How buying a Volvo can turn into the ultimate European travel experience

I just returned from one of the coolest travel experiences I’ve ever had — one that you can discover for yourself with the purchase of a new Volvo.

Volvo invited me to test out its signature Overseas Delivery Program, a unique opportunity for U.S. car buyers to pick up their new vehicle straight from its birthplace in Gothenburg, Sweden. What unfolded was part road trip, part luxury getaway and part deep dive into the DNA of one of the world’s most renowned car brands. Here’s how it went.

What is the Volvo Overseas Delivery Program?

Instead of waiting for your new Volvo to arrive at your local dealership, Volvo’s Overseas Delivery Program wraps your car purchase into a curated experience, including airfare, hotel accommodations, a factory tour and a curated introduction to your new car. All in all, the Overseas Delivery Program turns a transaction into an adventure.

The package includes round-trip premium economy airfare for two on Volvo’s preferred partner, Scandinavian Airlines, or another airline within Volvo’s baseline budget. You’ll stay for two nights at a luxury hotel in Gothenburg, enjoy dinner at an acclaimed local restaurant and spend a full day at the Volvo campus.

There, you’ll get a VIP unveiling of the vehicle, take a tour of the Torslanda production facility, visit the World of Volvo experience and enjoy a Scandinavian lunch at Ceno, Volvo’s on-site restaurant. You’ll also receive 15 days of complimentary European registration and insurance so you can drive right out of the showroom and straight into your European road trip adventure.

At the end of your trip, you can return the car to Volvo in Gothenburg for shipment home to the U.S., which is included with your vehicle purchase, or drop it off at one of nearly 20 other cities across Europe (for an additional fee). It’s entirely up to you.

The Overseas Delivery Program is only available to customers looking to purchase their car. However, you can finance your purchase or buy outright. And if you’re an existing Volvo customer, the program comes with an additional perk: an extra night of hotel accommodations in Gothenburg. You just have to show proof of ownership to your retailer or the Volvo-provided travel agent.

I came into the experience with high expectations and left completely hooked — not only on Volvo, but also on the Scandinavian region itself.

Flights to Sweden

The Overseas Delivery Program includes round-trip premium economy tickets for two to Gothenburg. While SAS is Volvo’s preferred airline, you can fly another carrier if the total stays within the program’s airfare allowance or you pay the difference. Participants in the program can also opt to upgrade to business class by paying the fare difference or downgrade to economy in order to bring additional passengers.

I flew out of Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., on SAS’ Airbus A321LR, a newer narrow-body aircraft designed for transatlantic comfort. The premium economy cabin was refreshingly modern, with ample legroom, a cozy amenity kit, and delicious food and beverages. Dinner consisted of couscous, a charcuterie plate, salad and dessert, while breakfast included eggs, mushrooms and Brussels sprouts, as well as yogurt and coffee.

The comfortable seat, generous amenity kit and exceptional service ensured that my overnight, transatlantic flight flew by, and I even got a couple of hours of good sleep. Before I knew it, I was touching down in Copenhagen.

After an easy customs process during my layover, I boarded a short hop to Gothenburg. Just 10 hours after leaving home, I was greeted at the airport by a private Volvo-arranged car service that whisked me to my hotel in style.

Hotel stay in Gothenburg

Volvo allows Overseas Delivery Program customers to choose from several premium hotels in Gothenburg, including the chic Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel and centrally located Gothia Towers. I opted for Jacy’z Hotel & Resort, a bold, bustling property that felt like a more luxurious Moxy with a Scandinavian twist.

There, the amenities were no afterthought. Noteworthy details included a virtual driving range, shuffleboard and cornhole, an indoor pool, and a lively bar and restaurant that drew locals and travelers alike. The location made it easy to walk to Gothenburg’s Old Town and sample the city’s thriving food-and-drink scene.

My room offered expansive city views, sleek furnishings and thoughtful design. The real standout was breakfast. Jacy’z served one of the most impressive complimentary spreads I’ve ever seen, with American staples like scrambled eggs and pastries alongside Nordic classics like pickled herring, smoked salmon, hard cheeses, rye crispbread and pickled cucumber. I am unashamed to say that I went back for more several times.

The VIP Volvo experience

The day at Volvo begins with a guided tour of the Torslanda factory, where you get an up-close look at how a modern Volvo car is built. Watching robots and humans in perfect synchrony was mesmerizing. I witnessed in awe as cars started as bare skeletal frames and rolled out of the facility ready for the road.

It’s important to note, however, that if the factory tour is a must-do on your Overseas Delivery list, you’ll want to schedule your experience to avoid the factory’s annual shutdowns, which historically occur between July and August for summer and late December for the holidays.

After the tour, you’re welcomed into the Volvo Lounge, exclusively for Volvo’s Overseas Delivery customers, where you can sip coffee and enjoy snacks while you complete some additional paperwork. Then it’s time to explore the World of Volvo, a thoughtfully designed, interactive showcase celebrating the brand’s history and global impact. I stepped into a wind tunnel, tried out an operating excavator and even composed beats using sounds from the factory floor. Whether or not you’re participating in the Overseas Delivery Program, this museum-caliber experience alone is worth a visit.

Lunch at Ceno, located inside the World of Volvo building, felt curated and elevated. Locally sourced ingredients and a seasonal menu made for a delicious, light midday pause before the main event: my introduction to my Volvo for the week.

You’re led to a sleek showroom where your vehicle sits beneath a cloth cover. In my case, a warm, knowledgeable and enthusiastic team member named Axel handed over the keys and then I got to do the honors. I channeled my inner game show host and pulled off the cloth draping to reveal a gorgeous Volvo XC90 Ultra T8 plug-in hybrid. Axel gave me a thorough walk-through of the model, showing me how to navigate everything from the massage seats to the Bluetooth audio system, as well as hybrid charging and fuel management.

Then, it’s time to drive right out of the showroom and create your first once-in-a-lifetime memory with your brand-new car.

Why it’s perfect for a road trip

Volvo includes 15 days of registration and insurance with every Overseas Delivery, so you’re free to hit the road as soon as the keys are handed over to you. Additional coverage is available for up to two months if you want more time in Europe. And if you need help planning your adventure, for a small fee, Volvo’s partner travel agency, Adtrav Travel Management, can assist with itinerary design and extended travel arrangements.

My route took me through both Sweden and Norway, and every moment behind the wheel both spoiled me for life as a driver and made me fall in love with Scandinavia as a traveler.

My first pit stop was a sculpture park, just under an hour north of Gothenburg. It’s set in a sweeping nature preserve, dotted with large-scale sculptures by Scandinavian artists — a striking blend of art and landscape that feels distinctly Nordic.

From there, I continued on to Smogen, a seaside town on the west coast that doubles as a summer escape for Swedes. The rocky coastline, colorful harbor cottages and crisp sea air made it an unforgettable destination that I vowed to return to. I spent the afternoon cliffside, eating the best fish-and-chips I’ve ever had and watching locals dive into the sea from smooth granite outcroppings. And yes, I did eventually work up the courage to take the plunge myself.

Crossing into Norway, I spent two nights in Oslo, a compact, design-forward European capital with lots to explore. The city has immersive museums and an opera house; the latter has a sloping marble roof that you can walk all the way to the top of for a panoramic view of the harbour you won’t soon forget.

On the return leg, I headed toward Lake Vanern, Sweden’s largest lake. It’s a peaceful area surrounded by farmland, forest and a growing number of boutique accommodations. I stayed in a glass cabin on a local farm — a quiet retreat perched atop rolling green hills of the Swedish countryside.

The real value of Volvo’s Overseas Delivery Program

At first glance, flying to Europe for your new car might seem like an indulgence. But when you take a closer look at what’s included — a 4% discount off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, round-trip airfare for two, hotel accommodations, behind-the-scenes experiences and international shipping — it becomes clear this is one of the most unusual and value-packed ways to buy a car.

Volvo even covers the cost of shipping the car back to the U.S. (as long as it’s returned to Gothenburg) and takes care of import duties, customs clearance and transport to your local dealership in the vehicle purchase price. The only additional cost you may encounter is if you choose to drop off your vehicle at one of Volvo’s other approved locations across Europe, which comes with a handling fee. Alternatively, you can choose to drop off the vehicle at one of Volvo’s other approved locations across Europe, for an additional handling fee.

Planning ahead is essential. Volvo recommends placing your order about four months before your desired delivery date, especially for custom-built vehicles, which require a minimum of 100 days. The production schedule on certain vehicles or engines may require longer lead times. Always check with your authorized Volvo retailer when planning your order.

As for the car’s return journey, shipping from Europe to the U.S. typically takes several weeks, depending on your drop-off location and final destination. Volvo provides tracking and updates throughout the process via its dedicated home shipment notification system, so you’re never in the dark about where the vehicle is or when it will arrive.

How to book

Booking the experience is refreshingly straightforward. It starts with selecting your desired model from the eligible lineup and visiting a participating U.S. Volvo retailer. There, you’ll place your order and put down a $6,000 deposit, which will be applied toward the final cost of the vehicle.

From that point on, Volvo’s travel agency partner, Adtrav Travel Management, steps in to coordinate your flights, hotel reservations and Overseas Delivery Day logistics. It can also assist with building out an extended itinerary if you plan to explore more of Sweden or the greater European continent. Upon arrival in Gothenburg, the experience is curated from beginning to end: transfers, hotel check-in, factory access, your time at the World of Volvo and, of course, the delivery of your car.

Bottom line

Volvo’s Overseas Delivery Program isn’t just about buying a car. It’s about creating a story — one that begins on the other side of the world in the place where your car was born.

From the moment you arrive in Gothenburg to the first mile of your European road trip, the experience is thoughtful, immersive and genuinely unforgettable. Best of all, when the trip is over, the car is officially delivered to you in the U.S. — a one-of-a-kind souvenir that still has thousands of miles left to go.

Terms and conditions:

1. The two-night hotel stay is only eligible on any new Volvo car orders.
2. Volvo Cars is only responsible for the core travel package; anything outside this package, including additional travel and activities, will be between the customer and our travel agency.
3. Please note: We cannot always guarantee a factory tour. The decision not to allow visits may come at the last minute, and in case of cancellation, we will inform the concerned parties promptly.
4. The complimentary registration and insurance provided by Volvo Cars are for 15 days. Additional insurance can be included for additional fees.
5. Tourist vehicles must be exported from the European Union within two months of their delivery date, provided the exportation is made in Sweden.
6. Vehicles dropped off at locations other than Gothenburg will incur an additional fee. Please refer to the Volvo Home Shipment Program for a full list of available locations and pricing. U.S. destination charge still applies.
7. Additional terms and conditions apply. See your authorized Volvo Cars retailer for more information.