Page 202 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Stockholm

200  SUR VIV AL GUIDE
GETTING AROUND

STOCKHOLM

Stockholm is a perfect city for pedestrians. trains, trams and local trains is efficient and
Distances be tween sights are usually short, covers the entire city and surround ing region.
and around every corner there is something Apart from the area of Gamla Stan, and
inter esting to explore. The capital extends during rush hours, driving in Stockholm is
across a large number of islands, offering rel atively easy, and indoor parking facilities
eye-catching vistas and waterfront scenes. are adequate. However, the best way of
Public trans port on buses, underground exploring the city centre is on foot.
Green Travel (see p131) is also recommended,
In recent years, Stockholm not least for its magnificent
has focussed on encouraging views of the city.
travellers and inhabitants alike Guided walks are organized
to move about the city in the regularly, often with a special
most environmentally friendly theme, such as architec ture,
way possible. For tourists, day history or parks. Sometimes
tickets on public transport are they are available in different
significantly cheaper than paid lang uages, especially during the
parking, and visitors arriving or summer months. Most walks
travelling across the city by bus, take place in Gamla Stan, but
Tunnelbana or train are not there are a number of other
subject to the city’s congestion routes. Ask at the Stock holm
tolls. Every major site in the city Visitor Centre for details.
is easily accessible by public
transport, and switching from Driving in Stockholm
one form of transport to
another is very straightforward. Pedestrianized square in Gamla Stan, the Driving around Stockholm is
A good alternative to public city’s Old Town straightforward, except during
transport during the summer rush hours (7:30–9:30am, noon–
months is the Stockholm City – otherwise you may wait a 1pm and 3:30–6pm). It is also best
Bikes system (see p205), through long time before the light to avoid driving in Gamla Stan,
which visitors can borrow a changes to green. due to narrow one-way streets.
bike and tour the city on their The city’s clear street signs However, cars are not necessary
own. The cheapest method make it simple to find your way in the city centre given the short
of getting around, around. There are distances between sights and the
however, is walking sidewalks everywhere, excel lent public transport system.
and doing so is easy as well as plenty of Fines for speeding are high,
because of Stockholm’s pedest rian streets and and you can lose your driving
compact city centre. park areas. licence even if the limit is only
Many roads are Gamla Stan is slightly exceeded. Vehicle head-
pedestrian friendly a popular area for lights must always be on, and
and, in most cases, it is exploring on foot, drivers and passengers are
easy to walk from one Pedestrian and there is always required to wear seatbelts.
attraction to the next. crossing sign something to see Sweden’s drink-drive laws are
around Kungsträd gården. zero-tolerance: the maximum
A stroll along the quayside permitted blood alcohol level is
Stockholm on Foot
opposite the Grand Hôtel and 0.2 mg per ml. Motorists must
While walking is the best the National museum can be give way to pedestrians at
way to see the sights in central followed by a walk around crossings without traffic lights.
Stockholm, there are Skeppsholmen. Another
regulations to be aware of. delightful area is Djurgården, Reading Street Signs
Pedestrians are not allowed to with a host of attractions set Street name
cross a road at a red light, and in a park environment a short
motorists must stop and give dis tance from the city centre.
way to pedestrians at zebra Those who like to walk along
crossings without traffic lights the waterfront can follow the
(always look carefully). Don’t quaysides from Stads huset
forget to press the pedestrian along Norr Mälarstrand or the Street number
crossing button at intersections Riddarfjärden bay. Fjällgatan Block range in block

200-201_EW_Stockholm.indd 200 19/09/17 12:02 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.8)
Date 15th May 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm