Hello all!

I hope you’re getting ready for your arrival in Sweden soon… In this blog, I will provide information on the different modes of transportation available to reach Linköping from other major cities or airports in Sweden. I will discuss options such as trains, buses, or flights, and share my personal experience of using them (not all though).

Air Travel

Linköping has its own airport, Linköping City Airport (LPI) however, its only connection is to Amsterdam. It may make it a convenient option for some of you so don’t hesitate to check that out. However, if your arrival airport is Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), Gothenburg Landvetter Airport (GOT) or Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO), you can easily connect to Linköping by train or bus from there which I am discussing below. I, personally, used only airports located in Stockholm and well… they’re like an airport. If you’re wondering whether you’ll get a train or bus that leaves shortly after you land at Arlanda better take the next one. Arlanda is enormous so finding the right place may take some time if you’re there for the first time. Even if you know what you’re searching for you may be at a different terminal and then it’s at least several minutes walk. Skavsta is much smaller so it’s much easier to find your way around. If your luggage is ready on the belt, it will take only 5 minutes to reach the Flygbussarna bus stop as it’s just outside the entrance (keep in mind that FlixBus has a stop in a different place which is further away!).

Train

One of the most popular and comfortable ways to reach Linköping is by train. Sweden has an extensive train network, and Linköping is well-connected to major cities such as Stockholm and Gothenburg. If you arrive at Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) taking a train to Linköping is a popular choice.  Firstly, you need to take a fast train (Arlanda Express) to Stockholm Central Station or a bus (see below) and from there you can get a direct train to Linköping. Trains depart regularly from Stockholm Central Station to Linköping, with a journey time of approximately 2 hours. To my knowledge, there are no direct trains from Gothenburg but there are from Malmö or Copenhagen. The most popular is the SJ or Mälartåg website for train schedules, ticket prices, and booking options.

Having travelled by train in various countries across Europe, I found the Swedish trains to be… good enough. Surely, Swedish trains prioritize passenger comfort, making the journey a pleasant experience. The seating is spacious, offering ample legroom and comfortable seats for both short and long trips and you have nice views along the way (like in the photo below where I travelled from Stockholm). Many trains provide charging outlets. Additionally, onboard amenities such as clean restrooms (they really are) and Wi-Fi services contribute to a comfortable and convenient travel experience. However, their reliability is sometimes questionable. Several times, I had a train delayed up to 6 hours due to an unknown reason and once because of that, I missed my flight. In my personal experience, trains are a fast and convenient option but perhaps not the most reliable. Also, they are slightly expensive if I compare them to my home country or busses. But don’t hesitate to book a train because of the drawbacks I wrote about. Keep in mind that I don’t commute daily and most of the time trains adhere to the schedule.

Bus

Another affordable and convenient option is travelling by bus. Several bus companies operate routes to and from Linköping, providing a flexible and cost-effective transportation choice. FlixBus and Vy buss/bus4you/Nettbuss (whichever name you choose) are two well-known bus operators in Sweden that offer connections to Linköping (even from Denmark and Germany). There is one more operator strictly between airports and certain cities – Flygbussarna. Travel from Gothenburg Landvetter Airport (GOT) takes around 4 hours and from Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) between 3-4 hours. So, definitely check their websites for schedules, ticket prices, and departure points. If you’re travelling from Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) I would recommend you use a bus rather than a train.

What do I think about Swedish buses? One of the standout features of the Swedish bus system is its efficient scheduling. Buses in Sweden adhere to timetables, ensuring that you can rely on them for punctual departures and arrivals. Whether you’re commuting within a city or travelling between different regions, the reliable schedules of Swedish buses make it easy to plan your day and reach your destination on time. Swedish buses somewhat prioritize passenger comfort. The seating arrangements are comfortable according to me. Additionally, many buses are equipped with modern amenities such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi and charging outlets ensuring a comfortable and connected travel environment. Lastly, perhaps not so important as you may be exhausted of travelling at that point but travelling by bus provides an excellent opportunity to witness the country’s scenic beauty especially, on the Gothenburg-Linköping route. I travelled quite a few times on that route and the view of the Vättern lake is spectacular (although the picture maybe will not show its beauty enough 😉 ).

Now, I presented you with some options and in the end I would like to give you the last website where you can check for all transportation types at once. It is called Omnio and it’s an immensely convenient website if you’re unsure about the best option. Just keep in mind that sometimes maybe it doesn’t show all the possibilities.

In the city

Once you arrive in Linköping, you probably want to reach your accommodation or LiU. There are several options for that.

  1. If you arrive during so-called arrival days (check LiU website) then, you can use a special bus that operates only on those few days. It’s free of charge and it picks you up directly from the central station.
  2. You can use public transportation – buses. If you want to reach campus Valla, you should check for buses number 4, 12, 540, or 555. You can check departures here. Remember that if the bus isn’t a “green line” you can’t buy a ticket onboard but you can do it in the ticket machine at the station.
  3. You can take a taxi although it may be a bit expensive.
  4. Also, during arrival days, LiU offers free transportation from the university to your accommodation (doesn’t have to be the one given by the university). You just need to ask for it at the Welcome Desk.

Whether you prefer the comfort of trains, the affordability of buses, or the convenience of air travel, you can easily reach Linköping with multiple travel options. Plan your trip in advance, check schedules and prices, and get ready to explore all that Sweden, Linköping and LiU have to offer. Safe travels!

 

/Alexandra, Experimental and Medical Biosciences

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