Before your trip

Getting here & around

Everything about the journey to Gotland and how to move around the island — ferry, flights, boat trips to the smaller islands and tips for getting around once you're here.

Getting here

Gotland is reached by ferry, air or cruise.

Ferry

Destination Gotland · approx. 3 hrs

Ferries leave from Nynäshamn or Oskarshamn and reach Visby after about three hours. If you're bringing a car in summer, it's wise to book your place well ahead.

Timetable & booking

Flight

Visby Airport · from approx. 30 min

You fly to Visby Airport in about half an hour, with more departures and direct routes during the summer season.

Swedavia Visby Airport

Cruise

Summer · Stockholm–Visby

To turn the journey itself into an experience, you can cruise between the mainland and Visby during the summer months.

Own boat

Guest harbours around the island

Arriving by your own boat, you'll find guest harbours around the island, from Visby to the smaller fishing villages.

Boat trips to the islands

Smaller islands with their own character lie around Gotland — several are reached by boat in season.

Fårö

Free · 6 min · year-round

The crossing to Fårö is free and runs around the clock, all year — the trip itself is over in a few minutes. On the other side wait sea stacks, wide sandy beaches and Bergman's stark landscapes.

Stora & Lilla Karlsö

May–Aug

Nature reserves with birdlife and steep cliffs off the island's west coast. Tours run during the summer half of the year.

Gotska Sandön

May–Sep

A secluded national park of pine forest and dunes. Reached by boat in the summer season — plan an overnight stay.

Enholmen

from Slite

A small fortress island off Slite on eastern Gotland, with boat trips in summer.

Getting around the island

Once here, you can get around in several ways — car, bike, bus, boat and train.

Car

Your own car or a rental gives the most freedom for sea stacks and farm shops further out. Charging points are island-wide, plus four biogas stations for greener fuel.

Bike

The flat landscape makes the island rewarding to pedal. Car-free cycle paths follow roads 140 and 149, the Gotlandsleden trail is available as a free PDF map, and six pump stations are placed around the island.

Bus

Gotlands kollektivtrafik runs year-round with more frequent service in summer — buy a ticket in the app, on board or from an agent. In summer 2026 a dedicated airport bus runs 12 June–16 Aug, and bus 20 serves Fårö.

Train & sightseeing

In summer the heritage railway runs between Dalhem and Roma, and tourist trains run in central Visby.

Taxi

Several taxi firms operate on the island — from regular taxis to tuk-tuks and limousines.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a car on Gotland?

Not necessarily. Visby is great to explore on foot, and public transport and cycling cover a lot. But for sea stacks and farm shops further out, your own car or a rental is easiest.

Do I need to book a ferry space in advance?

If you're bringing a car you should book well ahead, especially in summer when departures fill up fast. Travelling without a car, it's easier to stay flexible.

How long is the ferry crossing?

The crossing from Nynäshamn or Oskarshamn to Visby takes just over three hours.

Is the Fårö ferry free?

Yes, the Fårö ferry is free and runs year-round. The crossing takes just a few minutes.

Can I get around the island by public transport?

Yes, Gotlands kollektivtrafik runs buses year-round with an extended timetable in summer. Buy a ticket in the app, on board or from an agent.

Plan further

Keep planning your trip to Gotland.

Best time to go

When the island suits you best — season by season.

Trip planner

Build your trip day by day with places, events and stays.

Ready to explore?

Find places, food and stays — or build a complete itinerary.

Explore Gotland Open the trip planner