Although most travellers head to Sweden via one of its many international airports, or by car, train or coach across the Öresund Bridge, there is also a vast array of ferries offering access to the country.

These are a convenient option for travellers with their own car on a road trip across Europe, heading to Sweden from Poland, the Baltic states or Finland.

How much do tickets cost on the various routes? Which companies operate ferries to Sweden and how long does the crossing take? Find out in this section.

Where can you buy a ferry ticket?

When travelling to Sweden, you can choose from many operators running various routes. The clearest way to compare them all is via the search engine directferries.com, where you can buy your ticket straight away.

Buy a ferry ticket to Sweden

We particularly recommend buying online for summer journeys by car, as tickets may sell out at the last minute.

The following companies operate ferry services to Sweden: Polferries, Unity Line,Viking Line, Tallink Silja Line, DFDS, Stena Line, TT Line, Finnlines, FRS Baltic, Eckerö Line and Wasaline

How much do ferries to Sweden cost?

Ferry prices vary significantly depending on the specific route, but also on when you book. Ferry tickets work in much the same way as airline tickets, with prices rising as occupancy increases.

The prices quoted are one-way; however, no discounts are available on return crossings.

Ferry routes to Sweden are of similar lengths. The average price of a ferry ticket for a pedestrian ranges from 30 eur to 50 eur. For a car, you’ll pay from 90 eur to 250 eur.

However, these figures are only very approximate; they vary depending on the specific route, operator, date and occupancy, by up to 100 per cent.

• Compare ferry prices on all routes

How long does the ferry journey to Sweden take?

The shortest journey is from the Danish town of Frederikshavn (3.5 hours), whilst the longest regular ferry services sail from Tallinn in Estonia (17.5 hours).

Journey times vary not only by route, but also by the type of vessel and its speed. In particular, some night-time services deliberately travel more slowly to allow passengers plenty of time to rest and to ensure reasonable departure and arrival times.

How does it work on a ferry?

Are you planning your first journey on a large ferry to Sweden? What’s it like on these ferries?

If you’re travelling with a car, check-in usually takes place 90 minutes before departure, when you arrive at the large marshalling car parks at the port. You’ll pay for your ticket at the drive-through ticket offices or show your ticket purchased online.

Buy a ferry ticket to Sweden

You’ll then board the ferry as directed by the staff. Everything is very straightforward and well organised. Parking on board and driving onto the ferry is similar to parking in a multi-storey car park.

If you’re travelling on foot, simply check in at the ticket office 30 minutes before departure.

Once on board, you’ll leave your car behind and be free to move around all the passenger areas. Unless you pay extra for a cabin, you’ll find comfortable seats spread throughout the ship. You can also make use of the seating in the dining areas, even if you don’t order anything.

Particularly in summer, many travellers bring their own inflatable mattresses onto the boat and spend the night on the outdoor decks under the open sky.

On longer routes, there are also sleeping cabins for 1 to 6 people with a shower. However, you’ll need to pay extra for these, and they cost between 60 and 250 eur depending on the level of luxury.

Ferries always have restaurants, small grocery shops, and sometimes even casinos, bars or stages for occasional performances. You can pay in cash (euros) or by credit card.

Which routes are available?

Take a look at the list of regular ferry routes to Sweden. Prices are for guidance only and show the lowest available fares at which a ticket can be purchased. The price quoted is for 1 car with 1 driver. Each additional passenger increases the price by between 20 eur and 30 eur.

From Poland

• Świnoujście – Trelleborg: from 95 eur with a car (from 43 eur for pedestrians), the crossing takes 6 hours and runs twice daily
• Świnoujście– Ystad: from 95 eur with a car (from 44 eurfor pedestrians), the crossing takes 7 hours and there are 5 sailings a day
• Świnoujście– Malmö: from 180 eur with a car (pedestrians without a car are not carried), the crossing takes 9 hours and operates once a day
• Gdańsk – Nynäshamn: from 235 eur with a car (from 88 eur for pedestrians), the crossing takes 18 hours and operates once a day
• Gdynia – Karlskrona: from 120 eur with a car (from 55 eur for pedestrians), the crossing takes 9.5 hours and operates 2–3 times a day
• Compare and book a ferry ticket from Poland

From Germany

• Rostock – Trelleborg: from 60 eur with a car (from 35 eur for pedestrians), the crossing takes 6 hours and there are 5–8 sailings a day
• Travemünde – Trelleborg: from 90 eur with a car (from 50 eurfor pedestrians), the crossing takes 10 hours and there are 2–4 sailings a day
• Travemünde – Malmö: from 100 eur with a car (from 27 eurfor pedestrians), the crossing takes 9 hours and operates 2–3 times a day
• Kiel – Gothenburg: from 320 eur with a car (from 150 eur for pedestrians), the crossing takes 14.5 hours and operates once a day
• Compare and book a ferry ticket from Germany

From Denmark

• Frederikshavn – Gothenburg: from 83 eur with a car (from 20 eur for pedestrians); the crossing takes 3.5 hours and there are 3–5 sailings a day
• Grenaa – Halmstad: from 83 eur with a car (foot passengers without a car are not carried), the crossing takes 4.5 hours and operates 1–2 times a day
• Helsingør – Helsingborg: from 199 dkk with a car (pedestrians without a car are not carried); the crossing takes 20 minutes and departs every 30 minutes; available only atoresundslinjen.dk
• Compare and book a ferry ticket from Denmark

From Finland

• Helsinki – Stockholm city centre: from 130 eur with a car (from 70 eur for pedestrians); the crossing takes 16.5 hours and departs 2–3 times a day
• Naantali – Kapellskär: from 60 eur with a car (from 30 eurfor pedestrians); the crossing takes 8.5 hours and runs twice a day
• Turku – Stockholm city centre: from 60 eur with a car (from 17 eur for pedestrians), the crossing takes 10.5 hours and operates twice daily
• Mariehamn – Stockholm city centre: from 130 eur with a car (from 30 eur for pedestrians), the crossing takes 6.5 hours and operates 4–5 times a day
• Langnas – Stockholm city centre: from 102 eur with a car (from 55 eur for pedestrians), the crossing takes 6.5 hours and operates once a day
• Langnas – Kapellskär: from 110 eur with a car (from 13 eur for pedestrians); the crossing takes 3.5 hours and operates 4 times a day
• Eckerö – Grisslehamn: from 39 eur with a car (from 10 eur for pedestrians), the crossing takes 2 hours and operates 3 times a day
• Vaasa – Umeå: from 106 eur with a car (from 42 eurfor pedestrians), the crossing takes 4 hours and operates 1–2 times a day
• Compare and book a ferry ticket from Finland

From Estonia

• Tallinn – Stockholm city centre: from 210 eurwith a car (from 90 eur for pedestrians), the crossing takes 17.5 hours and operates 3–4 times a week
• Paldiski – Kapellskär: from 155 eur with a car (foot passengers only are not carried), the crossing takes 10.5 hours and operates once a day
• Compare and book a ferry ticket from Estonia

From Latvia

• Ventspils – Nynäshamn: from 70 eur with a car (from 38 eur for foot passengers), the crossing takes 9 hours and operates once a day
• Compare and buy a ferry ticket from Latvia

From Lithuania

• Klaipėda – Karlshamn: from 155 eur with a car (from 40 eur for pedestrians); the crossing takes 13 hours and operates 2–3 times a day
• Klaipėda – Trelleborg: from 170 eur with a car (from 70 eur for pedestrians), the crossing takes 18.5 hours and operates 3 times a week
• Compare and book a ferry ticket from Lithuania

Map of ferries to Sweden