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 2023, the Göta Canal will be open May 4 - September 30

Pre-season: May 4 - June 16
High season: June 17 - August 16
Post-season: August 17 - September 30

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How much does it cost?

How long time does it take?

How does the locking work?

Quick facts

This is how it works

The Göta Canal has different seasons to choose from, pre- and post-season, and high season. Each one has its own charm and is suitable for different types of boat trips. However, the magnificent experience is the same regardless of when you choose to travel.

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.

Our tickets

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)

Your own setup - when you want to decide yourself

To travel the Göta Canal according to your own setup is a service for those who wish to make an individual layout of the canal trip during the pre- and post-seasons.

Perhaps you want to stay in a marina other than the one included in the set itinerary, or you may want to stay longer in one of the lakes.

Describe your needs and we will come back to you with a quote and a solution that suits you.
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Practical info for your trip

Here we have gathered information that you may need for your trip on the Göta Canal.

Ticket prices & booking

Here you will find answers to questions about the cost of traveling on the Göta Canal, as well as the various tickets available.

Time

Here you can read more about how long the different sections take depending on the season you choose.

Lockage

It may seem very advanced to lock your boat if you have not tried it before. Here you can read more about how it works and what equipment you need.

Maximum size for boats

Here you will find the maximum dimensions that apply to boats traveling on the Göta Canal.

Trailer ramps

Do not you wish to drive your boat to the Göta Canal on a trailer? Here you will find the trailer ramps located along the Göta Canal.

Locking Up - The bonus club

The customer club Locking up is for you who travel the Göta Canal with your own boat.

General terms & conditions

Here you will find the terms & conditions that apply to journeys on the Göta Canal.

The Göta Canal Map

Read and download the Göta Canal Map here

The Skipper´s Guide

Read and download the Skipper´s guide here.

Itinerary

Itinerary for the Göta Canal on 5 days during pre- and post-season.

Itinerary Express

Itinerary for the Göta Canal on 3 days during pre- and post-season.

Good to know when you are here

Checking in

How do I do when I arrive at the Göta Canal and want to start my journey? You can find the answer here!

Waiting times

Sometimes you have to wait for a bridge opening or locking. Here you can read more about the most common reasons for waiting times on the canal.

Bridges with special opening hours

Some of the bridges across the Göta Canal have specific times for opening. You can find them here.

Meeting a passenger boat

How should you behave when you meet one of the major passenger boats on the Göta Canal? Read more here.

Marinas along the Göta Canal

Here you find information about the marinas along the Göta Canal.

Fishing along the Göta Canal

Here you find information about what is applicable to fishing in the Göta Canal.

Nautical charts

What charts are there for the Göta Canal?

Fuel

Here you can read more about the fuel tanks along the Göta Canal.

Vadstena

Make an excursion to Vadstena during your Göta Canal trip!

Damage

Sometimes things happen. Here you can read more about what to do if an injury occurs during your trip on the Göta Canal.

Marine service

Do you need help with anything on your boat during the trip? Here you will find those who can help you.

Moorings & dry docks

The Göta kanalbolag has berths for rent in lakes along the Göta Canal, and has two dry docks where you can take your boat. Here you find all information about them.

The Trollhätte Canal

The Trollhätte Canal, operated by the Swedish Maritime Administration, is a link between the Göta Canal and Sweden’s west coast.

“We have time for each other and to just unwind”

Read about the Vikander family, who returns to the Göta Canal every year.

Canal story Vikander