Kiel to Gothenburg ferry:
Kiel–Gothenburg ferry at a glance
- direct overnight ferry between Germany and Sweden
- operated by Stena Line
- ships: Stena Germanica and Stena Scandinavica
- usually around 14 hours, with timetable variation possible
- best for Gothenburg, West Sweden and Norway-bound road trips
Kiel to Gothenburg ferry: is this the right route?
The Kiel–Gothenburg ferry is Stena Line’s direct overnight crossing between northern Germany and Sweden. You board in Kiel, sleep on board, and arrive in Gothenburg the next morning. For travellers with a car, campervan, motorbike or a lot of luggage, it is one of the easiest ways to reach West Sweden without driving all the way through Denmark and southern Sweden.
This is not the cheapest or shortest ferry into Sweden. It is the comfort route. You trade a longer sailing for less driving, a proper cabin night and a much calmer arrival day in Gothenburg. That makes it especially useful for road trips to West Sweden, the Swedish west coast and onward routes towards Norway.
For UK travellers, Kiel–Gothenburg usually works as the second ferry stage of the journey. First you cross from the UK to the Netherlands, France or Belgium, then continue by road to Kiel. If Sweden is your main destination, this can feel much more relaxed than trying to push the whole distance by car.
Our straightforward route verdict
- Choose Kiel–Gothenburg if you want comfort: it is a proper overnight crossing with cabins, restaurants, bar areas and outside deck space.
- Choose it for West Sweden: Gothenburg, the Swedish west coast and Norway-bound routes are where this ferry makes the most sense.
- Choose it with a vehicle: cars, campervans and motorbikes are the natural fit, especially if you want to avoid a long drive through Denmark.
- Compare alternatives for southern Sweden: if you are heading to Malmö, Copenhagen or Skåne, a route via Denmark or a ferry to Trelleborg may be more logical.
- Check the full journey from the UK: the best option depends on your UK departure point, not just the ferry crossing itself.
Kiel–Gothenburg ferry route map
The route map shows why Kiel–Gothenburg is a strong long-distance ferry choice. Kiel sits on Germany’s Baltic coast, north of Hamburg, while Gothenburg is on Sweden’s west coast. Instead of driving north through Denmark and then across southern Sweden, you cross overnight and arrive directly in West Sweden.
This route is especially useful if Gothenburg, the west coast, lakeside Sweden or Norway are part of your trip. For Malmö, Copenhagen or southern Sweden, the map also makes clear why shorter Denmark–Sweden combinations can sometimes be a better fit.
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- Kiel to Oslo
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- Stena Germanica in port of Gothenburg
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- Gothenburg – Eriksberg
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- Parking Deck – Stena Germanica
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- Dog Toilet Stena Germanica Kiel Goteborg
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- Deck Plan Stena Germanica
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- Breakfast on board
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- Bar Lounge Stena Germanica
Compare Kiel–Gothenburg with the main alternatives
Kiel–Gothenburg is the comfort-focused ferry into West Sweden. The alternatives can be better if you want southern Sweden, a cheaper short crossing or a route through Denmark. Compare the whole journey before booking, not just the time at sea.
| Route | Best for | Watch out for | FerryGoGo verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiel–Gothenburg Stena Line · overnight |
Gothenburg, West Sweden, campervans and onward travel towards Norway | Usually more expensive than shorter ferry-and-drive alternatives once cabin and meals are included | Best comfort route into West Sweden |
| Puttgarden–Rødby + Øresund Denmark route corridor |
Copenhagen, Malmö and southern Sweden | More driving and less overnight rest | Often better for southern Sweden, not Gothenburg |
| Rostock–Trelleborg | Skåne, Malmö, southern Sweden and routes through north-east Germany | Less direct for Gothenburg and the west coast | Good southern Sweden alternative |
| Travemünde–Trelleborg | Longer Germany–Sweden ferry with arrival in southern Sweden | Still leaves a cross-Sweden drive for Gothenburg | Compare if Trelleborg is closer to your final destination |
| Frederikshavn–Gothenburg | Travellers already driving through Denmark | You need to reach northern Denmark first | Good if Denmark is already on your route |
FerryGoGo tip
For Sweden, compare the full road trip, not just the ferry price. A shorter ferry can look cheaper, but Kiel–Gothenburg may save a hotel night, reduce driving and give you a much calmer arrival day in West Sweden.
Compare ferries from the UK to Sweden →Timetable: Kiel to Gothenburg and Gothenburg to Kiel
There is normally up to one Stena Line sailing per day in each direction. It is an overnight crossing: you usually depart in the late afternoon or evening and arrive the next morning. Stena Line lists the route as a 14-hour crossing, but live booking and port schedules can vary by date, ship and season.
| Direction | Typical pattern | Arrival | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiel to Gothenburg | Late afternoon or evening departure from Kiel | Next morning in Gothenburg | Useful after driving across Germany from the Netherlands, Belgium or France |
| Gothenburg to Kiel | Late afternoon or evening departure from Gothenburg | Next morning in Kiel | Useful when returning from Sweden, Norway or the Swedish west coast |
Worth knowing: always check the live Stena Line timetable before booking. Departure times, check-in cut-offs, ship allocation and onboard opening times can change.
Short Kiel-Gothenburg crossing review
Very nice way to travel to Sweden! Boarding is fast, so you can fully enjoy the trip itself. The restaurant is nice, the bar is fun (live music & a quiz), and the rooms are quite comfortable.
It's lovely to spend some time on the roof, definitely during departure and arrival time. On the way back, earplugs would have been useful as the vibration of the boat created some noise.
Overall, a very nice and even romantic way to travel between Germany & Sweden!
Getting to Kiel from the UK
There is no direct UK–Gothenburg ferry, so UK travellers first need to reach mainland Europe and then continue to Kiel. The best route depends mainly on where you start in Britain.
From eastern or northern England: via the Netherlands
For many UK travellers, the Netherlands is the most natural first step. You can use Harwich–Hook of Holland, Hull–Rotterdam or Newcastle–Amsterdam, then continue across northern Germany towards Kiel.
From southern England: via France or LeShuttle
If you start in the South East, compare Dover–Calais, Dunkirk or LeShuttle. This can work well on price and frequency, but it still leaves a long drive through Belgium and Germany before the Sweden ferry.
Break the journey before Kiel
If you arrive from the UK by ferry and still need to drive to Kiel, a stopover near Hamburg, Lübeck or Kiel can make the trip much easier. This is especially true with children, pets or a campervan.
What the crossing is actually like
Kiel–Gothenburg is a proper overnight cruise ferry rather than a short shuttle crossing. You board, find your cabin, eat on board if you want to, spend some time on deck or in the bar, and wake up close to Gothenburg. That is the main appeal of the route.
On board, expect cabins, restaurants, bar areas, a shop, outside deck space and facilities that make the crossing feel like a small overnight break. The route works particularly well if you value a calmer journey over shaving time from the ferry leg.
From the visual material we have of the crossing, the strongest part is the rhythm of the trip: departure from Kiel, dinner or a drink on board, a night in the cabin, breakfast and arrival into Gothenburg. It feels much less frantic than another full day on the road.
Ports and check-in
The ferry uses Schwedenkai in Kiel and the Germany Terminal in Gothenburg. Both are proper ferry terminals, but the crossing is still much easier if you arrive with a sensible margin, especially with a vehicle, campervan, children or pets.
| Port | Address | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Kiel ferry terminal | Stena Line GmbH & Co. KG, Schwedenkai 1, 24103 Kiel, Germany | Close to Kiel city centre and the main railway station. Useful if you arrive early and want food or supplies before boarding. |
| Gothenburg ferry terminal | Germany Terminal, Elof Lindälvs gata, 414 55 Gothenburg, Sweden | This is the Kiel/Germany terminal, not the Frederikshavn terminal. Follow the signs carefully when driving in Gothenburg. |
Cabins, food and onboard facilities
Because this is an overnight route, the cabin is not a small extra. It is central to how the crossing works. A good cabin can turn a long travel day into a restful night, especially if you still have a long drive after arriving in Gothenburg or Kiel.
- Cabins: different cabin categories are usually available, depending on ship and date.
- Food: there are onboard dining options, but opening times and availability can vary.
- Deck space: departure from Kiel and arrival into Gothenburg are both worth seeing from outside if the weather allows.
- Payments: Stena Line states that its Kiel and Gothenburg ports, and the ships on this route, are cashless.
Our practical advice: book the cabin you actually want, not just the cheapest one left. On a 14-hour overnight crossing, that choice shapes the whole trip.
Practical questions
How long is the Kiel to Gothenburg ferry?
Stena Line lists the Kiel–Gothenburg crossing as around 14 hours. In live schedules, the total time can vary by date, ship and direction, so always check the booking module for your sailing.
Is there a ferry every day?
There is normally up to one overnight sailing per day in each direction. Seasonal and operational changes are possible.
Which ships sail between Kiel and Gothenburg?
Stena Line operates the route with Stena Germanica and Stena Scandinavica.
Can I take a car, campervan or motorbike?
Yes. This is one of the route’s main strengths. Pack a small overnight bag before leaving the vehicle deck, because access to the car deck is normally restricted during the crossing.
Can I travel as a foot passenger?
Yes, foot passengers can use the Kiel–Gothenburg ferry. Kiel is relatively convenient by train because the terminal is close to the city centre and main railway station.
Can I bring my dog or another pet?
Pets can travel on the route, but you need to book the correct pet arrangement in advance and check Stena Line’s current rules. Also check the latest pet-entry rules for Sweden, Germany and any countries you drive through.
Is Kiel–Gothenburg the best ferry to Sweden?
For Gothenburg, West Sweden and onward travel towards Norway, it is one of the most comfortable choices. For Malmö, Copenhagen or southern Sweden, a route via Denmark or Trelleborg may be more logical.
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