Planning how to get to Vimmerby is easier once you know which regional hub fits your journey. The town is in Småland, in southern Sweden, and is best known for Astrid Lindgren’s World, the author’s childhood home and the surrounding forests and lakes. You can reach Vimmerby by train, bus or car, although the most convenient option depends on whether you are travelling from Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö or an international airport.
Where is Vimmerby?
Vimmerby is located in Kalmar County in southeastern Sweden, between the larger towns of Linköping, Västervik and Växjö. It is a relatively small destination, so there is no commercial airport in Vimmerby itself. Most visitors travel through Linköping, Kalmar, Jönköping or Stockholm before continuing by regional transport or rental car.
The town centre, Vimmerby railway station and Astrid Lindgren’s World are all fairly close together. From the railway station, it is possible to walk to the centre and to the main visitor attractions, although families with young children may prefer a local taxi or bus.
How to get to Vimmerby by train
Train travel is one of the most practical forms of transport to Vimmerby if you are already in southern or central Sweden. Vimmerby lies on the railway between Linköping and Västervik, commonly known as the Tjustbanan route. Regional trains have traditionally connected Vimmerby with Linköping and Västervik, but services can change because of engineering work, seasonal timetables or replacement buses.
For that reason, check the current journey in the official travel planner before booking accommodation or planning a day trip. Search for Vimmerby station rather than the town name alone, and check whether part of the route is operated by replacement bus.
From Stockholm to Vimmerby by train
There is usually no simple direct train from Stockholm to Vimmerby. A common route is to take a long-distance train from Stockholm Central to Linköping and then continue towards Vimmerby on a regional train or replacement bus. The journey from Stockholm to Linköping is often around two hours, while the onward trip can take roughly two to three hours depending on the connection.
Total travel time is commonly about four to five hours, but it may be longer when connections are not well timed. Booking the whole journey through a national or regional travel planner can make it easier to see the transfer and ticket requirements.
From Gothenburg to Vimmerby by train
Travelling from Gothenburg normally involves one or more changes. You may travel towards Linköping or another regional hub and continue to Vimmerby by local train or bus. Since the best route depends heavily on the day’s timetable, compare the complete journey rather than assuming that the fastest route is always the one with the fewest changes.
Allow at least four to six hours for the journey, and leave extra time if you are travelling with luggage, children or a tight connection. A rental car can be more convenient from Gothenburg if you want to visit several places in Småland.
From Malmö and southern Sweden
From Malmö, Lund or Copenhagen, a practical option is often to travel by train towards Växjö, Kalmar or Linköping and then continue by regional transport. Depending on the available connections, the route via Linköping may be useful, while a journey through Kalmar can work better for travellers who also want to explore the coast.
There is no single train route that is always best. Compare departure times, the number of changes and whether buses replace trains. A journey from Malmö can take approximately four to six hours, sometimes more when connections are spread out.
How to find trains to Vimmerby
When searching for trains to Vimmerby, use the national railway journey planner and the relevant regional transport authority’s website or app. SJ is useful for many long-distance journeys to Linköping and other Swedish cities. Regional services in Östergötland and Kalmar County may be operated or ticketed by local transport authorities, so the booking process can vary.
- Search for the exact travel date, since weekend and weekday services may differ.
- Check whether your connection includes a replacement bus.
- Allow time to change at Linköping or another interchange station.
- Confirm whether one ticket covers the complete trip or whether separate regional tickets are required.
- Keep your ticket available on your phone, especially when boarding a regional train or bus.
Rail services in this part of Sweden can be less frequent than services between the major cities. If you miss a connection, the next departure may not be available for several hours. This is particularly important when visiting Astrid Lindgren’s World for a specific opening time.
How to get to Vimmerby by bus
Long-distance bus services can be a useful alternative to trains, especially from Stockholm, Jönköping, Linköping or nearby towns. Regional buses also connect Vimmerby with other communities in Kalmar County and northern Småland. The exact routes and operators change, so check the current timetable before travelling.
Bus travel may be slower than driving, but it can be affordable and avoids the need to navigate rural roads. Some journeys require a change in a larger town. When comparing transport to Vimmerby, look at the full door-to-door journey, not just the advertised travel time. A bus that arrives near your accommodation may be more convenient than a train followed by a taxi.
Bus travel from Linköping
Linköping is one of the most useful gateways to Vimmerby. If trains are not running or a replacement bus is scheduled, you may find a direct or connecting coach service from Linköping. The trip generally takes a few hours, depending on the route and intermediate stops.
Linköping is also a good place to spend a night if your onward connection to Vimmerby does not fit your arrival from Stockholm or another city. This can make the journey less stressful for families travelling during the busy summer season.
Driving to Vimmerby
Driving is often the easiest answer to how to get to Vimmerby when you are travelling with children, carrying sports equipment or planning to explore the countryside. The roads around Vimmerby are generally straightforward, although some rural routes are narrow and may take longer than the distance on a map suggests.
Approximate driving times in normal conditions include:
- Linköping to Vimmerby: about one and a half to two hours.
- Jönköping to Vimmerby: about two hours.
- Kalmar to Vimmerby: about one and a half to two hours.
- Stockholm to Vimmerby: about three and a half to four and a half hours.
- Gothenburg to Vimmerby: about three and a half to four and a half hours.
- Malmö to Vimmerby: about four and a half to five and a half hours.
These estimates can change with roadworks, weather, traffic and breaks. Use a current navigation app on the day of travel, and avoid relying on a route that assumes high speeds on smaller roads.
Driving from Stockholm
The drive from Stockholm usually takes you south through the Swedish road network towards Linköping and then onward to Vimmerby. This route is suitable for visitors who want to stop in Norrköping, Linköping or the surrounding countryside. Plan a break during the journey, particularly in summer when traffic near popular attractions can be heavier.
Driving from Gothenburg
From Gothenburg, you can drive east towards Jönköping and continue through Småland towards Vimmerby. This option gives you flexibility to visit places such as Gränna, the shores of Lake Vättern or smaller villages along the way. Check fuel availability before leaving larger towns, as services are less frequent on some rural stretches.
Driving from Malmö or Copenhagen
Travellers from Malmö can drive north and east through Småland. If you are coming from Copenhagen, cross the Öresund Bridge and continue through southern Sweden. A car makes it easier to combine Vimmerby with Kalmar, the island of Öland, Växjö or the Glasriket area, although these additions will make the trip longer.
Flying to Vimmerby
There are no regular commercial flights to Vimmerby. If you are flying to Sweden, you will need to continue from an airport by train, bus or rental car.
Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Stockholm Arlanda is the largest airport and often has the widest choice of international flights. From the airport, take an airport train or other public transport into Stockholm if necessary, then continue by long-distance train towards Linköping. You can also hire a car at the airport and drive to Vimmerby.
Driving directly from Arlanda to Vimmerby takes approximately four hours in good conditions, but the total airport-to-hotel time will be longer once you allow for baggage collection, car hire paperwork and rest stops.
Stockholm Skavsta Airport
Stockholm Skavsta is south of Stockholm and can be a useful arrival point for travellers who find a suitable flight. Because the airport is closer to southern Sweden than Arlanda, a rental car may offer a relatively direct onward journey. Public transport usually involves travelling first to Nyköping or Stockholm and then connecting towards Linköping or Vimmerby.
Linköping, Jönköping and Kalmar airports
Linköping City Airport, Jönköping Airport and Kalmar Öland Airport are geographically closer to Vimmerby than Stockholm, but they have fewer scheduled international flights. They may be convenient for domestic travellers or visitors arriving through a connection. Check the current flight schedule before choosing an airport, as routes can be seasonal or limited.
From any of these airports, a rental car is usually the simplest onward option. Public transport may require a taxi to the nearest railway station or bus terminal before the regional journey begins.
Getting from Vimmerby station to the town centre
Vimmerby railway station is close to the town centre. Depending on your accommodation, you may be able to walk there in around ten to fifteen minutes. Astrid Lindgren’s World is also within walking distance of the centre and station, although the exact time depends on your route and luggage.
Local buses operate in and around Vimmerby, but service frequency can be limited outside busy periods. Taxis are useful for accommodation outside the centre, late arrivals or families with small children. Arrange a taxi in advance if you arrive outside normal daytime hours.
Travelling to Astrid Lindgren’s World
Astrid Lindgren’s World is the main reason many visitors search for transport to Vimmerby. The park is located close to the town, and visitors arriving by train can normally walk or use a short local transfer. During the summer season, extra buses or special services may be available, but these should be checked in advance.
If you are driving, follow the attraction’s current parking instructions rather than relying only on an old map. Parking arrangements, opening dates and entry procedures can vary between the high season and special event days.
When to travel to Vimmerby
Summer is the busiest period, particularly when Astrid Lindgren’s World is open daily. Trains, buses, accommodation and rental cars can be in higher demand, so book important parts of the trip early. Travelling on a weekday may give you more choice of connections than travelling on a weekend.
Outside summer, Vimmerby is quieter, but public transport can be less frequent and some attractions may have different opening hours. If you are visiting in autumn, winter or early spring, check both the attraction calendar and the regional transport timetable before setting off.
Useful tips for planning your journey
- Check the journey planner shortly before departure because regional timetables can change.
- Keep a little extra time between connections, especially when changing from a long-distance train to a local service.
- Book accommodation near the station or town centre if you do not plan to rent a car.
- Consider a rental car if you want to visit lakes, nature reserves and villages outside Vimmerby.
- Bring a payment card, as Sweden is highly card-oriented and cash may not be needed for most purchases.
- Download tickets, maps and booking confirmations before leaving major cities in case rural mobile coverage is weaker.
- Check accessibility details in advance if you use a wheelchair or travel with a pushchair, particularly when a train replacement bus is involved.
Which option is best for your trip?
For many visitors, the best route is a train to Linköping followed by regional transport to Vimmerby. This is particularly convenient when travelling from Stockholm or another major Swedish city. A car is usually the better choice for families, groups and visitors who want to explore more of Småland. Flying can save time over a long international journey, but it still requires an onward train, bus or car journey because Vimmerby has no passenger airport.
Compare the complete route, including transfers and local travel, before booking. With the right connection and a little planning, Vimmerby is an accessible destination for a cultural break, a family holiday or a road trip through southern Sweden.