SWEDEN | Travel | Transport

Sweden is situated between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea and is the fifth largest country in Europe. Half of the land surface is covered with forest and less than 10% is farmland, most of which is situated in the southern regions. The distance from north to south is 1.600 km, thus incorporating a fairly wide spectrum of climatic zones. The long coastline, stretching over 7.300 km, with its thousands of islands also contributes to the character of the country. The three largest cities in Sweden are Stockholm, the capital, Göteborg, the port city on the west coast, and Malmö in the south.

Travelling within Sweden

Public transportation such as buses, trains and airlines are available all over Sweden. Sweden has a highly efficient rail network covering the whole country. Passengers travel easily and comfortably on some of Europe's most modern trains. The national rail company SJ has services all over Sweden. Consult their website for more information on trains or Swebus Express (now Flixbus) for traveling by bus. It is not expensive to travel by bus in Sweden. There is an excellent network of express services between the larger towns and cities in south and central Sweden and between Stockholm and the coastal towns in the north. Local and regional public transport is well developed in Sweden. Getting around is no problem since most Swedish people speak English and are usually very helpful.

Driving

Sweden has a well-developed road network, including several highways which traverse the country. The speed limits vary between 30 and 110 km/h and they are always well marked. Traffic is usually light. In Sweden we drive on the right-hand side of the road. To be allowed to drive a car in Sweden you must be at least 18 years of age and hold a valid driver's licence. For driver's licences from EU countries, the same rules apply as for Swedish licences. For citizens from other countries, special rules apply regarding how long the licence is valid in Sweden. Please note that if your licence is issued in other languages than English, German or French, you must bring a certified translation. When driving in Sweden, be aware that Sweden has very strict rules regarding driving and alcohol, among the strictest in Europe. Never drive under the influence of alcohol.

Discounts

Students or people under 26 years get 30% discount for tickets on buses and trains. Always have your identity card and student card with you!