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World Travel Guide > Guides > Europe > Sweden > Gothenburg

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Getting around Gothenburg

Public transport

The public transport network in Gothenburg is excellent and easy to use, if occasionally a little slow. Västtrafik (tel: +46 771 414 300; www.vasttrafik.se) is responsible for running the trams and buses.

You can buy single tickets onboard buses and trams, but you must use your bankcard; cash isn't accepted. You can also buy sms tickets on your mobile phone, but it's cheaper to use a pay-as-you-go smartcard, available online or at sales outlets across the city. Tourists can buy a one-day or three-day visitor card (available as a smartcard).

The Älvsnabben Ferry (www.vasttrafik.se/#!/reseinformation/tidtabeller/285-alvsnabben-goteborg/) runs every hour or half hour between Lilla Bommen, Rosenlund, Lindholmspiren, Slottsberget, Eriksberg and Klippan from early morning until late in the evening.

Taxis

There are many taxi ranks throughout the city, but you can also hail them anywhere on the street. To book one, contact one of the licensed companies such as Taxi Göteborg (tel: +46 31 650 000) or Taxi Kurir (tel: +46 771 86 00 00).

Although they’re cheaper than the often eye-wateringly expensive taxis, minicabs (known locally as ‘svart taxis’) are unlicensed and should be avoided.

Driving

It might be the home of Volvo but driving in Gothenburg isn’t much of a joy. The ring roads are festooned with traffic lights and one-way systems, while the winding streets of the centre aren’t the easiest to navigate.

Parking, however, is easier and the city has plenty of clearly marked parking zones, some of which are free. Gothenburg City Card holders are entitled to free parking across the board but still have to pay the congestion charge that applies to all Swedish registered cars passing through the centre between 0600 and 1830 on weekdays. Evenings and weekends are free.

Car hire

There’s no shortage of car hire companies to choose from but as ever, prices vary so it’s worth shopping around. International names include Avis (tel: +46 31 947 330; www.avis.se), Hertz (tel: +46 31 803 730; www.hertz.se) and Europcar (tel: +46 31 750 1530; www.europcar.se).

Bicycle hire

With more than 60km (37 miles) of bike routes and a road bike network that takes you to within metres of most major attractions, cycling is a great way to get around.

The city pay-as-you-go rental scheme is called Styr & Ställ (tel: +46 31 227 227; en.goteborgbikes.se/) and boasts more than 60 bike stations dotted in and around the centre. Gothenburg City Card holders get unlimited access for three days but opting for pay-as-you-go is also inexpensive.

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Elite Plaza Hotel

A stylish business hotel in a more than 100-year-old building, the Elite Plaza Hotel opened in 2000 and is one of the most luxurious hotels in Gothenburg. There are 121 rooms and six suites, all with satellite TV and broadband internet connection. The hotel has an excellent restaurant, Svea Hof Restaurang & Bar, as well as an English pub, The Bishop's Arms.

Dorsia Hotel

Mixing aristocratic artistry with a contemporary palette of plums, rubies and jades, the Dorsia Hotel is one of the finest establishments in Gothenburg. With mulberry silk duvets and Egyptian cotton linen in the sleeping quarters, plus grandiose sitting rooms that call out for a slow brandy or port, it's a refined inn that few will wish to leave. Free Wi-Fi and lava-android TVs come as standard and the excellent in-house restaurant is more foie gras than fries.

Upper House

The clean and contemporary sleeping chambers at Upper House, with their Nordic sharpness and modern apartment-like space, are found in the top floors of the Gothia Towers. While the attention to detail is first rate, with king-size, cushion-filled beds, complimentary Wi-Fi, choice flat screen TVs and a changing room service selection, it's famed for the large, wall-sized windows that afford incredible views over the city vista. The hotel also has three swimming pools, Turkish baths, spa treatments and a locally-sourced breakfast.

Hotel Bellora

With a choice of 98 chic rooms, the Hotel Bellora is a beautiful lifestyle-hotel that mixes Italian Dolce Vita with a cosmopolitan flair. With an Espresso Bar warmly nestled in reception area that sources speciality beans to complement its indulgent chocolates and Italian pastries, it’s not just the 4-star comfort of the rooms that keeps visitors returning.

Hotell Liseberg Barken Viking

The 4-star Hotell Liseberg Barken Viking is housed in one of the few remaining four-masted barques in the world. The ship was built in 1907 and is moored in the Gothenburg guest harbour next to the Gothenburg Opera. The hotel offers rooms and a restaurant with a unique maritime atmosphere and furnishings. There are several conference rooms on board as well.

Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel

This sophisticated luxury hotel in Gothenburg, opposite the central train station, has 349 elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi access, swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and fitness centre. The hotel also offers excellent conference facilities. The Atrium Bar & Restaurant is located in the hotel lobby.