Travelling from Denmark to Sweden: Take the ferry or cross the Øresund Bridge? We’ve compared the costs.

Travelling from Denmark to Sweden by car? If you’re heading towards Sweden via Zealand, Copenhagen or the German–Danish route through Puttgarden–Rødby, you normally have two main ways to cross the Øresund: drive over the Øresund Bridge between Copenhagen and Malmö, or take the Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry.

Both options work well, but they suit different trips. The bridge is faster and more direct, especially if Malmö or southern Sweden is your destination. The ferry is often cheaper, gives you a short break from driving, and can make sense if you are already travelling through northern Zealand.

Prices checked July 2026: bridge and ferry prices are dynamic and depend on vehicle size, ticket type, season and how far ahead you book. Use the figures below as a practical comparison, then check the live fare before booking.

Øresund Bridge or ferry? The quick comparison

Short advice: for the lowest simple car crossing, the Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry is often the winner if you book a low-price ticket early. For the fastest Copenhagen–Malmö drive, take the Øresund Bridge. If your route also includes the Puttgarden–Rødby ferry, the best choice depends on whether you want the bridge, two ferries, or the most flexible ticket.

Why many travellers still choose the ferry

At first glance, the Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry looks like the less obvious option. The Øresund Bridge is modern, fast and direct. You simply drive across from Copenhagen to Malmö without waiting for a ferry.

But the ferry has one big advantage: price. A low-price car ticket with Øresundslinjen can be much cheaper than paying the normal Øresund Bridge toll. The crossing itself is short, and for many families, campers and road-trippers, the ferry also works as a convenient break in the journey.

The ferry is especially useful if you are coming from northern Zealand, visiting Helsingør, or not travelling directly to Malmö. You sail into Helsingborg, which can be a practical starting point for western or central Sweden.

When the Øresund Bridge is the better choice

The bridge is the better option when time matters. If you are already in Copenhagen, heading straight for Malmö, Lund, Ystad, southern Sweden or the E6/E20 motorway network, the bridge keeps things simple. There is no sailing schedule to think about and no ferry check-in.

The bridge can also be attractive if you will cross more than once. ØresundGO can bring the per-crossing price down a lot, although it has an annual fee and mainly makes sense if you make a return trip or cross more often. For a one-off holiday crossing, compare the normal online bridge ticket with the ferry before deciding.

Travelling via Puttgarden–Rødby? Then compare the combinations

Many travellers heading to Sweden first take the Puttgarden–Rødby ferry between Germany and Denmark. This is the classic shortcut towards Copenhagen and southern Sweden, especially if you are driving up through Germany.

If you use this route, Scandlines gives you several booking options:

1. Puttgarden–Rødby ferry only
2. Puttgarden–Rødby ferry + Øresund Bridge
3. Puttgarden–Rødby ferry + Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry

This is where the choice becomes less obvious. The Scandlines bridge combination is often very convenient if you want to continue via Copenhagen and Malmö. But if you prefer the Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry, it can be worth checking separate tickets: book Puttgarden–Rødby with Scandlines, then book Helsingør–Helsingborg separately with Øresundslinjen.

As a price example, Scandlines currently lists Puttgarden–Rødby from €48 for a low-price car ticket, Puttgarden–Rødby + Øresund Bridge from €102, and Puttgarden–Rødby + Helsingør–Helsingborg from €100.50. Øresundslinjen separately lists low-price car tickets from 299 SEK. That means separate booking can be cheaper when those low-price tickets are available, but the Scandlines combination ticket may be easier and more flexible.

Campers, motorhomes and caravans

If you travel with a camper, motorhome or caravan, do not rely on the basic passenger-car price. Both the bridge and ferry use vehicle categories, and length can make a big difference.

On the Øresund Bridge, a motorhome of 6–10 metres or a passenger car with a trailer up to 15 metres is priced higher than a standard car. Longer vehicles and larger combinations cost more again. On the ferry, Øresundslinjen also uses vehicle and trailer categories, with separate add-ons for trailers and caravans.

Practical rule: for campers and caravans, the ferry can still be cheaper, but you should compare the exact length and ticket type. If you are taking Puttgarden–Rødby as well, compare three options before booking:

• Bridge route: Puttgarden–Rødby + Øresund Bridge with Scandlines.
• Two-ferry combo: Puttgarden–Rødby + Helsingør–Helsingborg as one Scandlines combination ticket.
• Separate ferry tickets: Puttgarden–Rødby with Scandlines, then Helsingør–Helsingborg with Øresundslinjen.

For larger vehicles, the cheapest option can change quickly depending on the season, departure time and available low-price tickets. Evening and night departures may also affect the total price on some routes, so it is worth checking more than one departure time.

Which route would we choose?

If we were driving straight from Copenhagen to Malmö, we would take the Øresund Bridge. It is fast, simple and removes one moving part from the journey.

But on a longer road trip, the Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry is not just the ‘slower’ option. It gives you a proper pause: park the car, stretch your legs and arrive in Sweden from a different angle. That is exactly why this crossing still makes sense, even with a bridge so close by.

Coming from Germany via Puttgarden–Rødby? Then we would not decide on price alone. The Scandlines bridge combination is the cleanest option if you want to keep moving. The two-ferry route is better if you like the break, want flexibility in Denmark, or can find a good separate Helsingør–Helsingborg fare.

Route map: bridge and ferry options

The map shows how close the two crossings are. The bridge runs from Copenhagen to Malmö, while the ferry crosses further north between Helsingør and Helsingborg.

In short

• Cheapest simple crossing? Often the Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry, especially with a low-price ticket booked in advance.
• Fastest Denmark–Sweden crossing? The Øresund Bridge between Copenhagen and Malmö.
• Best if you also take Puttgarden–Rødby? For the bridge, book the Scandlines combination ticket. For two ferries, compare the Scandlines combo with separate Scandlines + Øresundslinjen tickets.
• Travelling with a camper or caravan? Always check the exact vehicle category and length. The cheapest option can change by season and departure time.

Other ferry routes to Sweden

If you are travelling further north in Denmark, the Øresund Bridge and Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry are not your only options. You can also look at ferry routes such as:

• Grenaa to Halmstad
• Frederikshavn to Gothenburg

For a broader overview, see our guide to ferry routes to Sweden from the UK.

FAQ: Øresund Bridge vs ferry

Is the ferry cheaper than the Øresund Bridge?

For a one-off crossing with a standard car, the Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry is often cheaper if you book a low-price ticket in advance. The bridge can become much cheaper per trip with ØresundGO, but that has an annual fee and mainly makes sense for return trips or frequent crossings.

How long does the Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry take?

The sailing itself takes around 20 minutes. You should also allow time for check-in, boarding and leaving the ferry. In practice, the ferry takes longer than the bridge, but it gives you a useful break during a long drive.

Can I buy one ticket from Germany to Sweden?

Yes. Scandlines sells combination tickets from Germany to Sweden via Puttgarden–Rødby and either the Øresund Bridge or the Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry. These are convenient, but not always the cheapest option if separate low-price ferry tickets are available.

Which is better with children?

With children, the ferry can be nicer because it breaks up the drive. The crossing is short, but everyone can get out of the car for a while. If you are trying to reach Malmö or southern Sweden as quickly as possible, the bridge is still the easiest option.