Umeå is compact and easy to navigate on foot or by bicycle — the flat terrain and well-maintained cycle paths make cycling a practical option even in winter. The city runs a good local bus network operated by Länstrafiken. Taxis are available but expensive, as is typical in Sweden.
Ferries run across the Gulf of Bothnia to Vaasa in Finland — the crossing takes a few hours and is a pleasant way to continue onward if you are heading east.