Essential advice about public transport in Gothenburg
Buses, trams, trains and boats – Gothenburg boasts a slick public transport network! For me personally, the rumbling city trams are one of the city’s greatest charms. And, although taxis including Uber operate in Gothenburg, most people stick to public transport to get around. And when it’s so reliable and comfortable – why wouldn’t you?
Where can I buy tickets?
Gothenburg’s public transport – from buses to boats – is operated by Västtrafik. There are dedicated Västtrafik ticket offices dotted around the city, including inside and outside central station. As well as buying tickets and topping up travel cards, these are useful places to visit should you have any travel questions.
Tickets can also be bought from a variety of shops around Gothenburg, including 7Eleven and Presbyrån stores.
Is there a weekend travel pass?
If you’re in Gothenburg for a short visit, you should consider buying a 1- or 3-day travel pass. This gives you the ability to use all types of Västtrafik public transport. It’s simple and if you are intending to see as much of the city as you can while you’re here – offers value too.
And if value appeals to you, then there’s even more on offer with a Gothenburg City Card. Not only does this cover a “hop-on-hop off bus” for 1, 2 or 3 days, it also includes admission to many of Gothenburg’s best attractions and excursions.
What if I’m in Gothenburg for longer than a weekend?
If you’ll be in Gothenburg for more than a few days, I suggest buying a travel card. You can top-up with credit to “Pay-as-you-go” or, alternatively, load the card with a “monthly ticket” which starts the first time your card is used.
How long can I travel on a single ticket?
The first time you scan your card on a card reader machine, you can travel for 90 mins within Gothenburg (at no extra cost) on any Västtrafik bus, tram, train or boat. In fact, no Västtrafik tram or boat goes beyond the city zone.
It does costs extra to travel beyond the city’s boundary, something that’s only possible by bus and train. As of 2023 the price of a single ticket is 35 SEK.
Can I pay on board the tram, bus or boat?
Trams offer onboard ticket machines (though not in every carriage). These machines accept payment by card only. You will pay around 25% more per journey, so this can get pretty expensive if you’re using public transport regularly.
On river boats, crossing the Göta Älv in the city, you can pay the staff on board. They will only accept card payments, not cash. Whereas on the boats out to the southern archipelago (from either Saltholmen or Stenpiren) you can pay by either cash or card to the staff on board.
As for the buses, there is no way to pay on board. So make sure you have your ticket sorted before you get on!
Can I pay the driver?
Although drivers will often do their best to answer any questions, they will never accept payment for a journey. It’s a rule that keeps the public transport in Gothenburg running on time.
Are there any travel apps I can use?
Västtrafik’s “To Go” app makes the purchase of single and monthly tickets extremely easy. You can also plan your journey and see when the next tram is coming.
TIP: Enjoy an island cruise
The 90 mins travel rule allows you to travel from the city centre to the coast and still have time to cover your boat ride to an island. The islands themselves are great but it’s actually worth going for the boat ride alone! Sit on the top deck for an hour or two and enjoy the views as you cruise around the Gothenburg archipelago. All for less than the cost of a coffee!
Developing sustainable mobility
Now you can explore Gothenburg!
Now you are all set for travelling around this beautiful city it is time to check out some of the best views of Gothenburg (which are all accessible by public transport).
This Is Gothenburg [2023]
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