Finland-Sweden Ferries - a Guide for 2025
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Sailing across the Baltic Sea is a fresh alternative to flying. Cruising on the sea is a practical way of travelling between Finland and Sweden. Check out our detailed ferry guide and find the best ferry route.
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Finland and Sweden - Nordic Neighbours
Finland and Sweden are neighbours in the Northern Europe. The countries are members of the European Union and the Schengen Agreement. A single Schengen visa allows you to visit both countries.
Finland and Sweden share both land and sea borders. The capital of Finland, Helsinki, is located in Southern Finland, while Stockholm, the Swedish capital, is in the eastern part of the country. The distance between these Nordic capitals is only 496 kilometres. Since the Baltic Sea separates Finland and Sweden, flying or taking a ferry is the only practical way to travel between the capitals.
Travelling by Ferry Between Finland and Sweden
Taking a ferry is the most comfortable and recommended way of travelling from Finland to Sweden and vice versa. Flying is an option for those who prefer not to sail, are in a hurry or have a transfer flight.
It is possible to take a ferry from Finland to Sweden from Helsinki, Turku, Naantali and Vaasa. The route from Vaasa to Umeå is the shortest, the routes from Turku and Naantali to Stockholm and Kapellskär are a little longer, and the route from Helsinki to Stockholm is the longest.
Why not Fly Instead?
Passengers travelling between Finland and Sweden often depart from a capital. Driving the route takes a long time due to the lack of a land connection between southern Finland and Sweden. Flying between Helsinki and Stockholm is fast and inexpensive but not the easiest option since Stockholm Arlanda Airport is far from the city centre.
Sailing by ferry is the most comfortable way to travel between Finland and Sweden. The ports are close to city centres, and the journey takes between 4 and 18 hours, which is reasonable. Ferries are well-equipped, making a day or night on board enjoyable. First-time travellers will experience plenty of new things.
Ferry Routes
There are multiple ferry routes between Finland and Sweden. We introduce the most important ones.
Helsinki to Stockholm
Viking Line and Tallink serve a route from Helsinki to Stockholm. Both companies have huge ferries that can accommodate almost 3,000 passengers and a lot of cargo. A one-way journey between Helsinki and Stockholm lasts about 18 hours.
Tallink operates two ferries from Helsinki to Stockholm: M/S Silja Serenade and M/S Silja Symphony which are almost identical to each other. Even though the ferries are over 30 years old, they are still modern since Tallink has renovated them multiple times.
The ferries can carry many cars and cargo. Still, they are more like cruise ships, offering entertainment services suitable for children and adults, various cabin classes for sleeping, numerous bars, cafes and restaurants, including one that caters to morning and dinner buffets. You can do tax-free shopping or try an authentic Finnish Sauna or spa. The boats also have big discos; some prefer partying all night.
Normally, the ticket price includes a private cabin with a bathroom on the route between Stockholm and Helsinki.
Tallink ferries depart every day at 5 pm from both ends and will arrive at the destination the next morning at about 10 am local time (Swedish time is one hour behind Helsinki time). In Helsinki, Tallink uses the central Olympia Terminal at South Harbour. Still, in Stockholm, passengers must take a metro or bus from the Värtan Terminal to the city centre.
In Stockholm, a metro ride from the Gärdet Station to T-Centralen is only a few stops.
Viking Line also operates two ferries between Helsinki and Stockholm: M/S Gabriella and M/S Viking Cinderella. Gabriella is slightly smaller than Tallink's ferries. We have travelled on Gabriella multiple times, and while it may not be the most luxurious ferry, it is always a pleasant experience. Cinderella is not new either, but it was once one of the finest ships on the Baltic Sea. It still retains a unique retro charm.
Viking Line ferries provide nearly the same services as Tallink.
Viking Line's ferries depart almost simultaneously with Tallink's. In Helsinki, Viking Line uses the Katajanokka Terminal opposite Tallink Terminal in South Harbour, but in Stockholm, Viking Line has a more central port called Stadtsgården situated near Stockholm's Old Town.
A cabin with your bathroom is included in the ticket price.
We have written a story what is cruising from Helsinki to Stockholm by Viking Line like.
Turku to Stockholm
The best ferries from Finland to Sweden depart from Turku, operated by both Tallink and Viking Line. Turku, a small city 160 kilometres from Helsinki, is easily accessible by train from Helsinki in about two hours.
Since the journey from Turku to Stockholm takes less than 10 hours, it is possible to travel during the day without booking a cabin, which lowers the ticket price.
Tallink operates only one ferry from Turku. M/S Baltic Princess, launched in 2008, is a modern ferry accommodating approximately 2,200 passengers and numerous vehicles. Although smaller, it offers a higher quality experience than the ferries operating between Helsinki and Stockholm.
Baltic Princess departs for Stockholm every evening, with less than 10 hours of journey time. Due to the ferry's strict turnaround schedule, passengers must disembark quickly upon arrival. For this reason, cleaning begins before reaching the destination.
Viking Line operates two ferries from Turkey. Undeniably, M/S Viking Glory is the most modern ferry between Finland and Sweden. It started operating in 2022. This ferry is also more environmentally friendly as it operates with natural gas.
The ferry is large, with a capacity of 2,800 passengers. Travelling on M/S Viking Glory feels like being in a luxury floating hotel with many entertainment services.
M/S Viking Grace is slightly older but similar to Viking Glory and operates on the Turku to Stockholm route. Both Viking Line ferries offer high-quality service, so either choice ensures a comfortable journey.
M/S Viking Grace and M/S Viking Glory operate between Turku and Stockholm twice daily, with departures in the morning and evening. The journey lasts less than 10 hours.
Naantali to Kapellskär
There are two ferries traversing between Naantali and Kapellskär operated by Finnlines. Naantali is 15 kilometres from Turku, and Kapellskär is 89 from Stockholm centre. We can't recommend this route for everyone because you must take a taxi or bus to reach these distant ports. However, the route may be more inexpensive and a good option for people driving a car.
Finnlines primarily transports cargo, but their newest ferries are surprisingly modern and luxurious. M/S Finncanopus and M/S Finnsirius travelling between Naantali and Kapellskär have a capacity of 1,100 passengers. The ferries have the same design. Although cargo is their primary focus, it's easy to forget you're on a cargo ship when boarding them.
Vaasa to Umeå
Travellers visiting Finland's western coast may wish to cruise from Vaasa, Finland to Umeå, Sweden. That is the most practical way to cross the Gulf of Bothnia from Finland to Sweden. The journey is short, taking only less than 4 hours.
M/S Aurora Bothnia is a new, compact ferry built in Finland, with a capacity for 800 passengers. It provides a comfortable and quick journey from Vaasa, Finland, to Umeå, Sweden.
Comparison of the Routes
| Route | Companies | Journey Duration | Daily Departures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helsinki - Stockholm | Viking Line Tallink |
18 hours | Two |
| Turku - Stockholm | Viking Line Tallink |
10 hours | Four |
| Naantali - Kapellskär | Finnlines | 8 hours | Two |
| Vaasa - Umeå | Wasaline | 4 hours | One |
Stopover at the Åland Islands
The Åland Islands or simply Åland is an autonomous region belonging to Finland. Almost all the ferries from Finland to Sweden stop there. Since the ferries stop in Åland, can sell tax-free products onboard. Tax-free prices mean cheaper shopping. For example, alcohol products, cigarettes, chocolates, candies, souvenirs and branded clothes are more affordable onboard.
You can also make a stopover in the Åland Islands. From there, you can continue to Sweden via Mariehamn, Långnäs, or Eckerö. Eckerö Line operates a route to Grisslehamn, Sweden, while Finnlines, Viking Line, and Tallink offer services to Kapellskär and Stockholm.
Ticket Prices
Ferry tickets are affordable. The route from Helsinki to Stockholm is more expensive than from Turku to Stockholm. Additionally, tickets for weekend departures tend to be more costly than weekdays.
Prices fluctuate greatly based on the season and cabin type; 160 euros is an approximate cost for an entire cabin from Helsinki to Stockholm during off-peak times.
A cabin typically accommodates four people. Prices from Turku to Stockholm are generally lower, and morning departures are particularly affordable because you do not need a cabin.
The most budget-friendly option is a round-trip cruise. This allows you to travel to your destination and return on the same day. For the best ticket prices, we recommend to start your journey from Finland.
Booking
Residents of Finland and Sweden are familiar with what constitutes a reasonable price for a cruise between the two countries. By keeping an eye on prices, you can often find a great deal.
Foreigners and travellers are advised to evaluate prices carefully. We recommend comparing tickets on Ferryscanner. By a single search, you get all prices. For example, we are using this service also while looking for ferry connections in foreign countries as we did for our cruise from Rhodes to Santorini.
Ports in Finland
South Harbour in Helsinki
South Harbour or Eteläsatama in Finnish is just a short walk or tram ride away from the Helsinki Central Station in the city centre. Viking Line and Tallink use this port. However, the companies have their terminals opposite each other, so be ready to head to the port's right side.
Port of Turku
There is only one passenger harbour in Turku. You can reach it within 30 minutes by walking from the centre or in about 10 minutes by bus. There is also a train connection from Helsinki and Tampere to the Port of Turku. In Turku, there are no commuter trains inside the city.
Port of Naantali
The city of Naantali has 20,000 inhabitants, and its port is 15 kilometres from Turku. There is no passenger train connection to the port, but you can take a bus from Turku. It is easy to get there by car.
Port of Vaasa
Port of Vaasa is 4 kilometres from Vaasa centre. There is a bus connection from the centre to the port 1 hour before the ferry's departure. Taking a taxi is also possible.
Ports in Sweden
Värtan Terminal in Stockholm
Värtan Terminal is a few kilometres from Stockholm's centre. The easiest way to reach the centre is to walk 10 minutes to Gärdet metro station and have a metro ride to T-Centralen. Metro in Sweden is called Tunnelbana.
Stadgården Harbour in Stockholm
Stadtgården Harbour is in Stockholm's centre. However, to reach the old town and the shopping area, you must walk 20 to 30 minutes. Taking a bus is also possible.
Umeå Port
Umeå Port is 15 kilometres from the Umeå Centre. There is a bus connection about 1½ hours before a ferry departure. No train connection is available.
Bottom Line
When travelling through Fennoscandinavia and, perhaps, the Baltics, taking a ferry is a comfortable way to get around. You can start by visiting Tallinn and then continue by ferry to Finland. From Finland, it's affordable to take another ferry to Sweden.
Flying between Finland and Sweden may be the quickest option, but we recommend taking the ferry. Especially in summer, the archipelago offers amazing views. For couples, it could be a charming addition to a romantic trip. Families will also find ferry travel a memorable part of their journey between these cities.
Have you taken a ferry from Finland to Sweden? How was your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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