Getting Around, Gothenburg Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Gothenburg, Vastergotland, Vastra Gotaland County, Sweden)

The well-maintained public transport network in Gothenburg is run by Västtrafik and provides visitors with a good choice of different travel options. This system comprises both buses and electric trams, together with a number of scenic boat trips along the River Göta Alv.

Ferries also operate in Gothenburg and regularly transport passengers outside of the city, providing travel to a number of destinations near to the harbour, such as both Klippan and Lilla Bommen, and around the archipelago. For many, taxi transport in Gothenburg is hard to beat and this is especially handy for short trips between sights, and the best drivers may even take you on a short, personal sightseeing tour if you ask.

Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport (GOT) / Arriving by Air

Address: Luftfartsverket (SCAA), S-438 80 Landvetter, Gothenburg, Sweden
Tel: +46 31 941 000
A major international airport handling in excess of five million passengers each and every year, Landvetter Airport can be found to the east of Gothenburg, and is approximately 20 km / 12.5 miles away. This is currently the second-biggest airport is the whole of Sweden and features two terminals, with many regular chart flights provided by airlines such as Alpresor, Apollo and Fritidsresor. Most passengers wishing to travel into Gothenburg will find that the Flybussarna and Västtrafik services are amongst the most convenient and cheapest transport options, with regular buses running around four times an hour, along Highway 40.

A considerable smaller, secondary air facility known as Gothenburg City Airport (GSE) or the Säve Flygplats, is to be found around 14 km / 9 miles to the north-west. In recent years, this has become a major hub for the low-cost airlines of both Ryanair and Wizz Air.

Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport (GOT)

Car Rental

A large proportion of visitors arriving at Landvetter Airport rent a car, just for the sheer freedom that it provides during their time in Gothenburg. Car rental is also available around the city centre and often at some of the largest petrol stations. Parking in the city is rarely free and prices are usually charged on an hourly or daily basic, being dependent upon the actual zone in which you are parked. Rental cars really come into their own if you choose to venture outside of the city itself and explore the many attractions within the Västra Gotaland County, such as the coastal resorts of Marstrand and Strömstad, or the city of Malmo.

Book your Gothenburg GOT Car Rental here.

Book your Gothenburg GSE Car Rental here.

Trains

The city's Centralstationen is actually the most historic of all Sweden's many railway stations and is now registered as an important listed building. Regional and SJ trains regularly travel into the Centralstationen, connecting destinations such as Copenhagen (four hours), Malmo (three and a quarter hours), and also Oslo (four hours). Intercity train transport is also available, running to Stockholm (five hours) at regular two hourly intervals, although if you are in a hurry, the X2000 trains are considerably faster and travel between Gothenburg and Stockholm in the speedy time of around three hours.

Buses, Coaches and Trams

The Nils Ericson Terminale bus station is located in close proximity to the city's train station. Tickets are available here from the Tidpunkten office, which is always open daily and happy to help you with your travel requirements, whether local or regional (Bohuslän or Västra Gotaland). The main bus transport companies operating in Gothenburg include Eurolines, Säfflebussen, Swebus Express and Svenska Buss, which travel as far as Halmstad (just under two hours), Helsingborg (three hours), Malmo (three hours), Oslo (just under four hours), and Stockholm (around six hours). Trams are also available in Gothenburg, for inner-city travel and sightseeing.

Taxis

Many reputable taxis firms provide a convenient way to travel around central Gothenburg, along with a large number of illegal taxis. Therefore, always stick to official cabs, operated by local Swedish companies such as Minitaxi or Taxi Göteburg, and if in any doubt, do not travel alone.