Stockholm - Helsinki ferry

The Stockholm - Helsinki ferry is one of the classic overnight ferries of the Baltic. You leave Stockholm in the late afternoon, sail out through the archipelago, call at Mariehamn on Åland in the middle of the night and arrive in Helsinki the next morning. Two ferry companies sail the route: Viking Line with the Gabriella and the Viking Cinderella, Tallink Silja with the Silja Serenade and the Silja Symphony. There is one departure per direction a day with each ferry company, all year round.

If you're touring Scandinavia or the Baltics and heading from Sweden to Finland, the overnight ferry saves you a night in a hotel: you sleep on board and arrive rested. This page walks you through the crossing step by step. For the details that change most often, see the departures in the timetable and the fares on the Prices & fares page.

Two ferry companies, four terminals

First things first: the two ferry companies use different terminals in both cities. Check your ticket before you set off.

• Viking Line sails in Stockholm from the Stadsgården terminal on the southern shore, between Slussen and Londonviadukten. In Helsinki the ship arrives at the Katajanokka terminal, on the peninsula east of the centre.
• Tallink Silja sails in Stockholm from the Värtan terminal in the north-east of the city. In Helsinki the ship docks at the Olympia terminal in the South Harbour, just over two kilometres from the central station.

By car, approach Viking Line in Stockholm from the east, from the Nacka direction: since April 2024 you can no longer turn left into the terminal when coming from Slussen. The vehicle check-in is at the Fotografiska museum, 700 metres before the terminal. Bus 76 runs right to the door of the Värtan terminal, and from Gärdet metro station it's a walk of around 800 metres. In Helsinki, trams stop at both terminals: line 5 at the Katajanokka terminal, lines 2 and 3 at the Olympia terminal. All routes, transfers and car parks are on the Stockholm ferry port and Helsinki ferry port pages.

Check-in and departure

Viking Line opens check-in about an hour and a half before departure. On foot, be at the port at least 30 minutes before; with a vehicle, be ready for loading 30 minutes before, or 45 minutes with a vehicle over 2.40 metres high. Check-in and boarding close 20 minutes before departure. With Tallink Silja, it's best to arrive one hour before, or an hour and a half with a vehicle; registration closes 30 minutes before departure.

Sweden and Finland are both in the Schengen area, but everyone on board still needs a valid passport or national ID card, children included. Sweden has temporarily reintroduced checks at its ports. On Viking Line crossings towards Stockholm, everyone over 18 shows their document at check-in; digital IDs are not accepted there. The Check-in page explains the process for each ferry company and way of travelling.

The night on board

The crossing takes a whole night, so a cabin is part of the booking. Both ferry companies offer everything from economy cabins below the car deck to suites with a sea view, plus family, allergy-friendly and accessible cabins. The Cabins page explains which category suits whom.

On board, the ferry is more like a small cruise ship. Both pairs of ships have a large buffet with beer and wine included, plus à la carte restaurants, bars, a spa and sauna. The Silja Serenade and the Silja Symphony are each 203 metres long and have a 142-metre indoor promenade with shops and cafés. The Gabriella and the Viking Cinderella are a little smaller and sail in opposite directions. The ship profiles are on the Viking Line and Tallink Silja pages, and you'll find the direct comparison under Ferry companies & ships.

The stop in Mariehamn

Both ships call at Mariehamn, the capital of the Åland Islands, during the night: heading to Helsinki between 23:00 and midnight, heading to Stockholm at around 4:30 in the morning. Åland is part of the EU but lies outside its tax area, which is why shopping on board is tax-free. When entering Finland you can bring 16 litres of beer, 4 litres of wine and one litre of spirits tax-free, or alternatively two litres of drinks up to 22 percent. When you buy, show your boarding card.

Mini cruise: out, a day ashore, back

Both ferry companies also sell the route as a mini cruise: two nights on board with a day in Helsinki or Stockholm in between. The cabin stays yours the whole time, and your luggage stays on board. How it works, time ashore and the rules are on the Mini cruise page.

Vehicles, bikes and pets

Cars, motorhomes, car-and-caravan combinations, motorcycles and bicycles travel with both ferry companies. Give the exact dimensions when you book, including roof box and bike rack. The car deck is closed during the crossing, so pack everything for the night in your bag. Details on lengths, gas and charging: Motorhomes & vehicles. With a bike on Viking Line, you check in at the vehicle check-in and ride on board via the car deck: On foot & by bike.

Your dog travels in the cabin with both ferry companies, not in the car. Tallink Silja has dedicated pet-friendly cabins and an exercise area on deck. For Finland, a dog needs a tapeworm treatment before entry in addition to a microchip, rabies vaccination and EU pet passport. Everything on the Dogs & pets page.

Arriving in Helsinki and onward travel

The ships arrive in the morning, and the car deck opens shortly before docking. Both terminals are just over two kilometres from the central station. The tram takes you to the central station, and from there the train or bus 600 runs to the airport. The whole journey in both directions is on the Getting there & onward travel page.

Tickets and fares

Both ferry companies use dynamic pricing: what you pay depends on the travel date, cabin, vehicle and when you book. The cheapest option is to travel midweek, outside the holidays, with a simple inside cabin. Starting prices for a car, cabin and mini cruise are on the Prices & fares page; the FAQ answers common questions.