Explore by Ferry: Where Can You Travel from Stockholm?

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Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is a major hub for ferry travel in the Baltic Sea. With its rich maritime history and strategic location, my hometown offers a variety of ferry routes connecting travelers to several destinations across the Baltic region. While the archipelago surrounding Stockholm is a popular destination, this article focuses on the larger ferries that take you to more distant ports. If you want to explore the Stockholm Archipelago as a tourist, check out my blog article that covers everything you need to know.

In this article, you will find key ferry routes from Stockholm, both domestic ones like Visby and Höga Kusten, and international ones across the Baltic Sea. Additionally, I will provide details about each destination, the ferry operators, and what you can expect on your journey. So, make sure to keep reading.

Domestic Ferry Routes from Stockholm

1. Stockholm to Visby, Gotland

Ferry Operators:

Destination Gotland

Viking Line

Departure Port:

• Destination Gotland: Nynäshamn Port (approximately 60 km south of Stockholm)
  
  
• Viking Line: Stadsgården, Tegelvikshamn, Stockholm

Travel Time:

• Destination Gotland: Approximately 3.5 hours
  
  
• Viking Line: Multiple days and overnight (cruise)

Highlights:

Visby, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the island of Gotland (Sweden’s largest island), is known for its well-preserved medieval town walls and buildings. One of the highlights in the city is the annual Medieval Week that runs for a week every August, attracting visitors for all over the place with reenactments, markets, and events. Gotland is also an amazing summer destination island, which is tremendously popular among Swedes with endless things to explore. Some of the key attractions include the Visby City Wall, Fårö, and the famous Rauks (large rock formations).

Ferry Experience:

Both Viking Line and Destination Gotland sail to Visby from Stockholm and the nearby city of Nynäshamn. However one important thing to keep in mind is that while Destination Gotland runs regular trips to Gotland and Visby all year around, Viking Line mainly offers cruises during the summer period. This means that you book a package for the whole trip which runs overnight, where you are only let off in Visby for a day before the ferry heads back to Stockholm again. So in short, choose Destination Gotland if you are planning to stay in Visby and Gotland for more than just a couple of hours.

In terms of the experience on the ferries, Destination Gotland is mainly a transportation ferry with comfortable seating, a canteen that serves food, and play areas for children. You can also choose to book a cabin on the ferry for the short trip if you feel that you want some privacy or just what to lay down. Passengers can bring their cars, which makes it convenient if you are planning to explore more of Gotland than just Visby.

Viking line on the other hand is a much larger ship which offers a lot more to do on the boat. That is also why they offer it as a cruise alternative, they want you to spend more time and money on the boat. In terms of dining, there are many different dining options with both a buffé, an a la carté restaurant, and various cafés and bars. They usually have a lot of entertainment which features live music, shows, and dedicated play areas for children. In terms of cabin you also have the option to choose from more exclusive ones to more standardized ones. Overall, the trip to Visby with Viking Line is a great option if you are just looking to explore Visby and Gotland for a short time and enjoy your time on the ship.

Stockholm to Höga Kusten (High Coast)

Ferry Operator:

Viking Line (Cruise)

Departure Port:

• Stockholm Stadsgården Port

Travel Time:

• Approximately 24 hours

Highlights:

Höga Kusten, or the High Coast, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its dramatic cliffs, hiking trails, and beautiful archipelago along the Gulf of Bothnia. The region’s high cliffs and deep bays are a result of ice age rebound, which has made this place into a geologically unique destination. The Skuleberget Mountain is one of the most popular challenging hikes with stunning panoramic views, while the Skuleskogen National Park is perfect for exploring dense forests, hidden lakes, and the rugged coastlines. The coastal villages, such as Nordingrå and Ullånger, provide a glimpse into traditional Swedish life with their charming red cottages and local crafts.

Ferry Experience:

Viking Line offers a scenic and relaxing cruise experience to Höga Kusten. Just like Viking Line’s cruise to Visby, Gotland, the ferry makes a stop at the region’s main city, Härnösand, where you can spend around 6 hours and join any of the pre-booked tours or just explore the city on your own. After boarding the boat again, the ferry takes you through the gorgeous archipelago of Höga Kusten where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the sea from the comfort of the ship.

In terms of the boat itself, the cruise offers comfortable cabins, a variety of dining options, and several onboard entertainment as well as shopping options. Passengers can enjoy gourmet meals in the ship’s restaurants, relax in lounges with panoramic sea views. The cruise also includes wellness amenities like a spa and sauna, great for relaxing. Overall the Viking line cruise to Höga Kusten is an excellent way to explore one of Sweden’s most popular World Heritage sites.

International Ferry Routes from Stockholm

1. Stockholm to Mariehamn, Åland Islands

Ferry Operators:

Viking Line

Tallink Silja Line

Eckerö Linjen

Departure Ports:

• Viking Line: Stockholm Stadsgården Port
• Eckerö Linjen: Grisslehamn Port (approximately 110 km north of Stockholm)

Travel Time:

• Approximately 5 hours (from Stockholm), 2 hours (from Grisslehamn)

Highlights:

The islands of Åland and its capital of Mariehamn, actually belongs to Finland but has a Swedish-speaking majority. The history of the island is interesting and was long a dispute between Sweden and Finland, before they finally settle with the current solution: belonging to Finland with self-governance with Swedish being the main language. Mariehamn, the capital of the Åland Islands, is a charming town with maritime heritage and the islands offer beautiful landscapes which is best enjoyed for outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and boating. During my childhood we regularly went to Åland to enjoy some of the best fishing in the Baltic sea.

Ferry Experience:

In terms of ferry options, there are two ways of getting to Åland from Stockholm. The first option leaves from Grisslehamn about 110 km north of Stockholm, and is with the company Eckerö Linjen. It is also the quickest way of getting to Åland from Stockholm with the ferry only taking about 2 hours. This is the preferred option if you are traveling by car, since its quiet a hassle to get to Grisslehamn without a car and also when arriving in Åland, you will arrive in Eckerö roughly a 30 min drive from Mariehamn, the main city of Åland. The ferry itself is quite simple, however they offer several dining options with view of the Baltic Sea. The tax free shopping options here are good, especially when it comes to alcohol which is a lot cheaper than the what you would find in Systembolaget in Sweden.

The other option of getting to Mariehamn, is by taking the Viking Line ferry. This ferry departs from Stockholm Stadsgård Port and takes about 5 hours to Mariehamn. The boat is a lot bigger than Eckerö Linjen and offers just like the many Viking Line cruises a lot when it comes to entertainment, such as a great variety of dining options, entertainment, and shopping. Passengers can also bring their cars on board, making it convenient to explore the Åland Islands. Viking Line also offers a cruise option to Åland and Mariehamn, however then no stop in Mariehamn is included, which makes it not worth it in my opinion.

2. Stockholm to Helsinki, Finland

Ferry Operators:

Viking Line

Tallink Silja Line

Departure Ports:

• Viking Line: Stockholm Stadsgården Port
• Tallink Silja Line: Stockholm Värtahamnen Port

Travel Time:

• Approximately 16 hours

Highlights

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a great city to explore in the Baltic and Nordic region. I often refer to it as a calmer and smaller version of Stockholm, and a mix between East and West. The city offers a mix of modern and historical attractions. One of the most iconic buildings includes the Helsinki Cathedral as well as the modernistic Lutheran Temppeliaukio Church. One of the most historical attractions includes the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sveaborg, also one of the world largest naval fortifications. Sweden commenced the construction of the fortification in 1748 when Finland was part of Sweden to protect against Russian expansionism, and its a fascinating part of history to explore when visiting Helsinki.

Ferry Experience:

Both Viking Line and Tallink Silja Line offer comfortable overnight trips with various amenities. Both ferries have a large selection of dining options, entertainment, shopping, and spa facilities onboard. There is a possibility to choose between a cruise option and a regular route option, where the cruise option makes a stop in Helsinki, where you get to spend the day before heading back to Stockholm. If you choose the regular route option you have the option to bring your own car, if plan to explore Finland or Helsinki for more than just a couple of days.

3. Stockholm to Turku, Finland

Ferry Operators:

Viking Line

Tallink Silja Line

Departure Ports:

• Viking Line: Stockholm Stadsgården Port
• Tallink Silja Line: Stockholm Värtahamnen Port

Travel Time:

• Approximately 11 hours

Highlights:

Turku, or Åbo as it is known in Swedish, is Finland’s oldest city, dating back to the 13th century. The city was a major center of trade and culture in the medieval period. The city also experienced a major fire in 1827 which burned down most of the city, which is still the largest fire in Finland and the Nordic that has ever occured. The most famous attractions include the Turku Castle, the Turku Cathedral, and the vibrant Aura River area, which comes alive in the summer with riverside cafés, restaurants, and cultural events, making it a perfect spot to relax and soak in the local atmosphere.

Ferry Experience:

Similar to the Helsinki route, the Viking Line and the Tallink Silja ferries to Turku offer a range of amenities, including comfortable cabins, restaurants, bars, and entertainment options. The journey is often scenic, passing through the Åland archipelago. Depending on the cruise, some travel to Åbo with and without disembarking. The cruises that don’t disembark in Åbo are meant just for you to enjoy the activities onboard, such as such as karaoke, live music, and themed dinners. If you choose to book a regular route ticket, you can also bring your car, which is great if you want to explore more of Turku and Finland.

4. Stockholm to Tallinn, Estonia

Ferry Operator:

Tallink Silja Line

Viking Line (temporarily during summer)

Departure Port:

• Tallink Silja Line: Stockholm Värtahamnen Port
• Viking Line: Stockholm Stadsgården Port

Travel Time:

• Approximately 16-18 hours

Highlights:

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, has a special place in my heart, mainly because I worked there for a few months back in 2018, but also because of its history and the many unique things that you can do in Tallinn. Tallinn is renowned for its well-preserved medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you can wander through cobblestone streets in the well-preserved old town, admire the Hansa style buildings, and enjoy the many bars and restaurants. My favorite attractions includes Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (I have a thing for Orthodox churches), the Soviet Statue graveyard and the Kadriog Palace.

Ferry Experience:

Currently, there is only one company that run ferries on a regular basis to Tallinn and that is Tallink Silja. Viking Line does on a temporarily basis but only during the summer months and as a part of a longer trip to Helsinki. The Tallink Silja ferries to Tallinn are large boats equipped with modern amenities where you can enjoy various dining options, duty-free shopping, and entertainment such as live music and shows. You can choose to buy a cruise option or a regular route ticket. Although it is possible to take the car onboard the Tallink Silja ferry to Tallinn, I would recommend that you choose the DFDS ferry to Paldiski (located just a 45 min drive from Tallinn) instead if you want to bring your car, it is both cheaper and quicker with the ferry only taking about 10 hours, read more on this option below.

5. Stockholm to Riga, Latvia

Ferry Operator:

Tallink Silja Line (temporarily closed)

Birka Gotland

Departure Port:

• Tallink Silja: Stockholm Frihamnen Port
• Birka Gotland: Stockholm Stadsgården Port

Travel Time:

• Approximately 18 hours

Highlights:

Riga, the capital of Latvia, is known for its stunning Art Nouveau architecture, it’s actually the city in the world with the highest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture! The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features historic buildings, charming streets, and with the most famous landmarks being the Riga Cathedral and House of the Blackheads. The old town is impressively well-preserved (although a lot has been restored) considering that much of the city was under bombardment during WW2. I consider Riga to be a hidden gem among the northern capitals of Europe, that few tourists make it to in favor of the more popular capitals of Sweden and Denmark. For a great Riga itinerary check out my blog post on the best things to do in Riga.

Ferry Experience:

As of now, Tallink Silja has suspended its trips to Riga (unclear why), so the only one currently operating cruises is Birka Gotland, which occasionally runs cruises to Riga. These trips typically run a few times every month and it also disembarks in Riga so that you can explore the city for a full day before heading back to Stockholm again. The Birka Gotland journey to Riga is a comfortable and enjoyable experience, and is a lot more luxurious than both Tallink Silja and Viking line.

If you want the most comfortable and luxurious cruise experience then the Birka Gotland cruise-ship is for you. The cabins and onboard dining options are both of a higher standard and the boat even includes a night club, casino and a large tax-free offering. Since Birka Gotland only runs cruises you don’t have the option of taking your car with you to Riga. If you want to take your car to Latvia and Riga, instead take the boat to Ventsplis (2 h 30 min to Riga) or Paldiski (4 h drive to Riga) and drive the remaining distance. More info on these trips below.

6. Stockholm (Nynäshamn) to Ventspils, Latvia

Ferry Operator:

Stena Line

Departure Port:

• Nynäshamn Port (approximately 60 km south of Stockholm)

Travel Time:

• Approximately 11 hours

Highlights:

Ventspils is small little town on the Baltic coast in Latvia, which is mostly known for its large port, where you can watch ships coming and going all day long. If you get tired of that then Ventspils is known for having some beautiful beaches along the baltic sea, where you can learn surfing or kitesurfing. The beaches in Latvia are usually long shallow ones, which make them perfect to visit for families.

Other than that taking the ferry to Ventispils is the best option if you want to take your car to Latvia. However these ferries are typically more expensive than the one that runs to Paldiski in Estonia. So if budget is your concern, I would take the boat from Stockholm to Paldiski and then head on to Riga and Latvia by car. I have done this several times myself!

Ferry Experience:

The Stena Line ferry offers a comfortable and straightforward service, with cabins of good standard. There are several dining options, including a restaurant, cafe, and bar, though entertainment is limited. This ferry focuses more on transportation than leisure, unlike Tallink Silja, Birka Gotland, or Viking Line. However, it efficiently gets you to Latvia, and the best part is you can bring your own car to explore Ventspils and beyond.

7. Stockholm to Paldiski, Estonia

Ferry Operator:

DFDS Seaways

Departure Port:

• Kapellskär Port (approximately 90 km north of Stockholm)

Travel Time:

• Approximately 10 hours

Highlights:

Paldiski, a small town on the coast of Estonia. It’s not much there to see to be honest, but the city has played an important part in both Swedish and Soviet-era history. You can read about my adventures exploring the city here. The main reason you take the ferry to Paldiski is to travel onwards, either to Latvia or to Tallinn, the country’s capital.

Ferry Experience:

The DFDS Seaways is a pure transportation boat with many of the passengers being truck drivers delivering goods across the Nordic region. However, it gets you from Sweden to Estonia in only about 10 hours. For this one you do need to be traveling by car. This ferry is the cheapest way of getting to the Baltics with a car from Sweden. Cabins are basic but clean and the boat hasa bar and a restaurant that serves surprisingly good food! All to a very affordable price! Make sure to book this trip if want to explore the Baltics by car. The company regularly have promotions if you travel with children, offering between 10-20% discount on ticket prices. Check out their website for more information.

Stockholm (Nynäshamn) to Gdansk, Poland

Ferry Operator:

Polferries

Departure Port:

• Nynäshamn Port (approximately 60 km south of Stockholm)

Travel Time:

• Approximately 18 hours

Highlights:

Gdansk, a historic and beautiful port city on the Baltic coast of Poland, which not too long ago belonged to Germany and was then known as Danzig. Gdansk is known for its charming old time with an abundance of cafés, restaurants and pubs. The city is also a popular destination for young men celebrating their bachelor parties. The main attractions include the Gdansk Crane, St. Mary’s Church, and the European Solidarity Centre.

Ferry Experience:

Polferries is the ferry line that traffics the route Stockholm (Nynäshamn) to Gdansk which takes about 18 hours. Ferries run about 6 days a week and also lets passengers bring their cars on board. The entertainment on board might not be as extensive as the Viking Line or Tallink Silja boats, however onboard Polferries still offer an al la cart restuarant, two bars and a buffé restaurant. The ferry also has a play area for the kids and even a disco area, which is pretty interesting. Overall I recommend that you choose the Polferries from Stockholm to Gdansk only if you are bringing your car with on the trip in order to explore the rest of Europe, if not its more worth it just taking the flight directly from Stockholm.

Practical Tips for Ferry Travel from Stockholm

• Advance Booking: I recommend that you book tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, which is usually during the summer months of June- August and during Christmas.
  
• Check-In: Check-in usually closes about 1 hour before departing so make sure that you arrive well a head of departure.
  
• Turn your phone to flight mode! Even though there are no roaming fees between EU countries and the Nordics, your phone may start roaming on an international network when you are at sea, which can be very expensive. To avoid unwanted roaming costs, turn your phone to flight mode when you board the boat until you reach your destination. If you need internet access, consider purchasing one of the ferry operator’s Wi-Fi packages. They usually offer good internet at a reasonable price.
  
• Weather Considerations: If you are a person who easily gets seasick, traveling across the Baltic Sea can be a bit of a challenge even on large boats since waves do get pretty big when the weather is bad. However, I have been on multiple cruises and ferries across the Baltic and never felt that the boat rocking was unbearable, so don’t worry too much about it.

Final thoughts

Traveling by ferry from Stockholm opens up a world of possibilities across the Baltic Sea region. It’s a must-do if you’re living in Stockholm or visiting for an extended period. The Baltic Sea is an interesting and underrated area where East meets West, offering a lot, from natural beauty to historic cities. Traveling by ferry, especially with a car, has quickly become one of my favorite ways to explore the Baltic. Plan your next journey and set sail from Stockholm to discover this often overlooked region in Northern Europe.