The islands in the northern archipelago
The northern archipelago consists of ten inhabited islands: Björkö, Fotö, Grötö, Hälsö, Hyppeln, Hönö, Kalvsund, Källö-Knippla, Rörö and Öckerö. From the ferry terminal at Lilla Varholmen, free car ferries operate to Hönö and Björkö.
Getting to Lilla Varholmen ferry terminal
Buses
Bus X6 from Central Station runs to Lilla Varholmen.
Bus 290 from Järntorget takes you all the way and includes the ferry crossing to Hönö and onwards to Öckerö and Hälsö.
Car
Follow road 155 from Gothenburg towards Hisingen and Öckerö to the ferry terminal at Lilla Varholmen.
Bike
If you want to cycle on the islands, there are good cycle paths all the way from central Gothenburg to Lilla Varholmen. You can then take your bike on the free car ferry.
Getting around the islands
Lilla Varholmen – Hönö ferry terminal
The ferry crossing takes about 12 minutes. From Hönö, you can continue to Fotö, Öckerö and Hälsö, which are connected by bridges. To travel further out, ferries depart from Hälsö, Burö ferry terminal, to the islands of Rörö, Hyppeln and Källö-Knippla. It is possible to take a car on these ferries, but as the islands are small and parking is limited, it is recommended to leave your car at the ferry terminal.
Lilla Varholmen – Björkö, Grönevik ferry terminal
The ferry crossing takes about 6 minutes. From Björkö, a passenger ferry departs from Framnäs ferry terminal, a short walk away, to the car-free islands of Kalvsund and Grötö.
Plan your trip with Västtrafik’s Travel Planner.
Summer ferry from Stenpiren, seasonal service
During the summer, the vessel M/S Kungsö operates a route from Stenpiren in central Gothenburg directly to Hönö Klåva. This is an alternative way to reach the northern archipelago straight from the city. Read more and book a ticket to Kungsö on Styrsöbolaget’s website.
Buses in the archipelago
Bus 1 runs from Hönö ferry terminal to Öckerö and Hälsö.
Bus 2 runs from Hönö ferry terminal to Fotö.
Bus 294 operates on Björkö.
Plan your trip with Västtrafik’s Travel Planner.
The islands in the southern archipelago
The southern islands are car-free and are easily reached year-round with Styrsöbolaget’s ferries. You can travel either from Saltholmen or directly from Stenpiren in central Gothenburg.
Styrsöbolaget’s ferries are part of the regular public transport system, meaning the same ticket is valid for ferries, buses and trams. In the Västtrafik app or Västtrafik’s Travel Planner you will find up-to-date timetables and tickets. For visitors, day tickets can be a convenient option.
Please note that bikes are allowed only if there is enough room on board.
Travel directly from Stenpiren in the city
Ferries from Stenpiren travel to the southern archipelago all year round. Lines 281 and 282 operate the route Stenpiren–Styrsö–Donsö–Vrångö, with a total journey time of approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes.
This is a convenient alternative to travelling by tram or bus to Saltholmen. Please note that departures from Stenpiren are limited: two departures per day Monday to Friday, and also Saturdays and Sundays during the summer.
Getting to Saltholmen ferry terminal
Tram and Bus
Tram 11, and line 9 during the summer, journey time approximately 35 minutes.
Bus 114, Ö-snabben, journey time approximately 25 minutes.
Use Västtrafik’s Travel Planner to plan your trip.
Bike
You can bring a bike on the ferries subject to available space. It is also possible to cycle all the way from central Gothenburg to Saltholmen. During the summer, from 1 June, Styr & Ställ bike-share bicycles are available at Saltholmen. Styr & Ställ has bike-share stations at more than 130 locations across the city.
Rental bikes
Discover Gothenburg on two wheels with Styr & Ställ, a simple and flexible bike rental system that makes it easy to get around the city.
Car
All islands in the southern archipelago are car-free, so travelling by public transport or bike to Saltholmen is the easiest option.
If you choose to drive, parking is available at Talattagatan and Vikebacken in Långedrag, and during the summer at Hinsholmskilen. At Saltholmen, parking is only available for people with reduced mobility. From Långedrag and Hinsholmen, you can take the tram for the final stretch to Saltholmen. The same ticket is valid for the entire journey.
For current parking availability, use the Parkering Göteborg app or the real-time signs on site. The app is available for iPhone and Android. More information is available at Parkeringgoteborg.se.
Download the app Parkering Goteborg for Iphone or Android.
Excursion destination
Getting around the islands
From Saltholmen ferry terminal, ferries continue out into the southern archipelago on the following lines:
281, Saltholmen–Köpstadsö–Styrsö Bratten–Donsö–Vrångö
282, Saltholmen–Köpstadsö–Styrsö Bratten–Styrsö Tången–Brännö Husvik
283, Saltholmen–Asperö–Brännö Rödsten
284, Saltholmen–Knarrholmen–Stora Förö
Ferries usually depart once an hour to the larger islands of Asperö, Brännö, Köpstadsö, Styrsö, Donsö and Vrångö. During peak season, services run more frequently, with additional summer routes to Knarrholmen and Stora Förö.
Coffee on board
When travelling on lines 281, 282 and 283 with the vessels Silvertärnan, Vesta or Ylva, you can enjoy refreshments on board. Timetables show which departures offer onboard service.
The cafés serve hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, buns, cakes, ice cream and sweets. They are open seven days a week from early morning until afternoon or evening. Payment is by bank card or Swish.
bigger islands (Asperö, Brännö, Köpstadsö, Styrsö, Donsö and Vrångö). During peak season the boats departure a bit more often and there are also boats to the smaller islands Knarrholmen and Stora Fotö.
Vinga in the outer archipelago
In Gothenburg’s outer archipelago you’ll find the island Vinga with its wellknown lighthouse and scenic nature. The island is well worth a daytrip but is not part of the regular public transport system. Instead you can get here with for example Hönö Tourist & Fishing, Kastor Boat Trips or Marine Events, all of which depart from Hönö in the northern archipelago, or with Strömma, whose summer tours to Vinga depart from Lilla Bommen in the city centre.
During the summer of 2024, you can get to Vinga with the boat M/S Kungsö from the ferry stop at Stenpiren. Read more on Styrsöbolaget’s website.
Guided boat tours
Join Captain Bosse on guided boat tours through the northern Gothenburg archipelago. From seal and lobster safaris to island taxi rides and sea adventures!
Guided boat tours
Set off on a boat adventure with Kastor Boat Trips aboard the traditional fishing boats Kastor and Pollux. All year round from the harbour in Hönö Klåva, in the northern part of the Gothenburg archipelago.
Guided boat tours
Discover the sea around Gothenburg in an active and adventurous way with Marine Events. Join guided fishing trips, seafood and seal safaris, or diving excursions in the beautiful northern archipelago.
Bus, canal and boat tours
Discover Gothenburg by water, land and archipelago with Strömma’s wide range of cruises and sightseeing tours. From the iconic Paddan boats to guided bus tours and dinner cruises in the archipelago.
Travel by public transport boat to the archipelago and across the river Göta Älv
Travel by ferry across the Göta River all year round, or head out to Gothenburg’s southern archipelago with departures straight from the city.
Visit the public transport company Västtrafik’s website
Read more about how to plan your trip out to the islands here. You can buy your ticket from a Västtrafik retailer or via Västtrafik’s ToGo app. The app allows you to pay for tickets using VISA or Mastercard. You can also look up departures times.