Stockholm Transportation

Stockholm Buses, Trams & Commuter Rail Explained (2026)

Stockholm buses trams — public transport
Stockholm buses trams — SL network covers everywhere metro doesn't.

Stockholm buses, trams, and commuter rail (SL pendeltåg) round out the Stockholm transit network beyond the metro, providing access to neighborhoods and attractions the metro doesn’t reach. Stockholm tram 7 (Spårväg City) connects Sergels Torg to Djurgården (Vasa Museum, Skansen, ABBA Museum). SL bus routes (470+ lines) cover everywhere the metro doesn’t, including Söder neighborhoods, Östermalm residential streets, and Djurgården attractions. SL pendeltåg commuter trains connect Stockholm Central to suburbs and Arlanda Airport. This Stockholm buses trams guide explains all three with routes, hours, and how to use the SL travelcard across the network.

Stockholm buses trams — public transport
Stockholm buses trams — SL network covers everywhere metro doesn’t.

Stockholm transit overview beyond the metro

SL buses: 470+ routes covering all Greater Stockholm. Standard bus, articulated bus, and night bus categories.

Stockholm trams: Spårväg City (Sergels Torg to Djurgården), Nockebybanan (Alvik to Nockeby), Tvärbanan light rail (Sickla to Solna).

SL pendeltåg: Commuter rail connecting Stockholm Central to Märsta, Tumba, Södertälje, and Arlanda Airport with surcharge.

SL ferries: Djurgården ferry (Slussen–Skeppsholmen–Djurgården), Sjövägen, Lidingö. See Stockholm ferries.

Stockholm tram 7 — Spårväg City (Djurgården tram)

Tram 7 (called Spårväg 7) is Stockholm’s main tourist tram, connecting Sergels Torg in Norrmalm to Djurgården island via Strandvägen waterfront.

Route: Sergels Torg → Kungsträdgården → Strömkajen → Norrmalmstorg → Berns → Stureplan → Karlaplan → Djurgårdsbron → Liljevalchs/Gröna Lund (Djurgården).

Stops near major attractions:

  • Djurgårdsbron — entry to Djurgården
  • Liljevalchs/Gröna Lund — closest stop to Vasa Museum, ABBA Museum, Gröna Lund
  • Skansen — closest stop to Skansen open-air museum

Frequency: Every 8–15 minutes 06:00–24:00.

Cost: Standard SL fare (41 SEK single, or covered by SL travelcard).

Best for: Tourists getting to Djurgården attractions. The journey itself is scenic — passes Strandvägen waterfront and crosses Djurgårdsbron with Stockholm panorama.

Stockholm Tvärbanan light rail

Tvärbanan is Stockholm’s modern light rail connecting Sickla in southeast to Solna and Sundbyberg in northwest, looping around the city center via Liljeholmen.

Route: Sickla–Stora Essingen–Liljeholmen–Alvik–Sundbyberg–Solna.

Major tourist stops: Liljeholmen (intermodal hub), Alvik (Bromma airport-adjacent transfer point), Solna (Friends Arena).

Best for: Travelers based in southwest Stockholm or visiting Solna/Friends Arena.

Stockholm Nockebybanan

Nockebybanan connects Alvik to Nockeby in northwest Stockholm — useful for residents but less tourist-relevant.

SL buses — overview

Stockholm has 470+ SL bus routes. Categories include:

Stomnät (trunk routes — frequent service)

Major Stockholm bus routes with high frequency (every 5–10 minutes peak). Bus 1, 2, 3, 4, 53, 65, 67 are key tourist routes.

Bus 1: Frihamnen–Stora Essingen via Stureplan and Stockholm Central. Tourist-useful for Stureplan.

Bus 2: Sofia–Norrtull via Slussen and Stockholm Central. Tourist-useful for Söder.

Bus 53: Stadsgården–Karolinska sjukhuset via Slussen, Sergels Torg, and Karolinska Hospital. Reaches Fotografiska.

Bus 65: Skeppsholmen–Skogskyrkogården via Slussen. Reaches Skeppsholmen and Skogskyrkogården UNESCO cemetery.

Bus 67: Klarabergsgatan–Frihamnen via Stockholm Central, Strandvägen, Djurgården, Skansen. Tourist-useful for Djurgården attractions.

Innerstadsbussar (city center buses)

Smaller routes within Stockholm city center.

Night buses (9X series)

Bus 9X series (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98) operate 01:00–05:00 weekdays when metro is closed. Cover full city.

Express buses (E-series)

Express buses to suburbs and outer Greater Stockholm.

SL pendeltåg commuter rail

SL pendeltåg is Stockholm’s commuter rail network. Stations include:

Stockholm Central (Stockholms Central): Main station. All SL pendeltåg lines.

Major destinations: Märsta (north toward Arlanda), Tumba (south), Södertälje (southwest, also Tom Tits Experiment), Älvsjö (south), Sundbyberg (northwest).

Arlanda Airport: SL pendeltåg with Arlanda surcharge (~145 SEK additional). 38-minute journey.

Frequency: Every 30 minutes 05:00–24:00.

Best for: Day trips from Stockholm to Sigtuna, Södertälje, Tumba, or as alternative Arlanda Airport access.

Saltsjöbanan light rail

Saltsjöbanan connects Slussen to Saltsjöbaden archipelago entry point. 30-minute journey.

Best for: Day trips to Saltsjöbaden or hotels like Hotel J Saltsjöbaden.

Stockholm bus and tram for tourists

Best tourist routes

Tram 7 (Spårväg City): Tourist’s most-useful tram to Djurgården attractions.

Bus 67: Tourist’s most-useful bus to Djurgården attractions plus Strandvägen.

Bus 53: Reaches Fotografiska on Söder Mälarstrand.

Bus 65: Skeppsholmen, Skogskyrkogården UNESCO cemetery.

SL pendeltåg: Day trips to Sigtuna and Södertälje (Tom Tits Experiment).

Cost

All SL buses, trams, and pendeltåg covered by single ticket (41 SEK) or SL travelcard. Same fare structure as metro.

How to ride

Bus and tram: Tap SL travelcard or scan SL app QR code at the front-door reader as you enter. Exit through middle or rear doors.

Pendeltåg: Tap or scan at ticket gates same as metro.

Single tickets: 75-minute validity covers transfers across all SL transport.

SL transport vs. taxi/Uber

Cost: SL single ticket 41 SEK; taxi short trip 95–195 SEK; Uber/Bolt similar.

Speed: SL is faster than taxi during rush hour. Taxi/Uber faster for short trips outside transit corridors.

Convenience: SL covers most tourist destinations. Taxi/Uber fills gaps and late-night returns.

Stockholm bus and tram operating hours

Standard buses: 05:00–24:00 most routes.

Night buses (9X): 01:00–05:00 weekdays.

Tram 7 (Spårväg City): 06:00–24:00 typical.

Tvärbanan: 05:00–01:00 typical.

SL pendeltåg: 05:00–24:00 typical.

Saltsjöbanan: 05:30–24:00 typical.

Stockholm bus and tram accessibility

Wheelchair access: All Stockholm buses and trams are wheelchair-accessible. Pendeltåg fully accessible.

Stroller access: Universal — strollers ride free.

Audio announcements: All buses and trams announce stops.

Stockholm bus and tram safety

Stockholm buses, trams, and pendeltåg are safe at all hours. Pickpocketing rates lower than metro hot spots.

Night buses (9X series) are safe; popular with locals and young people on weekend late-night returns.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Stockholm tram 7?

Stockholm tram 7 (Spårväg City) is the tourist tram connecting Sergels Torg in Norrmalm to Djurgården island via Strandvägen waterfront. Stops at Vasa Museum, ABBA Museum, Skansen, and Gröna Lund. Every 8–15 minutes.

Are Stockholm buses covered by the SL card?

Yes — all SL buses, trams, pendeltåg commuter trains, and ferries are covered by SL travelcards or single tickets (41 SEK).

What’s the best Stockholm bus for Djurgården?

Bus 67 connects Stockholm Central area via Strandvägen to Djurgården attractions. Tram 7 also reaches Djurgården via more scenic route.

Are there night buses in Stockholm?

Yes — SL night buses (9X series) operate 01:00–05:00 weekdays when metro is closed. Cover full city.

What’s the difference between SL pendeltåg and Arlanda Express?

SL pendeltåg is commuter rail — covered by SL travelcard with Arlanda surcharge (~145 SEK additional). 38 minutes to Arlanda. Arlanda Express is dedicated airport express train — separate ticket (320 SEK), 18 minutes to Arlanda.

How do I pay for the Stockholm bus?

Tap SL travelcard or scan SL app QR code at the front-door reader as you enter. No cash accepted on Stockholm buses.

What’s the best Stockholm transport for Fotografiska?

Bus 53 stops at Stadsgården, walking distance to Fotografiska. Slussen metro + 15-minute walk along Söder Mälarstrand also works.

How do I get to Skogskyrkogården?

Skogskyrkogården metro (green line, T19) is closest. Bus 65 also reaches the UNESCO World Heritage cemetery.

Are Stockholm buses safe?

Yes — Stockholm buses, trams, and pendeltåg are safe at all hours including night buses (9X series).

What’s the best Stockholm bus app?

SL app (free, English available) for tickets and route planning. Google Maps and Citymapper also work well for Stockholm transit planning.

For Stockholm metro, see our Stockholm metro guide. For SL travelcard, see SL card Stockholm.

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