Getting around in Stockholm

Publicerad: 05 Jan 2024
Reading time: ca

Public transportation

Stockholm has an extended public transport system and you can find more information about it on the SL web page.

In order to use the public transport system in Stockholm you need an Access card (Sw. ‘SL-kort’) which can be bought at any Pressbyrån or 7Eleven, located by the subway stations. We recommend that you pay for the unlimited travels option, since it is the most economic option if you are planning on using public transportation on a regular basis. Student discounts are not available for incoming students since you need a Swedish student ID with the SL logo on it. If you buy a single ticket, make sure that you bring it with you during the whole trip, since there might be controls in the exits.

Exchange students from Tanzania and Japan will be provided with an SL Access card upon arrival.

Other options of public transport in Stockholm include commuter trains (Sw. ‘pendeltåg’), local trains (for example ‘Tvärbanan’, ‘Roslagsbanan’, ‘Nockebybanan’), a tram (from Sergels Torg/T-Centralen to Djurgården, via Kungsträdgården, the National Museum, the Vasa Museum and Skansen), and ferries (Slussen to Skeppsholmen and Djurgården).

Money

The currency used in Sweden is Swedish krona. However, it is much more common to use cards than cash, and recently many stores and shops have decided to be 'cash free', only accepting cards. All services, such as taxis, can also be paid with card. 

Cell phone and Internet access

You might like to get a pre-paid SIM-card to get unlimited calls and internet access. Some of the cheapest networks are Comviq and Hallon, which offer many different options with unlimited calls and text messages, and fair amounts of wireless internet data. Students from Tanzania and Japan receive a complementary SIM-card upon arrival.

In order to access the Internet via the university college's network, you need a username and password, which you will receive on your first day.  

Medical care

Medical care in Sweden is handled mainly through local primary-care centres (vårdcentral) or clinics (husläkarmottagning) that offer treatment of non-urgent medical problems. From here you may also be referred to a specialist if necessary. Local emergency units (närakut) are available for urgent, but non life-threatening medical treatment. For sudden, serious illnesses and injuries, you should turn to an emergency clinic (akutmottagning) at a hospital (sjukhus).

Remember the number 112! This is the free public service emergency telephone number in Sweden, as well as in the whole of EU. It is available free of cost from cell phones and landline.

For more information, please visit The Stockholm Health Care Guide.

The Student Health Centre

As a student at SRCUC you are also welcome to visit the Student Health Centre (Studenthälsan). The aim of the Student Health Centre is to promote physical and mental health of our students. It doesn't replace the primary healthcare clinic where conventional healthcare is provided, but acts as a complement to it. The health centre is located at Berzelius väg 1, 5th floor on the Karolinska Institute campus Solna and Blickagången 7, 5th floor on Karolinska Institute campus Huddinge. For contact and more information, see www.ki.se/studenthalsan.

Language

The official language in Sweden is Swedish and this is also the language within higher education. However, an increasing number of programs and courses at universities and university colleges are held in English, the Swedish Red Cross University being no exception. Currently we only accept international students through exchange programs such as Erasmus+, Linnaeus-Palme or other bilateral agreements.

The general knowledge of English in Sweden is good, and you should not face too many language problems when you conduct your clinical education in Stockholm. However, you will meet people who do not speak or understand English.

If you would like to study some Swedish before your arrival or during your stay, here is more information:

A few useful words and phrases in Swedish

Hello

Hej

Good bye

Hej då

How are you?

Hur mår du?

Good/bad

Bra/dåligt

To study

Plugga

School

Skola

Excuse Me

Ursäkta

I’m Sorry

Förlåt

ATM

Bankomat

Restroom

Toalett

Subway

Tunnelbana

Bus

Buss

Money

Pengar

Thank you

Tack

You’re welcome

Varsågod

Help

Hjälp

Useful Websites

Visitors guide

Visit Stockholm

Phone directory

Tickets for events

LGBTQ

  • Stockholm LGBT
  • RFSL (The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights)

Religious meeting places

If you are looking for particular information which does not appear here, please let us know.