Stockholm SL-Access Card

The Access card has been replaced by a new green card. But it works more or less the same, it is a plastic card that you add either money to and use it to buy single tickets, or add a pass of some kind (available from 24 hours to 90 days). If you don't want to use the card you can buy the tickets in their app and use a QR-code to open the gates.

Those tickets are valid for all SL transport within Stockholm county*, buses, trams, metro, commuter train and the commuter ferries within Stockholm (80, 82, 83 & 89). But not on Vaxholmsbolaget's ferries to the archipelago.

*You need to pay an extra fee to take the train to/from Arlanda. And routes that cross the county border often require and additional ticket.

Badger,

Thanks for your response.

So, the 24 hour pass includes commuter ferries? And you buy those separately at a ticket machine?
I assume the new plastic card is for rides with a separate fare each time it is used.
Is that correct?

Thanks,

Tom

So, the 24 hour pass includes commuter ferries?

Yes, and so does the 72 hour pass, and the 7 day pass. At least the four ferry routes I mentioned earlier.

And you buy those separately at a ticket machine?

Either at a ticket machine or through the app or at a store that sells tickets.

I assume the new plastic card is for rides with a separate fare each
time it is used.

The plastic card can be used with 24 hour tickets as well.

Hi Badger - can't find much info on the new green cards in English, but from what I can gather, the old blue Access cards are still valid until end of March 2023. Is this correct? I have one from last year and will be in Stockholm again this summer, so just want to know if I can use the remaining credits etc.

They are valid until March next year, but I'm not sure if that means the end of March or the end of February. Anyway, you can use it this summer. SL recommends that you make sure you have an even multiple of 39 kr on the card and use it for travel. But if you still have money on it you can get it back at an SL centre.

How much do the 24 hr and 72 hr cards cost? Do they begin w your first access?

The prices are on the SL site here:
https://sl.se/en/in-english/fares--tickets/visitor-tickets/travelcards

Some additions:
You can't put money on the new card.
Ticket machines are being removed but still exists. I don't think you can buy any passes from them.
Single tickets are easily bought using most contactless payment cards. Just tap it when entering a bus or boat. At stations, tap it at the gate or at a ticket post if there are no gates.

Badger -Thanks for the info. March 2023 should at least cover my next 2 trips to Stockholm.

Anders - The contactless bank card option isn't that convenient as my bank will charge me a minimum fee per transaction abroad.
If you can't have 'reskassa' credit, but have to buy individual tickets with the green card, I assume it's possible to buy multiple "single journey tickets" at one time? For example, on previous visits, I never really got full value from the 72-hr ticket or was staying longer 4-5 days, so it made more sense to just buy credit and use it as needed and save the rest for next time. And if there are no machines, how do you add tickets to the green card if you don't want to use the SL App? 7/11 or Pressbyrån? This actually seems slightly less convenient to me as a visitor..

Yes, you can add single tickets to your card at agents and at manned metro/train station gates. I can't find anything about a minimum purchase. I agree that you need to travel a lot to get value from the 24h and 72h passes. But consider the 7-day card for longer stays, it has much better value.

It is only some visitors that suffer, most visitors have no minimum fee on their card and also has online card security for the app. Some "neobanks" might be available too, like Revolut.

@Anders - thanks for the info. Yes, I know about Revolut - but only one person in my household has this card, and I guess we can't both use it to tap in at the same time. I don't really want to open another separate account just for use on SL a few times a year :) And yes, the 7 day ticket is much better value and definitely worth considering for longer stays.
The issue for me with using apps abroad is that Switzerland has high prices for using data abroad (since we are not in the EU). Normally only one of us buys a travel data package to use on trips, but again, this means only one of us can use apps abroad and that doesn't work for this purpose. When we are in Malmö, for example, it is possible to get around these issues because of the "Duo" ticket.
I understand that for many travelers, the new green cards won't be a big hassle, but in my case, I prefer an option that doesn't require getting more bank cards or using mobile phone abroad. Call me old-fashioned :)

Thanks to all who have responded. I'm glad I asked the original question.
This is still a little confusing for me. Assuming that your credit card doesn't have an individual transaction fee (in addition to the exchange rate) then the best way to buy individual tickets is with your credit card with a chip ... scan it when you get on the bus/tram ferry? Is that correct? Further, if I wanted to buy a 24 or 72 hour pass, the only way to buy that pass is with a manned gate agent? Is that correct? Thanks so much for your help.

For single tickets, the card must be contactless, a chip is not enough. On the city tram you can buy ticket from a conductor, buying a ticket there is a little bit more expensive. On other rail services you must tap the payment card at a post at the stop/station if there aren't gates.

By agents I meant Pressbyrån convenience stores and others, look out for an SL sticker or flag, I've seen a few new ones recently that are green. They and manned gates have passes, I guess they sell single tickets valid immediately to standard price for the tram too, but I'm not sure.

Okay. Thanks.

I understand that for many travelers, the new green cards won't be a
big hassle, but in my case, I prefer an option that doesn't require
getting more bank cards or using mobile phone abroad.

You can add more trips to your card using the SL app. I've never tried it myself (I still have a blue card), but it is supposed to involve just scanning the QR-code on the card with the app and select the number of tickets you want to buy. That can be done in the hotel using wifi, so no need for large phone bills.

Further, if I wanted to buy a 24 or 72 hour pass, the only way to buy
that pass is with a manned gate agent?

The easiest way is probably to buy them in the SL app.

You can add more trips to your card using the SL app.

Only passes can be added in the app.

The easiest way is probably to buy them in the SL app.

The app probably needs a card with 3-D Secure, but it could be worth trying.

Only passes can be added in the app.

For the moment yes, but later this year you'll be able to add single tickets using the app.