The best guides are the Swedes – always ask them first.

A few facts about Stockholm

The city of Stockholm is built on 14 islands around one of Europe's largest and best-preserved mediaeval city centres. Stockholm is Scandinavia's economic centre, with the largest gross regional product and most multinational companies. Stockholm was the European Green Capital in 2010.The Stockholm region is home to more than a fifth of Sweden's total population, with more than 2 million inhabitants; the city of Stockholm is the most populated area, with more than 900,000 inhabitants in October 2014.

At the age of six, children can attend a preparatory year before compulsory school starts at the age of seven. Most pupils continue to attend upper secondary school. All education is free of charge. The city also provides free adult education.

For more information and facts about Stockholm, visit City of Stockholm External link, opens in new window..

Getting around in Stockholm

Public transport

Public transport such as buses, commuter trains, ferries and the underground is run by Storstockholms lokaltrafik (SL). It is easy to travel throughout the Stockholm area. If you travel frequently, buy a 30-day pass (an SL-kort) for SEK 890. You can buy student travel cards at a reduced price if you have a Swedish Student ID (see information below).

Single tickets and travel cards can be bought from the SL ticket office at the Central Station or in any Pressbyrå. It is not possible to buy single tickets on the bus. All single tickets must be bought in advance from a ticket machine. For further information, call SL +46 (0)8 600 10 00 or visit the SL website External link, opens in new window..

Reduced fares for students

Students who study at least 75 percent of full time studies and who have the Swedish student identity card called Mecenat Card, can buy a student travel card External link, opens in new window. for 30 or 90 days at a reduced price. Students travel cards are for sale at all SL ticket agents. SL Centres are located at T-Centralen (the Central station), Tekniska högskolan, Gullmarsplan, Fridhemsplan and Täby Centrum.

You are entitled to buy and use SL's student travel card after you have paid the students' union fee or received a certificate from the students' union SöderS.

The commuter trains and underground do not run between 01.00 and 03.00, but during that time you can take night buses, for example between Stockholm central and Flemingsberg. Timetables are available on the SL website External link, opens in new window..

Taxis

There are a number of taxi companies operating in Stockholm, but they are quite expensive compared to public transport. All taxis have meters, but ask for an estimated price in advance, just in case.

Biking

You may be interested in buying a cheap or used bicycle. Stockholm and Södertörn have many cycle paths in pleasant surroundings.

Walking

Stockholm is a beautiful town and there are lots of walking paths. If you really like walking there are walking trails through the lovely Södertörn area. One of the most famous, extensive, and popular is the Sörmlandsleden External link, opens in new window.. For more information contact the tourist office, see below.

Be a tourist

If you want to know how to get the most out of your stay in Stockholm and Sweden you can visit the following websites:

• Stockholm's Official Visitors Guide (multiple language choices)

www.visitstockholm.com External link, opens in new window.

• The official gateway to Sweden (multiple language choices)

www.sweden.se External link, opens in new window.

• Stockholm City's official page (in English, offers Google Translate)

international.stockholm.se External link, opens in new window.

The tourist office in Stockholm is currently located right opposite the Central Station (T-Centralen), at Vasagatan 14 (underground station: T-centralen).