Stockholm travel safety advice
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Risks in Stockholm
Crime/violence: Low
Drunk people on weekend nights, bouncers in clubs, pickpockets, street gambling
Authorities/corruption: Low
Security guards and nightclub bouncers might be rude and/or violent
Transportation: Low
Occasional delays in rail traffic
Health: Low
Infectious tick bites in the archipelago
Nature: Low
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Stockholm is a safe city by international standards and there is no need to avoid certain areas or forms of transport. Like everywhere else, low crime rates do not mean no crime and therefore you should keep your wits about you. As in most cities, you might want to avoid late-night walks through the darkest and most desolate back streets and tunnels, as well as close encounters with rowdy groups of drunk people. The T-Centralen subway entrance to Sergels Torg (plattan) is a well-known hangout for drug-dealers, but there is no need for the passer-by to feel threatened.
As in most countries, being overly intoxicated is not accepted in most bars and clubs and could lead to the security staff forcibly ejecting the intoxicated person in question.
Most crimes against tourists are crimes of opportunity, such as pick-pocketing, bicycle theft, auto theft, and auto vandalism. As always, do not leave valuable items in your car or in a cloakroom, and watch your bag in crowded places. Most shops and all major taxi companies accept credit and debit cards, so there is no need to carry a lot of cash.
Try to use one of the more well-established cab companies to avoid getting ripped off. Going by taxi in Stockholm is an extremely safe way to travel, but the fares differ between cab companies. Among recommended companies are Taxi Stockholm, Taxi Kurir and Taxi 020. Watch out for taxi signs designed to look like these three.
During summer, a few street gamblers try to swindle their audience on Drottninggatan and in other crowded areas. They use a variety of tricks one of them being planting a few of their own in the crowd. Don't play, you will lose. But these gambles are very unusual, you will have to look hard to find one.
Homeless people can occasionally be seen begging downtown, though in much lesser extent than other parts of the world. A responsible way to adress their situation is to buy their magazine, Situation Stockholm, for 40 SEK. People handing out laminated begging cards in or on the subway might belong to organized gangs, and should be ignored. Buying food or water for someone begging is also a good way of helping without risking that your money goes in the wrong hands. The wellfair system in sweden is highly developed and B/c of the govermental programs the number of swedish citisens that are homeless are few compared to other countries.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Stockholm
