Overview

The Göta Kanal (Gota Canal) may not be the fastest way to travel between Stockholm and Gothenburg but this is certainly one of the most gracious, beautiful and relaxing forms of transport.

In 2014 the Coast to Coast Cruise will be exclusively served by M/S Wilhelm Tham. She was built in Motala (on the Göta Kanal) and launched in 1912. She boasts 25 comfortable cabins and space for 50 guests in comfort. The dining room offers delicious traditional Swedish meals and a different view each evening. You will be catered for on a full board basis whilst on the ship; breakfast buffet, two course lunch and three course supper. 

The cabins are small, comfortable and tastefully decorated. Most are fitted with bunk beds (some have double beds) and each has a hand basin; WCs and showers are in the corridor. As there is plenty to see and do,  most guests are only in their cabins to sleep. All cabins are above the waterline with a port hole or window. All bridge and shelter deck cabins open onto the deck.

There are several shore excursions included in every cruise and the ship’s guide is never far away to offer expert advice. Each night the ships stops so you can enjoy the entire length of the Göta Kanal in daylight. A comfortable coach connects Stockholm and Söderköping on the eastern coast. There are plenty of opportunities to get off and explore the Göta Kanal by foot or bicycle (the ship has a couple you can borrow), especially when passing through locks.

 

Itinerary

	Gothenburg to Stockholm			Stockholm to Gothenburg
Day 1	Fly from UK to Gothenburg		Day 1	Fly from UK to Stockholm
	Self transfer to the centre of Gothenburg			Self transfer to the centre of Stockholm
	Check into your hotel			Check into your hotel
	Time to explore some of Gothenburg			Time to explore some of Stockholm
	You may decide to travel a day or 2 earlier to see more of Gothenburg			You may decide to travel a day or 2 earlier to see more of Stockholm
Day 2	Breakfast at your hotel		Day 2	Breakfast at your hotel
	0830 boarding for your Göta Kanal cruise			0900 coach departs from Stockholm Central Station
	0900 Departure			1000 Departure
	The impressive Trollhätten lock staircase, the Canal Museum & a walk through the beautiful Old Lock area			1130 boarding and departure from Söderköping
	Cruise across Europe's 3rd largest lake, Vänern.			Karlsborg Övre and 8 locks
	Overnight stop at Läckö			Climb through the Berg lock system - 15 locks
				The first of 2 modern aqueducts
Day 3	Guided tour of Läckö Castle built in 1298			Overnight stop at Ljungsbro
	The Sjötorp lock system (8 locks), and the history of this part of the Göta Kanal.
	Sweden's smallest ferry, 'Lina',at Töreboda		Day 3	Cross the second aqueduct at Kungs Norrby
	Overnight stop at Vassbacken			Pass through the first of 2 hand operated locks at Borensberg
				Motala is recognised as the capital of the Göta Kanal with HQ, responsible for operations & maintenance. Explore on your own.
Day 4	At 91.5m above sea level this part of the canal is called 'Berg Kanal' and is the highest point of the Göta Kanal.			Cross Lake Vättern, Sweden's 2nd largest lake.
	Pass through one of just 2 hand-operated locks on the Göta Kanal			The 2nd hand-operated lock at Tåtorp
	Cruise across Lake Vättern, Sweden's 3rd largest lake.			At 91.5m above sea level this part of the canal is called 'Berg Kanal' and is the highest point of the Göta Kanal.
	Motala is recognised as the capital of the Göta Kanal with HQ, responsible for operations & maintenance. Explore on your own.			Sweden's smallest ferry, 'Lina',at Töreboda
	Borensberg lock staircase.			Overnight stop at Hajstorp
	Pass through the 2nd hand operated lock
	2 more modern additions to the Göta Kanal are the Kungs Norrby & Ljungsbro aqueducts.		Day 4	Wonderful morning walk from Hajstorp to Godhögen
	As the boat descends through the Berg lock system - 15 locks, you visit the famous convent town of Vreta.			The Sjötorp lock system (8 locks), and the history of this part of the Göta Kanal.
	Overnight stop at the terminus of the locks.			Cruise across Europe's 3rd largest lake, Vänern.
				Guided tour of Läckö Castle built in 1298
Day 5	Cruise across Lake Roxen			Overnight stop at Vänersborg
	Karlsborg Övre and 8 locks into Söderköping
	Approx 1330 arrival in Söderköping and coach to Stockholm		Day 5	The impressive Trollhätten lock staircase, the Canal Museum & a walk through the beautiful Old Lock area
	1600 arrival at Stockholm Central Station			The final lock is Lilla Edet. Originally built in 1607 and refurbished in 1916.
	Self transfer to your hotel			Approx 1600 arrival in Gothenburg centre close to the spectacular Opera House
	Check in			Self transfer to your hotel. Your crew will be able to assist with booking a taxi.
				Check in to your hotel
Day 6	Relaxing breakfast at your hotel.
	Perhaps add a night or 2 to see more of Stockholm		Day 6	Relaxing breakfast at your hotel.
	Self transfer to the airport			Perhaps add a night or 2 to see more of Gothenburg
	Flights back to the UK			Self transfer to the airport
				Flights back to the UK
	Activities / excursions on the Göta Kanal may be subject to change			Activities / excursions on the Göta Kanal may be subject to change

Accommodation

Rex Hotel - Stockholm

A refurbished town house from 1866, Hotel Rex provides comfort and privacy. Located in the exciting central area of Vasastan it is just a 2 minute walk to the underground and just a few minutes walk from major attractions such as the Vasa Museum, Stockholm harbour, shopping districts and a wide variety of restaurants.

This is where the locals live! The area around Rex Hotel is not on the beaten tourist trail. Instead you will find cosy bars and restaurants full of locals. The entire Stockholm region and beyond is quickly and easily accessible by the underground. All the rooms are en-suite and wifi is available throughout the hotel.

Please click on the image for more photos.

Göta Kanal Cruise - Sweden

Three magnificent ships (M/S Diana, M/S Juno and M/S Wilhelm Tham) dating back to the 1800s, offer stunning views over the Swedish countryside. Each ship has a meticulously maintained lounge and dining room, offering delicious traditional Swedish meals and a different view each evening. You will be catered for on a full board basis whilst on the ship; breakfast buffet, two course lunch and three course supper.  

The cabins are small, comfortable and tastefully decorated. Most are fitted with bunk beds (some have double beds) and each has a hand basin; WCs and showers are in the corridor. As there is plenty to see and do most guests are only in their cabins to sleep. All cabins are above the waterline with a port hole or window. All bridge and shelter deck cabins open onto the deck.

Clarion Hotel Post - Gothenburg

Opened in January 2012, the Clarion Hotel Post is a modern hotel with prime location in the very centre of Gothenburg. Located in the old Post House next to the train / tram / bus station where shops, restaurants, bars and the harbour are all easily accessible. Clarion Hotel Post boasts 500 rooms, two restaurants and three bars, a roof terrace / pool and spa.

 

 

 

Activities & Excursions

As the itinerary

Dates

Please note the dates below are the actual cruise dates. Don’t forget to add your nights in Stockholm or Gothenburg at the beginning and end!

The M/S Wilhelm Tham will be serving the Coast to Coast Cruise in 2015

2015	Gothenburg to Stockholm	Stockholm to Gothenburg
June	Saturday 6th Monday 22nd	Thursday 18th
July	Thursday 9th Wednesday 22nd	Saturday 4th Friday 17th
August	Wednesday 12th	Friday 7th Sunday 16th

 

Prices

2015 prices from (book by 15th March for these prices)
2 adults in a double / twin		1 adult single cabin / room
Main deck	£1410 per person	Main deck	£1795 per person
Shelter deck	£1735 per person	Shelter deck	£2140 per person
Bridge deck	£2085 per person	Bridge deck	£2615 per person
2015 prices from
2 adults in a double / twin		1 adult single cabin / room
Main deck	£1515 per person	Main deck	£1940 per person
Shelter deck	£1875 per person	Shelter deck	£2315 per person
Bridge deck	£2265 per person	Bridge deck	£2845 per person

Price includes 
return flights from the UK
1 night b&b in Stockholm
1 night b&b in Gothenburg
3 nights full board on board
bus to or from Stockholm & Söderköping

Gallery

Gothenburg

Göta Kanal Cruise

Stockholm & Archipelago

Information

Göta Kanal cabin plans

Alternative Hotels in Stockholm

Alternative Hotels in Gothenburg

 

Göta Kanal Map