Ferry from Sweden to Denmark: routes compared
Compare the main ferry and bridge options from Sweden to Denmark, then choose the route that best fits your onward journey.
Sweden to Denmark by ferry: which route should you choose?
Travelling from Sweden to Denmark is less about finding a single ‘best’ crossing and more about choosing the route that fits where you start and where you are going next.
For most travellers there are three main choices: the short Helsingborg-Helsingør ferry, the Øresund Bridge between Malmö and Copenhagen, or the longer Stena Line ferry from Gothenburg to Frederikshavn. Ystad-Rønne is also a Denmark-Sweden ferry, but it serves Bornholm rather than mainland Denmark.
The former Halmstad-Grenaa ferry is no longer an option: Stena Line ended the route on 30 April 2026. That makes route choice simpler than it used to be.
Use this page to compare the main corridors, see how they fit into a longer Scandinavian road trip and decide whether ferry or bridge makes more sense for your journey.
In short: Sweden to Denmark
- Best for Helsingør, Copenhagen via northern Zealand or western Sweden: Helsingborg-Helsingør. The ferry takes about 20 minutes and runs around the clock, with very frequent daytime departures.
- Best for Malmö and Copenhagen: the Øresund Bridge. It is the most direct fixed link between the two cities and avoids ferry check-in altogether.
- Best for Gothenburg, northern Jutland or Aalborg: Gothenburg-Frederikshavn. This is the main remaining long-distance car ferry directly between mainland Sweden and mainland Denmark.
- Heading further south towards Germany? Helsingborg-Helsingør or the Øresund Bridge can both be combined with the Puttgarden-Rødby ferry. Which is better depends on your route, vehicle and current ticket price.
- Route closed: Halmstad-Grenaa stopped operating on 30 April 2026. Stena Line points affected customers towards Gothenburg-Frederikshavn instead.
Map: ferry routes and crossings between Sweden and Denmark
Use the interactive map to compare the crossings between Sweden and Denmark and see how each route lines up with your onward drive. Remember that Ystad-Rønne serves the Danish island of Bornholm, while the other main options connect towards mainland Denmark.
Current Sweden-Denmark options at a glance
| Route | Type | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helsingborg-Helsingør | Ferry | Helsingborg, Helsingør, western Sweden, northern Zealand | Around 20 minutes and very frequent, including overnight services |
| Malmö-Copenhagen | Bridge and tunnel | Malmö, Copenhagen and the shortest fixed-link route | No ferry check-in; toll applies for road vehicles |
| Gothenburg-Frederikshavn | Ferry | Gothenburg, northern Jutland and Aalborg | Longer Stena Line crossing that can save a substantial drive south |
| Ystad-Rønne | Ferry | Bornholm | A Denmark-Sweden route, but not a shortcut to mainland Denmark |
Which crossing makes most sense?
The best route depends mainly on your starting point in Sweden and where you want to be in Denmark. Looking only at sailing time can be misleading: a longer ferry can still save hours of driving if it takes you closer to your destination.
Helsingborg-Helsingør: the short ferry
Helsingborg-Helsingør is the obvious ferry choice if you are already on Sweden’s west coast or travelling north of Malmö. ØRESUNDSLINJEN crosses the Sound in about 20 minutes and operates around the clock, with departures as often as every 20 minutes for passenger traffic during the day.
Its biggest advantage is flexibility. You do not commit to a long sailing and the ferry gives you a short break from driving. It also puts you onto northern Zealand rather than into central Copenhagen.
Øresund Bridge: best for Malmö and Copenhagen
The Øresund Bridge is usually the simplest option if your route naturally passes Malmö and Copenhagen. You stay in the car, pay the road toll and continue directly into Denmark.
The bridge is not automatically the best choice for every road trip. If you are approaching from further north in Sweden, driving to Helsingborg and taking the ferry can be more logical than continuing south to Malmö first. We compare both options in our ferry versus Øresund Bridge guide.
Gothenburg-Frederikshavn: the long ferry to Jutland
For travellers starting around Gothenburg or heading towards northern Jutland, Frederikshavn or Aalborg, the Stena Line ferry can remove a large section of road travel. This is now the main long-distance ferry directly connecting mainland Sweden and mainland Denmark.
It takes much longer than the short Øresund crossing, but that is not necessarily a disadvantage. If the ferry replaces several hours behind the wheel, the total journey can still be more comfortable and competitive.
What happened to Halmstad-Grenaa?
Halmstad-Grenaa is closed. Stena Line ended the route on 30 April 2026 after citing long-term profitability challenges, competition from fixed bridge links and difficult market conditions. Stena Line said customers affected by the closure would be offered Gothenburg-Frederikshavn as an alternative.
If you previously used Halmstad-Grenaa for central Jutland, compare Gothenburg-Frederikshavn with the Helsingborg-Helsingør ferry and Øresund Bridge. The best replacement depends on where in Sweden your drive begins.
Heading beyond Denmark? You may be able to skip it
If Denmark is only a transit country on your way to Germany, Poland or Central Europe, it is worth comparing the direct international ferries from Sweden before automatically driving south.
From western Sweden, the Gothenburg-Kiel ferry is a useful overnight option to Germany. From southern Sweden, there are several connections towards Germany and Poland, including routes from Trelleborg, Ystad and Karlskrona.
Compare our guides to Sweden-Germany ferries and Sweden-Poland ferries before deciding. A direct ferry can mean a longer sailing, but it can also remove Denmark, bridge tolls and a substantial amount of driving from the journey.
Driving south through Denmark
If you do choose Denmark, both Helsingborg-Helsingør and the Øresund Bridge connect naturally with the route towards Germany. The Puttgarden-Rødby ferry is the classic shortcut between Denmark and Germany, and combined tickets are available for some Sweden-Denmark-Germany combinations.
Do not assume a combination ticket is always cheapest. Compare the current total for your exact vehicle and travel date, especially with a camper or caravan.
Compare tickets and current sailings
Enter your departure point, destination and travel dates in the booking search to compare the available ferry options. Prices and timetables can vary by season, departure time and vehicle type, so check your exact date rather than relying on an old headline fare.
For Helsingborg-Helsingør and Gothenburg-Frederikshavn, compare the ferry with the total driving route you would otherwise take. For Malmö-Copenhagen, remember that the Øresund Bridge is a road toll rather than a ferry ticket.
On board, route maps & visual impression of the trip
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- the electric ferry Forsea from Denmark arrives at the port of Helsingor, Sweden, June 16, 2019
Our route verdict
- Choose Helsingborg-Helsingør if you are coming down Sweden’s west coast, want a very frequent ferry or simply prefer a short break from driving.
- Choose the Øresund Bridge if Malmö and Copenhagen are naturally on your route and you want to keep moving without boarding a ferry.
- Choose Gothenburg-Frederikshavn if you start around Gothenburg or need northern Jutland. The sailing is longer, but it can replace a substantial drive through southern Sweden and Zealand.
- Choose Ystad-Rønne only if Bornholm is actually part of your trip. It is not a route to mainland Denmark.
No longer available: Halmstad-Grenaa closed on 30 April 2026.
For a longer road trip towards Germany, compare the full journey rather than one crossing in isolation. We found on our own Denmark-Sweden ferry loop that the ferry, bridge and Puttgarden-Rødby combinations each make sense in different situations.
Useful for travellers to Denmark
Yes. Cars can travel on both the Helsingborg-Helsingør and Gothenburg-Frederikshavn ferries. Add your vehicle details when booking, especially if you are travelling with a camper, caravan, roof box or trailer.
ØRESUNDSLINJEN operates Helsingborg-Helsingør and Stena Line operates Gothenburg-Frederikshavn. Bornholmslinjen serves Ystad-Rønne to the Danish island of Bornholm. The former Stena Line route Halmstad-Grenaa ended on 30 April 2026.
Helsingborg-Helsingør is the quickest mainstream ferry between mainland Sweden and Denmark, taking about 20 minutes. The Øresund Bridge between Malmö and Copenhagen is the main non-ferry alternative.
No. Stena Line discontinued Halmstad-Grenaa after 30 April 2026. Gothenburg-Frederikshavn is the closest remaining Stena Line alternative for travellers who want a direct ferry between mainland Sweden and Jutland.
For Malmö-Copenhagen the bridge is usually the most direct choice. From Helsingborg or further north on Sweden’s west coast, the Helsingborg-Helsingør ferry can be more logical. Compare the full drive, toll or ferry fare, and whether you want a break from the car.
Compare the route through Denmark with direct ferries from Sweden to Germany or Poland. A longer overnight ferry can sometimes remove several hours of driving and one or more bridge or ferry crossings from the trip.
Tips for ferry travellers
