The Best Stockholm Ferry Route for Tourists & Sightseeing
BY JARED DILLINGHAM
TRAVEL GUIDE: USE THE STOCKHOLM FERRY AS A TOURIST!
I’ve become a big fan of taking ferries in the cities I visit, and recently got to check out Stockholm’s ferry routes, which are fantastic for tourists and sightseeing!
It’s a great way to see major sites in cities, hop off at different locations, and avoid paying a lot for expensive tour boat excursions!
If you’re staying in Stockholm, you can use this interactive map to check out hotel and rental options for your dates:
Stockholm Archipelago Islands
Stockholm is part of an archipelago, made up of 30,000 islands (some of which are really only large rocks).
The city itself is spread out across 14 of the islands in the archipelago.
The archipelago stretches from the city of Stockholm, for about 60 miles east into the Baltic Sea.
Several islands have small towns and ferry ports, while most are uninhabited and wild.
The most popular islands to visit include Fjäderholmarna, which is just a 30-minute ferry ride from downtown Stockholm. Other popular options, like Dalarö and Vaxholm are both about an hour away.
SL: The Commuter Ferry
Locals in Stockholm who regularly rely on the ferries use them to island hop for restaurants, shopping, and outdoor activities… in addition to their commutes for work.
While you have different options, I’ll be talking about ferries which are part of the SL line.
In Stockholm, SL stands for the public transportation system, or Storstockholms Lokaltrafik.
Paying for the Ferry: Shockingly Easy
Paying for the ferry ride was so simple and easy, it was confusing for me at first. There’s no need to book in advance, or buy tickets from a kiosk at the dock or an app on your phone.
As you walk onboard, just tap your credit card on a payment scanner. That’s it! You don’t need an app or a city pass or anything like that.
The payment is instantaneous as you tap your card. I LOVED the efficiency!
AND… the ferry ride I’m about to suggest will cost you a whopping ONE DOLLAR (US).
Here’s a look at the setup as you walk on:
Stockholm Ferry Terminal: Strömkajen
Strömkajen is one of many ferry terminals, which is very easy to find in the center of Stockholm.
I should say: don’t worry about the difficult-to-pronounce names, or the accents and markings over the letters in Swedish words. It really is easy to figure out for anyone who doesn’t speak the language.
Typing: Stromkajen into a map app will get you there. It’s beautiful on its own, and is a great location to explore for a while before or after your boat trip.
Here’s a look at the tourist sightseeing boats you’ll find at Stromkajen, which we will *not be taking:
Famous Sites Near the Docks
You’ll notice: the ferry port is directly across the water from the Royal Palace. I can’t help but wonder what the old royal families would think about commuters and tourists gathering at the base of their grand staircase to hop on and off the ferries!
Across the water from the palace, you’ll find the ferry terminal we’re heading toward. It’s right in front of the Stockholm Grand Hotel. You’ll see a lineup of different ferry boats along the docks:
The hotel itself is stunning, and would be a great place to stay in Stockholm.
➡️ HOTEL RECOMMENDATION: Grand Hotel Stockholm
Gamla Stan
This side of the inlet will give you a spectacular view of Gamla Stan, a stunning part of Stockholm’s skyline.
If the timing is right, you can hop on a ferry (the Slussen-Stromkajen route) and cruise right across the water here to the Slussen ferry terminal to check out the neighborhood.
The Best Stockholm Ferry Route for Tourists
Line 83
I love Line 83!
I’m suggesting that you take Line 83 from Stromkajen out to Vaxholm, which is a charming town on an island an hour away from Stockholm.
This ferry route is perfect for tourists and sightseeing because it begins in the city center, and provides views of different parts of Stockholm’s skyline.
The ferry takes you out past where the cruise ships are docked at the edge of the city, and then through the less-populated islands.
The ferries cruise along at a good pace, and this one will make 12 quick stops at other ports and islands, before arriving in Vaxholm.
You’ll notice: a few of the stops will be in full towns, while others will seemingly be deserted islands! You have the option to hop on and off whenever you’d like! I wish we had more time to get off at some of the other stops.
These are two of the stops you’ll make. You can see: the stop on the left just has a single hut, which I assume people gather in to wait for the ferry when the weather is bad?
Vaxholm
The ferry from Stockholm to Vaxholm will take roughly one hour. You’ll arrive at the dock, which is basically the center of town.
There are a few hotel options and restaurants. Summer season is busy, with enough going on to spend a day or two here, or use it as a base to island-hop in the archipelago.
The Waxholms Hotell sits right at the ferry dock.
➡️ HOTEL RECOMMENDATION: Waxholms Hotell
Even during the off-season, when many of the town’s fair-weather businesses are closed, the Waxholms Hotell provides a great view of the water and surrounding islands from an upstairs bar.
The town is full of shops and restaurants, plus historic sites. An old fortress sits across from the dock. It was considered Sweden’s “first line of defense” in a possible naval invasion. These days, it’s home to a Swedish history museum.
This photo shows the hotel on the left, the ferry dock in the center, and the fortress on the right:
Kayaking and hiking are other popular activities on Vaxholm, and there are several great guides (and outfitters with kayaks) to choose from.
➡️ BOOK: Kayaking Around the Archipelago from Vaxholm
➡️ BOOK: Winter Kayaking from Vaxholm
➡️ BOOK: Sunset Kayak Tour from Vaxholm
In the off-season, the hotel is often still booked. If the weather’s too cold for outdoor adventures (or you’re just tight on time) you can still stroll the main street in Vaxholm, and have a meal in town before heading back to Stockholm on the ferry.
You’ll find a big digital board at the dock, with updated departure times for future ferries.
What it’s Like on the Stockholm Ferry
The boats used to run Stockholm’s ferry routes are sizable and very clean.
Inside, they have cushioned seating (almost like theater seating) in aisles, with some areas setup as tables.
On the upper deck, you’ll find benches. where you can enjoy the view (and the breeze) on nice days.
Plus, if you get hungry, inside the ferry they have a small cafe setup, serving coffee and snacks.
Alternate Archipelago Jaunt
If you’re still looking to relax in an “archipelago island” setting outside the city of Stockholm, I’d recommend Vår Gård Saltsjöbaden.
It’s just about an hour on a bus and train to get there, and the views are spectacular:
➡️ BOOK HOTEL: Vår Gård Saltsjöbaden
Take the Stockholm Ferry Routes Off-Season
The archipelago is buzzing with activity during the warm summer months (though the water temperature in the Baltic Sea only rises into the 60s during July and August).
There are many people who prefer a cold Scandinavian winter visit. I’d love to see a snow-covered Stockholm at some point!
For winter outdoor enthusiasts, the ferries still run, and there are still hiking and kayaking options.
Plus, the area has several lakes, where you can skate on ice which looks like glass.
Guides will bring you there, and even set you up with the right skates. These are both great options:
➡️ BOOK: Sweden Ice Skating (beginners)
➡️ BOOK: Sweden Ice Skating (experienced)
A winter, or off-season visit in general, will allow you to save some cash on hotel costs.
Plus, I love December trips to Europe to check out the different markets and festivals countries host for Christmas and the holidays.
In Sweden, some of the islands in the archipelago host their own Christmas markets, which are full of local food and crafts.
Utö (which is more than a two-hour commute) and Sandhamn (another two-hour commute) are two islands to check out in winter for an adventurous traveler in Sweden.
Two other Ferry Line Options
If you loved Line 83 so much that you’re yearning for another ferry trip, here are two other Stockholm ferry routes you’ll enjoy.
Stockholm Ferry Route: Line 80
The Stockholm ferry route named Line 80 is a great option for tourists and sightseeing. It makes a big loop around a portion of eastern Stockholm, beginning at Nybroplan… before heading up north.
Frihamnen and Nacka Strand are among the popular stops on this Stockholm ferry route. Restaurant J has a patio on the water at Nacka Strand.
You can also stop off to explore the National City Park Djurgården, by getting off the ferry at Allmänna gränd.
Stockholm Ferry Route: Line 89
The Stockholm ferry route named Line 89 is another good one for tourists and sightseeing. It will take you west into part of Sweden’s Lake Mälaren.
You’ll begin your ferry journey at the Klara Mälarstrand ferry terminal.
Head to Tappström, which is on an island west of Stockholm. It’ll take you about an hour and ten minutes to get there, and the views from the ferry are very pretty along the way.
The cost is kr39.00, which is between $3 and $4 USD, to get to Tappström.
Line 89 ferries start at 7:40am weekday mornings, and run every 40 minutes from Klara Mälarstrand. On weekends, they run every two hours.
Wrap: Stockholm Ferry Routes
Have I convinced you? Admittedly, the Stockholm ferry routes are best for tourists in nice weather!
For visitors, it truly is hard to find a better deal than the ferry system in Stockholm. It’s amazing sight-seeing without the cost!
Plus, I love being able to choose my own adventure and decide when to hop on and hop off, without having to be part of a big tour group!
Check out my other posts from Stockholm if you’re heading to Sweden:
➡️ JARED’S DETOURS BLOG: Walking Tour Itineraries of Stockholm
➡️ JARED’S DETOURS BLOG: Stockholm’s Airport to the City Center
