Gothenburg Landvetter Airport (GOT) is Sweden's second-busiest airport, located about 25 km east of Gothenburg city centre. There is no train or tram link — the reliable and frequent Flygbussarna airport express bus is the standard way in, taking around 30 minutes to reach the city. Taxis and rideshare complete the options, and a hire car is worth considering if you plan to explore western Sweden.
Flygbussarna: the airport express bus
The Flygbussarna (Airport Coaches) is Sweden's national airport bus network, and the Landvetter service is one of its busiest routes. Buses depart from directly outside the arrivals hall and run into central Gothenburg, making stops at Korsvägen (for the Liseberg amusement park area and Ullevi stadium), Centralstationen (Gothenburg's main railway station), and Nils Ericson Terminalen (the main long-distance bus terminal, adjacent to the train station).
Journey time from the airport to Korsvägen is approximately 25–30 minutes; to Centralstationen around 30–35 minutes. Buses run every 10–15 minutes at peak times and roughly every 20–30 minutes in the early morning and late evening, with the first departures before 04:00 to catch the earliest flights. The last bus back from the city centre connects with the final departures of the day.
Tickets can be bought in advance online via the Flygbussarna website or app, which is slightly cheaper than buying on board. You can also pay on the bus by card. Advance purchase is particularly useful during busy summer and holiday periods when buses fill up on popular routes. The price is a flat fare per journey regardless of stop, making this good value compared to a taxi for solo or couple travellers.
Tip: Book your Flygbussarna return ticket at the same time as your outbound journey for a small discount. The app stores your ticket as a QR code, so no printing is needed.
Local bus: the budget alternative
Västtrafik, Gothenburg's regional transport authority, operates regular bus route 513 between Landvetter Airport and Gothenburg city (Brunnsparken). This is a standard local bus rather than an express, and journey times are longer — typically 45–60 minutes or more depending on traffic and the route taken through suburban stops. Fares are significantly cheaper than Flygbussarna and use the standard Västtrafik zone-based ticket system.
The 513 is worth considering if cost is your primary concern and you are not in a hurry, or if you need a stop that the Flygbussarna route does not serve. Otherwise, the express bus is almost always the better choice for the airport journey.
Taxi
Taxis are available at the arrivals exit. The drive to Gothenburg city centre takes approximately 25–35 minutes in normal traffic, rising to longer during peak commuter hours on the E20 motorway towards the city. Swedish taxis are reliable and metered, though fares can be high — Sweden's taxi market was deregulated, and prices between companies can vary considerably. Always use a licensed taxi from the official rank or book via a known company (Taxi Göteborg, Uber, Bolt) rather than accepting offers inside the terminal.
For a group of three or four, a taxi becomes much more competitive with Flygbussarna, particularly at night when express buses run less frequently.
Rideshare: Uber and Bolt
Both Uber and Bolt operate in Gothenburg. Pick-up is from a designated zone near the terminal; check the app for the exact location, as it may not be the same as the taxi rank. Pre-trip fare estimates help you compare with other options. At busy times, surge pricing can make rideshare more expensive than a regular metered taxi — compare before confirming your booking.
Rental car
Car hire desks are in the terminal building. The E20 motorway gives a direct link into central Gothenburg, and from Gothenburg the E6 runs north along the coast to Oslo and south towards Malmö. A hire car is excellent for exploring Bohuslän's granite archipelago coast, the forests of Dalsland or the lake district around Gothenburg. Gothenburg itself is compact and walkable, with good trams; a car in the city centre can be more trouble than it is worth.
Gothenburg city airport (Säve): a different airport
Note that Gothenburg has a second, much smaller airport — Göteborg City Airport (GSE) at Säve, north of the city. This serves a small number of charter and some domestic flights. Transport from Säve is less well served than from Landvetter; if your flight uses Säve, check transport options carefully as they differ significantly from those described here. Most international scheduled flights use Landvetter (GOT).
Travelling onward from Gothenburg
Gothenburg Centralstationen is the hub for westcoast rail services. SJ high-speed trains connect to Stockholm in approximately 3 hours; regional trains run south to Malmö and north to Oslo. For the Oslo to Bergen journey, Gothenburg is also a practical starting point — travel by train to Oslo first, then continue on the famous Bergensbanen. Connections across Sweden and into Denmark (via the Öresund Bridge) are comfortable from the central station.
Getting back to the airport
Board Flygbussarna from Nils Ericson Terminalen or Centralstationen. Allow 35–40 minutes for the journey, plus airport arrival time. Landvetter Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before departure for international flights and 90 minutes for domestic; security queues can build rapidly on busy travel days, particularly summer Fridays and Sunday evenings.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a train from Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to the city centre?
No. Landvetter Airport does not have a rail connection. The Flygbussarna airport express bus is the main public transport link, taking around 30–35 minutes to Centralstationen.
How often does Flygbussarna run from Gothenburg Airport?
Every 10–15 minutes at peak times, and every 20–30 minutes in early morning and late evening. The timetable is tied to flight schedules, so very early and very late services are also available.
Can I use a local bus instead of Flygbussarna from Landvetter?
Yes. Västtrafik route 513 connects the airport to Brunnsparken in central Gothenburg at a much lower fare, but takes 45–60 minutes compared to around 30 on the express. Standard Västtrafik tickets apply.
How long does a taxi take from Gothenburg Airport to the city?
Around 25–35 minutes in normal traffic on the E20 motorway. Swedish taxi fares vary by company; always use the official rank or a known app-based service.
Sources and further reading:
- Express bus timetables and booking: Flygbussarna.
- Local bus information: Västtrafik.
- Airport transport overview: Swedavia (Gothenburg Landvetter Airport, GOT).