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Why Landvetter Airport Matters for Gothenburg Travel
Göteborg Landvetter Airport is the main international gateway to Sweden’s west coast and the country’s second-busiest airport after Stockholm Arlanda. It sits well outside the city itself, which makes the transfer into central Gothenburg a genuinely necessary part of planning rather than an afterthought.
Unlike Stockholm, where multiple fast rail options compete for a traveller’s attention, Landvetter’s transfer choices are simpler: a dedicated Flygbussarna coach service does most of the work, alongside taxis, private transfers and car hire, with limited public bus alternatives for anyone travelling light on a budget.
That simplicity is, in some ways, an advantage: there’s less second-guessing over which ticket or route to choose compared with a larger hub, and the coach service is reliable enough that most visitors default to it without much research.
This guide covers every practical way to get from Landvetter Airport into Gothenburg and beyond, with prices, journey times and booking notes throughout, quoted in Swedish krona (SEK) alongside approximate GBP, EUR and USD conversions.
Quick Transfer Comparison Table
| Method | Journey Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Flygbussarna Coach | Around 25-40 minutes | From 129 SEK |
| Taxi (fixed fare) | Around 25-30 minutes | 435-500 SEK (1-4 people) |
| Private Transfer | Around 25-30 minutes | From roughly 500 SEK |
| Car Hire | Around 25-30 minutes | Varies by provider |
| Västtrafik Local Bus | Longer, with a change | Standard Zone fare |
For most travellers without heavy luggage or a tight budget, Flygbussarna is the simplest and most cost-effective option into central Gothenburg.
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Check dealsWhere Is Landvetter Airport?
Landvetter Airport sits around 25 kilometres southeast of central Gothenburg, near the small town of Landvetter itself, in an area that’s considerably more rural than the airport surroundings of most European capitals.
The airport has a single, fairly compact terminal building, which makes navigating between arrivals, the bus stands and the car hire desks straightforward even for a first-time visitor unfamiliar with the layout.
Because there’s no rail line running directly to the airport, unlike Stockholm’s Arlanda or Copenhagen’s CPH, road transport handles the entire transfer, whether by coach, taxi, private car or self-drive hire.
That distance and lack of rail access is worth factoring into arrival planning, particularly for early morning or late-night flights when service frequency drops.
Flygbussarna Airport Coach Explained
Flygbussarna runs the main dedicated airport coach service between Landvetter and central Gothenburg. The brand is operated by Vy, Norway’s state rail and coach operator, and it’s the only dedicated airport coach on this route, so there’s no second competing coach company to weigh up, only the separate Västtrafik public bus covered further down this guide.
The full route runs Landvetter Airport → Kungsportsplatsen → Korsvägen → Nils Ericson Bus Station, with Korsvägen a major tram and bus hub near Liseberg and the museum district, and Nils Ericson Bus Station sitting right beside Gothenburg Central Station. Kungsportsplatsen, at the foot of Avenyn, is worth knowing about specifically for anyone staying near the old town or the canals, since it’s often a shorter walk than continuing all the way to the final stop.
Coaches depart roughly every 30 minutes through the day, with the journey taking around 25-40 minutes under normal traffic depending on how many of the three stops come before yours (Flygbussarna’s own timetable quotes roughly 40 minutes end to end into the city), and a single ticket costs from about 129 SEK (£9/€11/$12) when booked online or through the app, with occasional promotional fares dropping closer to 99 SEK (£7/€9/$9) outside peak season.
Usefully, a Flygbussarna ticket also covers 90 minutes of onward public transport from the start of the journey, which can make a real difference if a hotel isn’t within easy walking distance of either stop.
Payment is card-only, either through the driver, the Vy Flygbussarna app (free on iOS and Android) or a kiosk at the airport, and free WiFi is available onboard for the short ride into the city. Tickets can also be bought in advance at flygbussarna.se, which is worth doing to skip the airport kiosk queue during a busy arrival.
Coaches run from early morning to late evening to match the airport’s flight schedule, but the very last departures of the night, typically around 3am, leave from a different city-centre stop, Åkareplatsen, rather than the main Nils Ericson terminal, so it’s worth double-checking the departure point printed on a late-night ticket rather than assuming it matches the daytime route.
Västtrafik Public Bus Alternatives
Landvetter has no direct rail connection, but a regional Västtrafik bus, route 612, connects the airport to Landvetter Resecentrum (Landvetter travel centre, the town’s bus hub) in around 14 minutes, running roughly every 15 minutes during peak periods and less frequently outside them. It runs a normal weekday and weekend daytime timetable rather than a genuine 24-hour service, so it’s worth checking the current Västtrafik timetable for the exact first and last departure before relying on it early or late in the day.
Tickets can be bought through the Västtrafik To Go app, at a ticket machine, or in some cases directly from the driver, and unlike Flygbussarna’s card-only policy, route 612 generally accepts both card and cash onboard. A single fare is charged at the standard regional zone rate rather than a flat airport-specific price.
From Landvetter Resecentrum, connecting buses run onward into the wider Västtrafik network, though this route involves at least one change and takes considerably longer than the direct Flygbussarna coach into the city centre.
This option mainly suits travellers who already hold a Västtrafik travel card covering the wider Gothenburg region, or those heading somewhere other than the city centre itself, such as Mölnlycke or the eastern suburbs.
For a straightforward first trip into central Gothenburg, most visitors will still find Flygbussarna considerably simpler than working out a multi-leg Västtrafik journey.
Getting to Gothenburg Central Station
The most direct way to reach the station is simply to stay on the Flygbussarna coach covered above all the way to its final stop, Nils Ericson Bus Station, which sits right outside Central Station’s own entrance, close enough that no further transfer or short taxi hop is needed. That’s a single ticket from around 129 SEK (£9/€11/$12), a journey of roughly 25 minutes, with coaches running about every 30 minutes through the day.
A fixed-fare taxi is the other straightforward option, since Central Station is one of the two standard fixed-price destinations (alongside Avenyn) that Landvetter’s taxi firms quote for, typically 435-500 SEK (£32-37/€38-44/$41-48) for up to four passengers, and the driver can be asked to drop directly outside the station forecourt rather than at the bus station next door. There’s no train, metro or dedicated airport rail link covering this route, so every option into the station, coach, taxi, private transfer or hire car, runs by road.
Gothenburg Central Station is the natural first stop for most arriving travellers, since it sits directly beside Nils Ericson Bus Station, the final Flygbussarna stop, and connects onward to the city’s tram network.
From the station, trams and buses radiate out across the city, making it the sensible transfer point for anyone staying outside the immediate old town or Avenyn area.
The station also connects to national rail services toward Stockholm, Malmö and onward into Denmark, so travellers continuing further into Scandinavia by train will pass through here regardless of how they arrived from the airport.
A short walk from the station leads directly into the canal district and Nordstan shopping centre, making it a genuinely central arrival point rather than one requiring a further transfer.
Taxis and Fixed-Fare Airport Transfers
Taxis queue outside the arrivals hall at Landvetter, and reputable local firms offer a fixed fare (“fastpris”) to the city centre rather than running the meter, which is worth specifically requesting to avoid an inflated bill.
A fixed-fare journey to Gothenburg Central Station or Avenyn typically costs from around 435-500 SEK (£32-37/€38-44/$41-48) for up to four passengers depending on the operator, regardless of traffic conditions on the day. The airport’s own operator, Swedavia, caps the maximum legal fare within its marked taxi zone at 725 SEK for 1-4 passengers and 1,045 SEK for 5-8 passengers, a useful ceiling to know if a driver ever quotes higher.
Several named firms work the Landvetter rank rather than one single official operator: Minitaxi, running since 1993 with its own booking app on iOS and Android and a phone line on 031-140 140, publishes fixed prices for over 170 areas around Gothenburg; Taxi Kurir, one of the region’s best-known taxi brands, also serves the airport with its own app; and smaller firms such as Passataxi advertise their own fixed Landvetter rate. Swedavia itself doesn’t run taxis directly, so always confirm the fixed price and operator name before getting in, rather than assuming every car at the rank charges the same.
Taxis in Gothenburg, as across Sweden, are not cheap by European standards, so confirming a fixed price before setting off is genuinely worth the extra minute it takes, particularly for anyone unfamiliar with the route.
Journey time runs to around 25-30 minutes in normal traffic, making a taxi only modestly faster than Flygbussarna but considerably more expensive, so it mainly suits groups splitting the fare or late-night arrivals.
Private Transfers and Hotel Pickups
Private transfer companies offer pre-booked cars with a driver waiting in arrivals, holding a name board, which removes any uncertainty around taxi queues or fixed-fare negotiations on arrival.
Prices typically start from around 500 SEK (£37/€43/$47) for a standard car into the city centre, rising for larger vehicles or groups, and most operators allow free cancellation up to a set number of hours before arrival.
This option suits travellers arriving late at night, with young children, or carrying awkward luggage such as ski or golf equipment, where the certainty of a pre-arranged pickup outweighs the modest extra cost over a coach ticket.
Booking at least a day or two in advance is sensible, particularly around peak summer travel or major events in the city, when demand for private transfers rises noticeably.
Compare Airport Transfer Companies
Pre-booking your airport transfer can save time and reduce stress when you arrive. Whether you need a private taxi, shared shuttle or executive transfer, comparing providers can help you find the best price and service for your journey.
We’ve selected three trusted airport transfer companies so you can compare prices, vehicle options, cancellation policies and customer reviews before you travel.
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Check transfersCar Hire and Driving in Sweden
Major car hire providers, including Hertz, Avis, Sixt and Europcar, all operate desks inside the Landvetter terminal, making picking up a car straightforward without a separate shuttle to an off-site rental centre.
The drive into central Gothenburg takes around 25-30 minutes via Route 40 and the E6, and Sweden’s roads are generally well-maintained, with clear signage even for visitors unfamiliar with local driving conventions.
Parking in central Gothenburg is metered and can be genuinely expensive, so a hire car makes more sense for exploring the wider region, including the archipelago’s northern islands or day trips further along the coast, than for the city centre itself.
Winter driving requires a degree of care, with winter tyres mandatory by law during the colder months, and hire firms generally fit these automatically for bookings made through the winter season.
Plan Your Gothenburg Car Hire
If a road trip or several day trips are part of your visit to Gothenburg, arranging car hire before arrival can make planning much simpler.
Use Discover Cars and EconomyBookings to compare available vehicles, suppliers and booking conditions for your travel dates.
Transfers to Avenyn and the City Centre
Anyone staying near Avenyn or the Götaplatsen museum district can get off the Flygbussarna coach one stop early, at Korsvägen, rather than continuing all the way to Nils Ericson Bus Station.
Korsvägen is a short walk from the bottom of Avenyn itself, and it also connects directly to Gothenburg’s tram network, making it a genuinely useful interchange for hotels scattered around the museum district or Liseberg.
For hotels closer to the old town or the canals, staying on the coach to its final stop at Nils Ericson Bus Station and walking the short distance from there is usually the more direct choice.
Either stop is covered by the same Flygbussarna ticket, so there’s no cost difference in choosing whichever suits the accommodation better.
Long-Distance Buses to Stockholm and Beyond
Beyond the city transfer itself, Landvetter also serves as a stop for longer-distance coaches, with Vy Bus4You running daily services from the airport toward Borås, Jönköping, Linköping and Norrköping, useful for onward travel without doubling back into central Gothenburg first.
FlixBus also operates from the airport, including a local route into Gothenburg Central and a longer daily service running all the way to Stockholm Arlanda Airport, an unusual airport-to-airport option for travellers connecting between Sweden’s two main hubs by road.
These longer coach routes depart from clearly marked numbered bus stops outside the terminal, separate from the main Flygbussarna stand, so checking the correct stop number in advance saves confusion on arrival.
Tickets for these routes are generally best bought online in advance, since onboard purchases aren’t always guaranteed to be available.
Late Night and Early Morning Airport Transport
Flygbussarna reduces its frequency late at night and in the very early morning, though it still generally runs to match the first and last scheduled flights, rather than stopping entirely overnight.
Anyone with a flight landing or departing outside normal daytime hours should check the current timetable in advance rather than assuming a coach will be waiting, since off-peak departures can be considerably less frequent than the standard 30-minute gap.
Taxis operate around the clock outside arrivals regardless of the hour, making them the more reliable fallback for a genuinely late or early flight, albeit at the usual fixed-fare cost.
A pre-booked private transfer removes any uncertainty entirely for an odd-hours arrival, since the driver is guaranteed to be waiting regardless of how the flight lands relative to the coach schedule.
Accessibility and Luggage Considerations
Flygbussarna coaches are wheelchair accessible and carry generous luggage racks, making them a practical choice even for travellers with several large suitcases, skis or golf bags.
Taxis and private transfers remain the most straightforward option for anyone needing door-to-door assistance, particularly where a hotel entrance isn’t within easy walking distance of a bus stop.
The terminal itself at Landvetter is single-level and compact, which generally makes moving between arrivals, transport stands and car hire desks easier than at larger, more sprawling international airports.
Travellers with specific accessibility needs can contact Swedavia, the airport operator, in advance to arrange assistance through security and to the correct transport stand.
Common Mistakes Travellers Make
The most frequent mistake is assuming Landvetter has a train station the way Stockholm’s Arlanda does; it doesn’t, and travellers expecting to simply hop on a rail service are often caught out planning their onward journey.
Another common error is getting into a taxi without confirming a fixed fare first, which can lead to a noticeably higher metered bill than the standard fixed rate to the city centre.
Some visitors also try to pay for Flygbussarna in cash, only to find the service is card-only through the driver, app or kiosk, which can cause an awkward delay when boarding.
Finally, travellers connecting onward by long-distance coach sometimes head to the main Flygbussarna stand rather than the separately numbered stop for services like Vy Bus4You or FlixBus, so it’s worth double-checking the stop number printed on the ticket.
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Check storageWeather and Seasonal Considerations
Gothenburg’s west coast location means winter weather can bring snow, ice and reduced visibility, occasionally affecting road transfer times between the airport and city, particularly during heavier December and January snowfalls.
During these conditions, Flygbussarna and taxis generally still run, but journeys can take noticeably longer than the usual 25 minutes, so building in extra time before a tight onward connection is sensible in winter.
Summer brings the opposite challenge: peak July and early August travel can mean fuller coaches and busier taxi ranks, particularly around Liseberg’s summer season and any major events in the city.
Booking a private transfer or car hire in advance during either peak season removes the uncertainty of finding availability on arrival.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Rupert says Landvetter is refreshingly simple compared with bigger airports, as long as you know there’s no train.
- Book Flygbussarna online: it’s cash-free onboard, and pre-booking avoids any kiosk queue at the airport.
- Get off at Korsvägen for Avenyn: it’s the closer stop for the museum district and saves a walk back from Central Station.
- Always ask for a fixed taxi fare: “fastpris” avoids a metered bill that can run higher in traffic.
- Don’t expect a train: unlike Stockholm’s Arlanda, Landvetter has no rail link, so plan around road transport only.
- Check long-distance bus stop numbers: Vy Bus4You and FlixBus depart from different, separately numbered stands.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gothenburg Airport Transfers
Is there a train from Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg?
No. Unlike Stockholm’s Arlanda, Landvetter has no rail connection, so all transfers run by road via Flygbussarna coach, taxi, private transfer or car hire.
How much is the airport bus from Landvetter to Gothenburg?
Flygbussarna (operated by Vy) tickets start from around 129 SEK for a single journey, booked online, through the Vy Flygbussarna app or at a kiosk, occasionally dropping to around 99 SEK on promotional fares, and include 90 minutes of onward public transport.
How long does the transfer from Landvetter to central Gothenburg take?
Around 25 minutes by Flygbussarna coach or taxi under normal traffic conditions, since the airport sits roughly 25 kilometres from the city centre.
Is it worth hiring a car at Landvetter?
Only if exploring beyond the city itself, such as the archipelago’s northern islands or the wider region; central Gothenburg parking is expensive and the city centre is easily walkable.
Can I pay cash for the Flygbussarna coach?
No. Flygbussarna is card-only, payable through the driver, the app or an airport kiosk, so cash-only travellers should plan accordingly.
What’s the fixed taxi price from Landvetter to the city centre?
Around 435-500 SEK for up to four passengers to Gothenburg Central Station or Avenyn, depending on the operator (Minitaxi, Taxi Kurir and Passataxi all serve the rank), provided a fixed fare is agreed before setting off. Swedavia caps the legal maximum at 725 SEK for 1-4 passengers.
Further Reading
Once in the city, see our Things to Do in Gothenburg guide, covering Liseberg, the canals and the archipelago in full.
For rail travel onward to Malmö or Stockholm, our Interrail Sweden Pass guide covers routes, prices and booking across the country.
Anyone comparing Sweden’s airports should also read our Stockholm Airport Transfers guide, covering the Arlanda Express, buses and taxis at Sweden’s main hub.
