Sweden in the summer

[ailbhe]

We're hoping to visit family this summer, so we've been looking up travel costs.

Without flying, assuming children under 3 travel free, we can get to Stockholm in 3 days via Esbjerg (£538), 2 days via Cologne (£452), or 24 hours via Hamburg (£722). Flights to Stockholm will be about £400 for the family.

Stockholm-Visby by bus and ferry will be about £225 £90 and we'd arrive at about 23:20 - the ferry timetables are awful for when we're thinking of going. Flying to Gotland is just £180 and we'd arrive at teatime.

None of these prices include any meals, unless airplane food counts as a meal.

On the other hand, flying with children is dispiriting and depressing and miserable, and travelling by train and boat is actually fun. That's quite apart from the ecological argument. I think we might compromise by going by train to Stockholm and then flying, but I'm not at all sure and haven't actually discussed it with Rob, who might be said to have an interest in it. What do the listeners at home think? Do call in on 0870-4-pence-a-minute-so-we'll-keep-you-on-hold.

Comments

[surelars.livejournal.com]

Well, I've only been to Visby once, and I rode my bicycle up to the and back ferry (4-500km each way). But I didn't have any kids then.

I rather enjoyed the ferry, but then I always do.

With the schedules and prices you mention, I'd go for the plane, spend more time on Gotland, and maybe some time in Stockholm or take the train to Uppsala.

Visby and Gotland in general is lovely. I really enjoyed cycling around there for a week or so.

[ailbhe]

We'll be spending as much of the time as possible in Gotland; that's where the relations we want to visit mostly live. It's the only place I've ever ridden a tandem; the rear wheel exploded under me and we had to drop in for fika on some people Rob hadn't seen since childhood.

[surelars.livejournal.com]

Ah - family visits. That's lovely.

I've never done a tandem. U and I have been all over Europe in bikes, but always one each.