Ferry from Stockholm to Vaxholm: routes, tickets and travel time
Waxholmsbolaget's boat from Strömkajen takes about an hour and costs SEK 43 with an SL ticket. Strömma's Cinderella II from Strandvägen takes 50 minutes (from SEK 190) and S/S Stockholm 1.5 hours (from SEK 245).
Waxholmsbolaget's boats depart from Strömkajen by the Grand Hôtel, and Strömma's boats from Strandvägen. Travel time: varies between departures – look up your sailing with the operator.
How long does it take to get to Vaxholm?
The travel times the operators and SL themselves give for the journey from central Stockholm.
minutes
50 min
Cinderella II
Approx. 1 hour
Waxholmsbolaget
1.5 hours
S/S Stockholm
Approx. 40 min
Bus 670
- Cinderella II: Strömma's fast boat from Strandvägen, Nacka Strand and Gåshaga.
- Waxholmsbolaget: Waxholmsbolaget states that the boat trip from Strömkajen takes one hour.
- S/S Stockholm: Strömma's classic archipelago steamer from Strandvägen.
- Bus 670: From Tekniska högskolan, according to SL's timetable.
Waxholmsbolaget or Strömma?
| Departs from | SL ticket valid | One way | Booking required | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waxholmsbolaget | Strömkajen | SEK 43 with an SL ticket | – | |
| M/S Cinderella II | Strandvägen, berth 14 | – | From SEK 190 | |
| S/S Stockholm | Strandvägen, berth 16 | – | From SEK 245 |
SL ticket: All types of SL ticket are valid on Waxholmsbolaget's boats between Strömkajen and Vaxholm, all year – both single tickets and travel cards. SL's commuter boat route 83 was handed over to Waxholmsbolaget on 30 April 2025 – the boats still run, now operated by Waxholmsbolaget, and SL tickets are valid.
The price of SEK 43 for a single journey (SEK 26 reduced, free for children under 7 travelling with a paying adult) is given by the Vaxholm Fortress Museum. Strömma's prices apply for 2026; a return trip on S/S Stockholm costs from SEK 395.
Good to know before the boat trip
How often does the ferry run?
In summer, Waxholmsbolaget runs many sailings a day, and several a day the rest of the year. All departures between Stockholm and Vaxholm are listed in Waxholmsbolaget's timetable 2.
Classic ships
In early summer, summer and late summer you can travel to Vaxholm on Waxholmsbolaget's classic ships Storskär, Norrskär and Västan.
Book Strömma in advance
All tickets for Strömma's boats are booked in advance – if a sailing shows as sold out, there are no tickets on board. The Cinderella boats' 2026 season runs from 30 April to 27 September.
S/S Stockholm, autumn 2026
Friday–Sunday at 12:00 from 18 to 27 September, then Saturday–Sunday at 12:00 from 3 October to 27 December. In summer, the 12:00 and 15:00 departures have a live guide on board.
Bus 670 from Tekniska högskolan
According to Destination Vaxholm, bus 670 runs from Tekniska högskolan to Vaxholm several times an hour, and according to SL's timetable it takes about 40 minutes. SL tickets are valid. One option is to take the bus one way and the boat the other.
In central Vaxholm the bus runs roughly every 15 minutes, according to Destination Vaxholm. On the way back, the SL bus leaves from Söderhamnsplan in Vaxholm for Tekniska högskolan.
Driving and parking in Vaxholm
By car you reach Vaxholm via the E18, or via Värmdö and the free car ferries Oxdjupsleden (3 minutes) and Vaxholmsleden (6 minutes). Parking in the town centre is limited.
Vaxholm is an island, and the town centre is only a small part of it – which is why parking there is limited.
Via Värmdö: two free road ferries
The road: From the west via the E18 from Stockholm, or from the east via Värmdö and the road ferry across Rindö. The road ferries often run several times an hour.
The road ferries: The Swedish Transport Administration's Oxdjupsleden crosses the 500 metres between Stenslätten on Värmdö and Rindö in three minutes, and Vaxholmsleden the 970 metres between Rindö and Vaxholm in six minutes. Both are free. Timetables are in the Trafikinfo Färjerederiet app.
Parking: Destination Vaxholm writes that parking in the town centre is limited and recommends parking outside the innermost centre – bus 670 can be used as a shuttle. Temporary parking areas are added in June–August. If you're going to the fortress, the museum recommends parking by Vaxholm Church in summer.
Paying: Vaxholm municipality has a parking map showing where and for how long you can park. You pay at a parking meter or in the EasyPark and Parkster apps, which also show the charge for each area.
Via Rindö: You can park before the last road ferry from Rindö and cross for free without your car.
A day trip to Vaxholm: is half a day enough?
With about an hour on the boat or around 40 minutes on bus 670 each way, Vaxholm works as a half-day trip: Norrhamnen, the old fishing harbour and the lanes of the old town are close to the harbour.
Vaxholm works for both half a day and a full day.
The harbour and Norrhamnen
Half day
Getting there: Boat from Strömkajen or bus 670 – check the travel time for your departure. Once there: Walk to Norrhamnen and the old fishing harbour. Waxholmsbolaget recommends the old part of town with its narrow lanes, shops and places to eat.
The fortress, swimming and further out
Full day
The fortress: Open to the public in summer. Bistro Kastellet & Sjöboden serves food in summer. Swimming: Norrhamnen is Vaxholm's most central swimming spot. Fika: The local history society's café on the point in Norrhamnen. Further out: Waxholmsbolaget's boats to Grinda go via Vaxholm.
What to see in Vaxholm
The Vaxholm Fortress Museum at Kastellet costs SEK 120 for adults and is free for children aged 0–12, and the Kastellet boat runs there every 20 minutes in season (SEK 110 return for adults). The local history society's café is open daily 1 June–13 September, 11:00–17:00 (2026).
According to Destination Vaxholm, Vaxholm isn't one island but 70. Most of what you need for a day trip is close to the harbour.
What's open when? The 2026 season
Vaxholm Fortress Museum
Selected days from 14 May, daily 22 June–23 August 11:00–17:00, then 29–30 August and 5–6 September. Open during the autumn half-term, 24–25 October.
The Kastellet boat
Weekends 14 May–14 June, daily 22 June–23 August, weekends 29 August–6 September. No service 19–21 June.
Badholmen
The Kastellet boat also runs to Badholmen 26 June–16 August.
Local history museum
Friday–Sunday from late May until the end of August.
Local history society café
Daily 1 June–13 September, 11:00–17:00.
Waxholmsbolaget
All year from Strömkajen.
The fortress: Open to the public in summer. In the winter months, only for special events and school-holiday activities. Group visits and guided tours can be booked all year.
Vaxholm Fortress
History
The fortress's history began in the early 16th century with a blockhouse built by Svante Nilsson Sture, and in 1548 Gustav Vasa ordered a new, stronger fortress. It repelled attacks in 1612 and 1719. Today's fortress (Kastellet) was built in 1833–1863.
The museum
The Vaxholm Fortress Museum shows 500 years of archipelago defence history. Themed exhibitions cover spies, animals in war, coastal rangers and sea mines – including Sweden's oldest sea mine, from 1831. The cellar shows the lives of the island's civilian residents around 1900.
Admission
Adults SEK 120, seniors SEK 100, young people aged 13–18 SEK 60, and children aged 0–12 accompanied by a parent or guardian free. Guided tours are included 27 June–16 August at 12:00 and 14:00, about 45 minutes.
Getting there
Vaxholm Fortress says it's easy to get to Kastellet on the Waxholm boat, and that all SL tickets are valid on board. From Vaxholm, the Kastellet boat M/S Djurgården 4 runs every 20 minutes in season: return SEK 110 for adults and SEK 80 for children aged 3–12, single SEK 60 and SEK 45 respectively. Tickets are bought at the quay or on board.
At the fortress
Activities such as Fångarna på Kastellet (the Fortress Prisoners) and Kastellet Escape, and Bistro Kastellet & Sjöboden in summer. There's a simple café in the museum reception. The island of Badholmen also belongs to Kastellet.
Dogs and accessibility
Dogs are welcome at the fortress but have to wait outside the museum; guide dogs are allowed. The museum isn't adapted for disabled visitors, but an accompanying assistant gets in free.
Norrhamnen and fika
The old fishing harbour
Norrhamnen and the local history museum
The old fishing harbour is in Norrhamnen. Around 1900, herring fishing was Vaxholm's most important trade, and in the local history museum (Hembygdsmuseet) in Norrhamnen you can see how a fishing family lived. The museum is open Friday–Sunday from late May until the end of August. Museum hosts are on hand, and written guides are available in several languages.
On the point in Norrhamnen
The local history society café
The local history society's café looks out over Norra Vaxholmsfjärden and serves freshly baked buns, cakes, pastries and gateaux, plus light meals from the menu. In 2026 it's open daily 1 June–13 September, 11:00–17:00. The society also holds an archipelago market (Skärgårdsmarknad) every August.
All year
Restaurants, ice cream and fika in Vaxholm
Destination Vaxholm writes that shops and restaurants in Vaxholm are open all year. Look up current places and opening hours with Destination Vaxholm. The tourist office is in the 1880s town hall at Rådhustorget 1.
Swimming in and around Vaxholm
Town centre
Norrhamnsbadet
Vaxholm's most central swimming spot, overlooking the old fishing harbour and a stone's throw from shops and restaurants.
Rock swimming
Norrbergsbadet
A small rocky swimming spot with a ladder from the jetty, best in the afternoon and evening sun. The water is deep, so it isn't suitable for non-swimmers.
Approx. 15 min walk
Johannesbergsbadet
A small, child-friendly, south-facing sandy beach, about a 15-minute walk from central Vaxholm. There's a small public bathhouse, and the municipality writes that the spot suits even the youngest children.
Batterigatan
Batteriet "Kullarna"
A park with large lawns and a simple swimming spot, according to Vaxholm municipality.
Eriksö
Eriksöbadet
A child-friendly sandy beach with rocks, a jetty and a toilet. Next door is Waxholms Camping with a kiosk, and there's also a running track and Skypark with treetop obstacle courses.
Södra Rindö
Grönviken on Rindö
A simple swimming spot with a small beach, a jetty, a barbecue and a toilet. Rindö is reached by the free car ferry from Vaxön.
Vaxholm with kids – and on to Grinda
Children aged 0–12 get into the Vaxholm Fortress Museum free, and it has free activities for children aged 4–15; on Waxholmsbolaget's boats, pushchairs travel free when you're with a child under 7.
Vaxholm works well with children, and from here you can continue out into the archipelago.
Vaxholm with kids
The fortress
The family activity Fångarna på Kastellet (the Fortress Prisoners), in summer. The museum has free activities for children aged 4–15 during opening hours, and children aged 0–12 get in free.
Swimming
Child-friendly sandy beaches at Eriksöbadet and Johannesbergsbadet.
Local history museum
The fishing family's home in Norrhamnen, Friday–Sunday from late May until the end of August.
Playground
The Lägret park between Kungsgatan and Hamngatan has large lawns, a public playground and a boules court, according to Vaxholm municipality.
Pushchairs
On Waxholmsbolaget's boats, you can bring a pushchair free of charge when travelling with a child under 7. Strömma prefers foldable pushchairs, which are left by the entrance on the main deck.
Dogs on board
Dogs travel free with Waxholmsbolaget and must be on a lead on board. Strömma also takes dogs – sit outside or in the designated area.
From Vaxholm on to Grinda
Board in Vaxholm Waxholmsbolaget's boats to Grinda go from Strömkajen via Vaxholm, so you can board in Vaxholm and carry on out. Remember that the SL ticket is only valid as far as Vaxholm – for the rest of the journey you need a Waxholmsbolaget ticket. More on the Grinda page.
Ferry from Stockholm to Vaxholm: common questions
4 questions
01Can you use an SL ticket to get to Vaxholm?
Yes. All types of SL ticket – both single tickets and travel cards – are valid all year on Waxholmsbolaget's boats between Strömkajen and Vaxholm, and on bus 670 from Tekniska högskolan. They aren't valid on Strömma's boats.
02How long does the ferry from Stockholm to Vaxholm take?
Waxholmsbolaget states one hour from Strömkajen. Strömma's Cinderella II takes 50 minutes and S/S Stockholm 1.5 hours from Strandvägen. The travel time varies between departures, so look up your sailing with the operator.
03How much is the ferry from Stockholm to Vaxholm?
With Waxholmsbolaget a regular SL ticket is enough; the Vaxholm Fortress Museum gives SEK 43 for a single journey. With Strömma, a single journey costs from SEK 190 on Cinderella II and from SEK 245 on S/S Stockholm (2026).
04How often does the ferry from Stockholm to Vaxholm run?
Waxholmsbolaget runs many sailings a day in summer and several a day the rest of the year. Across the strait to the fortress, the Kastellet boat runs every 20 minutes in season.
Sources
Details checked against these sources in September 2026.
The facts on this page are based on these sources. Under each one you can see which details we took from it. Opening times, prices and departures change – always check with the source before you go.
- Vaxholm Fortress Museum: Visitor info · in Swedishopening hours 2026, admission SEK 120/100/60, children 0–12 free, guided tours 27/6–16/8, the Kastellet boat M/S Djurgården 4 every 20 min and prices 2026, Badholmen 26/6–16/8, SL ticket SEK 43 single, parking by Vaxholm Church, dogs, not accessible, café in reception
- Vaxholm Fortress Museum: History · in Swedishblockhouse in the early 16th century, Gustav Vasa 1548, attacks 1612 and 1719, today's Kastellet 1833–1863
- Vaxholm Fortress Museum: home page · in Swedish"All SL tickets are valid on board"; winter only for special events and school-holiday activities; themed exhibitions; children's activities 4–15; Sweden's oldest sea mine from 1831; boat prices SEK 43/26
- Destination Vaxholm: Travel to Vaxholm · in SwedishWaxholmsbolaget from Strömkajen by the Grand Hôtel, Strömma from Strandvägen, bus 670 from Tekniska högskolan several times an hour and roughly every 15 min in the centre; parking outside the town centre; temporary areas June–August
- SL: The SL ticket is valid to Vaxholm from 30 April – all year · in Swedishpress release 2025-04-25; route 83 ran its last SL trips on 29 April 2025; from 30 April Waxholmsbolaget runs it
- SL: Pendelbåtarna · in SwedishSL's four boat routes 80, 82, 84 and 89 – none goes to Vaxholm; all SL tickets are valid on Waxholmsbolaget's boats between Strömkajen, Vaxholm and 42 piers in between
- Waxholmsbolaget: All SL tickets are valid between 44 piers · in SwedishVaxholm and Strömkajen are both on the list
- SL timetable bus 670 Tekniska högskolan–Vaxholm · in Swedishvalid 17 August–12 December 2026
- Destination Vaxholm: Swimming spots · in SwedishNorrhamnsbadet, Norrbergsbadet, Johannesbergsbadet approx. 15 min walk, Eriksöbadet with camping and Skypark, Grönviken on Rindö
- Destination Vaxholm: Kastellet · in Swedishopen to the public in summer; Fångarna på Kastellet, Kastellet Escape; Bistro Kastellet & Sjöboden in summer; Badholmen
- Destination Vaxholm: Vaxholm local history society · in Swedishlocal history museum in Norrhamnen, open Fri–Sun late May–August; museum hosts and written guides in several languages
- Destination Vaxholm: See and do · in Swedishshops and restaurants open all year; 70 islands
- Strömma: Boat trip to VaxholmS/S Stockholm 1.5 h, from SEK 245 single / SEK 395 return, berth 16, timetable 2026; M/S Cinderella II 50 min from SEK 190, berth 14; booking required; pushchairs, dogs, toilet and café on board
- Waxholmsbolaget: Destination Vaxholm · in Swedishthe boat trip from Strömkajen takes one hour; many sailings a day in summer, several a day the rest of the year; Storskär, Norrskär, Västan; timetable 2; the Kastellet pier
- Waxholmsbolaget: What you can bring · in Swedishpushchair free with a child under 7; dogs free and on a lead
- Swedish Transport Administration: Vaxholmsleden · in SwedishVaxholm–Rindö, 970 m, six minutes, free
- Swedish Transport Administration: Oxdjupsleden · in SwedishRindö–Stenslätten on Värmdö, 500 m, three minutes, free
- Vaxholm municipality: Parking · in Swedishparking map, parking meters, EasyPark and Parkster
- Vaxholm municipality: Parks · in SwedishLägret with playground and boules court; Johannesbergsparken with bathhouse; Batteriet "Kullarna" with a simple swimming spot
- Vaxholm municipality: Tourist information · in Swedishtourist office in the 1880s town hall, Rådhustorget 1
- Vaxholm local history society: The café 2026 · in Swedishdaily 1 June–13 September 11:00–17:00; archipelago market in August