Transports, communication, child care and school
Transports
Local transportation
The public transport system in Sweden is usually very reliable. Stockholm’s public transport system, SL, consists of an underground system (Tunnelbanan) and a commuter train network as well as buses. There is a 30-day travel card valid for travel by all SL’s means of transportation in the Stockholm area that can be purchased at many newspaper kiosks. You cannot buy tickets on buses. Student travel cards are available to a reduced price. SL provides a journey planner in English. For further information visit the SL website:
Rail Network
Sweden has a highly effective rail network spanning the country. The long distant trains are operated by a few major train operators. As an extension to the railway network, buses operate on a frequent basis as a link to smaller cities and villages. The long distant train has an array of different prices for families, students, youths, groups, last minute etc. see:
Airport
The international airport, Arlanda, is situated 40 km north of Stockholm. There are airport buses connecting the airport to the Central Railway Station in the city centre (Cityterminalen). The “Arlanda Express” is a high-speed train with departures every 15 minutes from Arlanda to Stockholm central station.
A number of taxi companies have fixed prices to and from Arlanda, normally between SEK 400 and 500.
Bromma is the airport for Stockholm City and is connected to the Central Railway Station by airport coach.. Skavsta airport is situated 100 km south of Stockholm and by road it takes about 80 minutes to Stockholm City Centre.
Bicycles
Cycling is a common mode of transportation not only among students. At Stockholm City Bikes, you can rent a bike between April and October. With a card from Stockholm City Bikes, you can use any bike from a large number of bike stands all around the city. For more information see:
Driving licence
Foreign driving licences are valid in Sweden, but not if the holder is under 18, which is the minimum age in Sweden. For driving licences from EU and EEA countries the same rules apply as for Swedish licences. Non-EU/EEA driving licences become invalid when the holder has been resident in Sweden for more than a year. Non- EU/EEA citizens may apply for exemption from the 12-month rule if their stay in Sweden is temporary (e.g. 1–4 years). Contact the Stockholm County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen) for more information, by phone 08-785 46 90 or on their website:
More information about driving licences is available on:
There are regulations to follow when you drive in Sweden. For example you must always carry your licence when driving, you cannot drink alcohol and drive and it is compulsory for both drivers and passengers to have their safety belts fastened.
For more information see:
Congestion tax/charge (Trängselskatt)
The Stockholm congestion tax (Trängselskatt i Stockholm) is a congestion pricing system implemented as a tax which is levied on most vehicles entering and exiting central Stockholm. Each passage costs SEK 10, 15 or 20, depending on the time of day.The primary purpose of the congestion tax is to reduce traffic congestion and improve the environmental situation in central Stockholm. For more information about the congestion tax:
Communications
Post
Post offices are nowadays a service integrated in various shops; grocery stores, kiosks, gas stations etc.. Generally the post offices are open during normal shopping hours, but local variations may apply. Look for the blue postal sign.
There are two different types of mailboxes. The blue box is for local deliveries only and the yellow box for national and international deliveries.
Telephone
When calling Sweden from abroad please dial + 46 followed by the area code (omitting the initial zero) and the number required. When calling abroad from Sweden: dial 00 plus the country code, followed by the area code and phone number.
The easiest way to communicate in Sweden is either by mobile phone or by Skype. The software is free to download and calls to other people on Skype are free of charge.
TV/Radio
There are two public service TV channels, SVT1 and SVT2, and a number of private operators offering many foreign channels. Everyone who owns, rents or borrows a television set has to pay a TV fee, which finances public service, radio and television transmissions in Sweden. For further information, contact the website, Radiotjänst.
Radio Sweden transmits daily in several languages. Visit the website for more information.
Child care and School
Child care services are available for all children from one year of age. The parents pay a fee linked to the family’s income and the child’s attendance. Contact your local municipality (kommun) for more information.
Schools for accompanying children
Almost all six-year-olds attend voluntary preschool classes. Between ages 7-16, children attend compulsory comprehensive school. After completing the ninth grade, 90% continue with a three-year upper secondary school (gymnasium) with most programs leading to a vocational diploma and to qualifications for further studies at a university or university college (högskola). All education provided by the state is free.
Contact your local municipality (kommun) or ‘stadsdelsförvaltning’ in Stockholm City for more information about schools with other language profiles.
