Stockholm and Gothenburg have both introduced very convenient systems for contactless payment for public transport, allowing unlimited travel within a particular time period for a low fixed fare.
Sweden has a well developed and very affordable public transport system, and we encourage our guests to make use of this resource as much as possible during their stay instead of taking taxis, hiring cars, or booking internal flights.
Stockholm and Gothenburg are both beautiful cities, and if you have time before and/or after your experience with us, we strongly recommend you take the opportunity to explore them.
Note that the information below is most applicable for single journeys. If you’re staying longer in the city and want to make use of the public transport network over multiple days, you may find a travel pass the best option option. See under “Further Reading” below for more information.
What cards are accepted?
Your card must be enabled for contactless payments and must be VISA or Mastercard (the Stockholm network, but not currently Gothenburg, also accepts American Express). Debit or credit cards are accepted.
Can I also pay with my smart watch or phone?
Yes, provided your digital wallet is connected to a VISA or Mastercard account.
Can I buy a ticket for someone else or for several persons travelling together?
No, you can only use contactless payment to buy an adult* ticket for yourself. All persons travelling must have their own card to use the contactless system. If you need to purchase tickets for someone else, you must purchase your ticket in a different way (such as from a machine or kiosk).
*If you qualify to purchase a reduced fare ticket, you must set this up to be associated with your card in advance. See under “Further Reading” below for details.
How much does it cost?
At the time of writing, a standard adult ticket costs 39 SEK in Stockholm and 35 SEK in Gothenburg (around £3).
How much can I travel on one ticket?
One “tap” gives you a 75-minute travel window in Stockholm or a 90-minute window in Gothenburg.
The time starts from the moment you tap your card.
You can take multiple connections within this period, and your overall journey can also be longer than 75/90 minutes, provided you “tap in” for the last part of your journey before the time period has expired.
You can tap in multiple times for journeys within one period and you will only be charged once.
What happens if I tap after the time period has expired?
You will simply be charged another 39 SEK/35 SEK and the time allowance begins again.
What services are the tickets valid for?
Please see the “Further Reading” links below for detailed information, but in general the system covers all public transportation (metro, trains, buses, trams and boats) in the Stockholm city (operated by SL) and Gothenburg city (operated by v) areas.
Will I receive a paper ticket/receipt?
No, the system is ticketless. If you require a receipt, see information on the SL and Västtrafik websites under “Further Reading” below for how to obtain one. You can of course also refer to your bank statement for proof of payment.
Travelling outside the Stockholm/Gothenburg city areas?
See our article on How to Book Trains and Buses in Sweden for more information on booking public transport services throughout the country.
You’ll also receive detailed guidance from us on how to travel to your chosen Nature Travels experience when you contact us to make an enquiry.
Further Reading:
Stockholm (from the SL website):
- Contactless payment (for single journeys)
- Travel cards (for longer stays)
Gothenburg (from the Västtrafik website):
- Contactless payment (for single journeys)
- Travel cards (for longer stays)