelago has thousands of islands; Stromma serves the most popular. See Stockholm archipelago for full coverage.

Strömma boats — Drottningholm Palace ferry

Strömma runs the seasonal sightseeing boat to Drottningholm Palace (UNESCO World Heritage site, private residence of the King and Queen), including sailings aboard M/S Prins Carl Philip.

Route: Stadshuskajen (Stockholm City Hall waterfront) to Drottningholm; M/S Prins Carl Philip sailings leave from Klara Mälarstrand.

Journey time: Depends on the sailing; Strömma lists it for each departure.

Cost: From 245 SEK, with one-way and return tickets.

Best for: Drottningholm Palace visit. The journey is part of the experience — Stockholm waterfront, Lake Mälaren scenery.

Stockholm Boat Sightseeing tours

Tourist sightseeing boat tours with audio guides cover Stockholm waterways. Multiple operators.

Royal Canal Tour: One-hour tour through central Stockholm canals. Stromma operator.

Stockholm Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour: Multiple stops at major attractions. Included in Stockholm Pass. Closed for the season; back in May 2027.

Stockholm Under the Bridges Tour: 2 h 15 min Stockholm waterfront tour.

Cost: 195–395 SEK depending on tour. Stockholm Pass includes Hop-on Hop-off boat.

Stockholm ferry hours

Djurgården ferry: Hours vary by day and season. On the 25 September 2026–23 April 2027 timetable the first weekday boat leaves Slussen at 07:20 (08:30 on Saturdays), with holiday exceptions.

Sjövägen: Varies by stop, direction and day; see SL’s line 80 timetable.

Lidingö ferry: Also line 80, so times vary by day, direction and pier; the autumn 2026 weekday timetable has a 05:18 boat from Frihamnen toward Lidingö/Dalénum.

Stockholm archipelago ferries: Mostly May–September. Reduced winter service to closer islands only.

Strömma Drottningholm boats: Seasonal; check Strömma for sailing dates.

Stockholm Boat Sightseeing: April–October.

Stockholm ferries by traveler type

For first-time tourists

Djurgården ferry from Slussen to Djurgården attractions. Free with SL travelcard. Short journey is part of Stockholm experience.

For Drottningholm Palace

Strömma’s seasonal boat from Stadshuskajen, or the metro to Brommaplan and an SL bus. Journey times depend on the sailing or connection, so check Strömma or the SL planner.

For archipelago day trip

Waxholmsbolaget boats to Vaxholm (closest), Stromma ferries to Grinda (mid-range), Sandhamn (most-fashionable) and Utö (heritage island).

For sightseeing

Royal Canal Tour or Stockholm Hop-on Hop-off Boat. Audio guide commentary worth the cost.

For families

Djurgården ferry — short journey kids enjoy.

For cyclists

SL ferries allow bikes. Stromma archipelago ferries usually allow bikes for separate fee.

Stockholm ferry tips

SL travelcard covers SL ferries: Djurgården ferry, Sjövägen, Lidingö ferries are free with SL travelcard. Worth the SL card cost.

Outdoor seating: All Stockholm ferries have outdoor decks. Best in summer.

Bikes allowed: Most Stockholm ferries allow bikes (some routes restrict during rush hour). Check ahead for archipelago ferries.

Strollers: All ferries are stroller-accessible.

Pets: Most ferries allow leashed pets. Check ahead for outer archipelago.

Weather: Stockholm winter ferry service can be cancelled during severe weather. Check ahead in winter.

Booking ahead: SL ferries don’t require advance booking. Stromma archipelago ferries fill in summer; book ahead for popular weekend departures.

Frequently asked questions

Are Stockholm ferries included in the SL card?

Yes — Djurgården ferry, Sjövägen ferry, and Lidingö ferry are all included in the SL travelcard or single ticket (43 SEK). Stromma archipelago ferries and Strömma’s Drottningholm boats are separate tickets.

How do I get to Djurgården by ferry?

The Djurgården ferry from Slussen runs to a timetable that changes with the day and season, so check SL for your date. Stops at Djurgården (Skeppsholmen on request). Covered by SL travelcard.

How do I get to Drottningholm Palace?

Strömma’s seasonal boat from Stadshuskajen (Stockholm City Hall waterfront), tickets from 245 SEK. Alternative: the metro to Brommaplan, then a bus.

What’s the best Stockholm ferry tour?

Royal Canal Tour (through central Stockholm canals), or the Stockholm Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour once it returns in May 2027. Both Stromma operator. Hop-on Hop-off included in Stockholm Pass.

Are Stockholm ferries year-round?

SL ferries (Djurgården, Sjövägen, Lidingö) are year-round. Stromma archipelago ferries run mostly April–October, and Strömma’s Drottningholm boats are seasonal too.

How long is the Djurgården ferry?

About 7–13 minutes from Slussen to Allmänna gränd, depending on the departure. Slussen to Djurgården is the longer leg; Slussen to Skeppsholmen is shorter.

What’s the cheapest Stockholm ferry?

Djurgården ferry, Sjövägen, and Lidingö ferries are all included in SL single ticket (43 SEK) or SL travelcard. No additional cost.

Can I take bikes on Stockholm ferries?

Most SL ferries allow bikes. Some routes restrict during rush hour. Stromma archipelago ferries usually allow bikes for separate fee.

What’s the best summer Stockholm ferry trip?

Vaxholm day trip by Waxholmsbolaget boat, covered by an SL ticket. 1-hour journey from Strömkajen. Vaxholm Fortress, period architecture, summer atmosphere.

Are Stockholm ferries safe in winter?

Yes — Stockholm SL ferries operate year-round including ice conditions. Severe weather can occasionally cause cancellations; check SL website ahead in winter.

For Stockholm transport, see our getting around Stockholm. For archipelago day trips, see Stockholm archipelago.