Ferries to Finland
From the continent, the Travemünde ship is the one direct ferry to Finland
Finland by ferry from Germany, Sweden or Estonia
Finland is a ferry country at the far end of Europe, and there are three ways in by sea. From Germany, Finnlines sails Travemünde to Helsinki, a 30-hour crossing that spares you the whole drive through Sweden; it is the route for British travellers with a car. From Sweden, the big Stockholm ships cross to Turku and Helsinki through the archipelago. From Estonia, the Tallinn to Helsinki shuttle is two hours and runs all day. Which one depends on where your drive ends and how much of the journey you want to spend at sea.
Map: ferry routes to Finland
About the crossings to Finland
One line on the map stands out: Travemünde to Helsinki, 30 hours and more than 600 miles, the longest regular ferry in Europe after the Iceland boat. For shorter crossings you go the long way round by road: through the Baltic states to Tallinn for the two-hour hop to Helsinki, or up through Sweden to Stockholm for the overnight ships to Turku and Helsinki. Finnlines, Viking Line and Tallink Silja run the lot.
With your own vehicle the ferry is the only way into Finland that does not involve the whole of Sweden. The options, starting with the longest:
Ferry from Germany to Finland
Travemünde to Helsinki: the long one
More than 600 miles as the crow flies, about 30 hours on board, and in Europe only the Iceland ferry goes further (about 1,075 miles). Finnlines sails it with three sister ships, Finnstar, Finnmaid and Finnlady, so there is a departure every day from both ends. The ships carry a lot of freight as well as holidaymakers, which gives them a working feel rather than a cruise one, but there is enough on board to fill the time: restaurants, a sauna, a pool, and the Baltic sliding past. From Germany the ship leaves at night, so you sleep twice on board; from Finland it is one night.
Our take
From the UK this is the sensible way to Finland with a car: a North Sea crossing to Holland, a day to Travemünde, then thirty hours of doing nothing. The alternative, the Danish bridges and 1,200 km of Swedish motorway to Stockholm, costs two days of driving and a hotel. Book a cabin with a window and treat it as part of the holiday.
From Sweden to Finland
From Stockholm, ferries sail to Turku and to Helsinki. The Turku ships call at Mariehamn on the Åland Islands and take under 12 hours, up to three times a day; Stockholm to Helsinki is around 16 hours overnight, up to ten sailings a week.
Stockholm to Turku and Helsinki
On a Scandinavian road trip the Stockholm ships are the natural way across. The Helsinki overnight is also a Nordic institution: a mini-cruise with tax-free bars, so expect a lively deck on a Friday night. If you are holidaying in Sweden, a two-day return to Helsinki without the car is an easy add-on; the city is compact, with a mix of old and modern architecture and a visible Russian past in its churches.
Ferry from Estonia to Finland
Tallinn to Helsinki
Coming through the Baltic states, Tallinn is the gateway. From the Netherlands it is about 24 hours of driving via Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia; a ferry from Germany to Lithuania or Latvia cuts that in half. The Tallinn to Helsinki crossing itself is one of the busiest in Europe: at least 13 departures a day, about two hours for the roughly 60 miles, with a slow overnight option on some ships. Give Tallinn a day before you cross; the old town is the best in the Baltics.
On board and ferry route maps
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- Tallink Shuttle Star – the fast ferry sailing on the Helsinki Tallinn Route
Prices and availability
Enter your route and dates below for live fares and sailing times on the ferries to Finland.
Before you go
- Download in advance: on a 30-hour crossing Wi-Fi is slow or paid and roaming at sea is expensive.
- Children on a night ferry: our tips for travelling with kids on the ferry.
- Drive on the right after you roll off.
- Seasickness: the Baltic is usually calm, but see where to sit and what helps.
Luggage and pets
Luggage is not restricted within reason. Pets travel for a fee in kennels or pet cabins, and Finland requires a pet passport and the right vaccinations. Country rules and company policies are in a separate guide.
Useful for travellers to Scandinavia
Tips for ferry travellers
Does the ferry from Travemunde end up in Stockholm? I don’t understand the map. On arrival, I don’t see Travemunde.
You were right, the map was unclear, I added the Travemunde to Helsinki route to the map. However, if you want to go to Stockholm you probably need this connection:
https://ferrygogo.co.uk/sweden/ferry-to-stockholm/
Which also is now on hold.
How long is the ferry ride from Stockholm to Finland?