Stockholm

<map lat='59.325' lng='18.07' zoom='11' view='0' country='Sweden' float='right'/> Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, as well as the largest city, situated along the south-central east coast of the country. The city itself spreads out quite far into several districts and suburbs, with a large and complex public transportation system. There is also an active harbour located within the city-center (near the old city, Gamla Stan, and the Slussen T-bana (subway)) from which cruise ships enter and leave to other major cities in the region. It was once thought possible to hitchhike the large commercial carrier trucks entering these cruise ships but many drivers will tell you that it is illegal and will advise you to buy a passenger ticket instead. Unlike some other ferries in Europe where tickets are purchased per car, passengers on these ferries are required to pay individually.

Hitching Out

North

Take a commuter train (Pendeltåg) to Märsta. Then get out of the station through the little swing door that you see on your left side when walking towards the station house. Turn left and walk South along the railroad until there is a bridge which crosses rails on your left side. You can start hitchhiking on the other side of the bridge. Most drivers who will pick you up will most likely go to Arlanda airport. In this case, get out of their car at the roundabout by the E4. (You can also walk this roundabout while hitching, it's 1-2 km.) Walk up to the Uppsala entrance and stand right behind the pedestrian crossing. According to some folks, this is a truly magical spot where waiting times hardly ever exceed 10 minutes. Do not accept a ride shorter than to Uppsala.

In July 2008 guaka found it not such a great spot, almost no traffic and it took an hour or so to get a ride. Liftarkungen have several times started hitchhiking from Märsta, but is hitchhiking from the stoplights before the bridge in order to get a ride to the roundabout mentioned earlier, which surely is a great hitchhikingspot, especially during daylight.

South/West

Take the T-bana (metro) towards Norsborg and get out at Hallunda (last but one), then walk down the Tre Kallors väg and you will find a good spot with a petrol station. A lot of cars are going South all the way to Denmark.

Loads of trucks leaving from Västberga industrial area, where many trucking companies are located. DHL has a huge terminal there. Trucks leave from 15.00 and on, all evening, to destinations such as Gothenburg, Malmö, Helsingborg but also northbound and westbound. Also south to continental Europe. "Transportledet" is a big operator for DHL. Take metro to "Midsommarkransen" or "Telefonplan" and get south of the motorway E4 and you will find Västberga.

Many trucks also depart (afternoons and evenings) from the slaughterhouse district ("Slakthusområdet") which is close to the "Globen" or "Ericsson Globe"). South of metro-station "Gullmarsplan".

In Bromma, just south of the Airport of Bromma, there is the "GP-LAST" trucking company. They have 15-25 trucks departing for Malmö in the very south of Sweden daily, and are reputed to be friendly.

Further out in Spånga, there is a huge SCHENKER terminal, with many trucks going daily to all major cities in Sweden.

You can also take the free of charge Ikea bus to Kungens Kurva. You find the bus schedule from the Ikea website. The web page is only in Swedish, but it says the busses go once an hour, first 10am and the last 7pm. The bus leaves from Regeringsgatan 13, from City. When the bus gets to Ikea Kungens Kurva, there's a petrol station on the other side of the highway. Walk behind Ikea and you find a pedestrian tunnel going across the highway. The petrol station is a pretty good spot to hitchhike. We noticed a little problem there, though. The highway splits up in Södertälje to E4 southward and E20 westward, 30km from Kungens Kurva. Depending on which way you want to go, it's a good idea to catch a ride straight to the direction where you need to. It's impossible and dangerous to hitchhike where the two highways split, people drive so fast.

Useful Things

Free lockers can be found at the modern museum. The University provides you with rather cheap coffee, maybe also with free lockers, and at least at the Kungliga tekniska högskolan you can get free Internet access. Ask for the library, and at the desk ask for a guest account. You can also find Internet access at the city libraries and at the other Universities.

trash:Stockholm