What is the best way to get around Gothenburg?
Just like New York, Gothenburg is a walkable city. Many attractions are within walking distance of each other. If you don't want to walk, there are buses, trams, electric scooters, taxis and bicycles. You can also take your own car. Feel free to park outside the center and get in via the bus. Of course, there are parking spaces in the middle of town, but the price is a bit high per hour.
Cycling around Gothenburg is also a wonderful experience. If you don't have your own bike, you can always borrow one via "Styr och Ställ". You can find them in several different places around Gothenburg.
As always when walking, bring a good pair of walking shoes. If you have forgotten them, there are always shops to shop in.... Most of the inner city is within walking distance. Get yourself a good map and then it's just off you go!
Good walking-friendly areas to see a bit of the city include: The Avenue, where you are close to, among other things, Poseidon and the Art Museum. If you make it to Majorna to see part of the old "quarters", you are close to Skansen Kronan, Linneplatsen and a little further away you have the green area Slottsskogen.
Here you will find a good map of Gothenburg »
Since 1879, Gothenburg has had tram traffic. From the very beginning they were actually drawn by horse, it wasn't until the beginning of the 20th century that the trams got electricity.
The City of Gothenburg owns and operates Gothenburg's trams. There are a lot of lines to choose from, the 3rd, the 5th, the 9th, etc. At each stop you will find a map of the city and where the lines go. Study it and if you are not sure just ask the conductor where to go or get off.
Just be careful when crossing the streets, because the trams whiz by at a good speed!
Every summer you can also see old trams going around the city. They are dusted off and polished every year, the oldest carriage is from 1902.
Tickets
You can easily buy the ticket in Västrafiks "To Go" App.
We can mention 2 large parking areas very central in Gothenburg: the parking garage Heden with its 700 spaces and the parking garage "Nordstans Parking Area."
If you are prepared to walk a little, you can park a little outside the central parts of Gothenburg. The prices are much cheaper than in the center of town.
Rent a car and get around Gothenburg and beyond. On a summer day, it's nice to go out to the sea or maybe a trip up to Marstrand.
f you are staying in the city centre, it can be useful to know where all the parking spaces are. Download "The App: Parkering Göteborg". You can pay in the app and end your parking whenever you want.You get a completely different freedom with a car!
You can find a taxi almost everywhere in the city. Reconcile the price or go for a taxi meter. Always choose a real taxi with a sign and identification inside the car. There are a lot of so-called "Black taxis" in Gothenburg. It means a person who drives their own car without a taxi license. Usually they come up to you and ask if you want to ride the "Black Taxi". Never take these "taxis"".
Good places to find a taxi are: outside Centralstationen and on a cross street in the middle of Avenyn, Vasagatan.
Some fun facts: In 1930, the first taxi rolled out of the Volvo factory. The first model came already in 1929 when the PV 651 was shown..
There are boats to the southern archipelago that depart from Saltholmen and Stenpiren and to the northern archipelago the boat departs from Lilla Varholmen on Hisingen.
If you want to get from Stenpiren to Lindholmen, you can take the passenger ferry for free Älvsnabbaren. If you go with "Älvsnabben", you go from Lilla Bommen to Klippan via Stenpiren, Lindholmspiren, Slottsberget and Eriksberg. On that ferry you pay the same ticket as for the bus and tram.
By bus you also get around the city quickly.
the same applies here as for the tram. At each stop you will find a map of the lines and where they go. If you are unsure, just ask the conductor for directions.
Ticket: You can buy several different passes/days on your ticket i Västtrafik "To Go App".
If you want to take a more environmentally friendly option, rent a bike. There are several bikes parked in Gothenburg that you can rent. "Styr och Ställ"!
You rent them by downloading the "Nextbike App" and there are bikes at over 130 stations.
If you want to get there a little faster than on a bicycle, rent an electric scooter.
In Gothenburg, there are several different companies that rent out kick bikes, Ayo, Lime, Tier and Bolt. Download the App and you're up and running !