See Stockholm’s islands and landmarks from an open-top bus.
Lindbergh Tour & Travel
Leisure Pass Group
Lindbergh Tour & Travel
Leisure Pass Group
Lindbergh Tour & Travel
Lindbergh Tour & Travel
Lindbergh Tour & Travel
Leisure Pass Group
PudelekQuick Guide
Stockholm Hop-On-Hop-Off Tours
Stockholm has two ways to use hop-on hop-off buses. You can buy a standalone bus ticket from Red Sightseeing, or get the Go City All-Inclusive Pass which includes bus rides plus entry to 50+ attractions. Here’s how to decide.
Red Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus (24 or 72 Hours)
- Red Sightseeing runs dedicated hop-on hop-off buses with 20 stops covering Stockholm’s major attractions.
- You get unlimited rides for 24 or 72 hours from first use, with buses arriving every 30 minutes at each stop.
- The full circuit takes 90 minutes, and you’ll hear audio commentary in 14 languages as you ride.
- Choose this if you want a straightforward way to get around Stockholm’s main sights with flexible transport.
Go City: Stockholm All-Inclusive Pass
- The All-Inclusive Pass gets you into 72 attractions across Stockholm, and it includes unlimited rides on the green Stromma and red City Sightseeing buses. You can choose passes lasting 1 to 5 consecutive calendar days.
- Pick this option if you plan to visit multiple museums, tours, and experiences. The pass pays for itself if you visit 3-4 major attractions per day, and the included hop-on hop-off transport helps you move between them.
Highlights
Tickets & Prices
You can buy a standalone hop-on hop-off ticket from Red Sightseeing, or get the Go City Pass which bundles bus rides with museum entries.
- Red Sightseeing offers 24-hour and 72-hour options that start counting when you first board.
- Go City sells 1 to 5-day passes that run on calendar days, meaning each day ends at midnight regardless of when you start.
Detailed Pricing Tables
72-hour tickets offer the best value, costing only €12.20 per day (a 24-hour ticket costs €31.00).
| 24 Hours | 72 Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €31.00 | €36.60 (€12.20 per day) |
| Child (7-15) | €15.50 | €18.30 (€6.10 per day) |
Children aged 0-6 travel free when accompanied by a paying adult (maximum 2 children per adult).
| 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days | 5 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | SEK 899 | SEK 1,299 | SEK 1,599 | SEK 1,799 | SEK 1,949 |
| Child (6-15) | SEK 299 | SEK 449 | SEK 599 | SEK 699 | SEK 749 |
These are the base rates. Click here for the latest prices in your currency and book online.
The Go City Pass works on consecutive calendar days, not 24-hour periods. If you activate your pass at 15:00, it ends at midnight that same day.
Choose a Ticket
- Pick the Red Sightseeing 72-hour ticket if you mainly need comprehensive transport around Stockholm. Red Sightseeing covers 20 stops including practical ones like Central Station and City Terminalen (for airport buses), plus scenic spots like Fjällgatan viewpoint and the SoFo district. The 72-hour option costs just a few more than the 24-hour ticket.
- Go for the Go City All-Inclusive Pass if you want to visit museums and attractions. The included City Sightseeing buses cover the essential 15 stops at major sights (Vasa Museum, Royal Palace, Old Town, Skansen, ABBA Museum, City Hall), which is enough for most visitors. The pass breaks even after visiting 3-4 attractions on a 3-day pass.
- Consider route coverage. Red Sightseeing has 5 more stops than City Sightseeing, making it better for detailed exploration and getting between hotels, transport hubs, and neighborhoods. City Sightseeing’s tighter route (60 minutes vs 90 minutes) means faster loops between major attractions, which works well when you want to visit as many museums as possible.
- Both operators stop at Stockholm’s main attractions: Royal Palace, Old Town, Vasa Museum, Skansen, ABBA Museum, Gröna Lund, Karlaplan, Stureplan, Hötorget, and City Hall. The difference is in the extra stops and whether you need museum admissions included.
Comparing Red Sightseeing 72h vs. Go City 3-Day Pass
| Feature | Red Sightseeing 72-Hour | Go City 3-Day |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Hop-on Hop-off Only | First-time Visitor |
| Price (Adult) | €36.60 | SEK 1,599 = ~€145.00 |
| Price (Child) | €18.30 | SEK 599 = ~€55.00 |
| Validity | 72 hours from first ride | 3 consecutive calendar days |
| Bus Operator | Red Sightseeing | Stromma/City Sightseeing |
| Stops | 20 (16 year-round, 4 summer) | 15 + cruise terminals |
| Loop Time | 90 minutes | 60 minutes (longer on cruise days) |
| Frequency | Every 30 minutes | Every 30 minutes |
| Audio Languages | 14 | 11 |
| WiFi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-time Bus Tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Central Station | ✓ | |
| City Terminalen | ✓ | |
| Fjällgatan Viewpoint | ✓ (in summer) | |
| Södermalm Stops | ✓ (in summer) | |
| ICE Bar | ✓ | |
| Strandvägen | ✓ | |
| Museum Entries | ✓ 72 attractions | |
| Royal Canal Boat | ✓ (in summer) |
FAQs about Tickets & Pricing
How much is the hop-on hop-off bus in Stockholm?
A standalone Red Sightseeing bus ticket runs about €31 for 24 hours, and the 72-hour ticket works out to roughly €12.20 per day, so the longer pass costs less per day if you’re staying more than a day. The Go City All-Inclusive Pass costs more because it bundles bus rides with entry to dozens of attractions. The Tickets & Prices section above breaks down both options.
Is it cheaper to book online or buy on the day?
Booking online is the safer move. It guarantees availability for your date and sends the ticket to your phone so you can board at the first stop you reach. You can still buy Red Sightseeing tickets at kiosks near the major stops, but availability isn’t guaranteed that way. Most bookings can also be rescheduled or canceled up to 24 hours ahead, so there’s little reason to wait.
Is the hop-on hop-off bus worth it in Stockholm?
Stockholm is built across islands, and the main sights sit a fair way apart. The bus links the Royal Palace, Old Town, the Djurgården museums, and City Hall without you working out metro and ferry connections. It’s a strong pick for first-time visitors and anyone arriving by cruise. If you plan to go inside several museums, the Go City All-Inclusive Pass folds the transport into one ticket and usually pays off after three or four attractions.
Route Maps & Stops
Stockholm has two main hop-on hop-off operators. Red Sightseeing runs independently with 20 stops covering broader ground including transport hubs. City Sightseeing (included with Go City Pass) operates 15 stops focusing on major tourist attractions with a tighter route.
Red Sightseeing Route
Red Sightseeing operates one continuous route with 20 stops across Stockholm. Four stops close from October through April.
- Download the full route map to plan your stops (PDF).
- Download the Red Sightseeing app to see live bus locations on the map and exact stop positions.
Route Overview:
- Duration: 90 minutes full loop
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- Operating Hours: 09:30-17:00 (regular schedule). Winter: limited dates only (12 Nov 11:00-17:00, 8 Dec 11:30-17:00, 13 Dec 11:30-17:00)
- Starting Point: Central Station (Stop 1) – temporarily relocated 100m from original location, next to McDonald’s under the bridge
- Audio Guide: 14 languages
- Seasonal Note: Stops 3, 4, 5, 6 operate May-September only
Stops:
- Central Station – Main transport hub for trains, metro, and connections across Stockholm
- Gustav Adolfs Torg/Royal Opera House – Royal Opera building on Stockholm’s most central square
- Old Town (suspended October to April) – Gamla Stan medieval streets, cafes, museums, shops. Tourist info at Västerlånggatan 52
- Fjällgatan (suspended October to April) – Stockholm’s best viewpoint, walk up for skyline photos or down to Fotografiska museum
- Viking Line & Cruise Berth S167 (suspended October to April) – Ferry terminal for Helsinki and cruise ships
- Medborgarplatsen (suspended October to April) – Stockholm’s biggest square in Södermalm, surrounded by bars and restaurants
- Royal Palace – Watch the changing of the guards daily
- Kungsträdgården – Central park with events, ice skating, cherry blossoms
- Nybroplan/Dramatic Theatre – Royal Theatre with five stages, boat tour departure point
- Vasa Museum – 17th-century warship recovered after 333 years underwater
- Skansen – Gröna Lund – ABBA Museum – World’s oldest open-air museum, amusement park, music museum
- Nordiska Museum – Swedish cultural history on Djurgården island
- Frihamnen F634 Cruise Terminal – Cruise ship terminal
- Frihamnen F638 Cruise Terminal – Cruise ship terminal
- Karlaplan – Östermalm district, near National Historical Museum
- Stureplan – Nightlife district with shopping, restaurants, bars, clubs
- Hötorget – Concert hall, market, shopping street, Paradox Museum
- City Terminalen – Main bus terminal for all Stockholm airports (Arlanda, Skavsta, Bromma, Västerås)
- Rådhuset – Kungsholmen neighborhood with restaurants and cafes
- City Hall – Nobel Prize banquet location, tower with panoramic views
Route Highlights:
Djurgården museum cluster (Stops 10-12) lets you visit Vasa Museum, Skansen, ABBA Museum, Gröna Lund, and Nordiska Museum without traveling far. Transport connections at Central Station and City Terminalen make this route practical for getting between airports, hotels, and attractions. Summer-only Fjällgatan stop gives you Stockholm’s iconic skyline view. Södermalm stops (Medborgarplatsen, near SoFo district) show you the city’s hip neighborhoods with vintage shops and local cafes.
Cruise Ship Service: Buses meet ships at Frihamnen (F634, F638, F650), Värtahamnen (not Silja Line), and Stadsgården (S167) starting from 08:00 when ships are docked. Multi-day cruise stays get morning pickups on all days.
City Sightseeing Route (Included with Go City Pass)
City Sightseeing offers one route with 15 regular stops plus 3 cruise terminals. This operator is included with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass.
Check the live map on the Stromma website to see bus positions. Look for GREEN buses or RED buses marked “City Sightseeing” with “Free tours with the Go Stockholm Pass” signs.
Route Overview:
- Duration: 60 minutes full loop (90-120 minutes when cruise terminals are active)
- Frequency: Varies by section
- Starting Point: Strömgatan/The Royal Opera (Stop 1)
- Audio Guide: 11 languages
- Important: Don’t board red buses labeled “Stockholm RED Buses” – those are Red Sightseeing (different operator, not included with Go City Pass)
Stops:
- Strömgatan/The Royal Opera – Royal Swedish Opera House
- The Royal Palace – Royal family’s official residence, changing of guards
- Old Town/Gamla Stan – Medieval streets and historic center
- Kungsträdgården/Shopping District – Central park and shopping area
- Strandvägen – Elegant boulevard along the waterfront
- The Vasa Museum/Nordiska Museet – 17th-century warship and cultural history museum
- ABBA The Museum/Gröna Lund Tivoli – Music museum and amusement park
- Skansen – World’s oldest open-air museum
- ABBA The Museum/Gröna Lund Tivoli – Return stop for museum and amusement park
- The Vasa Museum – Return stop for the warship museum
- Karlaplan – Östermalm neighborhood
- Stureplan Entertainment District – Shopping mall, restaurants, nightlife
- Kungsgatan/Hötorget Market – Shopping street, concert hall, market
- ICE Bar – Bar made of ice at Nordic Hotel, near Central Station
- City Hall – Nobel Prize banquet venue
Cruise Terminal Stops (Operating Only When Ships Are Docked):
- X. Frihamnen Cruise Terminal 634
- Y. Frihamnen Cruise Terminal 638
- Z. Stadsgården Cruise Terminal
Route Highlights:
Tight 60-minute loop focuses on major tourist attractions. Djurgården island museums (Stops 6-10) cover Vasa Museum, ABBA Museum, Skansen, and Gröna Lund with multiple stops for easy access. The route covers Royal Palace, Old Town, City Hall, and entertainment districts. ICE Bar stop is unique to City Sightseeing. Route skips Central Station, City Terminalen, and scenic viewpoints but covers all essential tourist spots efficiently.
Go City Pass Users: Scan your pass when boarding. No kiosk visit needed for All-Inclusive Pass holders.
What to See & Do
Audio Commentary While You Ride
Red Sightseeing has 14 languages available through headphones at each seat. The commentary explains what you’re seeing as you move through Stockholm. Red Sightseeing also runs a free audio walking tour through Gamla Stan. Download their app for how to access it.
Use It to Move Between Museums
Djurgården island packs in most of Stockholm’s museums. The Vasa Museum has that 17th-century warship that sank on its first voyage and spent 333 years underwater before being recovered. Skansen is the world’s oldest open-air museum with historic buildings moved from around Sweden. The ABBA Museum has interactive exhibits where you can sing along. Gröna Lund is the amusement park. Nordiska Museum covers Swedish cultural history.
These museums sit at three consecutive stops on Red Sightseeing (stops 10, 11, 12). You can visit multiple museums in one day, using the bus to hop between them instead of walking. From Central Station to Djurgården takes about 30 minutes by bus. Walking would take over an hour.
Connect Directly from Airport Buses
City Terminalen is where airport buses arrive. Arlanda, Skavsta, Bromma, Västerås all drop passengers at City Terminalen. Red Sightseeing stops there (stop 18), so you can board directly and start sightseeing without figuring out metro lines or local buses. This is the route that described itself as providing “easy transportation from City Hall to Tekniska and down to Fotografiska”. It’s designed to actually move you around the city, not just show it to you.
Visit Fjällgatan in Summer
Red Sightseeing stop 4 at Fjällgatan runs May-September. This is Stockholm’s viewpoint, the classic photo with water, islands, and spires. Walk up the hill, take photos, then head down to Fotografiska photography museum on the waterfront. Stromma/City Sightseeing doesn’t go here.
See Södermalm Neighborhoods
Red Sightseeing’s summer stops at Medborgarplatsen (stop 6) and around SoFo give you a different view of Stockholm. Medborgarplatsen is the biggest square in Södermalm with bars and restaurants. SoFo has vintage shops, small cafes, local design stores.
Watch the Guards Change at Royal Palace
Both operators stop at Royal Palace. Guards change daily. Time your visit for the ceremony if you want to see it. Entry into the palace requires a ticket unless you have the Go City Pass.
Red Sightseeing Boats Run in Summer
Red Sightseeing operates hop-on hop-off boats May-September. Separate from bus tickets. Eight stops on Stockholm’s waterways, boats leaving every hour, audio guide included. Route: Royal Palace, Nybroplan, Vasa Museum, Skeppsholmen, Gröna Lund/ABBA Museum, Fotografiska, Slussen.
FAQs
What’s the best hop-on hop-off bus in Stockholm, Red Sightseeing or City Sightseeing?
They’re run by different companies on different routes. Red Sightseeing covers 20 stops on a 90-minute loop, including Central Station and City Terminalen for the airport buses, so it’s the one for getting between hotels, transport hubs, and neighborhoods. City Sightseeing runs a tighter 15-stop, 60-minute loop focused on the major attractions and comes included with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass. Pick Red Sightseeing for broader coverage, City Sightseeing if you’re collecting museum visits.
How long is the full hop-on hop-off loop?
The Red Sightseeing route takes about 90 minutes to ride end to end, with buses every 30 minutes. City Sightseeing’s loop is shorter at around 60 minutes, stretching to 90 to 120 minutes on days when the cruise terminals are active. You won’t usually ride the whole circuit, since you hop off at a sight and carry on later.
Where does the bus stop in Stockholm, and how many stops are there?
Red Sightseeing covers 20 stops and City Sightseeing covers 15, and both hit the headline sights: the Royal Palace, Old Town, the Vasa Museum, Skansen, the ABBA Museum, Gröna Lund, and City Hall. The difference is in the extras. Red Sightseeing adds Central Station, City Terminalen, the Fjällgatan viewpoint, and the Södermalm neighborhoods, while City Sightseeing keeps a tighter loop around the main attractions. The Route Maps & Stops section lists every stop on each route.
Where can I find the route map or timetable?
You can download the full Red Sightseeing route map as a PDF from the Red Sightseeing Route section on this page, which also lists the operating hours and frequency. The Red Sightseeing app shows live bus locations and exact stop positions once you’ve booked, and City Sightseeing’s positions appear on the Stromma live map.
Is there a hop-on hop-off boat in Stockholm?
Yes. Since Stockholm is built across islands, Red Sightseeing runs hop-on hop-off boats from May to September on a separate ticket from the bus. Boats leave roughly every hour with audio guide included, calling at eight waterside stops including the Royal Palace, Nybroplan, the Vasa Museum, Skeppsholmen, Gröna Lund and the ABBA Museum, Fotografiska, and Slussen. It’s a relaxed way to cover the waterfront sights when the weather’s good.
I’m arriving by cruise ship, where do I catch the bus?
Both operators meet ships when they’re docked. Red Sightseeing picks up at Frihamnen (berths F634, F638, F650), Värtahamnen, and Stadsgården, with buses running from around 08:00 on docking days and morning pickups on multi-day stays. City Sightseeing serves Frihamnen F634 and F638 plus Stadsgården. Use the operator’s app to find the stop at your terminal.