Stockholm - docking and transportation

[north-bound]

The same types of questions regarding Stockholm seem to be going around on several threads here, so I have tried to write down some of the facts. The problem with short answers here and there is that they won’t give the full picture.

 

An example: if I answer the question “how much does a taxi from Arlanda airport to Stockholm city cost†(SEK 390), someone reading that answer may think the cost from Stockholm to Arlanda airport will be the same. It is not, it costs SEK 475.

 

So what I have tried to do is to give as full a picture as I can, with the relevant alternatives, and have it all at the same place.

[north-bound]

<font size=+2 color=blue>First about docking. </font>

 

There are four main places where cruise ships dock in Stockholm. They are Skeppsbron, Stadsgården, Frihamnen and Nynäshamn. Be aware that the same ship does not always dock in the same place.

 

<font size=+1 color=green>Skeppsbron</font> is the quay of Gamla Stan (the Old Town). You can’t be more at the centre of town then here. You are only a few steps away from the Royal Palace.

 

<font size=+1 color=green>Stadsgården</font> is right in the centre of Stockholm in an area named Södermalm (the South). If you like to walk you will find Gamla Stan (the Old Town) well within walking distance.

 

<font size=+1 color=green>Frihamnen</font> is in a port area with little of interest nearby. But it is not far from the city centre. A taxi will take you there in around 15 minutes. There is a bus from Frihamnen to the city. It is a blue bus number 1 and leaves every 5-10 minutes during daytime. Leaving the bus at Stureplan and walking south from there, you will pass through the main shopping area and in direction towards the Gamla Stan (the Old Town), which is not very far away. If you don’t want to walk there is red bus number 46 from Stureplan to the Old Town. Should you wish to get from Frihamnen to the Vasa Museum, take bus number 76 to Djurgårdsbron. From there it is a short walk across a bridge and to the museum. Or you can take bus 47 to get closer.

 

<font size=+1 color=green>Nynäshamn</font> is not in Stockholm at all but in a small town an hour’s journey south of Stockholm. From there you have to take a train to the Stockholm Central Station. Here is a link to one of the threads that deal with this: From Nynäshamn

 

To find out where your ship will be docking here is a link: Ports of Stockholm. On the left side, click on “Cruise liner traffic†and choose†List of incoming vessels†– “Stockholm.†Then, when you get to the list of ships, at the top of the page where it says “Fartygslistor Vessel Calls†choose “Expected cruise vessels†and press view. This will get you the right list of ships. When searching for your cruise, be aware that dates in Sweden are given as YY/MM/DD.

[north-bound]

<font size=+2 color=blue>About Stockholm Transportation</font>

 

Stockholm is easy to get around on public transportation. There are buses and underground traffic. Most people in Stockholm speak English so don’t hesitate to ask for help to find the right place to catch the bus or where to get off.

 

As for renting a car and driving yourself, it is not a good idea unless you want to visit places outside Stockholm. I live in Stockholm, and wherever I go within the inner city I leave my car at home and use public transport. Taking the car is just a nuisance, you will get caught in traffic jams, and finding somewhere to park is not easy.

 

This is a link to the site where you can find information on the public transport company in Stockholm: SL

 

To pay for the rides you can either pay on board (more expensive) or buy a prepaid coupon block. Travel within the inner city, valid for one hour, is two coupons which on board costs SEK 30 (as long as you stay within the hour you can change from one means of transport to another as many times as you want). A coupon block with 10 coupons costs SEK 80. A block with 20 coupons costs SEK 145. These blocks can be used by more than one person. So if you are two persons and count on travelling five times at different times during the day a 20 coupon block will cover your travel (2 people x 2 coupons x 5 times = 20) By buying a block you will save SEK 155. Coupon blocks can be bought at the underground station entrances and at many service shops that sell things like magazines and newspapers, fruit and candy etc.

 

There is also a 24-hour <font size=+1 color=green>Stockholm transport card</font>. This is a personal card and will take you on unlimited travel on buses, underground and local trains within Stockholm for 24 hours. Local trains include the trains to Nynäshamn for those who are docked there. The cost is SEK 95. Children under 18 and seniors over 65 pay only SEK 55 (photo ID necessary for the discounted cards). This card is sold in the same service shops as the coupon blocks, but not at the underground entrances.

 

There is the 24-hour <font size=+1 color=green>Stockholm Card</font> (not to be confused with the above transport card). Both cards give the same transport benefits, but the Stockholm Card will also include entrance to museums, and some boat sightseeing. This card can only be bought at certain transport centres and tourist shops. It can also be bought online. The cost for this card is SEK 260.-, children age 7-17 pay 100.-. Here is the link to this card: Stockholm Card.

[north-bound]

<font size=+2 color=blue>How to travel to or from the Arlanda airport</font>

 

The main ways to get to the airport are taxi, train or bus.

 

<font size=+1 color=green>Taxi</font>

 

A taxi ride between the city and the airport takes 45 to 50 minutes, but can take a lot longer depending on the traffic situation. Taxi Stockholm, one of the bigger taxi companies in Stockholm, has set prices for travel to and from Arlanda. An ordinary taxi from Arlanda to the inner city (takes 4 passengers) costs SEK 390. If you need a bigger car the cost is SEK 585.

 

An ordinary car from the inner city to Arlanda costs SEK 475. A bigger car costs SEK 715.

 

There are other taxi companies that match these prices. But make sure before you enter any car. Unfortunately there are also an independent black taxi market that will badly overcharge.

 

<font size=+1 color=green>Train</font>

 

The Arlanda Express train is a very quick and convenient way to travel. The train has two stops right under the airport terminals. The ride to, or from, the Stockholm Central Station takes 20 minutes. The cost for a one-way ticket is SEK 180. Here is a link to the Arlanda Express site, where you can find timetables etc. Outside the Central Station there are usually taxis waiting.

 

<font size=+1 color=green>Bus</font>

 

There are also airport coaches leaving outside the terminals. They will take you to the Stockholm Central Station, stopping twice on the way in, in about 40 minutes. The cost for a one-way ticket is SEK 89, so it is considerably less than the train. But it is also slower, more crowded and less comfortable. Here is a link to their site: Link.

[juliejoe]

Wow! Great idea to consolidate all the bits and pieces into one place. Thank you northbound - you are terrific.

Julie

 

 

<')))><

Grand Princess 8/17/04 Baltic B2B with 8/27/04 Transatlantic & 11/27/04 Western Caribbean

 

 

[Brahmama]

Yes, this is great. Thank you so much for being so thoughtful.

Let me know when you come to Texas. I'll return the favor!

 

Carol

[fongerini]

I echo the sentiments of the previous posters in thanking you for sharing your information about getting around Stockholm. It's people like you who make these boards so wonderful and fascinating.

 

One question: If your ship departs from Frihamnen, do you think it would be better to take Arlanda Express downtown and then grab a taxi to the port or should we just take a taxi from the airport straight to Frihamnen?

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Many thanks to

 

north-bound ,

 

We are travelling from New Zealand

to join Norwegian Dream,

for her Scandinavia and Russia cruise,

Your comments have been excellent.

[2forTravelin]

north-bound,

 

This is just the information I've needed. The link to the public transportation web site is especially useful.

 

Your advice will make this trip much more pleasant. Thank you so much for all you've done.

 

Westerdam in:

[aqua]

Wonderful post Northbound. THANK YOU!!!!

[Jane110]

Northbound,

 

Like the others here, I am very grateful for your info.

 

I have another question. We're on a Princess Baltic cruise in June and our ship stops in Nynasham.

We've travelled the world on our own and just about never take a group tour. However, it seems we won't have a full day in Stockholm/Nynasham and Princess charges a ridiculous fee just for transport to/from the ship to Stockholm.

 

My question is, do you know of any private car services (or how we can find one)that we can use to get us from the ships pier to Stockholm?

 

Thank you,

Jane

[summer2004]

Northbound,

 

Thank you so much for the information!!

 

One question I still have that you may be able to help me with... on public transportation around Stockholm (bus, train, metro, etc.) do children 6 years and under need to pay, or do they ride for free? Thanks again for all the help!

[wolfegizmo]

Thanks North Bound for all of the great and helpful information!

 

Sharon

[jasm8449]

Thank you northbound for the great information!

 

How about restaurant recommendations?

[cruisernut]

Hi, just returned from the Baltic cruise on Grand Princess 5/19-5/29. We were docked in Nynashamn and took the train to Stockholm. We bought the 24 hour transportation card (95 SEK)so we could use the metro in Stockholm as well. We got back to the ship at about the same time as the people who took the excursion. We bought the card from the newspaper stand beside the train station.

 

The trip was very easy and the schedules are posted on www.resplus.se. Just one warning about the train that I haven't seen posted is that about halfway through the trip the train stops and they detach one or two cars for whatever reason. It's pretty obvious when this happens because it stops for about 5 minutes. There is an announcement in swedish about this (I presume). On the way back, had it not been for the kindness of an old couple on the train who told us to get off and run up to the first 2 cars, we would have been stuck and probably missed the boat. Make sure that you get into the cars with the newer interiors (essentially the first 3 cars) on the way back to Nynashamn from Stockholm.

[M&T]

The link From Nynashamn does not work for me. Is it possible for you to copy it to this thread? Thanks.

[north-bound]

Here is another link, to Stockholm Transport: http://www.sl.se/english/.

 

I hope it works better for you.

 

I also appologise for the present appearance of this thread. When I wrote it, it was for the old board. With the new board they way I edited it dosn't work too well.

 

My intention is to update the information for the new format, when we get nearer the Baltic cruise season.

[M&T]

Thanks Northbound. I have read everything on the Baltic board. It is extremely helpful. My husband and I will be on the Princess Star mid July 2005. We will be in Stockholm on a Saturday. I noticed that the train schedule is reduced. From these boards, I have learned that many people have successfully used the train into Stockholm, so I think we'll do it too.

[John&Betty1539128129]

Hi north-bound,

 

 

We’re from California and will be in Stockholm from midnight May 11th to 1 pm the 12th next year. Thanks for all the great information. I hope we dock at Skeppsbron.

 

Can you recommend a restaurant that has good local dishes for lunch? We have a copy of Microsoft Auto Route on our laptop which shows street level details of Stockholm including restaurants so all we need is a name or an address. The only one of the ports you listed that I could find is Skeppsbron. Are there other names or addresses for the rest that might help me locate them?

 

Thanks

[John&Betty1539128129]

We arrive at noon on the 11th and leave at 1 pm on the 12th.

[north-bound]

Since this thread has turned up again, and it is so difficult to read the informatin in the new format, I will post a new copy of it. But first some answers:

 

M&T, when you arrive in Stockholm the trains from Nynäshamn will be on summer time table, not the same as now. I will post something about this in the spring, when we have that time table.

 

John & Betty, there are not many ships that dock at Skeppsbron, so don't expect it. Your best hope is probably Stadsgården. If you look at the map of Stockholm you see Skeppsbron in the Old Town. The area of Stockholm south of the Old Town is called Södermalm. Stadsgården is here, along the northern shore, going east from Old Town. The ships dock near the end of this quay. Frihamnen is in the direction north-east of the Old Town, not in the town centre.

 

I guess you will spend time in the Old Town, so a good restaurant nearby with traditional Swedish food is Operakällaren's Bakficka. It is a very small place in the Opera building just north of the Old Town. Take a look at this link. The link will take you to Operakällaren, a famous top quality restaurant in Stockholm. Most of the restaurant is unfortunately closed at lunchtime. On the content list to the right choose "Bakfickan: "Hip Pocket"", and you can see what this place looks like and check the menu. Since the place is small and popular it may be difficult to get a place there, especially if you arrive at 12.00 when we start our lunch break in Sweden. Operakällaren also has outdoor eating in the summer, which may be nice if it is a warm and sunny day.

 

[John&Betty1539128129]

Hi north-bound,

 

I found the “Hip Pocket” on Arsenalsgatan just north of Old Town and found the web site on Google. (Your link didn’t come through.) It looks like just the kind of place we want.

 

Looking at the map I see some quays between Old Town and Soldermalm along Skeppsbron near a place called “Skepps bar" which I assume is the Skeppsbron dock.

 

Auto Route does not show any piers or quays on the north shore of Soldermalm going east from Old Town other than what looks like a ferry terminal at the end of Tegelvikshamnen. I see a Stadsgardsleden street but nothing that looks like a ship dock.

[north-bound]

Hi again,

 

I can see that the link somehow disappeared from my post, here it is again: http://www.operakallaren.se/

 

Take a look at the rest of the restaurant too, some of the rooms are beautiful.

 

The cruise ships dock just beside the ferry terminal. There are no piers or docks, the ships will dock along the quay. Same way at Skeppsbron. I don't know what Skepps bar could be. At the south end of Skeppsbron, where the old town meets Södermalm, there is a small lock under the traffic system. This lock connects the Baltic Sea with the big lake Mälaren. The name of this place is Slussen, witch means the Lock.

[John&Betty1539128129]

Thanks north –bound, all is becoming clear. It sounds like you don’t use Microsoft’s Auto Route program. http://www.microsoft.com/uk/homepc/autoroute/default.mspx .

 

 

We like to explore on our own and in the past we wasted a lot of time getting lost or looking for hotels, restaurants etc. Now we have a copy of Auto Route on our laptop hooked up to a GPS and we get around much better. ( http://www.garmin.com/ )

 

There is a similar Microsoft program for the US called “Streets and Trips”. http://www.microsoft.com/uk/homepc/autoroute/default.mspx They will only ship the US one to an address in the US and the European one only to an address in Europe. We got ours by having it shipped to us in care of a hotel in Barcelona.

[John&Betty1539128129]

The url for Auto Route 2005 is; http://www.microsoft.com/uk/homepc/autoroute/default.mspx

 

I see that Microsoft is now offering to include a GPS with Streets and Trips for a total of $129.this will also work with Auto Route.