Travel with your own pleasure boat on the Göta Canal

To travel on the Göta Canal is a fantastic way to spend your holiday. Around the countless curves, new nature experiences, beyond the ordinary, awaits.

In 2022, the Göta Canal will be open May 3 - September 30
Pre-season: May 3 - June 13
High season: June 14 - August 15
Post-season: August 16 - September 30

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How much does it cost?

How long time does it take?

How does the locking work?

Quick facts

High season

During the high season the canal is open every day at. 9 AM to 6 PM, and you are traveling at your own pace. Lock in 200 year old locks, move slowly forward in five knots and enjoy going across Sweden. Add to one of our 21 marinas and take part in all the experiences offered ashore. 5 nights in each marina you pass by are included in the canal fee.

This season is best for those who have plenty of time and enjoy taking the day as it comes. The whole trip from Sjötorp to Mem, or vice versa, takes approximately 7 days.

Pre- and post-season

In the beginning and end of summer there are pre- and post-seasons on the Göta Canal. This means that all boats travel in convoys according to a set itinerary and that tickets must be booked online 5 days in advance.

If you have purchased a new boat and are in need of transport to the home port, this is the perfect season. You will experience Sweden's most classic boat trip, while the price is lower and the passage is faster than during the high season. If you want to choose start day on your own, and get an even faster trip, the ticket Göta Canal Express is ideal for you.

Entire Göta Canal - the classic route

To travel the whole Göta Canal is a real classic, something typically Swedish and a dream for many. Others have the journey as a tradition and do it every year. The trip goes from Sjötorp by Lake Vänern to Mem by the Baltic Sea, or vice versa. If you want to start or end your trip in Gothenburg, to cross Sweden, you also need to buy a ticket for the Trollhätte Ca,nal operated by the Swedish Maritime Administration.

During the pre- and post-seasons, the trip takes 5 days according to a set itinerary. The duration of the journey during the high season depends on the current traffic situation on the canal. So be sure to spend a lot of time and take the opportunity to enjoy all the experiences along the way. 5 nights in each marina are included in the canal ticket!

Are you also traveling the Trollhätte Canal, you need to add another 3-4 days to your schedule.

Göta kanal leg of the journey - A shorter trip

If you don´t want to travel the entire Göta canal, you can choose to travel only one of our canal sections. This suits you who want to bring your boat on a trailer and make a shorter trip, or who already have your boat in one of the lakes along the Göta Canal.

Sjötorp - Karlsborg
On this section you experience the highest point of the canal, 91.8 meters above sea level and the very special Spetsnäs canal. During the pre- and post-seasons, this distance takes 2 days, and during high season 1-3 days.

Motala - Berg
Experience the flight of locks in Borenshult, the flight of locks in Berg and the long canal - a 20 km section without any locks. During the pre- and post-seasons, this distance takes 2 days and during high season 1-3 days.

Norsholm - Mem
The journey from Norsholm takes you under the E4 Norsholmsbron a 348 meter long bridge, and further to one of Sweden's best glass restaurants. During the pre- and post-seasons, this distance takes 1 day and during high season 1-2 days.

The Göta Canal Express

The Göta Canal Express ticket is sold during the pre- and post-seasons and is, as it sounds - a faster and more flexible journey. It only takes 3 days for the entire Göta Canal, and you can also choose which start day that suits you!
You can also choose to book the express ticket for a shorter distance:
Mem - Motala, 2 days
Sjötorp - Karlsborg, 1 day

The Göta Canal Express is an ideal product for those who lack time and need flexibility in your journey. If you want to transport your boat quickly, this is the perfect trip!

Booking is made online at least 5 days in advance.

The Mini trip - Try out the canal life

Would you like to try out how to travel on the Göta Canal, maybe for the first time. The Mini trip is a special offer that can be booked during the high season for four specially selected sections, all with its unique character and charm. In addition to the canal trip, 3 marina nights are included in the ticket.

Choose between:
• Sjötorp - Lyrestad
• Karlsborg - Vassbacken
• Motala - Borensberg
• Mem - Söderköping

Price: 850 SEK (round trip)