SL pass for three days versus buying individual tickets — the actual math
The SL multi-day pass is one of those travel products that seems obviously correct until you actually track how much you use it. We tracked it across a typical 3-day Stockholm visit — two adults, moderate activity level, visiting most of the main areas — and the result was more nuanced than the marketing suggests.
Current SL prices (2025)
| Pass | Cost (SEK) |
|---|---|
| Single journey (zones 1-2) | 43 |
| 24-hour pass | 140 |
| 72-hour pass | 340 |
| 7-day pass | 430 |
| 30-day pass | 890 |
The 72-hour pass (340 SEK) breaks even against individual tickets at eight journeys over three days. That’s fewer than three per day.
The 3-day journey log
We tracked every journey on a typical Stockholm 3-day visit:
Day 1:
- Arlanda to T-Centralen (pendeltåg, 43 SEK each — not Arlanda Express)
- T-Centralen to Östermalmstorg (metro, 43 SEK)
- Walk back to hotel (0)
- T-Centralen to Djurgårdsbroen (tram or bus, 43 SEK)
- Return from Djurgårdsbroen to hotel area (43 SEK)
- Day 1 subtotal: 172 SEK × 2 people = 344 SEK
Day 2:
- Metro to Gamla Stan (43 SEK)
- Ferry Strömkajen to Fjäderholmarna (SL-covered in summer, 43 SEK)
- Ferry return (43 SEK)
- Metro/bus in the evening (43 SEK)
- Day 2 subtotal: 172 SEK × 2 people = 344 SEK
Day 3:
- Ferry to Vaxholm and back (SL-covered, 2 × 43 SEK)
- Metro in the evening (43 SEK)
- Day 3 subtotal: 129 SEK × 2 people = 258 SEK
Total individual tickets: 946 SEK for two people. Two 72-hour passes: 680 SEK for two people.
Saving with the pass: 266 SEK — a meaningful saving, but not enormous. The pass wins in this scenario partly because of the Vaxholm ferry trips on day 3.
When the pass clearly wins
If you take the Waxholmsbolaget ferry to Vaxholm: A single return trip to Vaxholm costs 86 SEK (43 each way). If you’re doing this on top of regular city transit, the pass recalculates quickly in its favour.
If you’re using SL transit for airport connections: The pendeltåg from Arlanda costs more than a standard city trip (it crosses zone boundaries, so 86 SEK single). Two airport trips plus moderate city use fills the 340 SEK pass easily.
If you’re moving between districts frequently: Visitors who take the metro to a museum, walk back most of the way, take a bus to dinner, and metro home again are doing 3-4 trips per day comfortably.
When individual tickets make sense
If you’re spending most of your time walking: Gamla Stan, Södermalm and Norrmalm are all walkable. A visitor who walks most of the day and takes transit once in the morning and once in the evening might do only 4-6 trips over three days. That’s under the 8-trip breakeven.
If you’re staying in Norrmalm/Vasastan and visiting Djurgården mostly on foot: The walk from T-Centralen to Djurgårdsbroen is about 25 minutes along the waterfront. Many visitors walk it and never pay for that transit leg.
If you only have 2 days: The 24-hour pass at 140 SEK per day is often the better value for 2 days versus the 72-hour at 340 SEK.
The practical argument for the pass regardless
Even when individual tickets technically win on the math, the pass has a non-monetary benefit: friction removal. Not having to check your balance before boarding, not having to reload your card, not calculating whether you have enough for the Vaxholm ferry — this is worth something.
Visitors who are navigating a new city, managing a group, or just want to focus on the experience rather than the transit microtransactions: buy the pass. The maximum you’re “overpaying” is typically under 100 SEK.
The Arlanda factor
Note: if you’re arriving via Arlanda Airport and taking the pendeltåg (not Arlanda Express), the commuter train connection requires an additional zone surcharge even with an SL pass — unless you’re on a 72-hour pass that was purchased to cover the wider zone. Check the SL website before purchasing; zone configurations occasionally update.
Our Stockholm transport guide has current zone maps and pass purchase points. The SL pass guide covers the full product range including the 30-day pass for longer stays.
Stockholm Arlanda Airport train transfer — book in advanceThe SL app versus physical card
SL transit can be managed entirely via the SL app (iOS and Android). The app allows purchasing passes and single tickets, shows real-time departures, and contains the full journey planner. It is the most convenient option for most visitors.
The physical SL card (a rechargeable card purchased at SL Centers or from Pressbyrån) is the traditional option. It’s useful if you’re sharing a phone with a travel partner or don’t want to rely on battery life. Loading it requires either a machine or a Pressbyrån counter, which adds a small time investment.
Our recommendation: Use the SL app. The interface is English-capable and the process of buying a 72-hour pass from arrivals at Arlanda takes about two minutes.
What the zones actually mean
SL divides Stockholm into fare zones. The inner city (zones A and B, covering central Stockholm and the inner archipelago up to Vaxholm) is covered by the standard city pass. Zone C adds the outer archipelago and extended suburban areas.
For most visitors staying in central Stockholm and doing day trips to Vaxholm and Fjäderholmarna, zones A and B are sufficient. The 72-hour pass at 340 SEK covers these.
Arlanda Airport sits in Uppsala County, making it zone AB-C — technically requiring a supplementary zone ticket even with an SL city pass, unless you’ve bought the wider-zone version. This is the one counter-intuitive zone situation that catches visitors off-guard.
The pendeltåg connection
The commuter train network (pendeltåg) runs on SL infrastructure and is covered by SL passes. The key lines for visitors:
Line 35/36/38: Stockholm C to Märsta (Arlanda connection). This is the budget Arlanda route — 43 SEK (or covered by a zone-inclusive pass) versus the 340 SEK Arlanda Express.
Line 40: Södertälje — Stockholm C — Uppsala, which connects to both the southern day-trip destinations and to Uppsala. Covered by the relevant zone pass.
The commuter trains run less frequently than the metro but cover geographic ground the metro doesn’t reach.
Night transit
The SL metro does not run 24 hours. Service ends around midnight on weekdays and 1 AM on weekends (with some variation by line). Nattbuss (night buses) cover the gap, running on SL passes, but with longer frequencies. If you’re planning a late evening out, check the last metro time from your departure station.
Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Cabonline, Bolt) are the alternative for late-night transit. Prices are predictable for Bolt; use metered taxis only from established companies.
The week+ visitor option
Visitors staying more than 5 days: the 7-day pass (430 SEK) beats the 72-hour (340 SEK) by the math — 7 days for 90 SEK more than 3 days. For stays of 10+ days, the 30-day pass (890 SEK) is worth considering. These longer passes are bought once and last the duration.
Frequently asked questions about SL passes
Does the SL pass cover the archipelago ferries?
Yes, for Waxholmsbolaget ferries within SL zones. Vaxholm is covered. Farther outer islands (Grinda, Sandhamn) may require supplementary tickets depending on the route. Strömma tourist ferries are not covered by SL.
Where do I buy an SL pass?
SL Centers at major stations (T-Centralen, Stockholm Central), convenience stores (Pressbyrån, 7-Eleven), and the SL app. The app is the easiest for most travellers.
Can I use contactless payment on SL transit?
Yes, contactless Visa/Mastercard payment works on the card readers at metro barriers and bus validators. The charge is per journey (43 SEK) without the multi-day pass discount. If you’re doing fewer than 8 journeys, contactless per-trip may be fine.