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You can recognize the entrance of a station by a T. The letter comes
from tunnelbana – the Swedish word for subway (or underground or metro ...
well, you understand).
The Stockholm subway is 108 kilometers long, of which 62 are in fact
underground. There are about 100 stations.
It’s a lot, considering the relatively small size of the Swedish capital.
You won’t find many cities in Europe with such an extensive public transport
network.
The tunnelbana network has three major lines.
The green line is the oldest. It opened in 1950 between the city’s
most famous traffic junction Slussen and Hökarängen, a suburb in the south.
Nowadays the green line actually consists of three independent lines that
share a part of the route.
The red line was built between 1964 and 1975. In reality there are
two lines that share parts of the red line.
The blue line is the youngest: construction started in 1975. All
stations but one are underground and were built in rock at a depth of 20 to
30 meters. The blue line consists of two lines that both end up (or start)
at Kungsträdgården.
All lines come together at the (incredibly busy) main station T-centralen
which has several entrances. T-centralen connects the subway with the
central railway station.
Chances are T-centralen is the first subway station you see if you arrive
in Stockholm by train.
Stations are guarded by cameras and metro trains are usually comfortable,
clean and safe.
Only late at night an occasional drunk may mess up things. Don’t worry
too much about that.
From 1998 the modern Vagn 2000 has replaced most of the older trains.
Apart from the tunnelbana, there’s a wide range of local railways that
connect the suburbs with the city. Most of these are owned by the local SL
company.
Just like the bus, the tunnelbana works with a coupon system.
The city is divided into five zones. If you travel within one zone, you
need two coupons. If you travel in two zones, you need three etc.
Coupons can be bought at tunnelbana stations.
For tourists it´s far more efficient to buy a Stockholm Card. You can
use it on all lines (including bus and train) run by SL during a set number
of days.
A cheaper version, but with less discounts, is the SL Tourist Card, sold
at SL offices.
English travelers will feel at home in the Stockholm subway: the
tunnelbana is operated on the left, a reminder of the days that Swedish cars
drove on the left too.
An Underground Tourist Attraction
Your legs are tired? It rains outside? Seeking a truly unique tourist
attraction? Ride the blue line of the Stockholm subway!
The longest art exhibition in the world: that’s how the Stockholm subway
calls itself. And yes, especially the blue line is quite spectacular.
You will find paintings, sculptures, mosaics, installations and
engravings at every station of the blue line. Around 140 artists helped to
create a special atmosphere that makes the Stockholm subway stand out from
the rest.
The fact that the stations at the blue line were built in rock adds to
the experience.
Ride the blue line, visit every station and please your eyes.
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