Helsingborg

Helsingborg is in the Scania province of southern Sweden. Historic Helsingborg, with its many old buildings, is a scenic coastal city. The buildings are a blend of old-style stone-built churches and a 600-year-old medieval fortress (Kärnan) in the city centre, and more modern commercial buildings.

Understand
Helsingborg is on the east side of the Oresund on Sweden's south-west coast. It's Sweden's 8th largest municipality with a population of about 128,000 (2009). Major businesses are service, trade, industry and tourism. In 2000 a branch of the University of Lund opened in the former Tretorn rubber factories a stone's throw from the Denmark ferries.

On the opposite side of the sound in Denmark is Helsingør. Before the Malmö–Copenhagen Øresund bridge was finished, most of the trans-Scandinavian traffic (transit and tourist) used the ferries between Helsingborg and Helsingør. There is still heavy traffic across the Sound here because of the high population density on either side of the border. In addition, the ferries are usually somewhat cheaper than the fees for the bridge and they often provide a shorter route compared to the bridge.

By train
is in the lower level of Knutpunkten, a massive complex on the waterfront which also includes the ferry terminal.

From Malmö and Lund, there are three trains an hour to Helsingborg; the trip takes 40 minutes on the fastest routes, or just over an hour on the mauve Pågatåg local trains. Trains run hourly from Copenhagen (1¼ hours) and Kastrup Airport (1 hour) to the south, and from Göteborg (2½ hours) to the north. Hourly trains run from Hässleholm (1 hour), of which some originate in Kristianstad (1hr 20min). Tickets for these trains are issued at fixed prices by the Skånetrafiken transport authority, and are also valid on local transport at either end of the route.

Stockholm-bound travellers usually have to change to a SJ express train in Hässleholm or Lund.

An alternative route to Copenhagen is to take the ferry across to Helsingør (20 min), where the trains to the Danish capital are more frequent (45 min). This can be faster than waiting for an hourly direct train, and is also cheaper. Skånetrafiken can sell combined tickets that cover both the ferry and train.

By bus
There are regular bus services between Helsingborg and Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, Gothenburg and other cities along the way towards these cities. The major bus companies are Vy (Bus4You) and Flixbus.

By car
By E4 from Stockholm in the north, and E6 from Malmö in the south and from Gothenburg/Oslo in the north.

By boat
From Helsingör, Denmark, it's a 20-minute ferry ride across the sound, with ferries departing every 15 minutes most of the day. At night, there is at least one ferry every hour.

Ferries are operated by Sundsbusserne and ForSea.

By plane
The Ängelholm-Helsingborg Airport is situated approximately 40 km from Helsingborg and has daily flights to Stockholm Arlanda Airport (SAS) and Stockholm-Bromma (Kullaflyg), weekly flights to Visby and seasonal flights to Mora.

Copenhagen Airport is about one hour away by train.

Get around
Practically all public transport goes through the train/ferry terminal Knutpunkten (Helsingborg C), including regional and long-distance trains and buses as well as local buses.

Skånetrafiken runs the local and regional bus and train system, and if you intend on spending some time in the Skåne-region it is highly recommended that you get the so-called Jojo-card which is a prepay card that gives you 20% off any ticket. Additionally a duo/family ticket will give you another 10% off (for up to 2 adults and 3 children).

By public transport
Bus is the main means of transport in town. Buses run from early morning till around midnight and a little later on Fridays and Saturdays. The city bus system (Green buses) connects most of the city and all but one (#2) stay within one fare zone. Single trip costs 19 kr, but it's not possible to pay with cash on the buses. Regional buses (Yellow buses) connect to nearby towns.

There are two further stations beyond Helsingborg C, but these are unlikely to be useful to tourists travelling within the city.

By taxi
Taxi rides are rather expensive in Helsingborg and there is little competition. They can be found right outside Helsingborg C main entrance, next to the Marina Plaza hotel.

Do


"Tura" is a Swedish expression for the local tradition of having dinner on the ferries (Scandlines). During summer and the weeks leading up to Christmas you should make reservations in advance. Quite possibly the most classic of Helsingborgian experiences.

Buy
The main shopping areas are the pedestrian streets Kullagatan, Bruksgatan and Södra Storgatan, as well as the main streets surrounding them in downtown Helsingborg.

Just outside the city there is Väla, one of Scandinavia's largest shopping centers.

Getting online

 * Free public Wi-Fi offered by the City of Helsingborg at several places in the city center.
 * Sidewalk Express, Knutpunkten (Railway Station). 29 kr for 90 minutes (you can't get a ticket for less than 90 minutes).
 * MAX, Swedish fast food chain offers free WiFi (WLAN) on all its locations. In Helsingborg they can be found downtown on Södergatan 15 and at Väla Centrum.

Eat
Helsingborg is known as somewhat the gastronomical center of Sweden, having some of the greatest chefs in the country.



Like so many other Swedish towns there's a great foreign influence which means there's an abundance of foreign fast food and take out places serving pizza, kebab, falafel, Chinese, Thai, Middle Eastern and so on.

Drink
A lot of bars can be found downtown, inside or near Knutpunkten (Train station/Ferry terminal).

During Summer, the district Norra Hamnen (North Harbour) with its marina is highly recommended.

Koppi Cafe and Roaster in the core of Helsingborg are places where you drink fancy coffee.

Budget


Swedish hostels in general do not include free linen and towels, but they will be supplied at an extra charge.

Go next

 * Kullaberg/Mölle is an easy day trip and a must in late Spring/Summer. Kullaberg national reserve offers nature trails with great views over Öresund and the surrounding countryside. Take regional (yellow) bus 220 towards Höganäs (Mölle).
 * Denmark: Helsingør (Helsingör) is easily accessible by ferry (20 minutes). For Humlebæk and Copenhagen take a ferry to Helsingør, then a train. Ticket for the whole trip (one way or return) can be bought at the Ferry ticket window.
 * Lund, the university town (more than 40,000 students) of south Sweden and one of the oldest and most historic towns in Sweden.
 * Malmö is Sweden's third most populous city (~300,000 people) and the main Swedish city of the region.