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.
Covered in the Article
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 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 or other southern cities.
Travelling by Ferry between Finland and Sweden
Taking a ferry is the most comfortable and recommended way of travelling from Finland to Sweden or vice versa. Flying is an option for those who prefer not to sail or are in a hurry.
It is possible to take a ferry 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 would take a long time because there is no land connection between Finland and Sweden in the south. Flying between Helsinki and Stockholm is fast and inexpensive but not the easiest option since Stockholm Arlanda Airport is far from the city centre.
We think that sailing by ferry is the most comfortable way to travel between Finland and Sweden. Ports are near the centres, and the journey time varies between 4 and 18 hours, which is not too long. The ferries are also comfortable, so spending a day or a night on the boat won't bore you. Especially for first-timers, the ferries offer a lot to experience.
Ferry Routes
There are multiple ferry routes between Finland and Sweden. We introduce the most important options.
Helsinki to Stockholm
Viking Line and Tallink serve the 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 Silja operates two ferries from Helsinki to Stockholm: m/s Silja Serenade and m/s Silja Symphony which are identical to each other. Even though the ferries are more than 30 years old, they are still modern since companies have 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 and spa. The boats also have big floating 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 Silja 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 Silja 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. We have travelled multiple times on Gabriella, and based on our experiences, we have written a story about what cruising from Helsinki to Stockholm by Viking Line is like. Gabriella is a little smaller than Tallink's ferries but still comfortable. It offers almost the same services as Tallink Silja's ferries. Cinderella has a special retro charm.
Viking Line's ferries depart almost simultaneously with Tallink's. In Helsinki, Viking Line uses the South Harbour like Tallink Silja does, 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 between Sweden and Finland depart from Turku. They are also operated by Tallink and Viking Line. Turku is a small town located 160 kilometres from Helsinki, but the Port of Turku can be reached directly by train from Helsinki within 2 hours.
Because the journey time from Turku to Stockholm is less than 10 hours, it is possible to travel in the daytime without a cabin. Travelling without your cabin significantly reduces the ticket price.
M/S Baltic Princess by Tallink Silja started operating in 2008. The ferry is modern, accommodating about 2,200 passengers and many cars. The ferry is smaller but offers better quality than the ferries between Helsinki and Stockholm.
The other ferry, m/s Galaxy, is just like m/s Baltic Princess. The ferry is just a few years older.
Turku-Stockholm ferries depart every morning and evening from Turku and Stockholm. The journey time is less than 10 hours. The ferries have a strict turnaround time, so you must leave the ship quickly after arriving at the destination. That is also why cleaning the ferry starts before arriving at the destination.
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 a few years older. It is almost similar to Glory and sails from Turku to Stockholm. Both the ferries of Viking Line are of high quality, so it does not matter which one you choose to board.
M/S Viking Grace and m/s Viking Glory have two departures from Turku and Stockholm every day together. The journey time is 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 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 carries mainly cargo, but passenger cabins are on the ferries. M/S Finncanopus and m/s Finnsirius travelling between Naantali and Kapellskär have a capacity of 1,100 passengers. Although cargo is their primary focus, the ferries are very modern.
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 brand new small ferry. It is a Finnish-built ferry with a capacity of 800 passengers. The ferry offers a comfortable and fast ride from Vaasa, Finland to Umeå in Sweden.
Comparison of the Routes
| Route | Companies | Journey Duration | Daily Departures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helsinki - Stockholm | Viking Line Tallink Silja |
18 hours | Two |
| Turku - Stockholm | Viking Line Tallink Silja |
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, they can sell tax-free products onboard. Tax-free prices mean cheaper shopping for passengers. For example, alcohol products, cigarettes, chocolates, candies, souvenirs and branded clothes are cheaper onboard.
You may have a stopover in the Åland islands. In that case, it is possible to continue to Sweden from Mariehamn, Långnäs and Eckerö. Eckerö Line operates a route to Grisslehamn, Sweden; Finnlines, Viking Line and Tallink Silja to Kapellskär and Stockholm.
Ticket Prices
Ferry tickets are inexpensive. The route from Helsinki to Stockholm is more expensive than from Turku to Stockholm. Also, tickets for weekend departures are pricier than tickets sold for departures on weekdays.
Prices vary widely based on season and cabin type; 60 euros is an estimate for off-peak periods. A cabin can normally accommodate four persons. From Turku to Stockholm, prices are more affordable. Ticketed for morning departures are especially inexpensive.
The cheapest option is a 2-way cruise. This means you travel to a destination and return on the same day. If you plan to cruise on the sea, starting the trip from Finland is recommended to get cheaper tickets.
Booking
Finnish and Swedish residents have a good understanding of what is a reasonable price for a cruise between Finland and Sweden. By monitoring prices closely, you may find a great bargain.
Foreigners and travellers are advised to evaluate prices carefully. We recommend comparing them 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 cruising in Rhodes, Greece.
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 Silja 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
During a journey to the Baltics and Fennoscandinavia, sailing by ferry from one city to another is the most comfortable and practical way of moving from one city to another. You may start by visiting Tallinn first and then continuing by ferry to Finland. From Finland, it is inexpensive to take another ferry to Sweden.
Flying between Finland and Sweden may be the fastest option, but we recommend a ferry. Especially during summer, the archipelago is beautiful. For couples, why not make this a part of romantic journeys? Also, for families, we recommend taking the ferry while visiting these different cities, which will surely be a memorable experience.
Have you taken a ferry from Finland to Sweden yet? How was your experience? Comment below!
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