Sweden trip advice

[CKiltie]

Hi Jon.

Yes, the SL local trains were extended so that they now run between Uppsala and Stockholm, instead of just as far as Märsta. If you want to go further than Arlanda on the SL trains to Uppsala then you have to pay a supplement. Regional trains and other SJ trains still stop at Arlanda as well, although not all.

I agree with the price for using the airport station, could you imagine the outcry if people had to do that using Gatwick for example, what I tend to do is buy a normal ticket on my SL Kort (Stockholm version of Oyster card) for the SL train to Märsta then take the bus to the airport as it is just one cost then.

 

[jon0844]

I accidentally left my Access card at home this time. But for those that don't know, you can have two people travel on just one card (but charge the card before travel as I don't believe there's yet an Oyster style PAYG system in operation as you don't/can't touch out).

 

[CKiltie]

They do have a kind of a PAYG system running now, but it is only for Swedish resisdents, have to have a personnumber.

But what you can do at home now is to register an account and you can put money onto your SL access card. You can then add your most commonly used journey and then if you have enough money on your card at the time and just touch in, it will deduct a payment for that journey. In Stockholm you just have 3 Zones, A B and C and most of Stockholm city is in Zone A and like the London Underground it goes outwards. I live in a Zone B area so if I want to buy a one way ticket to the centre of Stockholm, I have to buy a AB ticket as I am using Zones A and B. If I am travelling to Arlanda then I have to buy an ABC ticket as I am using Zones A, B and C.

As Jon says, the card is transferable, so if I get a 30 day ticket, which is 790 KR around 66 pounds at the moment (using google at time of writing this), then when you are not using it, you can just give to a friend or family member for them to use.

Also during public holidays, At Xmas time, from around 23rd December to the 6th January and from after midday on Friday until Midnight on Sunday, children aged 11 or under can travel on the system for free.

 

[jon0844]

I've got dual nationality so do have a personal number! Will have to look into this for my next visit in December.

I wonder if there will be a plan to change things so you touch out and can therefore be charged for any and every journey without planning ahead?

 

[scarby]

I really recommend the transport museum. But note it's about Stockholm's transport, it's not the national rail museum (that's in Gävle).

So it is about the building of Stockholm's transport network, and the items on display there are mainly trams and buses. The great thing is that on a lot of them you can climb aboard - they are not precious about them - and get the feel of what it was like to be there in the 1970s or other times.

 

[CKiltie]

I've got dual nationality so do have a personal number! Will have to look into this for my next visit in December.

I wonder if there will be a plan to change things so you touch out and can therefore be charged for any and every journey without planning ahead?

That's good you have a personal number, like most things, you really have to access the Swedish SL site and not the English one to find out about most of the info.

It is called Reskassan on the TVMs there now. Where you can load up your SL card with journeys etc

 

[Techniquest]

I really recommend the transport museum. But note it's about Stockholm's transport, it's not the national rail museum (that's in Gävle).

So it is about the building of Stockholm's transport network, and the items on display there are mainly trams and buses. The great thing is that on a lot of them you can climb aboard - they are not precious about them - and get the feel of what it was like to be there in the 1970s or other times.

Thanks for the gen, I'd definitely be going if it was the national one but I'm putting this one instead on the if-there's-time list.

Rather hoping that London eye-like thing (me and my colleague are going through everything on Tuesday night, so I'll have the names all known then!) is operational as that looks like a great idea, get some decent views of Stockholm.

Finally for now then, anything I should look out for the Metro? Any areas worth avoiding for any reason?

 

[jon0844]

I don't know of any no go areas but Stockholm and surrounds now has a far bigger begging problem than I remember.

Like elsewhere, it appears quite organised. You'll see some on their mobiles and wearing some nice clothes, alongside posters with photos of Jesus and supposed family members. I saw one where the 'photo' was obviously a magazine cut out and the text from the reverse of the page was visible!

Suffice to say, ignore them. They don't seem to be in any way aggressive, but be aware of pick pocketing.

 

[Techniquest]

Thanks for the advice there

 

[jon0844]

London seems to have managed to clear up a lot of these problems, but it's amazing how 'open' it is in Sweden. Even central station is full of them and they clearly aren't getting moved on by police.

I know Sweden has traditionally been very tolerant but they're allowing themselves to be walked all over.

It's a shame but at least you shouldn't feel threatened by them.

 

[CKiltie]

Yes, lots of them on the trains as well, they don't bother you so much but will walk up and down the trains putting picture cards down etc.. But yes, begging has got quite bad here since I first came here. Every underground station will have them sitting around as well..
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Trying to work out what you mean by the London eye type thing in Stockholm, there is not one that I am aware of. There is the theme park but that does not have one that is London eye sized, besides the park might be closed by the time you go there. There is one in Gothenburg though, perhaps you were thinking of that one. You can go up to the roof of the Stockholm dome or further east there is a TV tower that you can go to and take a lift up to the top, theres a viewing floor and a restaurant floor etc and the views can be nice up there too.

 

[jon0844]

The theme park is now closed for the winter, but the zoo over the road is still open. And still has open fires so you can grill your own sausages (which you bring with bread etc) and enjoy with complimentary mustard and ketchup. All while being watched by hungry crows!

You can get there via tram or boat (the boat crossing is included within the normal transport network so free with a Travelcard equivalent).

 

[Techniquest]

Maybe it's the tower I'm thinking of, trying to remember what it was from research months ago without much luck lol.

Shall definitely keep our wits about us on the Metro, used to being aware of my surroundings when on the London Underground so won't be too bad, did the same in Brussels last year.

 

[jon0844]

There's this: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attrac...eviews-Kaknas_Television_Tower-Stockholm.html

 

[87015]

Train wise, one of the open access passenger operators uses Taurus of the singing variety (ex-MRCE 1825xx) which may be worth going to watch a departure if you haven't had the pleasure of these machines before... I think it is Snalltagget and looks like they work the couple of trains a day Malmo-Stockholm, doesn't look like the easiest to bash though.

 

[scarby]

I presume by the London Eye thing you mean this:

http://www.visitstockholm.com/en/See--do/Attractions/skyview/

 

[CKiltie]

Yes that is what take you upto the top of the Stockholm Globe, which is where they have concerts and music events mostly. I can understand now why it can be thought of as the London Eye as the capsule looks similar.

 

[Techniquest]

I presume by the London Eye thing you mean this:

http://www.visitstockholm.com/en/See--do/Attractions/skyview/

That'll be it! Cheers!