Is the Stockholm Pass Worth It? (Your 2024 Guide) (2024)

Planning a trip to Stockholm and wondering, is the Stockholm Pass worth it?

Stockholm is unquestionably a beautiful city with a ton of fabulous sights, museums, and experiences. But it also has a reputation for being a pricey place to travel, along with the rest of Scandinavia. This is where a sightseeing pass like the Stockholm Pass comes in to help keep your trip budget in check.

In this guide, I’ve done the math for you and shared my Stockholm itinerary as an example to show when and how the Stockholm Pass can save you money and time.

So, if you’re wondering if the Stockholm Pass is worth it, keep reading to find out!

Is the Stockholm Pass really worth it?

No one wants to spend more money than necessary, especially when traveling in Stockholm or Scandinavia where prices tend to be higher than in other places in Europe.

To help your Stockholm trip planning and travel budget, I’ve put together this Stockholm Pass review and guide to help you make the best decision for you and your travel companions.

I have personally used the Stockholm Pass for both my trips to Stockholm and have recommended it to my own family and friends. I can vouch firsthand for the money my Stockholm pass saved me. But as with any city sightseeing pass, it needs to make sense for your travel plans to get great value.

For me, the attractions the Stockholm Pass offered aligned with the things I wanted to see and do. Buying individual tickets for each of these things would have cost me significantly more, not to mention the value of having the skip-the-line privileges to save time.

So ask yourself what things to do in Stockholm are on your list and then let’s break down the value of the Stockholm Pass together.

What is the Stockholm Pass?

The Stockholm Pass can help you save money by bundling sightseeing costs from Stockholm’s museums, palaces, tours, and experiences into a fantastic discounted price.

It also comes with the added benefit of riding the hop-on, hop-off bus, and boat tours around the city and islands.

The Stockholm Pass includes entry to 60+ top Stockholm attractions. You can select a 1,2,3,4, or 5-day pass depending on the length of your visit and Stockholm sightseeing plans.

Your Stockholm Pass will be valid for the corresponding number of days you purchased from the first time it’s activated at an included Stockholm attraction. This first use counts as Day 1 of your Stockholm Pass. Followed by however many consecutive days included in the pass you bought.

I particularly like this first-use validity system because it means you can arrive in Stockholm and choose when to activate your Stockholm Pass.

For example, if you arrive in the afternoon or evening, it likely makes more sense to first use your Stockholm Pass at the start of a new day so that you can get to more sights and experiences rather than activating your pass at the end of the day when museums and attractions are closing for the day.

Here’s what you get with the Stockholm Pass.

The Stockholm Pass Attractions: What’s Included?

You’re probably wondering exactly which 60 Stockholm sights, tours, and experiences are included with the Stockholm Pass. The pass includes the city’s top attractions and tours in Stockholm including the following:

Plus, the Stockholm Pass also features a variety of popular tours and engaging activities—all conveniently bundled with the pass. The pass includes:

If you’ve been to Stockholm before, you’ll also find that the Stockholm Pass includes trips and excursions outside of the city, which could be really worthwhile if you want to visit sites you’ve never been to before:

In addition to visiting the best attractions, don’t miss out on trying local delights like the traditional Swedish Fika at Systrarna Andersson or grabbing a drink at the ICEBAR Stockholm. For some outdoor fun, consider kayaking in Central Stockholm or hitting the links at Krisineberg Golf Bar.

For more information, you can check out the complete list of attractions, tours, and activities on the Stockholm Pass website.

The Stockholm Pass includes free access to a hop-on, hop-off bus with over 20 stops including the popular attractions in Stockholm. It’s also valid for the duration of your pass, making it one of the best ways to explore Stockholm’s main attractions.

When you buy the Stockholm Pass, you’ll also receive a downloadable guidebook that comes in handy for exploring the Swedish capital. It’s packed with info on the must-see sights and handy tips for navigating the city.

The Stockholm Pass Attractions: What’s Not Included?

The Stockholm Pass covers over 60+ included attractions, activities, and experiences. However, keep in mind that your Stockholm Pass won’t cover certain Stockholm sights that might be on your itinerary. These exclude places like:

If any of these attractions are on your itinerary, remember that you’ll need to pay extra to visit them. To save time and money, consider booking ahead or purchasing tickets online to secure your visit in advance.

Additionally, please note that the Travel Card is no longer a purchase option with the Stockholm Pass. So, it does not cover transit tickets for public transportation.

When I visited Stockholm, I planned my time to visit places like the beautiful Stockholm City Hall and the Abba Museum before and after the duration of my Stockholm Pass.

Depending on your Stockholm itinerary, you could plan the same or organize your days with a mix of included and not included activities. The important thing with this last strategy is to ensure you’re getting at least the minimum daily value from the Stockholm Pass to guarantee that it makes sense.

Stockholm Pass Math: The Real Truth is in the Numbers

You’re here because you want to know – Is the Stockholm Pass worth it? What are the potential savings that are possible when using the Stockholm Pass to visit Stockholm’s top attractions?

I put together the comparison chart below to help you compare individual entry tickets for Stockholm’s must-see spots, along with the convenient hop-on hop-off bus that you can use for the duration of your pass.

If you bought an adult ticket for each of these individually, you’d spend SEK 2,242, or about $220. By contrast, if you purchased a 3-day Stockholm Pass and did these top 10 attractions, you’d pay SEK 1,579, or about $155. That’s a savings of about $65-$75 per adult depending on the exchange rate when you travel.

Even the 5-day Stockholm Pass costs just SEK 2,029 or about $200.

You could spread out these top 10 Stockholm experiences over a longer visit. Or for even more savings, visit more of Stockholm and the surrounding area.

Use your Stockholm Pass to see the natural beauty of the archipelago islands, add a visit to the Chinese Pavillion at Drottningholm, and admire the beauty and history of Stockholm’s famous cathedrals, monuments, and fortresses.

3-Day Stockholm Sample Itinerary

To get a better idea of your potential savings, it’s important to map out your daily plans in Stockholm. That’s why, for this review of the Stockholm Pass, I based my calculations on my 3-Day Stockholm Itinerary where I focused on nearly all of the top Stockholm attractions.

Day 1: Gamla Stan & Stockholm City Hall

Start your day in Stockholm’s historic Gamla Stan, a medieval city center lined with well-preserved buildings, squares, and narrow streets since its establishment in 1252. Explore its cobblestone lanes lined with shops and cafes, leading to iconic squares like Stortorget, adorned with colorful ornate buildings.

You’ll find the Royal Palace in Gamla Stan, housing over 600 rooms across 11 floors. Highlights include the Royal Apartments, Treasury with crown jewels, and the Royal Armory. You can also Witness the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony outside the palace.

After visiting the Royal Palace, head to Storkyrkan, the Stockholm Cathedral, dating back to the 1300s, and admire its St. George and the Dragon sculpture. Then, explore the Nobel Museum and Stockholm City Hall (not included in the Stockholm Pass, but it’s absolutely worth a stop!).

Along the walk to the City Hall, you can also stop by the Riddarholmen Church where you can find the final resting place of several Swedish Kings.

End your day with a stroll along Drottninggatan, Stockholm’s pedestrian shopping street. Don’t forget to take a Fika break—a Swedish tradition of pausing for coffee and a cinnamon roll.

Plus, with the Stockholm Pass, you can take advantage of the hop-on, hop-off bus for seamless transportation between these attractions. Without the pass, you’d pay SEK 490 for entry alone, not to mention you’d be missing out on the ease and convenience of hopping on and off the bus which costs SEK 370 on its own.

Day 2: Vasa Museum, Skansen, & Waterways

For your second day in Stockholm, spend a full day exploring Djurgården, Stockholm’s island of museums and green spaces.

Start at the incredible Vasa Museum, showcasing the remarkably preserved Vasa warship from the 1620s. It sunk on its maiden voyage and was recovered after 330 years underwater. Arrive early to avoid crowds and immerse yourself in the ship’s story and artifacts. This was my favorite sight in all of Stockholm. Don’t miss it!

Next, visit Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum, showing what Swedish life was like through historic farmhouses, village buildings, and native Swedish animals. Ideal for families, Skansen provides interactive experiences and educational tours that allow you to immerse yourself in Swedish history.

Afterward, explore nearby attractions in Djurgården, such as the ABBA Museum (not included on the Stockholm Pass), and the Nordic Museum (included on the Stockholm Pass).

If you’re traveling with kids, you could also visit Junibacken, a museum with interactive activities all about children’s literature including the beloved Swedish character, Pippi Longstocking. (Junibacken is not included on the Stockholm Pass.)

Finish your day with a Royal Canal Boat Tour, offering breathtaking views of Stockholm’s islands and bridges from the water.

As for day 2, without the Stockholm Pass, you’d normally pay SEK 845 for separate entries. But with the Stockholm Pass, not only do you save money, but it’s also much more convenient since the hop-on, hop-off bus pass stays valid throughout, you can easily hop between the attractions mentioned.

Day 3: Drottningholm, Food, & Art

On your last day in Stockholm, explore the Drottningholm Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the residence of Sweden’s King and Queen. Arrive early to enjoy the Palace rooms with minimal crowds before wandering through the Baroque gardens with the elegant Chinese Pavilion and Drottningholm Court Theatre. Note that visiting hours may vary in fall and winter. There’s a lot to see in the palace, so you’ll want to spend hours exploring this place.

You could even add a boat tour (one-way or round trip) to get to Drottningholm Palace which is included in your Stockholm Pass. The value for this isn’t accounted for in the table above but would cost SEK 215-315 if you bought a ticket for this experience separately.

After spending a few hours at Drottningholm Palace, head back to Stockholm to explore the neighborhood of Söldermalm where you can try local eats, shop for unique and vintage finds, and immerse in the local scene.

End your day at the Fotografiska, Stockholm’s renowned photography museum, featuring poignant and well-crafted displays. It’s one of the most renowned photography museums in the world.

After exploring the museum, indulge in dinner at Fotografiska’s dining hall, offering local dishes in their dining hall with stunning views overlooking the waterfront. Or head back towards the city center for dinner out.

For individual entry tickets to the Stockholm attractions on Day 3, you’d spend SEK 667. This would increase to between SEK 882-982 if you took the boat tour to the palace.

What the Stockholm Pass Numbers Say

If you follow the same itinerary as above, your total spending for 3 days, including the hop-on, hop-off bus tour, would be SEK 2,372.

However, getting the 3-Day Stockholm Pass for SEK 1,579 per adult saves you SEK 793. Plus, you can explore even more attractions covered by the pass, making it a great deal overall. For example, I didn’t include the boat tour to Drottningholm Palace in this math.

Who is the Stockholm Pass Right For?

If it’s your first time in Stockholm and you’re planning to visit every top attraction in Stockholm, the Stockholm Pass is right for you! The pass offers the convenience of a single pass for entry to over 60+ sights and experiences.

But some places to visit in Stockholm are not included in the Stockholm Pass and if you’re only planning to visit these attractions or don’t plan on doing a lot of sightseeing, the Stockholm Pass may not be right for you. There are a few things, like the ABBA Museum or a tour of Stockholm City Hall, that aren’t included.

Also, the Stockholm Pass is likely not worth it for kids. Many of Stockholm’s sights and experiences are free for children under 6 years of age. Specific family-friendly attractions like Skansen and Junibacken are exceptions to this general rule. Skansen, for example, charges admission for children beginning at age 4.

The Stockholm Pass has a lower-priced children’s option. For children between the ages of 6-15, it’s best to check each place’s pricing policy for children before buying a Stockholm Pass. As you can see from the chart above, children 6 and up have to pay to enter Drottningholm Palace, while kids up to 18 are free at the Vasa.

Questions About Stockholm Pass

• What happens if I change the date of my Stockholm trip?

Unlike other city sightseeing cards, the Stockholm Pass isn’t linked to a specific set of dates. Your Stockholm Pass is valid for 1 year from the date you purchased the pass. Activation begins upon your first attraction visit, allowing you to plan your sightseeing at your own pace.

• Does the Stockholm Pass include travel?

Your Stockholm Pass includes travel on the hop-on hop-off bus and boat, as well as other water and bus tour options.

The Stockholm Pass does not include travel on the city’s subway system, buses, or trams. That being said, you should still consider using Stockholm’s subway. It’s fast and easy, not to mention the amazing subway art which is an activity all to itself.

• Are reservations required to enter attractions?

Certain attractions may require advance reservations. You can check your Stockholm Pass app guide to see which attractions need to be booked in advance. It’ll say “reservations required” if you need to schedule a specific time. Remember, your pass must be valid on the day of your visit if you need to make a booking for an attraction.

A couple more things to smile about…

• You can buy your Stockholm Pass before your trip so you’re ready to go. You’ll receive your Stockholm Pass confirmation number via the confirmation email. Then, sync your Stockholm Pass within the GoCity App using that confirmation number.
• Non-activated passes can still be refunded within 90 days from your purchase date if ever you change your plans.
• Once you have your Stockholm Pass, there’s no need to fuss with local currency or even which credit card to use when visiting a museum or hopping on and off a sightseeing bus.

The bottom line is you want the best deal.

So, the teacher in me says, “Review the benefits and go back to the math.” 🙂

With the Stockholm Pass, you get:

Using the 3-day Stockholm Pass as an example, you can visit the top 10 things to see in Stockholm for about $75 LESS THAN if you just purchased individual tickets. This also doesn’t take into account any promotional discounts offered by the Stockholm Pass which could add to your overall savings.

And the more sightseeing you do in Stockholm, the more the Stockholm Pass price saves you over separate admission fees.

Remember, it’s important to know what you want to do in Stockholm and plan your own itinerary. The most common negative review for any city sightseeing pass typically comes from someone who didn’t put it to good use. Plan your trip and add up the costs for each place you want to visit in Stockholm. Use the charts in this guide to help save time going to each attraction’s website. 🙂

In the end, let the math make your decision.

So, is the Stockholm Pass really worth it?

Yes!

The Stockholm Pass lets you bundle the cost of admission to 60+ different sights, tours, and experiences to save money in an already pricey travel destination. As a result, there’s no cheaper way to see all of these Stockholm’s top attractions.

With all the extra money you’ll save on your visit to Stockholm, who knows how many other things to do in Stockholm you’ll be able to add to your trip!

So, What are your questions about the Stockholm Pass?

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