Ferries to Poland: routes, ports and onward travel
Start with Sweden: it carries Poland’s direct passenger-ferry network
For most international ferry travellers, Poland is reached directly from Sweden. The main corridors connect Gdańsk, Gdynia and Świnoujście with ports including Nynäshamn, Karlshamn, Karlskrona, Ystad and Trelleborg.
The best crossing depends less on the shortest sailing and more on where you are travelling before and after the ferry. Gdańsk and Gdynia suit northern and central Poland, while Świnoujście is the more natural gateway for north-western Poland and journeys towards Germany. On the Swedish side, Nynäshamn points towards Stockholm, while Karlshamn, Karlskrona, Ystad and Trelleborg serve different parts of southern Sweden.
This country hub keeps that wider geography clear. Our Sweden-Poland ferry comparison owns the detailed route choice, operators and crossing information.
FerryGoGo note
We have not travelled these Poland-Sweden crossings ourselves. Our first-hand Scandinavian experience is on the Denmark-Sweden corridor, so the direct Poland route information here is based on current operator and port information rather than a claimed onboard test.
Direct ferries between Poland and Sweden
These are the principal passenger-ferry corridors. Individual timetables and the vessels assigned to them can change, so check the current sailing before planning the road journey around it.
| Polish gateway | Swedish gateway | Best starting point for |
|---|---|---|
| Gdańsk | Nynäshamn | Stockholm and central Sweden, with a direct arrival in the wider Stockholm region. |
| Gdańsk | Karlshamn | Blekinge and southern Sweden without sailing as far north as Nynäshamn. |
| Gdynia | Karlskrona | A direct northern Poland-southern Sweden crossing, useful for Blekinge and onward road travel. |
| Świnoujście | Ystad | Skåne, eastern Denmark via the Öresund region and north-western Poland. |
| Świnoujście | Trelleborg | Malmö, Copenhagen and the motorway network across southern Sweden. |
Choose the Polish and Swedish gateways that fit the journey
Gdańsk or Gdynia: northern and central Poland
Use Gdańsk or neighbouring Gdynia when northern Poland is part of the trip. Both ports give useful access to the Tricity area, the Baltic coast and routes inland towards cities such as Toruń, Warsaw and Łódź.
- Gdańsk-Nynäshamn: the clearest direct option when Stockholm or central Sweden is the Swedish end of the journey.
- Gdańsk-Karlshamn: a newer alternative that arrives much farther south, in Blekinge.
- Gdynia-Karlskrona: another established northern Poland-Blekinge connection.
For the exact route comparison, operators and current sailing pattern, continue to the Sweden-Poland route guide.
Świnoujście: north-western Poland and southern Sweden
Świnoujście is usually the more logical Polish port for Szczecin, north-western Poland or onward travel towards Germany. On the Swedish side, both Ystad and Trelleborg give access to Skåne and the motorway network around Malmö.
- Ystad: useful for south-eastern Skåne and journeys continuing towards Malmö or the Öresund region.
- Trelleborg: particularly convenient for Malmö, Copenhagen and onward driving north through Sweden.
Do not choose purely by the advertised crossing time. Departure day, overnight timing, cabin requirements and the drive on both sides can change the best option.
From the UK to Poland
There is no direct passenger ferry from the UK to Poland. For most drivers, the practical choice is between a North Sea ferry to the Netherlands and a shorter Channel crossing followed by a longer continental drive.
- Compare UK-Netherlands ferries for Harwich-Hook of Holland, Hull-Rotterdam and Newcastle-IJmuiden.
- Compare ferries to France if Dover, Newhaven or the western Channel ports suit your UK starting point.
- Use the UK-Germany guide for the middle section of an overland route towards Poland.
The North Sea option puts more of the journey into an overnight sailing. Dover or LeShuttle can be quicker at sea, but leaves substantially more driving on the mainland.
From Germany and central Europe
Travellers already in Germany generally do not need another ferry to reach mainland Poland. The direct road and rail networks are normally simpler.
A Sweden-Poland ferry becomes relevant when Poland is part of a Scandinavian loop, or when you deliberately want to replace a section of driving through Denmark and northern Germany with an overnight Baltic crossing.
Finland, Lithuania and the Baltic states: combinations rather than direct routes
There is no straightforward direct passenger-ferry network from Finland, Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia to Poland comparable with the Sweden-Poland routes. In many cases, driving through the Baltic states is the more direct solution.
A ferry combination through Sweden can still make sense as part of a wider Scandinavian itinerary, but it should be planned as two separate crossings with enough time between them. Do not assume that two services connect as one through-ticket.
The new Gdańsk-Karlshamn route
The most important recent addition is the direct Gdańsk-Karlshamn service, which began operating in July 2026. It gives Gdańsk a second Swedish gateway alongside Nynäshamn, but with a very different onward-travel advantage: Karlshamn is in southern Sweden rather than the Stockholm region.
The route is operated under the POLSCA Baltic Ferries brand using Skania and Copernicus. It is useful for cars, motorcycles and bicycles as well as freight, with cabins available on the passenger-carrying sailings.
Its role in the network is therefore not simply to duplicate Gdańsk-Nynäshamn. Choose Nynäshamn for Stockholm and central Sweden; consider Karlshamn for Blekinge, southern Sweden and onward journeys towards Denmark, Gothenburg or Norway.
What belongs on the Sweden-Poland page?
This Poland hub explains the country-level network and helps you choose a Polish gateway. The dedicated Sweden-Poland ferry page carries the detailed comparison:
- individual crossings and operators;
- approximate duration and sailing patterns;
- southern Sweden versus the Stockholm region;
- cars, campervans, bicycles and cabins;
- current alternatives when a particular sailing does not fit.
Practical planning for a ferry to Poland
| Decision | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival region | Gdańsk/Gdynia or Świnoujście | The wrong Polish port can add several hours of driving. |
| Swedish gateway | Stockholm region, Blekinge or Skåne | Nynäshamn, Karlshamn, Karlskrona, Ystad and Trelleborg serve different journeys. |
| Cabin | Day or overnight sailing | A usable night’s sleep may be worth more than a nominally shorter crossing. |
| Vehicle | Car, motorhome, caravan, motorcycle or bicycle | Space, fares and passenger conditions differ by sailing. |
| Timetable | Current operator schedule | Frequency and vessel allocation can change, especially on newer services. |
Compare the total cost after adding the vehicle, passengers, cabin and onward fuel or charging. A headline foot-passenger fare rarely represents the complete road-trip price.
Related FerryGoGo route hubs
Use these pages when Poland is one leg of a wider Baltic or Scandinavian journey:
Poland ferry route directory
The country and corridor guidance above is where we would start. If you already know the ports you need, use the route cards below to check the individual crossings.
Ferry Talk
Questions or experiences? We'd love for you to share them.
What are the things I need to know before taking a ferry from Sweden to Poland?
Hi Lukas,
There are 4 operators on the routes from Sweden to Poland, and the ticket prices are averaging around € 120 for the crossing. I also want to ask a question to you: What are you missing in the guidance above? That way we can make the guidance better and improve! Let us know!