You don't always have to travel far to feel like you're travelling! Yesterday I made a little trip to Gävle for work. Here are some pictures from a snowy Gävle ... and I have a little question for those of you who have experience travelling by train or bus between Stockholm and Gävle.
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ShareGävle in January
What to do in Gävle in January? As you may remember, I lost my permanent position with public health work in Stockholm County Council during our 1-year trip around Europe. Since I came home, I have instead taken various assignments. Right now I'm primarily working on an interview study at Karolinska Institutet.
Yesterday I gave a lecture at Gävle University, and there might be some more assignments via that university in the future as well. While I was in town, I took the opportunity to walk along the beautiful river Gävleån and have a sushi in town. Then I was surprised by how incredibly complicated it turned out to be to book a ticket home again...
Travelling Stockholm - Gävle
What is the easiest and cheapest way to travel between Stockholm and Gävle? I took the train in the morning and it cost just under SEK 200. When I went home, the train ticket turned out to be over 500 kr one way! I was a bit shocked, but with the help of the internet, I managed to find out that I could get home with SGS buses for 160 kr.
It would have been great to go to a ticket office and ask for help, but there is no such thing at Gävle station! The only thing available is a computer where you can search for tickets and pay by card and e-ID. I feel like a whiny old lady right now, but it's so sad when there are no real people to talk to!
Well, since I will be travelling here several times, I wonder if anyone knows the best way to go, and which tickets to book to make it as cheap and easy as possible?
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Ditte says:
Unfortunately, I can't help with the best way to go if you are travelling often. I have occasionally been in Gävle and then taken the train and looked in advance for "last minute offers" or ticked and travelled when it was cheapest.
Gävle is a nice city and nice to get around there. I know that you can take the Upptåget train from Uppsala to Gävle, but I don't think it will be cheaper. You can add the lectures after the time when the trains are cheapest if it is possible.
Good luck!
28 January 2016 - 18:34
Sara says:
Hello!
So nice that you were in my city! The Stockholm-Gävle train is really expensive, but the Upptåget train with a change to the SL train in Uppsala is cheaper even if it takes a little longer. Hope you have better ticket luck next time!
28 January 2016 - 19:08
Lennart says:
Travelling in a motorhome is easier!
As I feel, after 20 years of travelling, I'm done with both trains and planes!
28 January 2016 - 19:22
Steve says:
Quick turnaround, from Malaysia to Gävle. I'm glad you've started a new job.
I have passed Gävle many times over the years on my way home to Norrland or on my way back home to Uppsala or Örebro. Always by car so unfortunately I can't help with any train travel tips.
It's a shame that people are disappearing in most organisations and being replaced by technology. And when people disappear, unemployment increases. Or is it too simplistic to think that way? And where does social interaction go?
28 January 2016 - 19:18
BP says:
Not to be mean, not at all, but the best and fastest way is by car, which takes 1 1/2 hours.
Unfortunately, I have no experience at all in travelling by train or bus. Sorry.
28 January 2016 - 21:08
admin says:
Ditte, I will check out the Upptåget train from Uppsala to Gävle. I agree that there are different prices at different times...
Sara, what fun with a comment from someone who lives in Gävle! 🙂 I will check out that Upptåget, thanks for the tips!
Steve, yes, I do find it sad that people are being replaced by technology. We have noticed that it is much more so in Sweden than in southern Europe. And I can agree with you, at the same time as social interaction disappears, a lot of job opportunities disappear. A lot of ordinary simple jobs are also needed, should people be unemployed instead?
Lennart, haha, motorhome is good, but it's in winter storage and I don't have a driving licence... 😉.
BP, well, even if I had a driving licence, I would have had to buy a car (because Peter uses the other one for work), and I have to have parking and insurance for it. So I'm doubtful that it would be cheaper... 😉.
28 January 2016 - 22:27
Marie says:
Fun and welcome to my home town too!
Dad worked at the University of Gävle in the economics department (and in the health department he had some courses or parts of courses with) for the last 10 years of his professional life and thought it was one of the most fun things he had done after a working life as an economist in the private sector.
The SGS bus and ride are my best tips too, but nowadays I mostly drive there, so I'm not so up to date on the commuting part.
28 January 2016 - 23:10
Marina says:
Sure, it's a little (and not so little) that soon you won't be able to talk to anyone when buying tickets anywhere. And if we think it's a hassle, we can only guess what the generation above us thinks....
29 January 2016 - 3:34
admin says:
Marie, oh what fun with another Gävle resident who comments! 🙂 Glad that your dad enjoyed the university in Gävle! Will check both the SGS bus and the Upptåget properly before I travel next time!
Marina, yes I have also thought about it. I think it must feel super complicated for many older people! Certainly also if, for example, you are an immigrant and do not know the language so well. Must be as difficult as possible!
29 January 2016 - 9:30
Ama de casa says:
Gosh what prices! You can fly down here for a similar amount of money from time to time... 🙂 ðŸ™'
I've only travelled to Gävle by car, so I can't offer any advice on public transport.
29 January 2016 - 11:19
admin says:
Ama de casa, haha, right? You kind of have to choose between Spain and Gävle when you have to spend five hundred dollars 😉.
29 January 2016 - 21:30
znogge says:
I don't have much to say, but I agree that you don't have to travel far to experience. It's easy to get blinded by home and miss everything that's nearby. Sweden is actually fantastic and one does not exclude the other.
29 January 2016 - 21:59
Inga M says:
Gävle is typically a place you pass by. Maybe too bad because your pictures from there are nice. At least Gävle has an advantage, a good hotel: Scandic West! I have just booked a couple of nights there as we have reason to pass the city on our journey north eventually.
30 January 2016 - 12:26
Steel city anna says:
Trains are extremely expensive here so didn't particularly react to the prices! The only way to get a reasonable price is to book in advance, that tip might work in Sweden too? but it's hard to be tied to a particular departure. If you are delayed or you stand there and pay even more.
31 January 2016 - 1:42
admin says:
Znogge, it's easy to become home blind, both in terms of your own country and your own city. There is a lot to see in Sweden, and we also try not to turn a blind eye to everything in Stockholm, even though we live here.
Inga M, nice to hear that there is a good hotel in Gävle. I haven't been to Gävle much (a few times before) but always find it nice to walk along the river!
Steel City Anna, sorry to hear that trains are so expensive with you! I've been told that the prices should be the same whether I book in advance or not, but I'm not entirely sure. Maybe worth checking more carefully!
31 January 2016 - 12:03
Johan Persson says:
So much fun that you have been in Gävle. Maybe I didn't tell you that I come from there?:) However, I live in Fritsla south of Borås nowadays.
I agree that the SGS bus is a good option (€160 one-way) and buses tend to be almost always on schedule.
I also think it is extremely bad that people are replaced by machines. I discovered in January that they have removed the SJ ticket office at Gävle Central. Two years ago it was still there. Just like if you go into MC Donalds, they have installed a machine you can order from. Why must nothing cost anything these days? Where will they end up?
Take care:)
/Johan, Caravanum.se
01 February 2016 - 14:38
admin says:
Johan, what fun, I did not know that you are from Gävle! I have also encountered machines at McDonald's, I don't like it at all. Even if these places save some money, it must be economically bad when many more people become unemployed because there are no ordinary simple jobs ...
03 February 2016 - 14:47