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. Stromma archipelago ferries reach Vaxholm, 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): Saltsjöqvarn–Nybroviken–Frihamnen. Year-round. Included in SL travelcard.
Lidingö ferry (SL): Frihamnen–Lidingö. Year-round. Included in SL travelcard.
Stromma archipelago ferries: Vaxholm, Sandhamn, Grinda, Utö, etc. Mostly summer service. Separate Stromma ticket.
Cinderella Boats: Drottningholm Palace day trips. Separate ticket.
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).
Frequency: Every 10–15 minutes 06:30–24:00 (extended summer hours).
Journey time: 7–12 minutes total depending on stops.
Cost: Covered by SL travelcard. Single ticket 41 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: Saltsjöqvarn–Allmänna gränd (Djurgården)–Nybroviken–Frihamnen.
Frequency: Every 20–30 minutes 06:00–22:00 weekdays; reduced weekends.
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)
Stromma operates Stockholm’s outer 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: ~195 SEK return. Separate ticket; not covered by SL travelcard.
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
Stockholm archipelago has 30,000+ islands; Stromma serves most-popular. See Stockholm archipelago for full coverage.
Cinderella Boats — Drottningholm Palace ferry
Cinderella Boats operates Stockholm’s main ferry to Drottningholm Palace (UNESCO World Heritage site, official residence of Swedish royal family).
Route: Stadshuskajen (Stockholm City Hall waterfront) to Drottningholm.
Journey time: 50 minutes one-way.
Cost: ~225 SEK return.
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: 50-minute tour through central Stockholm canals. Stromma operator.
Stockholm Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour: Multiple stops at major attractions. Included in Stockholm Pass.
Stockholm Under the Bridges Tour: 2-hour Stockholm waterfront tour.
Cost: 195–395 SEK depending on tour. Stockholm Pass includes Hop-on Hop-off boat.
Stockholm ferry hours
Djurgården ferry: 06:30–24:00 (extended summer).
Sjövägen: 06:00–22:00 weekdays; reduced weekends.
Lidingö ferry: 06:00–24:00 typical.
Stockholm archipelago ferries: Mostly May–September. Reduced winter service to closer islands only.
Cinderella Boats Drottningholm: April–October.
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
Cinderella Boats from Stadshuskajen. 50-minute scenic ferry vs. 30-minute SL bus alternative.
For archipelago day trip
Stromma ferries to Vaxholm (closest), Grinda (mid-range), Sandhamn (most-fashionable), 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. Drottningholm Cinderella Boats — kid-friendly with multiple deck levels.
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 (41 SEK). Stromma archipelago ferries and Cinderella Boats Drottningholm are separate tickets.
How do I get to Djurgården by ferry?
Djurgården ferry from Slussen runs every 10–15 minutes 06:30–24:00. Stops at Skeppsholmen and Djurgården. 7–12 minute journey. Covered by SL travelcard.
How do I get to Drottningholm Palace?
Cinderella Boats ferry from Stadshuskajen (Stockholm City Hall waterfront). 50-minute scenic ferry, ~225 SEK return. Alternative: SL bus 176/177 from Brommaplan metro.
What’s the best Stockholm ferry tour?
Royal Canal Tour (50 minutes through central Stockholm canals) or Stockholm Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour. 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 and Cinderella Boats Drottningholm are mostly April–October.
How long is the Djurgården ferry?
7–12 minutes total. 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 (41 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 via Stromma archipelago ferry. 1-hour journey from Strömkajen. Vaxholm Fortress, period architecture, summer atmosphere. ~195 SEK return.
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.
