Vehicles

1. bil

   Car

   Usage

   The general word. "Jag åker bil" — I'm going by car

2. buss

   City bus

   Usage

   The city bus. A stop is a "busshållplats". Most Swedish cities no longer take cash on board — you need the app or a card

3. långfärdsbuss

   Long-distance coach

   Usage

   The intercity coach, also called a "fjärrbuss". Cheaper than the train and a realistic way north

4. tåg

   Train

   Usage

   Trains in general. A platform is a "spår", and the boards show it as "Spår 5"

5. pendeltåg

   Commuter train

   Usage

   The suburban rail network in Stockholm and Gothenburg. In Stockholm the same SL ticket covers it and the metro, and the line runs out as far as Uppsala. Stops are further apart than on the metro

6. tunnelbana

   Metro / Underground

   Usage

   Stockholm only. Look for the white "T" on blue, and the short form "T-bana". The stations are blasted out of bedrock and painted, which is why it is called the world's longest art gallery. Same form as in the Basic Nouns category

7. spårvagn

   Tram

   Usage

   Gothenburg's backbone and the largest tram network in the Nordics, plus a system in Norrköping. Stockholm keeps a few lines, including the number 7 out to Djurgården

8. SL

   SL (Stockholm public transport)

   Usage

   The operator behind Stockholm's metro, buses, commuter trains and some boats — one ticket covers all of them. The app and every station sign say SL, so those two letters are what you look for

   Grammar Note

   Short for Storstockholms Lokaltrafik, and read as the two letters

9. SJ

   SJ (Swedish national railways)

   Usage

   The intercity operator — book in the SJ app or on its site, with seat reservations on long routes. Some northern night trains are run by other companies, so check whose name is on the ticket

   Grammar Note

   Short for Statens Järnvägar, the state railways

10. Arlanda Express

    Arlanda Express (airport train)

    Usage

    The dedicated 20-minute link between Arlanda and Stockholm Central. Fast but expensive, and SL tickets are not valid. The cheap alternatives are the Flygbussarna coach or an SL commuter-train connection

11. taxi

    Taxi

    Usage

    Swedish taxi fares are deregulated and vary wildly by company. Always read the "jämförpris" sticker on the window before getting in — the spread at the airport is enormous

12. motorcykel

    Motorcycle

    Usage

    Abbreviated "MC". A spring-to-autumn vehicle only — Swedish winter roads make riding impossible

13. moped

    Moped

    Usage

    Legal from 15 and the way rural teenagers get around, alongside the "EPA-traktor" — a speed-limited converted car that is its own countryside subculture

14. cykel

    Bicycle

    Usage

    Sweden has proper "cykelbana" cycle tracks — ride on the pavement and you will be told off, so use them. A rental bike is a "hyrcykel"

15. elsparkcykel

    E-scooter

    Usage

    App-rented and everywhere in the cities. Riding on the pavement is banned and parking is restricted to marked bays, with fines for getting it wrong — read the signs

16. flygplan

    Aeroplane

    Usage

    An airport is a "flygplats". Sweden is where the word "flygskam" — flight shame — was coined, and many people take the train instead

17. båt

    Boat

    Usage

    Boats generally; a large ship is a "fartyg". "Jag åker båt" — I'm going by boat

18. färja

    Ferry

    Usage

    The big ships to Gotland, Finland and Estonia. Inland and along the coast there are also state-run "vägfärja" road ferries that carry your car across for free

19. skärgårdsbåt

    Archipelago boat

    Usage

    The boats that link the Stockholm archipelago islands, mostly run by Waxholmsbolaget from Strömkajen in the city. SL tickets are not valid — you need their own. Frequent in summer, sparse in winter

20. ambulans

    Ambulance

    Usage

    The emergency number is 112 for ambulance, police and fire alike. Use it with "Ring ambulansen!" from the Health & Hospital category

21. hyrbil

    Rental car

    Usage

    Winter tyres are a legal requirement from December to March and rental cars come fitted with them. Driving north, watch for the early sunset and for moose

22. lastbil

    Lorry / Truck

    Usage

    On northern forest roads you meet enormous "timmerbil" timber trucks — slow down and pull over when one comes past

23. husbil

    Motorhome

    Usage

    A towed caravan is a different word, "husvagn". Note that Sweden's right of public access does not extend to sleeping in a vehicle, so use a designated "ställplats"

24. snöskoter

    Snowmobile

    Usage

    The winter workhorse of the north and a common tour activity. You need a "förarbevis" licence and must stay on the marked "skoterled" trails

25. skidlift

    Ski lift

    Usage

    For the slopes at Åre or Sälen. A lift pass is a "liftkort", and a cable car is a "linbana"

26. hundspann

    Dog sled

    Usage

    A Lapland winter activity — "jag vill åka hundspann" means I'd like to go dog sledding. Some tours run at night and are combined with aurora watching

Browse all TravelPhrases languages