Public transport
In Gothenburg, trams, buses and boats are always included, regardless of which ticket or public transport card you travel with. All tickets and travelling cards can be purchased at any of the public transport operator Västtrafik’s sales outlets, or in the app To Go. The outlets are recognised by their blue flags and façade décor. Most of them are kiosks like Pressbyrån and 7-Eleven, or grocery stores.
Single ticket
A single ticket for an adult is available from 36 SEK, and can be purchased in the app Västtrafik To Go. Please note that you need to have bought your ticket before the journey begins.
If you do want to buy your ticket on board the following applies:
- You can buy a ticket with your payment card in zone A: Gothenburg, Mölndal, Partille and Öckerö. Tap your card to the onboard card readers to purchase your ticket. Read more about tap payment at vasttrafik.se.
- On the public transport boats in the southern archipelago (from the stop Saltholmen), you can pay on board by card.
- On the public transport river boats you can pay the deckhand. However, only by card, not cash.
More information about single tickets at vasttrafik.se.
24-hour ticket
Västtrafik offers 1- and 3-day tickets that are suitable for visitors that are travelling a lot in a short time. The day ticket costs from SEK 115 (2024) and is purchased in the To-Go app. Read more about different day tickets at vasttrafik.se.
Summer ticket
If you want to stay a little longer in Gothenburg and want to explore the surrounding region, Västtrafik’s summer ticket may be suitable. With it, you can get around on summer excursions in the entire Västra Götaland region and Kungsbacka municipality for 30 days. As an adult, can bring up to three people under the age of 20 for free
Read more about the summer ticket at vasttrafik.se.
Boats and ferries
There are three routes that takes you across and along the river Göta älv.
- The ferry line 285 takes you along the river, from Lilla Bommen to Klippan, via Stenpiren, Lindholmspiren, Slottsberget and Eriksberg. The ferry is included in your regular bus and tram ticket. Timetable line 285.
- The ferry line 286 takes you across the river between Stenpiren and Lindholmspiren. It’s free, so you don’t need a ticket. Timetable line 286.
- From May 6, 2024, the new ferry line 287 runs between the stops Stenpiren and the new ferry stop Lundbystrand at Hisingen. Timetable line 287.
Boats to the southern car-free archipelago islands depart from Saltholmen, while the car ferry to the northern islands depart from Lilla Varholmen in north-west Gothenburg. ou’re allowed to bring a bike on all boats and ferries.
Bicycle
If you want to discover Gothenburg with of a bicycle, we have collected some of Gothenburg’s bicycle rental companies in this guide. With the bike rental system Styr & Ställ, you can rent bicycles in Gothenburg and Mölndal. To rent, you need to register in the Nextbike app.
Car and parking
Traffic information
For up-to-date information about events, road work etcetera that might affect traffic in Gothenburg, see Trafiken.nu (in Swedish). You can also download the traffic app for Android and iPhone.
Electric vehicle charging
Electric cars are popular in Gothenburg and there are plenty of stations to charge them. The easiest way to find charging spots is in the Parkering Göteborg app (available for iPhone and Android). In the app, parking lots with electric charging are marked with a green outlet icon on the needle in the map. You charge by selecting “I want to charge” in the app, where you pay for both parking and charging your car.
In addition to Parkering Göteborg’s chargers, several other actors have set up public charging stations. On the Chargefinder charging map service, you can see all registered public charging points in Gothenburg. Hotels that offer charging facilities for their guests inform about this on their website.
Car rental
If you need to rent a car while in Gothenburg there are several car rental companies to choose from. We’ve listed four located in the city centre below.
- Sixt, Nils Ericsonplatsen 4
- Europcar, Nils Ericsonplatsen 14
- Hertz, Spannmålsgatan 19
- Avis, Södra Vägen 23
- Auto Europe
- Mabi
Parking
In Gothenburg, all parking meters at street parkings are labelled with the word TAXA, followed by number 1-7, 22 or the letter A. For more information, please visit Göteborg Stads webpage.
You’ll find several parking garages and other paid parking spots in and around Gothenburg.
No matter if you park your car in a garage, street parking or any other paid parking spot you can always pay using your debit or credit card, some parking meters also accept 10, 5 and 1 SEK coins but not all.
In 2019, a 16 parking spots reserved for mobile homes and caravans opened on Medicinaregatan. It’s not a camping site, but rather a space for parking the vehicles while visiting the city. Read more here (swedish website).
A map over parking garages and other paid parking spots are available (in Swedish).
Congestion charge
In Gothenburg there is a system of congestion taxes. The tax applies to vehicles registered in Sweden and outside Sweden.
The congestion charge applies when driving in/out and through Gothenburg on Monday-Friday between 06:00 and 18:29.
In other words you don’t have to pay on Saturdays, weekends, the day before holiday or during July, which is an exemption and also free of charge.
The car-owner is automatically invoiced.
Read more about congestion charge in Gothenburg at transportstyrelsen.se.
Electric scooters and bikes
There are several different electric scooter services to rent from in Gothenburg, as well as services to rent electric bikes. When you have found a scooter, you unlock it by scanning the bike’s QR code and can then start it. There are throttle and brake controls on the handlebars.
Keep in mind that:
– stick to bicycle lanes (it is not permitted to ride an electric scooter on a pavement or footpath),
– only one person travels at a time (it is not permitted to transport someone on an electric scooter),
– use a helmet (a requirement if you are under 15),
– if the electric scooter goes faster than 20 km/h, it is no longer classified as a bicycle and may then only be driven within a fenced area.
Taxi
If you want to get around Gothenburg in a taxi, there are several options available to you. Either call and book your taxi, hail one on the street or grab one from one of the designated taxi stops around the city. Approved taxis always carry yellow number plates. We’ve provided links to a few taxi operators below.
Important: Taxi prices in Sweden are not regulated. That means that prices can vary greatly between operators. It’s your responsibility to check the prices beforehand. You can do so by checking the yellow and white label on the backdoor window of the taxi car. The unit price is usually between 290 kr and 390 kr.
The price indicated on the label is based on a 10 km, 15 minute taxi ride.
Read more: Taxi Kurir, Taxi Göteborg, Minitaxi.
Luggage storage
At the central station, and in the shopping centre Nordstan next to the station, you will find luggage lockers. Check their websites for updated opening hours and prices.
Apps and services
Västtrafik To Go
Västtrafik To Go makes it easier than ever to buy tickets right on you smartphone. You can buy both peroid and single tickets, as well as plan ypur trip. For more information regarding available payment methods, see vasttrafik.se.
The app is free and available for Android and iPhone.
Parkering Göteborg (Parking in Gothenburg)
The app Parkering Göteborg can be used at the visitor parking lots that are marked with Göteborgs Stads (the city of Gothenburg’s) parking company. With Parkering Göteborg you can pay for your parking via your phone, find parking and start and end your parking in the app.