Ferries to Stockholm
Ferries to Sweden in the booking module; the crossings from the UK to the continent are further down the page
Travelling to Stockholm by ferry from the UK
No ferry sails from Britain to Stockholm, and none from Germany either since the Rostock to Nynรคshamn ship stopped. What works is a North Sea crossing, a drive, and a second ferry into Sweden, then the road or train to the capital. The map shows the combinations; below, the five that make sense and the three we would pick.
Map: routes and ferries to Stockholm
About the routes to Stockholm
First, the continent: a ferry to the Netherlands from Harwich, Hull or Newcastle, or a Channel crossing to France if that is nearer. Then one of these.
1. Kiel to Gothenburg, then drive
- Route: drive to Kiel, about six hours from the Dutch ports, and take the overnight Stena ferry to Gothenburg.
- Onward: Gothenburg to Stockholm is about five hours by car or train.
2. Rostock or Travemรผnde to Trelleborg
- Route: from the Netherlands (Harwich to Hook of Holland or Hull to Rotterdam) drive to Rostock or Travemรผnde and take the ferry to Trelleborg in the far south of Sweden.
- Onward: Trelleborg to Stockholm is six to seven hours by car or train.
3. Via Puttgarden and Denmark
- Route: drive through Germany to Puttgarden, take the 45-minute ferry to Rรธdby, drive to Copenhagen and cross the รresund Bridge.
- Onward: Malmรถ to Stockholm is about six hours.
4. Via Frederikshavn and Gothenburg
- Route: through Germany and the length of Jutland to Frederikshavn, then the ferry to Gothenburg.
- Onward: five hours from Gothenburg to Stockholm.
5. Gdaลsk to Nynรคshamn
- Route: drive across to Gdaลsk in Poland and take the overnight ferry to Nynรคshamn, about 18 hours.
- Onward: Nynรคshamn is 45 minutes from Stockholm, the closest any ferry gets you.
The Gdaลsk ferry in more detail
The least known option and the one with the least driving at the Swedish end. It suits anyone starting in eastern Germany or Poland, or who would rather sail than drive: departure from Gdaลsk at 18:00, arrival in Nynรคshamn at noon the next day, daily. Sleep on board and you are in Stockholm for lunch.
Ferries from Stockholm onwards
Stockholm is a big ferry port in its own right, with ships to ร land, Finland and Estonia. The map below shows every route out of the city if Stockholm is the start of the next leg.
Mix and match
Out one way and home another works well here: Kiel to Gothenburg out, Trelleborg to Rostock back, or the Danish bridges in one direction and a ferry in the other. The interactive map shows how the routes connect.
On board and ferry route maps
Prices and availability
Select Sweden as the destination below to see every crossing into the country with live fares and sailing times.
The Rostock to Nynรคshamn ferry has gone
Hansa Destinations ran a direct ship from Rostock to Nynรคshamn with a call at Visby on Gotland, about 18 hours. It stopped because fuel costs made it uneconomic, and nothing has replaced it. For Stockholm from Germany you now go via Trelleborg, Gothenburg or Gdaลsk.
Our three picks
- Two ferries: North Sea to the Netherlands, then Kiel to Gothenburg. The night boat replaces a hotel and you wake up in Sweden; the Kiel to Gothenburg guide has our photos from the Schwedenkai.
- One ferry: North Sea crossing, then the road via Denmark and the รresund Bridge. More driving, a hotel night, and two or three tolls in Denmark; we have driven the Danish leg ourselves and it is easy, just long.
- Least driving: Harwich, Hull or Newcastle overnight, then a long second ferry from Rostock or Travemรผnde to Trelleborg, or Kiel to Gothenburg. Two nights at sea, a few hours of autobahn in between.
Before you go
- Passport: since Brexit a driving licence or ID card is not enough.
- Download in advance: on night crossings Wi-Fi is slow or paid and roaming at sea is expensive.
- Foot passengers: not every sailing takes them, so check first.
- Children on a night ferry: our tips for travelling with kids on the ferry.
- Drive on the right after you roll off; the first ten minutes are the hard ones.
- Seasickness: where to sit and what helps.
Tips for ferry travellers
