Frequently asked questions

Two ferry companies: Viking Line with the Gabriella and the Viking Cinderella, and Tallink Silja with the Silja Serenade and the Silja Symphony. The comparison is on the Ferry companies & ships page.

One night: you leave in the late afternoon and arrive the next morning. Because Finland is one hour ahead of Sweden, heading to Helsinki the clock shows one hour more than you actually spend at sea.

There is one departure per direction a day with each ferry company, all year round. The times for your date are in the timetable.

Yes, both ferry companies call at Mariehamn on Åland during the night. That's why shopping on board is tax-free.

If you want plenty going on aboard, go for the larger Tallink Silja ships and their Promenade. If you're short on time getting to the port, Viking Line gives you more leeway, with check-in closing 20 minutes before departure. Often the deciding factor is which terminal is closer to your hotel.

With a vehicle and for a cabin, yes, as both are limited. With both ferry companies, prices depend on the date, the cabin and the vehicle.

That depends on the date, direction, cabin and vehicle. Current starting prices are on the Prices & fares page.

For one night, an inside cabin is enough. For families there are family cabins, plus allergy-friendly and accessible cabins. The categories are explained on the Cabins page.

Outbound and return with a day ashore in between, two nights on board in the same cabin. More on the Mini cruise page.

That depends on the ferry company and on timing. With Viking Line you can change the date free of charge up to 24 hours before departure. The terms of both ferry companies are on the Prices & fares page.

With Viking Line, at least 30 minutes before departure on foot, and ready for loading 30 minutes before with a vehicle. With Tallink Silja, it's best to arrive one hour before, or an hour and a half with a vehicle. Details on the Check-in page.

A valid passport or national ID card, children included. Digital IDs are not accepted. More on the Check-in page.

Viking Line sails from Stadsgården in Stockholm and arrives at the Katajanokka terminal in Helsinki. Tallink Silja sails from the Värtan terminal and arrives at the Olympia terminal. More on the Stockholm ferry port and Helsinki ferry port pages.

When entering Finland: 16 litres of beer, 4 litres of wine and one litre of spirits over 22 percent or two litres of drinks up to 22 percent; for tobacco, for example, 200 cigarettes. When you buy on board, show your boarding card.

With its total length and total height, including roof box, kayak and bike rack. More on the Motorhomes & vehicles page.

No, the car deck is closed during the crossing. Take everything you need for the night up to your cabin.

Yes, with both ferry companies. With Viking Line you check in at the vehicle check-in and board via the car deck. More on the On foot & by bike page.

A microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and the EU pet passport. On top of that comes a tapeworm treatment by a vet 1 to 5 days before entry, recorded in the passport. Everything on the Dogs & pets page.

In the cabin, with both ferry companies. It may not stay in the car on the car deck. Tallink Silja has dedicated pet-friendly cabins; on Viking Line, animals are not allowed in allergy-friendly cabins. More on the Dogs & pets page.

Yes, every ship has a buffet and à la carte restaurants. At the buffet on the Gabriella and on Tallink Silja, beer and wine are included.

Yes. Viking Line has the Archipelago Spa on deck 6, Tallink Silja the Sunflower Oasis Spa with a pool on deck 12.

Timetables and tickets always give the local time of the port in question. Finland is one hour ahead of Sweden; change your watch before arrival.