Getting Around Sweden: Transport Guide

By Air:

Domestic flights link most major cities in Sweden to each other- with most services being operated on a daily basis. Flights are especially convenient if you’re short on time, but may not be worth it if you have enough time to travel by bus or rail, both of which are excellent.

By Road:

Sweden has very good motorways, and hiring a car or driving your own, can be the perfect way to see the countryside at your own pace. The high-speed motorways are off-limits to cyclists, but if you do want to pedal around the country, which is actually one of the best ways to move around, there are special bicycle route that can be used. If you’re not too keen on driving on your own, there are good bus networks, which spread out all over the country.

By Train:

Although not as wide a network as the Swedish bus service, the train system is good enough to at least reach the larger cities and towns. It’s also the fastest way to travel, if you’re not headed for somewhere off the beaten track.

By Waterways:

All along the coast of Sweden, regular ferry services operate, particularly between major ports such as Stockholm and Gothenburg; in addition, there are boats on large lakes, including Vättern, Siljan and Torneträsk (in Lapland). Besides being pleasant cruises in themselves, all are a convenient way of moving around. Note that most services shut down during the winter, when the waters freeze.

Travel information, including timetables, can be obtained at bus stations, train stations and ports; or you can get a copy of the Rikstidtabellen, a comprehensive listing of all schedules for train, bus and ferry routes.