Getting around

Sweden doesn't have one national public transport app — each region runs its own separate system with its own app, its own prices and its own rules, so the first thing to do when you move somewhere new is find out which one covers you.

• Each region has its own app/card: SL (Stockholm), Västtrafik (Gothenburg/Västra Götaland), Skånetrafiken (Malmö/Skåne), and equivalents in every län (county).
• Buy your ticket in the app before boarding — inspectors issue on-the-spot fines for riding without a valid ticket.
• Monthly passes are the normal way to travel if you commute daily; single tickets usually allow transfers within a set time window (check your region's app).

For getting between cities, Sweden mixes a state-owned train operator with regional trains and budget buses — and for the far north, flying often makes more sense than either.

• SJ is the main state train operator for long-distance routes; regional operators (Mälartåg, Pågatåg, Öresundståg, etc.) cover shorter hops. Book ahead for cheaper fares.
• Flixbus and other long-distance coach operators are the budget option between major cities.
• Domestic flights connect the north (e.g. Kiruna, Luleå) quickly where the distances make driving or the train impractical — Sweden is much longer, north to south, than it looks on a normal map.

For shorter or spontaneous trips within a city, Sweden has the usual mix of taxis, rental e-scooters and bike-share — but pricing and rules aren't always obvious upfront.

• Taxis are expensive and largely unregulated on price — always check the fare estimate in an app first (Bolt, Uber operate in the big cities) or ask for a fixed price before getting in.
• E-scooters (Voi, Lime, Tier) are common in cities; the same drink-driving limits that apply to cars apply to riding them.
• City bike schemes exist in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö — cheap in the warmer months.

Sweden's coast and islands mean ferries are genuine everyday transport in some regions, not just a tourist activity — especially around Stockholm and out to Gotland.

• Stockholm's archipelago is served by Waxholmsbolaget ferries — genuinely local transport, not just a tourist trip.
• Destination Gotland runs the ferry to Gotland (Visby) from the mainland — book ahead in summer.