What is the Stockholm Card
When visiting Stockholm, you’ll encounter two main travel card options: the SL Card for public transportation and the Stockholm Pass for attractions. The SL Card (named after Storstockholms Lokaltrafik, Stockholm’s public transport authority) is primarily for transit, while the Stockholm Pass focuses on museum and attraction entry. Understanding the difference is crucial for planning an efficient visit to Stockholm in 2025.
SL Card Overview
The SL Card is Stockholm’s public transportation card that covers buses, metro (tunnelbana), trams, commuter trains, and certain ferry routes. In 2025, the card uses contactless technology and is available in physical form or through the SL app. The card itself costs 20 SEK and is reloadable with various ticket types according to SL’s official website.
| SL Ticket Type | Duration | Adult Price (2025) | Reduced Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Ticket | 75 minutes | 44 SEK | 29 SEK |
| 24-Hour | 1 day | 175 SEK | 115 SEK |
| 72-Hour | 3 days | 375 SEK | 250 SEK |
| 7-Day | 7 days | 450 SEK | 300 SEK |
| 30-Day | 30 days | 1070 SEK | 710 SEK |
Stockholm Pass Differences
The Stockholm Pass is entirely different from the SL Card. It provides entry to over 60 attractions and experiences, including Skansen, the Vasa Museum, and boat tours in the archipelago. Unlike the SL Card, it doesn’t automatically include public transportation, though you can purchase a version with travel included for an additional fee.
The Go City Stockholm Pass is the main attraction pass available in 2025, after replacing the original Stockholm Pass. It offers both all-inclusive and explorer (choose a set number of attractions) options, according to Go City’s official site.
Types Available
Stockholm card options fall into two main categories:
- Transport Cards: SL Access card (physical) or SL app tickets
- Attraction Passes: Go City Stockholm Pass, Museum Pass
The SL Access card is a reusable smart card that can be loaded with different ticket types. The Museum Pass is a specialized card that includes entry to several museums but no transportation.
Prices and Options
Current Prices 2025
SL Card prices increased slightly in 2025, continuing the trend reported by The Local Sweden since 2023. The monthly pass now costs 1070 SEK, up from 1020 SEK in 2024. For tourists, the most relevant options are the 24-hour, 72-hour, and 7-day tickets.
For attraction passes in 2025:
- Go City All-Inclusive Pass: 729 SEK (1 day) to 1,849 SEK (5 days)
- Go City Explorer Pass: 619 SEK (2 attractions) to 1,489 SEK (7 attractions)
- Museum Pass: 249 SEK (valid for 48 hours at participating museums)
72-Hour vs Monthly
For tourists visiting Stockholm, the 72-hour SL Card (375 SEK) offers the best value for a weekend trip or short stay. According to analysis from Match on the Map, the 72-hour card becomes cost-effective after just 3-4 transit rides per day.
For longer stays or business travelers, the 30-day pass (1070 SEK) becomes economical after about 9 days of regular travel, compared to buying multiple 72-hour passes.
Student Discounts
Full-time students at Swedish universities qualify for reduced SL fares (approximately 33% discount) with valid student identification. International students can also qualify with proper documentation from their Swedish educational institution.
How to Buy and Use
Purchase Locations
SL Cards can be purchased at several locations throughout Stockholm:
- SL Centers: Located at major transit hubs like T-Centralen, Slussen, and Tekniska Högskolan
- Pressbyrån and 7-Eleven: Convenience stores throughout the city
- Ticket machines: At all metro stations and major bus terminals
- Arlanda Airport: Information desks in all terminals
Go City Passes can be purchased online and at select tourist information centers, while Museum Passes are available at participating museums.
Online Buying
In 2025, digital options have expanded significantly. You can now:
- Download the SL app (available for iOS and Android)
- Create an account or proceed as a guest
- Select your ticket type and duration
- Pay with credit card, PayPal, or Swish (Swedish payment app)
- Activate when you’re ready to use it
SL implemented enhanced digital ticketing in early 2025, as reported by CiTTi Magazine, making the app more user-friendly for tourists.
App Integration
The SL app offers several advantages over physical cards in 2025:
- Real-time trip planning and service updates
- Multiple tickets can be purchased and managed
- No need to carry a physical card
- Simplified ticket activation
- Language options including English, Swedish, and several other languages
When using the app, ensure your phone is charged as inspectors will ask to see your digital ticket during random checks.
Is It Worth It
Value Comparison
To determine if a Stockholm card is worth purchasing, consider your planned activities:
| Traveler Type | Recommended Card | Daily Cost | Break-Even Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Museum enthusiast | Go City All-Inclusive | 370-730 SEK | 2-3 attractions daily |
| Occasional sightseer | Go City Explorer | Varies by usage | Select only must-see attractions |
| Transport-focused | 72-hour SL Card | 125 SEK | 3+ trips daily |
| Comprehensive visitor | Go City + SL Card | 495-855 SEK | Full day of activities |
Tourist Tips
For the best experience with Stockholm cards in 2025:
- Plan your itinerary before purchasing to ensure you’ll use the card enough
- The 72-hour SL Card is ideal for a weekend trip with multiple daily journeys
- Go City Pass is most valuable when visiting at least 2-3 premium attractions daily
- Remember that SL Cards cover trips to what to see in Stockholm including Drottningholm Palace but not to Uppsala
- Consider the additional cost of airport transfers (Arlanda Express is not covered by SL Cards)
Alternatives
If standard Stockholm cards don’t match your needs, consider these alternatives:
- Pay-as-you-go: Single tickets or 24-hour passes for limited transit use
- Museum-specific passes: Some museums offer their own multi-visit or family passes
- Combination tickets: Some tours include both attraction entry and transport
- Regional passes: For travel beyond Stockholm to nearby cities like Uppsala (requires separate tickets from SL)
For travelers planning to visit Copenhagen after Stockholm, special combination tickets may be available for the Stockholm to Copenhagen train with local transport included.
FAQs
How much is an SL card in 2025?
In 2025, the SL card itself costs 20 SEK, plus the ticket price. A 24-hour ticket costs 175 SEK, 72-hour is 375 SEK, 7-day is 450 SEK, and a 30-day pass is 1070 SEK. Single 75-minute tickets cost 44 SEK.
Where to buy Stockholm travel card?
You can buy SL Cards at SL Centers, Pressbyrån and 7-Eleven stores, ticket machines at all metro stations, and at Stockholm airport code ARN (Arlanda). The easiest method for tourists is using the SL app, which offers ticket purchase in multiple languages.
Does SL card cover ferries?
Yes, the SL card covers the Djurgården ferry (route 82) and Sjövägen boats connecting Nybroplan with Frihamnen and Lidingö. However, it does not cover ferries to the outer archipelago, which require separate tickets from Waxholmsbolaget or Cinderella Boats.
What is the difference between SL card and Stockholm Pass?
The SL card only covers public transportation (buses, metro, trams, commuter trains, and some ferries). The Stockholm Pass (now the Go City Stockholm Pass) covers entry to attractions and museums. They serve different purposes and are usually purchased separately, though Go City offers packages with transport included.
Is the Stockholm Pass worth it?
The Go City Stockholm Pass is worth it if you plan to visit at least 2-3 major attractions daily. For a 1-day pass (729 SEK), you need to visit attractions totaling more than this amount. Popular museums like Vasa Museum (190 SEK) and Skansen (220 SEK) can quickly make the pass worthwhile for active tourists.
How to use public transport in Stockholm?
To use public transport in Stockholm, either scan your SL card or show your app ticket when boarding buses and trams, or at metro station gates. For buses, show your card to the driver when boarding. For the metro and commuter trains, scan your card at the entry gates. Always have your ticket ready for random inspections.
