Before you travel

Everything worth sorting out before you leave home — how to reach Åby Arena from the airports people actually fly into, where to sleep, and what to pack for a Swedish November.

The short version

• Fly to Gothenburg Landvetter (GOT) if you can. Copenhagen and Oslo work but add a train leg.
• The venue is Åby Arena, Mölndal — about 10 minutes south of central Gothenburg by commuter train.
• The partner hotel is at the venue. If you are staying there, you will not need transport at 3am.
• Download the Västtrafik To Go app before you land. It is the cheapest way to pay for trams, buses and trains.
• Pack a warm, waterproof outer layer and separate indoor dance shoes.

Getting here from Landvetter (GOT)

Landvetter is Gothenburg's own airport and has direct connections from most major European hubs. The Flygbussarna airport coach reaches central Gothenburg in about 30 minutes, and from there a commuter train takes you to Mölndal in under 10. A taxi from the airport straight to the venue takes roughly 20–25 minutes and is worth splitting between three or four people.

Getting here from Copenhagen (CPH)

Copenhagen often has cheaper long-haul fares. Trains run from the airport's own station to Gothenburg Central in a little over three and a half hours, and from there you are 10 minutes from Mölndal. Book the train in advance — walk-up fares on the day cost considerably more.

Getting here from Oslo (OSL)

Oslo is the slowest of the three by train, at around four hours to Gothenburg, but it can be the cheapest if you are flying from northern Europe. Buses also run the route and are usually cheaper still if you do not mind the extra time.

Where to stay

The Best Western Plus Åby Hotel is our partner hotel and it is at the venue — the shortest walk from a bed to a dance floor you are likely to get. Rooms are booked together with your pass, and pass + hotel packs save up to 15% against booking the two separately. Full room details and current availability are on the Travel & Stay page.

If you would rather combine the festival with a city weekend, central Gothenburg is 10 minutes away by train and has plenty of hotels and short-stay apartments. Just remember that the last trains back run earlier than the parties finish.

What to pack

• Indoor shoes you have not worn outside. Most floors ask for this, and a gritty sole ruins a floor for everyone.
• More tops than you think. Three nights of social dancing is warmer work than three nights of anything else.
• A warm, waterproof outer layer. November in Gothenburg runs 0–8°C and is often wet.
• A refillable water bottle. Swedish tap water is excellent and free.
• Any medication you take, in its original packaging, with enough for the whole trip.

Money and phones

The currency is the Swedish krona (SEK), and Sweden is close to cashless — cards and mobile payments work essentially everywhere, including on public transport and in taxis. You are unlikely to need cash at all. If your phone plan does not include Sweden, buy a local eSIM before you fly rather than roaming.

Next: During the festival — food, transport, and getting around once you are here.