Stockholm Pass vs Go City — the real math
The marketing for both the Stockholm Pass and the Go City Stockholm Pass is built on the same premise: buy our all-inclusive pass and save money. The exact savings percentage cited varies by season, by product version, and by how selectively they’ve chosen their comparison numbers.
We actually did the math. Here’s what we found.
The passes explained
Stockholm Pass (Go City): A multi-day pass that includes entry to 60+ attractions, a hop-on hop-off bus and boat, and various discounts. Sold in 1, 2, 3 and 5-day versions. The price varies seasonally but runs approximately:
- 1 day:
700 SEK (€63) - 2 days:
1,100 SEK (€99) - 3 days:
1,450 SEK (€130) - 5 days:
1,900 SEK (€171)
Note: Both “Stockholm Pass” and “Go City Stockholm” are now effectively the same product under the Go City umbrella. If you’re confused by the branding, you’re not alone.
The individual ticket costs (2024 prices)
| Attraction | Individual ticket (SEK) |
|---|---|
| Vasa Museum | 230 |
| ABBA The Museum | 250 |
| Skansen (summer) | 250 |
| Royal Palace museums | 200 |
| Fotografiska | 225 |
| Nordiska Museet | 190 |
| Nobel Prize Museum | 160 |
| City Hall tour | 130 |
| ABBA Museum + skip line | 280 |
| Viking Museum (exhibition + ride) | 245 |
The one-day scenario
The question is: can you realistically visit enough in a single day to justify a 700 SEK pass?
A realistic one-day heavy itinerary: Vasa Museum (2h), ABBA Museum (1.5h), a one-hour canal boat tour (included in pass, ~150 SEK separately).
Vasa (230) + ABBA (250) + canal boat (150) = 630 SEK.
That’s already less than the pass. The pass only starts earning on a one-day ticket if you add a third paying museum.
Add Fotografiska (225): 630 + 225 = 855 SEK individual. Now the 700 SEK pass wins, by 155 SEK.
Verdict on 1 day: Breakeven at exactly 3 paid venues. Worth it if you’re doing 3+ museums with transit included. Not worth it if you’re doing 2 museums and walking between them.
The two-day scenario
This is where the pass starts making sense, but only if you’re museum-heavy:
Day 1: Vasa (230) + ABBA (250) + Skansen (250) = 730 SEK Day 2: Royal Palace (200) + Fotografiska (225) + Nobel Museum (160) = 585 SEK Two-day total: 1,315 SEK
Two-day pass: ~1,100 SEK.
Saving: 215 SEK. That’s real, though not the 50% the marketing implies.
The 50% saving is calculated against the pass’s face value of included attractions, not against a realistic visit pattern. Nobody does 8 paid museums in a day.
The SL transport question
Critically: the Stockholm Pass does not include SL transit (metro, buses, commuter trains). You pay for that separately (72h pass: ~340 SEK). The hop-on hop-off bus included in the pass is not the same as SL — it runs on a tourist circuit and doesn’t cover most of where you actually want to go.
This is the most common misunderstanding about the Stockholm Pass. Many visitors buy it expecting it to cover all transport and are surprised when they also need to buy an SL card.
If you’re planning to rely on SL for transport, add 340 SEK to your cost comparison for a 72-hour SL pass.
Our honest recommendation
Buy the pass if:
- You’re doing 3+ paid museums per day
- You want simplicity (one card, no queuing for individual tickets)
- You’re doing 3 full days with a focus on Djurgården attractions
Skip the pass if:
- You’re only doing 1-2 museum days
- You’re spending significant time in the archipelago (ferries not included meaningfully)
- You’re primarily interested in walking, free parks, and food
- You’re tight on budget — individual tickets give you flexibility to drop things
The SL-only option: If your main goal is to get around the city efficiently, the SL 72-hour pass (340 SEK) covers metro, buses, trams and Waxholmsbolaget archipelago ferries within the SL zone. Pay for museum tickets individually. This is the right call for most flexible visitors.
Stockholm Go City Pass — save up to 50%Our full three-way comparison is at Stockholm Pass vs Go City vs SL with current prices and a recommendation matrix. For a 3-day itinerary that maps to these choices, see our 3-day Stockholm itinerary.
Frequently asked questions about Stockholm passes
Does the Stockholm Pass include transport on SL metro and buses?
No. The Stockholm Pass includes a hop-on hop-off bus and boat on the tourist route, but does not cover SL metro, buses, trams or commuter trains. You need to purchase an SL pass separately. This is a common confusion and a significant additional cost to factor in.
Is Go City the same as the Stockholm Pass?
Yes, effectively. The Stockholm Pass is now sold under the Go City umbrella. The product is the same multi-day all-inclusive attraction pass. Some older listings may still say Stockholm Pass; the current brand is Go City Stockholm.
Can I use the pass for the archipelago ferries?
The hop-on hop-off boat included in the pass covers the city canal route only. For Waxholmsbolaget archipelago ferries to Vaxholm and other islands, you need an SL pass or individual ferry tickets.
Should I book attractions individually even with the pass?
Yes, for timed-entry venues like the ABBA Museum and Vasa Museum in summer. The pass includes entry but doesn’t guarantee a time slot; you still need to book a timed entry slot online (free with the pass, just requires reservation). Don’t assume the pass means walk-in access in peak season.