Getting Around Umeå
Umeå is a compact university city in northeast Sweden, and its layout makes it easy to cover on foot, by bike, or on the local bus network. The city centre is the natural base for most visitors, with the main public transport hub, Vasaplan, right in the middle of it. From there you can reach most parts of town, and the airport is close by as well.
On Foot
Central Umeå is walkable, and the city's wide, tree-lined avenues make strolling between the centre, the river, and nearby districts pleasant. The city is known as the "City of Birches" for the thousands of silver birches planted along its avenues after a devastating fire in the 19th century, and these same avenues give the centre a green, open feel that rewards walking. If you are staying centrally, many everyday destinations are within easy walking distance.
By Bike
With a large student population, cycling is one of the most popular ways to get around Umeå. The city has a wide variety of bike-friendly roads and even bike-only bridges, and it is often both easier and faster to get around by bike than by car or bus. Bikes can be rented from Cykel & Mopedhandlaren on Kungsgatan, or from Umeå Camping. If you are staying for a longer period, buying a used bike is a good investment, and with a bit of effort you can find a decent one cheaply.
Public Transport: Buses
Umeå has no metro or tram network; public transport in the city is by bus. The local bus system is run by Västerbottens Lokaltrafik and is centred on Vasaplan in the city centre, with multiple routes travelling throughout the city. This is the hub to remember: most local journeys begin or end there, and it is also where the airport shuttle drops passengers.
- Where to catch it: Vasaplan, in the city centre, is the main hub for local routes.
- Paying: Cash is no longer accepted on the buses. Tickets must be paid for using a credit or debit card, or via mobile phone.
- Transfers: A single ticket includes a period of free transfer within the city buses, so you can change routes without paying again.
- Frequency: Buses tend to be very infrequent in summertime, and it is advisable to check the timetable before heading to a stop in any season. Waiting at a bus stop in deep winter cold is a genuine health risk, so time your arrival.
- Night buses: These run on Fridays and Saturdays.
Long-Distance Buses and Trains
For travel beyond the city, Umeå is well connected. Long-distance buses are described as the cheapest way to get around northern Sweden and a comfortable one, with onboard service and sometimes free Wi-Fi on the longer routes; student discounts are common and some services offer a business-class section with wider seats and a simple meal included. Coach routes link Umeå with Sundsvall, Örnsköldsvik, Skellefteå, Luleå and Haparanda to the north and south, with Ybuss running between Stockholm and Umeå, and other operators connecting to Tärnaby, Norway, and even Tornio in Finland.
On the rails, the coastal Botniabanan line, which opened in 2010, greatly improved connections to Umeå and provides a fast train link to Stockholm, running along the High Coast via Örnsköldsvik. There is also a traditional overnight service from Stockholm with couchettes and sleeping carriages, and regional services operated by Norrtåg connecting Umeå with Luleå, Lycksele, Sundsvall and Vännäs.
Umeå has two railway stations, and knowing which one you need matters:
- Umeå Central station (Umeå centralstation), on Järnvägsallén, in the city centre.
- Umeå East station (Umeå Östra), on Storgatan, in the eastern part of the city next to the university campus and Norrland's University Hospital.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available in Umeå, and ride-hailing is an option too. TaxiKurir Umeå operates in the city, and its smartphone app offers address-based routing and calculates the price accordingly. Uber also operates in Umeå via its smartphone app. Taxis at the airport charge fixed prices to destinations within the city.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Umeå Airport sits on the edge of the city, a short distance east of the centre, which makes the transfer into town quick and simple. There are two main options:
- Airport shuttle bus: A special shuttle runs between the airport and Vasaplan in the city centre. Tickets can only be bought using credit or debit cards or a smartphone, and the ticket includes a period of transfer time within the city buses, so you can continue onward on local routes.
- Taxi: Taxis operate fixed prices to destinations within the city, so you can ask for the fixed fare rather than watching the meter.
Because the airport is so close to town, neither option involves a long journey, and the shuttle conveniently deposits you at the same central hub used by the local bus network.
Arriving by Boat or Car
If you arrive by ferry from Vaasa, Finland, note that the port at Umeå hamn is in the small town of Holmsund at the mouth of the Ume River, south of the city along the Blå vägen. The shipping company provides a transfer bus from the port to the city centre, which can be booked in advance when buying tickets or bought on the bus if there is space; the bus from Umeå departs ahead of the ship's departure and passes the centre shortly after.
By car, Umeå sits on two European highways, the E4 and E12, and lies along the Blue Highway international tourist route. Driving in Norrland can be dangerous, especially in winter: collisions with moose are a common cause of road accidents, and while the road administration has invested in safety measures such as wildlife barriers and alternating three-lane sections, these are not a guarantee. If you plan to drive in winter, experience of driving in snow and poor visibility is recommended, as major roads can become snow-covered during heavy snowfall and strong winds can cause snow to drift onto the surface.