Transport Related Musings

Hello again! 

So you might be wondering about the best way to get around Umeå once you arrive. Look no further!

Cycling:  One of the best things about Umeå is that cycle paths weave in and out of the city in such a well designed way that it is really easy to cycle anywhere (without having the worry of being run over by a bus.) Also an added bonus is that you can listen to music on your mp3 without major risk. A great way to start your day is listening to Daft Punk cycling down an icy hill watching the sun come up. (Okay I am never up that early but if I was that is exactly what I would be doing)

Most students invest in a bike even if they are only here for one semester.
There are several ways to go about doing this:

At the beginning of the semester there is a bike sale at the University where second hand shops set up stalls and you test them out and decide which bike suits you the best.  Although I have a sneaky suspicion that they know clueless students (like myself last year) will pay anything and so I paid 1200 for my bike which isn’t amazing and likes to habitually break itself.  If you get there early and you know what you are looking for ( thick tyres with grips, no cracks, mudguards, a comfortable saddle, gears, front and back lights, working breaks, and preferably without an annoying squeaking sound) you can get a good deal. Before you buy, I would recommend asking around to see if friends of friends etc. are selling a bike as it generally works out cheaper.

Additionally try looking on the internet - I have friends who paid 400 sek for much better bikes than mine on www.blocket.se  - a Swedish website that advertises buyers and sellers of almost anything.

 

If you are only here for only one semester or perhaps you don’t want the burden of trying to sell your bike before you leave Umeå – there is the additional option of renting a bike from ‘Campus Bikes’.  This costs approx 700 sek per semester and you receive a brand new bike with gears, front and back lights, a basket etc.  See http://www.campusbikes.se/index.html for more details

Walking:  People walk.I walk sometimes.. although the thought of the long walk to your destination makes it less appealing to go outside in the winter and you will inevitably stay inside and bake a cake instead.  ( In fact..bake this cake: It's a Swedish Kladdkaka and you will need 100g butter, 3dl sugar, 2.5 dl flour, 2 eggs, 1.5 tablespoon vanilla sugar, 4 tablespoons cocoa, a pinch of salt,  mix well, grease a cake tin..dust with breadcrumbs or flour and bake in the oven at 200 degrees for 20 mins.  It’s quick and delicious and everyone will love you if you give them a piece.)

Busses:  Taking the bus is for lazy people and also those who find themselves absolutely freezing. There has been the odd day where the bus has saved me from frostbite and inevitable death. It’s a little different here in that they don’t accept cash on the buses – only card. (If you have a Visa electron that is an online card and will not work.) You can buy a bus card at the bus station downtown and load it with as many journeys as you like. This actually works out as much cheaper than paying as you go. You can also pay for a bus ticket by SMS. There is a sign at every bus stop that will tell you how to do this. Umeå actually has a very special bus driver called the ‘Reggae-Bus-Chaufferen’ . He’s an enigmatic man who plays loud reggae music for his passengers. If you are lucky enough to end up on his bus you won’t be able to stop smiling like my friend Aoife here..  

Trains: If you want to head away from Umeå for awhile..you can take a train from Umeå Östra, Umeå’s train station. You can take the night train to Stockholm or Göteborg(or anywhere inbetween) it leaves every night at around 8:30pm and arrives in at Stockholm around 6:30am and Göteborg at around 10.30am. It can be pricey depending on the day and the type of seat (sitting or a bed) although there are student rates. Check www.sj.se for more information.

Planes:  Umeå’s airport is about 15 mins away from the city centre and airport buses depart directly outside the terminal after each flight has landed. SAS, Norwegian Airlines and Malmö Aviation are the airlines that fly to Umeå airport.   Tip: You can get a student price on internal flights in Sweden so don't book your journey all the way through.. you might save a lot of money. 
http://www.sas.se/en/?cep=215536&id=3 

Taxi’s: I always use ‘Umeå Taxi’  Tel: 090-77 00 00. They are really reliable and they text you 5 minutes before they arrive. Efficient isn’t it?

Thats all from me today..have a lovely Monday,

Louise J