We tried sightseeing by amphibious bus in Stockholm! The amphibious buses have actually been running in Stockholm since autumn 2014, but it was only this weekend that we decided to try them out. And we do not regret this, a super fun experience!
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Sightseeing by amphibious bus in Stockholm
An amphibious bus is a bus that travels on both land and water, and in recent years these have become popular for sightseeing in some cities around Europe. Since autumn 2014, the company Oceanbus runs several times a day in Stockholm, departing from Strömgatan, between the Royal Opera and the Grand Hotel. We booked the tour at 14:00 and prepared for an adventure on the Estelle amphibious bus!
Oceanbus runs amphibious bus in Stockholm
Paul Ekwall and his brother came up with the idea of an amphibious bus in Stockholm when they saw similar buses in other European cities. Stockholm is a city full of water, and they thought an amphibious bus would be a perfect fit here. But the step from idea to realisation was not as easy as they might have hoped.
Scandinavia's only amphibious bus
Sweden is a country full of rules, and it took several years of work, headaches and worry before everything was in place. But shame on them! Now Scandinavia's first, and so far still only, amphibious bus is running regularly, and by next season (2019) there will be another amphibious bus in Stockholm.
Both driver and captain
The bus was originally based on a Volvo chassis that was shipped to the USA, where it was converted into an amphibious bus by an "amphibious bus expert" who has now produced 80 similar amphibious buses. The driver/captain is both a trained bus driver and ship's officer, and there is also a guide on board who tells you about Stockholm.
A tour on land and water
The tour started on land, where we passed Stureplan, Humlegården, Karlaplan and Kaknästornet before it was time to plummet into the water. Our guide was really, really good and told funny and interesting anecdotes about all the places we drove past.
We went past Djurgården, under Djurgårdsbron and past the row of museums: Junibacken, Vasa Museum, Viking Museum, ABBA Museum and Gröna Lund amusement park. We rounded Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen, drove past the Royal Palace on our left and passed under Skeppsholmsbron. Then we drove past the Grand Hotel and Strandvägen where you can see all the nice houses from the sea side.
Amphibian buses
The bus is 12 metres long, 3.5 metres high and weighs 10 tonnes without people. In other words, it's a hefty vehicle... or should we say ship? Paul explained that the tour is popular with Stockholmers and other Swedes, but that people from all over the world also come to ride the amphibious bus in Stockholm.
"Tourists in distress at sea"
In addition to a guided tour of Stockholm, we learnt a bit more about the amphibious bus. Among other things, we learned that the small red tools on the walls, which are normally used to break window panes in buses when you need to get out in an emergency, must be there according to the regulations, even though the bus's windows are plastic covers that are snapped on and off with simple buttons.
We were also told not to google "tourists in distress", as we might then happen to read about one of the early tours that didn't go as planned
Want to try sightseeing by amphibious bus?
If you haven't already done this tour, we highly recommend an amphibious bus tour in Stockholm! This is a really fun way to see many places from Stockholm. You'll be in a good mood and have a little adventure, while learning a lot of new interesting information about Sweden's capital city. The amphibious bus runs all year round, except when the ice is gone, and you can easily book online to make sure you get a seat.
Have you also travelled on an amphibious bus in Stockholm, or perhaps a similar one abroad? Please tell us!
Facts about the amphibious bus in Stockholm
- The start and stop of the tour: The bus departs from Strömgatan 3 in Stockholm, between the Royal Opera and the Grand Hotel. The tour ends at the same place.
- Highlights along the route: Gamla stan, Royal Djurgården, Strandvägen, Royal Palace, Dramaten, Stureplan, Vasa Museum, Diplomatstaden, Gröna Lund and Skeppsholmen.
- Journey time: 75 minutes
- Guided tour on board: Live guidance, about 80 per cent English and about 20 per cent Swedish.
Find the amphibious bus
- Underground railway: The nearest metro station is Kungsträdgården (blue line). From here it takes 5 minutes to walk.
- Go for a walk: The walk from the T-centre takes about 15 minutes.
Guide: Amphibious bus tours and prices in Stockholm
- Prices: The ticket price is 280 SEK per person (2019). Bran under 3 years old travels for free. Please note that prices are subject to change. Check the current prices on the company's website.
- Tickets: To make sure you get a seat, book online on the company's website. You pay on the spot, at the bus. It is possible to pay by card.
- Turer: The amphibious bus runs all year round, except when the ice is gone. You can check the current timetable on the company's website.
- Read more: You can find more information at Oceanbus.se
Kenneth Risberg says:
Fun craft. Will certainly be a ride or yes a sea trip in the future.
07 October 2018 - 8:09
Helena says:
The tour was fun! Recommended! 🙂
07 October 2018 - 12:41
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
What a fun idea in a city like Stockholm with all its water. I've been talking about going to Stockholm with my oldest grandchild, so this would be perfect!
07 October 2018 - 8:57
Helena says:
Perfect thing to do with a grandchild! 🙂
07 October 2018 - 12:42
Anna | Boihusbil. says:
We were about to try it when we were in Sthlm for our last tourist trip, but the weather wasn't so fun that we wanted to be on bumpy water. But a different and fun sightseeing tour, fun!
07 October 2018 - 8:59
Helena says:
Then you have a fun experience left for another time! 🙂
07 October 2018 - 12:42
Emma, sun like sun? says:
What a perfect combination! Stockholm is best seen from the water, but not everything can be seen from there.
Like this kind of innovative ideas!
07 October 2018 - 9:13
Helena says:
Great combination and fun idea! Agreed!
07 October 2018 - 12:43
Ruth in Virginia says:
Like the teeth on the radiator! Like a shark.
Please describe how the bus enters and exits the water.
Have special ramps been built from the street? Trying to
Imagine how it works.
Didn't Gothenburg have something called Paddan?
07 October 2018 - 11:56
Helena says:
Yes, we should have described it better! It simply drives in at the edge of a beach, on Djurgården! The toad in Gothenburg exists, but it is a regular (albeit low to get under bridges) boat.
07 October 2018 - 12:44
Lena in Wales says:
I have seen them in Stockholm and other places in Europe, including Dublin, but never tried them, maybe I should do it sometime.
Wishing you both a great Sunday!
07 October 2018 - 12:21
Helena says:
A fun experience indeed! Wish you a nice Sunday too!
07 October 2018 - 12:45
Ditte says:
I'm glad you tried it now. Of course it was both fun and enjoyable. I did the tour in September and will do it again with the grandchildren now in October.
07 October 2018 - 14:19
Helena says:
Glad you enjoyed the trip too! It's probably perfect with the grandchildren!
07 October 2018 - 17:07
Husis blog says:
This was a really good tip that I will pass on to my owners. They are usually in Stockholm once a year but never talked about this so they have completely missed it. A given luck I suspect as the owners witness Stockholm next time.
07 October 2018 - 14:31
Helena says:
Yes, tell them about this! 🙂 Good luck!
08 October 2018 - 7:08
Ama de casa says:
I have seen these amphibious buses in other places in the world, but never tried them. If we make it to Stockholm sometime in the future, it would be great fun to try. Especially if you get to hear some funny and odd anecdotes along the way (and on the lake) 🙂.
07 October 2018 - 16:04
Helena says:
We really enjoyed the tour! Fun and interesting guidance does not make things worse! 🙂
08 October 2018 - 7:09
Lena says:
Oh, how cool. It will be the next time we come to Stockholm.
07 October 2018 - 18:22
Helena says:
Recommended! 🙂
08 October 2018 - 7:10
diana's dreams says:
Fun idea 🙂 hugs
07 October 2018 - 19:24
Helena says:
Right? 🙂
08 October 2018 - 7:10
Role o Carina says:
It would be fun to try sometime in the future!
Enjoy the city.....
07 October 2018 - 19:50
Helena says:
We think so! Have fun!
08 October 2018 - 7:10
BP says:
Saw the amphibious bus at Ditte's house. Like the "face" and mouth of the bus. Clearly a shark that has just eaten a rather bloody lunch, which can be seen in the teeth. Oh of course I googled the link that should not be googled;-) But it was completely undramatic so I do not let myself be discouraged;-)
07 October 2018 - 20:41
Helena says:
Haha, no, the sea deaths were not so dangerous, although a little drunk perhaps 😉 .
08 October 2018 - 7:11
Liniz Travel says:
I did this with the kids last summer and they loved it.
07 October 2018 - 22:16
Helena says:
Saw it on your blog Lina! Understand that the kids liked it!
08 October 2018 - 7:12
Ann-Louise says:
I have seen amphibious buses in Boston and San Francisco but have never seen this one in Stockholm. Probably have to take a trip with William but I think I'll wait until next summer (if you happen to be a tourist in distress, it seems nicer if it's a little warm outside! 🙂 ).
07 October 2018 - 22:31
Lena - Good for the soul says:
But how delicious! I must try it sometime! Seems like a lot of fun!
Hug Lena
08 October 2018 - 18:15
Thomas says:
We took the tour last summer and like you found it an entertaining tour. We thought it was a very entertaining guide that mixed humour and facts about Stockholm.
08 October 2018 - 21:47