Access
Please see the
Venue & Access page for details.
Accommodation
Please see the
Venue & Access page for details.
Allergies
During the summer course it will already be summer (no surprise here), but pollen seasons of many plants arrive later in Sweden than in Central Europe.
If you have a pollen allergy, check with your doctor about possible medication during your trip to Sweden. For an updated pollen forecast go to
Polleninfo and click on the map for Sweden.
If you have any food allergies, please inform the local organisers (mentioning it on the registration form will do).
Banks
Banks are mostly open from Monday to Friday 10.00 - 18.00 and closed on Saturdays and Sundays. The currency exchange office Forex at the shopping mall
Kungsmässan in Kungsbacka is open from Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 20.00 hours and Saturday-Sunday 10.00-18.00. ATM machines are widespread in Sweden.
However, there are no banks and cash mashines at Onsala Space Observatory itself. There is a cash mashine outside Hemköp (a grocer's store) in Onsala, about 6 km from the observatory. Although you will not need lots of cash during your stay there, it is good to have some money for e. g. the excursion.
Climate
The climate in south-western Sweden is not so different from Central Europe, but slightly colder and more humid, characterised by wet summers and fairly mild winters. The weather is often breezy. Throughout the month of June daytime temperatures will generally reach highs of around 20 degrees C that's about 68 degrees F. At night the average minimum temperature drops down to around 11 degrees C, that's 52 degrees F. Average humidity is 73 % in June, the month usually has 10 days with rain. Please note that there will be Nordic twilight during the meeting (see below).
Crime
Reading the very popular Swedish crime novels one can be forgiven to think that the country is a centre of crime with murderers lurking around every farmstead. But, Sweden is generally a very safe place. The most common problems to hit foreigners are pickpocketing and car break-ins. Also drunken riots (especially Friday and Saturday nights) are not unheard of.
If you want to report a crime, contact the police station at Lantmannagatan 5, Kungsbacka. It opens Monday 09:00 to 19:00 Tuesday and Wednesday 09:00 to 16:00, Thursday 09:00 - 18:00 and Friday 09:00 - 15:00, so it is better to ring the number 11414 (the general number for reporting crimes in Sweden) .
For emergencies call 112. The non-emergency local number for the Swedish police is (+ 46)77 1141400. Most officers speak English very well. In case you fall victim to a crime, the course organisers will help you with the report.
Drinks
Swedes are fond of beer and strong liqour. There is no significant amount of grape wine grown in Sweden, but there are a lot of microbreweries and the different types of spice and corn brandy "Akvavit" are very popular. It is common to eat the first (fish) course of a Swedish buffet with a small glass of strong liquor - "the fish must swim" - (at celebrations like Midsummer or graduation dinners this can be accompanied by a small song "snapsvisa").
Driving in Sweden
Car headlights must be lit at all times (even during the day and the Nordic twilight). Traffic drives on the right. Speed limits range from 90-120 km/h on main highways, 60-80 km/h on smaller roads and 30-60 km/h in towns and cities. Fines for speeding are very heavy, if you exceed the speed limit by a certain amount or percentage even your driving licence can be confiscated. Your vehicle must carry a warning triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and wheel chocks. Seat belts are compulsory in front
and rear seats.
DO NOT drink even minute amounts of alcohol before and during driving. The legal limit of alcohol in the blood is
zero and drink-driving is punished by heavy fines and/or imprisonment.
Credit cards are accepted at most petrol stations.
For emergency car repairs call the "Assistancekåren" service, toll-free within Sweden, Tel 020 912 912 (number available within Sweden only). In case of road emergencies call 112
Emergency
112 is the general emergency line throughout the European Union (similar to 911 in the U.S.) By the way, Sweden was the first country to introduce a general country-wide emergency number.
Food
Although Swedish food is down to earth and one cannot expect the French Haute cuisine (and can happily forget the associated chi-chi), it is now internationally highly appreaciated ad in some places even fashionable.
Traditional Swedish food "Husmanskost" is sometimes a bit on the heavy side to support people with energy to work hard in a rough climate. Soups are popular, pork and beef are widely eaten, lamb is now more frequently seen. Swedes are fond of mincemeat, in form of meatballs ("köttbullar") and mincemeat loafs ("köttfärslimpa"). Potatoes are a common side-dish, often boiled or in mashed form "potatismos" or as fried cakes ("raggmunk"). Very good fruit cakes are found in Sweden, especially in summer. Sometimes it is common to eat pea soup with pancakes at Thursday evening. In older times kitchen maids had the afternoon off on this day, so the food had to be pre-pepared.
The traditional Swedish buffet "smörgåsbord" consists of three parts. The first part are different kinds of fish (pickled herring, salmon). Then one goes over to the warm dishes (meatballs, "Janssons frestelse"), finishing off with the desserts. It is common to take a new plate with each course.
Coffee is usally served after each meals and often free in restaurants. Bread is also put on the table before meals and included in the meal price.
Immigration
Sweden is an associate member of the Schengen agreement which exempts travellers from regular personal border controls between 21 European Union (EU) countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden) and two European Economic Area (EEA) countries (Norway and Iceland), as well as Liechtenstein and Switzerland. People coming from Great Britain and Ireland are subject to personal border controls upon entry to the Schengen area. Border controls can, however be imposed on travellers from all states.
A list of countries whose citizens need a visa to visit Sweden can be found
here.
If you need a visa, please start the paperwork AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Not only can handling times be long, but it might be difficult to find the embassy responsible for citizens of your nationality and location. In many states, Swedish embassies do not hold consular offices and the visa applications are handled by embassies of other countries. Information about conference visa can be found at the Website of the Swedish Migration Board.
Internet
The hotel offers Wifi connections, which should work everywhere supposed to be practised without any electronics). Free Wifi is getting more common also in Sweden in cafes and restaurants.
At Onsala Space Observatory we will provide LAN connections.
Please note that you have to switch off your wireless device at your laptop at Onsala Space Observatory. It interferes with the radiotelescope.
Medical Services
In case of emergency, call 112 (general emergency). In cae of non-emergency it is best to contact the next medical centre "Vårdcentralen". In Onsala this is "Onsala Vårdcentral", Mariedalsvägen 6, Onsala, phone ++46-(0)-300-56 92 10. It opens Monday 08:00 - 18:00, Tuesday 08:00 - 15:00 Wednesday - Friday 08:00-17:00. There is a consultation fee. Furthermore, waiting times can be very long.In case of medical problems, the course organisers will help you to get an apointment.
If you are a citizen of any of the Nordic, EU/EEA countries or Switzerland, you have access to essential health care
if you register beforehand at a social insurance office in your home country and obtain a European Health Insurance card. If European health insurance cards are not yet issued in your country, ask for a form E128, or a form E111. With this form you only pay the normal patient fee, just like all Swedes. People from other countries are strongly encouraged to obtain a travel health insurance.
Pharmacies are widespread in Sweden to the new more liberal laws. The nearest one to Onsala Space Observatory is "Apoteket Sälen" at Mariedalsvägen 6. It opens Mon-Fri 08:30-18:00, Sat 10:00-14:00. It is worth to remember that many drugs sold over the counter in other countries are available on prescription only in Sweden (this includes contraceptives). People using medication constantly are advised to bring it with them.
Money
Sweden has its own currency, the "krona", plural "kronor", code SEK. Coins exist for 1, 5 and 10 SEK, notes for 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 SEK. Pictures of notes and coins can be found at the website of the Sveriges Riksbank.
ATM machines are widespread in Sweden.
However, there are no banks and cash mashines at Onsala Space Observatory itself. There is a cash mashine outside Hemköp (a grocer's store) in Onsala, about 6 km from the observatory. Although you will not need lots of cash during your stay there, it is good to have some money for e. g. the excursion.
Nordic Twilight
During the summer course it will not get dark in Onsala. Some people thus might find it hard to sleep. So some sleeping cover for the eyes could be a good thing to bring.
On the other hand, the Nordic Twilight makes romantic night walks in the beautiful countryside close to Onsala possible.
Post office
Post offices are generally located in supermarkets and open during their shopping hours: The nearest post office is at "Lollipop" at Gottskärsvägen 19 in Onsala and opens Monday - Thursday 10:00 to 20:00, Friday - Saturday 10:00 to 21:00 and Sunday 11:00 - 20:30.
Public Holidays
The weekend before the course is
Midsummer weekend, one of the most traditional holidays in Sweden. Albeit the celebration is a very nice experience, there are some things to consider. Between 21 June (midsommarafton) and 23 June morning everything comes to an almost complete standstill. Trains and other public transport service have only very reduced schedules. Roads are often crammed because people go out to the country to cwlebrate in their holiday homes. Shops and sights are generally closed. Accommodation might be difficult to find and early booking is thus advisable. Information aout midsummer celebrations in Göteborg can be found here.
Public transport in Onsala area
Information about the local transport can be found at the website of Västtrafiken.
For schedules long-distance trains check the excellent web site of the German Railways (in 6 languages) or the Danish State Railways or Swedish State Railways.
Sightseeing
There is not so much top do in Onsala itself. There is a very nice church and a museum close to it, though.
Shopping
Shops generally open 09:00 - 18:00 (Mon to Sat), supermarkets even longer and on Sundays. Please note that there are no shops close to Onsala Space Observatory. The nearest one with limited selection of goods is at the petrol station in Mariedal, 4 km from Onsala. The shopping centre "Kungsmässan" opens Mon-Fri 10:00-20:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-18:00. The outlet "Freeport Mon-Fri 10:00-19:00, Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 10:00-17:00 . The shops in Kungsbacka centre have open Mon-Fri 10:00 to 18:00, Sat 10:00 to 15:00 och Sun 12:00 to 16:00.
Most popular souvenirs are:
- Handicrafts
- Outdoor equipment and clothing (often of very high quality in Sweden).
- Glassware from Orrefors or Kosta Boda.
- Swedish design
- Special food (smoked reindeer, mooose sausage, lingonberry and cloudberry jam)
- Swedish liquor (Akvavit)
- For children: Brio quality toys and children books by Astrid Lindgren, Gösta Knutsson and many others.
Taxis
Taxis are safe and cheating tourists is not very common. Taxis are equipped with taxameters. However, they are expensive. Nevertheless, often fixed rates exist to or from airports. As everywhere, it is a good ide to enquire with the driver beforehand which costs are to be expected and if a fixed rate appear. In some place there are extra charges to enter the railway station or airport area.
When setting off, the taxi's meter should be turned on. It is illegal for driver to smoke or to allow others to smoke in the taxi.
The driver is not allowed to ask for more than what is on the meter. Ask the taxi driver for the receipt from the meter's printer. Credit cards are widely accepted in taxis.
Telephone
For calls to Sweden: Dial ++46 (the country code for sweden), then the area code (without the 0) and the subscriber's number. If you want to make a call from Sweden, dial 00 + the country code + area code + the subscriber's number. Mobile phones are very common (and annoyingly overused by some people). Pay phones are not so frequent anymore, many of them only accept phone cards. These have to be bought in advance at the newsagent "Pressbyrån".
The GSM network works on frequencies of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz (dependent on the carrier) . If you are taking your mobile phone with you, make sure that it is able to work on these.
Please note that you have to switch off your mobile phone when entering the area of Onsala Space Observatory !
Time
Central European daylight saving time (GMT + 2) will be in force during the meeting. There is no time shift between Germany, France and Sweden and a 1 hour time shift between London and Sweden. If it is 1 o' clock in London and 2 o'clock in Frankfurt it is 2 o'clock in Sweden. Daylight saving time is in force in Sweden during the meeting.
Tipping
Tipping is less common in Sweden than in the rest of Europe. In restaurants, service is included in the bill, but if you get a good service in a restaurant where the bill is sent to the table you can tip 5-10 %. In case of bad service it is OK to give nothing.
Toilets
Called "Toalett" or, more colloquially, "Toa" in Sweden. Often they are marked D or "Damer" for ladies and "H" or Herrar for Gentlemen. At railway stations and in department stores it is common that a charge of 5 SEK applies for toilet usage.
Venue
Please see the Venue & Access page for details.
Voltage
The electricity supply in Sweden is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. European-style 2-pin safety plugs are in use. Never attemt to connect a device that is not explicitly specified to be driven by 220 Volt AC.
Weights and measures
Sweden uses the metric system. Sometimes (e.g at candy shops) the word "hekto" is used for 100 grams.
! DISCLAIMER !
All the information given above is to the best of our knowledge. However, we cannot accept any liability for inadvertently false or incomplete information on this site.