Since many other threads have already started popping up, it is now high time for a travel thread—and here it is! This post is organised into different sections:
- Getting to the event,
- Getting into Sweden from abroad
- General marathon information
- Places of Interest in Skövde.
For the sake of transparency, this post was written by Alko, with information cross-checked by Ozzy and Edenal and spelling cross-checked by flicky.
=================
Getting to the Event
=================
For Swedes and non-Swedes
As is the rule all over the world, there are three means of transportation that you can use to get from where ever you set out to where you want to go:
(1) Take a train;
(2) Take a bus;
(3) Drive or carpool.
Train tickets can be found and bought on sj.se. It is generally a good idea in Sweden to pre-order tickets approximately 90 days ahead of the travel date for discounts. You can also buy tickets in many train stations or onboard some trains. Buying at the station is not recommended, because the tickets are more expensive there. It varies between companies whether you can buy your train tickets on-board. You can with some (Västtågen (e.g. Nässjö–Skövde)); while others (Skånetrafiken) do not allow so. (The companies that do not allow buying on-board will supply ticket machines at the station.) Especially note that SJ will not allow you to buy tickets on-board! If you plan on buying on-board, you will need SEK or a debit/credit card.
Taking a train is by far the most recommended means of travel, as Skövde station is located very conveniently between the House of Culture (the sleeping venue) and Nyeport (the streaming venue) (see the maps below).
Long-distance buses, the second most comfortable option. You can either book tickets via swebus.se or on the site of the region you're departing from (Skånetrafiken (skanetrafiken.se) for the Malmö region, Stockholms länstrafik (sl.se) for the Stockholm region and Västtrafik (vasttrafik.se) for the Gothenburg region).
Finally, of course, if you're driving, you can offer to take people with you on your way, making the journey along the large, empty and slow Swedish motorways (flicky and the gang know what I'm talking about ) more enjoyable. Skövde is located somewhat close-ish to the E20 Göteborg–Stockholm, if you're coming from either of those directions. From the South (Malmö, Denmark), the most convenient route is probably along E4 to Jönköping, taking route 26 from there. If you're coming from the North … seriously?
If you are offering carpools, please post saying so in this thread. I'll collect all offers and confirmed passengers in the second post. If you want to include a map of your route, that's much appreciated. Brits, remember that these guys drive on the wrong side of the road.
==========================
Getting into Sweden from Abroad
==========================
Again, there are three generally appreciated ways of entering a country: By land (train/car/maybe bus), by water or by air.
Most non-Swedes will probably want to arrive by aeroplane (not airplane, we're in Europe!). Your best bet is to use a website like skyscanner.com that compares different prices of different airlines. Airports you can (and should) aim for are Gothenburg Landvetter (GOT), Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH) and possibly Stockholm Skavsta (NYO) (being serviced by Ryanair). This list was ordered by both their proximity to Skövde and the ease to travel on from there.
Arlanda and Kastrup are both located conveniently on or close to train stations (look for Arlanda C and Kastrup, respectively) and you can continue on your journey by train (see above). There are many buses from Landvetter to Gothenburg central station
Every airport is serviced by long-distance buses, if you prefer that mode of travel. Of course, you can always bribe people to drive you on, or rent a car and take people with you from each of them.
If you're flying in from the British Isles or Ireland, check this thread if anybody else is going your way, maybe even on the same flight!
If you're planning on arriving by water, you're probably a Finn coming from Helsinki or Turku and will know your way to a train station from Stockholm's harbour. If not, do please post in this thread and I'll provide with additional assistance
If you're taking the driving route, see the section above. And remember to post in this thread if you're able and willing to pick up people (and equipment?) on your way.
Finally, there are people who chose to enter Sweden by train. Assuming that you're coming from Denmark or further South, the most convenient option is probably an X2000 from Copenhagen to Nässjö C, followed by a Västtågen train directly to Skövde C. You can get to Copenhageneither conveniently on a night train from Amsterdam, Basel or Prague, or
Again, this option is usually cheapest if bought ~90 days ahead of the marathon (remember your return journey!). I generally can grab a return ticket to Nässjö for something like 120 € or less.
If you're coming from Norway, you can of course also reach Sweden by train. For reasons unknown to me, I couldn't find any information on booking a trip from Norway to Sweden on nsb.no; however travel information can be found (and tickets probably bought for the whole trip) from sj.se. I suggest you check out nsb.no and see if you can find more
Using interrail (a five-out-of-ten days global pass costs 184 € for adolescents or 281 € for the poor souls older than 27; a ten-out-of-22 days global pass is 269/399 €) might also be an option, especially if you're planning on travelling further before or after the marathon.
Finally, when in Sweden, remember that they pay using their very own moneys. Getting Swedish crowns is possible in a variety of ways:
(1) just paying by card where ever you're going
(2) using your debit/credit card in any Swedish ATM to withdraw Swedish banknotes
(3) asking any bank in your country of origin nicely
(4) using a bureau de change
(5) if you are willing to pay in Euros, asking Alko, who will again open a mini exchange booth
Options 1 and 2 will usually cost you some kind of being-abroad fee (1.5 % of the value paid/withdrawn for me). Option 3 can or can not cost you money, depending on your bank. Option 4 is generally the most expensive (to quote Poxnor: They'll charge you your left nut). For more information on option 5 open the spoiler
========================
General Marathon Information
========================
The main marathon topic and the place to ask questions that are not related to anything specific is this one
The marathon dates are the 27th of July to the 3rd of August.
You can sign up for the marathon, find the hotel booking information and look for hotel roommates here (also includes information on the mass housing. Sign up is still required if you're going for mass housing.) This thread also includes general cost and general payment information.
If you have intesting ideas for the second stream post them here
=======================
Places of Interest in Skövde
=======================
Sneakily stealing last year's maps from Crippe and Icedpingu x3
Explanation to Crippe's map:
Explanation to Icedpingu's map:
- Getting to the event,
- Getting into Sweden from abroad
- General marathon information
- Places of Interest in Skövde.
For the sake of transparency, this post was written by Alko, with information cross-checked by Ozzy and Edenal and spelling cross-checked by flicky.
=================
Getting to the Event
=================
For Swedes and non-Swedes
As is the rule all over the world, there are three means of transportation that you can use to get from where ever you set out to where you want to go:
(1) Take a train;
(2) Take a bus;
(3) Drive or carpool.
Train tickets can be found and bought on sj.se. It is generally a good idea in Sweden to pre-order tickets approximately 90 days ahead of the travel date for discounts. You can also buy tickets in many train stations or onboard some trains. Buying at the station is not recommended, because the tickets are more expensive there. It varies between companies whether you can buy your train tickets on-board. You can with some (Västtågen (e.g. Nässjö–Skövde)); while others (Skånetrafiken) do not allow so. (The companies that do not allow buying on-board will supply ticket machines at the station.) Especially note that SJ will not allow you to buy tickets on-board! If you plan on buying on-board, you will need SEK or a debit/credit card.
Taking a train is by far the most recommended means of travel, as Skövde station is located very conveniently between the House of Culture (the sleeping venue) and Nyeport (the streaming venue) (see the maps below).
Long-distance buses, the second most comfortable option. You can either book tickets via swebus.se or on the site of the region you're departing from (Skånetrafiken (skanetrafiken.se) for the Malmö region, Stockholms länstrafik (sl.se) for the Stockholm region and Västtrafik (vasttrafik.se) for the Gothenburg region).
Finally, of course, if you're driving, you can offer to take people with you on your way, making the journey along the large, empty and slow Swedish motorways (flicky and the gang know what I'm talking about
If you are offering carpools, please post saying so in this thread. I'll collect all offers and confirmed passengers in the second post. If you want to include a map of your route, that's much appreciated. Brits, remember that these guys drive on the wrong side of the road.
==========================
Getting into Sweden from Abroad
==========================
Again, there are three generally appreciated ways of entering a country: By land (train/car/maybe bus), by water or by air.
Most non-Swedes will probably want to arrive by aeroplane (not airplane, we're in Europe!). Your best bet is to use a website like skyscanner.com that compares different prices of different airlines. Airports you can (and should) aim for are Gothenburg Landvetter (GOT), Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH) and possibly Stockholm Skavsta (NYO) (being serviced by Ryanair). This list was ordered by both their proximity to Skövde and the ease to travel on from there.
Arlanda and Kastrup are both located conveniently on or close to train stations (look for Arlanda C and Kastrup, respectively) and you can continue on your journey by train (see above). There are many buses from Landvetter to Gothenburg central station
Every airport is serviced by long-distance buses, if you prefer that mode of travel. Of course, you can always bribe people to drive you on, or rent a car and take people with you from each of them.
If you're flying in from the British Isles or Ireland, check this thread if anybody else is going your way, maybe even on the same flight!
If you're planning on arriving by water, you're probably a Finn coming from Helsinki or Turku and will know your way to a train station from Stockholm's harbour. If not, do please post in this thread and I'll provide with additional assistance
If you're taking the driving route, see the section above. And remember to post in this thread if you're able and willing to pick up people (and equipment?) on your way.
Finally, there are people who chose to enter Sweden by train. Assuming that you're coming from Denmark or further South, the most convenient option is probably an X2000 from Copenhagen to Nässjö C, followed by a Västtågen train directly to Skövde C. You can get to Copenhagen
Again, this option is usually cheapest if bought ~90 days ahead of the marathon (remember your return journey!). I generally can grab a return ticket to Nässjö for something like 120 € or less.
If you're coming from Norway, you can of course also reach Sweden by train. For reasons unknown to me, I couldn't find any information on booking a trip from Norway to Sweden on nsb.no; however travel information can be found (and tickets probably bought for the whole trip) from sj.se. I suggest you check out nsb.no and see if you can find more
Using interrail (a five-out-of-ten days global pass costs 184 € for adolescents or 281 € for the poor souls older than 27; a ten-out-of-22 days global pass is 269/399 €) might also be an option, especially if you're planning on travelling further before or after the marathon.
Finally, when in Sweden, remember that they pay using their very own moneys. Getting Swedish crowns is possible in a variety of ways:
(1) just paying by card where ever you're going
(2) using your debit/credit card in any Swedish ATM to withdraw Swedish banknotes
(3) asking any bank in your country of origin nicely
(4) using a bureau de change
(5) if you are willing to pay in Euros, asking Alko, who will again open a mini exchange booth
Options 1 and 2 will usually cost you some kind of being-abroad fee (1.5 % of the value paid/withdrawn for me). Option 3 can or can not cost you money, depending on your bank. Option 4 is generally the most expensive (to quote Poxnor: They'll charge you your left nut). For more information on option 5 open the spoiler
My bank is nice enough to me to give me Swedish Crowns without requiring an additional fee (however requiring me to exchange at least 150 € every time I do so). So if you have Euros and want Swedish Crowns, I'll be very happy to exchange some more moneys and pass them on to you (not restricted to more than 150 €; can also be less). Please shoot me a PM, if you are interested. Please note the deadline: Contact me by the 27th of June (one month before the event). Of course, I can only give you the money at the event itself, unless by chance we're taking the same train )
========================
General Marathon Information
========================
The main marathon topic and the place to ask questions that are not related to anything specific is this one
The marathon dates are the 27th of July to the 3rd of August.
You can sign up for the marathon, find the hotel booking information and look for hotel roommates here (also includes information on the mass housing. Sign up is still required if you're going for mass housing.) This thread also includes general cost and general payment information.
If you have intesting ideas for the second stream post them here
=======================
Places of Interest in Skövde
=======================
Sneakily stealing last year's maps from Crippe and Icedpingu x3
Explanation to Crippe's map:
Large steam engine: train station.
Garfield: House of culture, the sleeping area.
1: Nyeport, the sreaming area.
Pizzas: Places where you can get food.
Willy's, Netto: Shops where you can buy food.
Shopping bags: Shopping centre, including McDonald's.
Western Union: Yeah, you guessed it
$: Banks/atms
knifes and forks: Restaurants.
Scandic, Hotel Skövde and the red thing on the top: Hotels. Note that these are not the hotels we have a deal with.
Garfield: House of culture, the sleeping area.
1: Nyeport, the sreaming area.
Pizzas: Places where you can get food.
Willy's, Netto: Shops where you can buy food.
Shopping bags: Shopping centre, including McDonald's.
Western Union: Yeah, you guessed it
$: Banks/atms
knifes and forks: Restaurants.
Scandic, Hotel Skövde and the red thing on the top: Hotels. Note that these are not the hotels we have a deal with.
Explanation to Icedpingu's map:
This should actually be pretty self-explanatory. Most importantly, it notes the Quality Hotel Prisma, the one we have our hotel deal with.
Again note pizzas and knifes and forks are places where you can get food.
Again note pizzas and knifes and forks are places where you can get food.
Thread title: