Getting to the City Centre from the Airport

Göteborg has 2 international airports, Landvetter and Säve (Göteborg City Airport). Landvetter is the main international airport. Säve is a small airport used mainly by RyanAir.

There is an airport bus service from the airports to the city centre, in both cases it takes approximately 30 minutes. From Landvetter the cost is 70 SEK and from Säve it is 50 SEK. The buses run every 15-30 minutes from Landvetter (depending on time of day and whether it is a weekday or weekend) and are connected to the flight arrival times from Säve.

Taxis from the airports to the city centre should cost approximately 350 SEK and 300 SEK from Landvetter and Säve respectively. Please make sure that you use one of the two main taxi companies: Taxikurir (031 272727) or Taxi Göteborg (031 650000) and ask for the price before you start the journey.

Public Transport within Göteborg

The public transport service is very good (link: http://www.vasttrafik.se/eng/internet.aspx?desktop=177&menu=1&language=1053). There is an extensive network of trams, buses and ferries. The price of a ticket for traveling within the city is 20 SEK (corresponding to 2 coupons). This is valid for 90 minutes and you can change between buses, trams and ferries within that time at no extra cost. Children between 6-16 years pay 1 coupon and children below 6 years travel free. Tickets can be bought from the driver. You can buy a reduced price card (“Maxirabatt 100”) at most newsagents (e.g. at “Pressbyrån”). You stamp this by inserting it into a green box when entering the bus etc. with 2 points (this costs 13.80 SEK for a normal trip instead of 20 SEK). If you change to another bus etc. within the allowed time you re-insert the card and press “byte” (meaning transfer). The card costs 100 SEK. This may be available to buy at the conference desk.

Currency and Money Exchange

The unit of currency is: Swedish Kronor (SEK). The exchange rate (June, 2005) is approximately: 1 US dollar = 7.6 SEK; 1 Euro = 9.3 SEK. Major foreign currencies can be exchanged for Swedish Kronor at international airports, exchange centers, authorized city banks, or major hotels. It is generally safe to carry cash in Sweden. Small amounts of cash are needed for most forms of transportation, for small dining places that do not accept credit cards or travelers checks, and for other small purchases. Usually, only Swedish Kronor is acceptable at regular stores and restaurants. Travelers checks are accepted only by leading banks and major hotels in principal cities, and the use of travelers checks in Sweden is not as popular as in some other countries. Visa, Master-Card, Diners Club and American Express are widely accepted at hotels, taxis, department stores, shops, restaurants and night clubs.

Climate

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Communication

Most Swedes have a very good command of the English language and, even if they may occasionally not be comfortable speaking English they will generally understand very well. There is typically no problem to communicate in English everywhere.

Insurance

Proper travel and health insurance are strongly recommended to all conference participants. The conference secretariat cannot accept liability for any accident or injury that may occur at the conference. Please consult your travel agent regarding this matter.

Safety

Göteborg is a relatively safe city however problems can arise. Look out for pickpockets in the city centre, especially in the big shopping centre (Nordstan). Normally it is safe to walk anywhere in the city centre.

If problems arise, there is a police station at Nordstan (Spanmålsgatan 6, tel 739 20 00, Mon.-Fri. 09:00-15:00) and one at Lorensberg (Chalmersgatan 20, tel 739 47 80, Mon – Thurs. 08:00-20:00, Fri.: 08:00-16:00).

The “lost and found” (Hittegodscentralen) is at Odinsgatan 28B, tel 739 46 00, Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri: 09:00-14:00, Thurs: 15:00-18:00.

Health Problems

In case of health problems it is best to contact your hotel or the conference organisers in the first place and they can help you further. Outpatient service is available at Cityakuten in the city centre (Drottninggatan 45, Monday to Friday 08:00 – 15:00, tel: 10 10 10) or you can go to the outpatients department of the big university hospital, situated close to the conference centre (akuten, Sahlgrenska, open all day).

For emergency dental treatment go to Akuttandvården, Stampgatan 2 (City centre), open 08:00-20:00 (weekdays) and 08:00-16:00 (weekends), Tel: 80 78 00.

In the case of a serious emergency call 112 for ambulance, fire service or police.

Tipping etc.

It is not customary to tip taxi drivers or other service providers in Sweden.

Service is included in the cost of meals in restaurants but in this case, if you are pleased with the service, it is customary to leave a small tip.

It is quite common in restaurants and bars/nightclubs to pay a cloakroom fee. This can be 10-15 sek per person/coat.

Entertainment

Practically all films (with the exception of children’s films) are shown in the original version in the cinemas (and on TV) with Swedish sub-titles. A cinema visit costs ca. 80 SEK. Theatre is typically in Swedish. A listing of most events can be found at (link: http://www3.goteborg.com/templates/Externfunctions.asp?id=9766).

Sweden has a reputation for being very expensive, especially when it comes to alcohol. This is no longer as true as it once was. A beer (50 cl) or a glass of wine would typically cost ca. 40-50 SEK in a bar or restaurant ($6 or €5).

Göteborg has many good restaurants in all price ranges. Seafood is the speciality. Many restaurants will offer a set menu at lunchtime (“Dagens”) which is usually very good value (but remember that lunch is included in the conference fee).

A list of suggestions for bars/restaurants will be available at the conference desk.

History of Göteborg

The region’s first “Göteborg” was founded in the 11th century, at a place called Lödöse, 40 km north of the present site. The City of Göteborg received its town privileges on June 4, 1621 from King Gustav II Adolf. The town was planned according to Dutch concepts, with canals and fortifications, and from the very beginning Göteborg was an international town. Göteborg became one of the most heavily fortified towns of the period, with three fortresses. “Skansen Kronan”, “Skansen Lejonet”, and the island fortress “Elfsborg”., as well as a wide water-filled moat, and a city wall with canon bastions. Göteborg rapidly grew into an important seafaring and mercantile city, and in the 18th century the Swedish East India Company became the country’s first international trading company. The turnover from its trade with China was more than Sweden’s national budget of the time.

The early 19th century saw the beginnings of Göteborg’s shipbuilding industry when three major shipyards were constructed. The company SKF was founded upon the invention of ball bearings and Volvo produced its first car in 1927. These, then small local industries, are now multinational giants.

Gothenburg and its satellites, with almost 1 million inhabitants, is Sweden’s second largest city after Stockholm and is today Sweden’s most important city for trade and industry with several well known international companies: Astra Zeneca, Ericsson Microwave Systems, Esab, SCA Moelnlycke, Nobel Biocare, Saab Ericsson Space, SKF, Stena Line, Hasselblad, and Volvo. More than 150 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are located in the Göteborg region, and the collaboration between industry and universities is well established. There are more than 40,000 students at Göteborg University and Chalmers University of Technology. Göteborg has a rich cultural life including restaurants, museums, theatres, sports arenas, night-clubs etc. Göteborg is also considered to be one of Europe’s leading towns for events, with a broad choice of international conferences, sport, music and other cultural events.