2026 timetable

Ferries to Gothenburg

Q: Which ferries sail to Gothenburg?

There are two direct routes to Gothenburg, both with Stena Line : an overnight crossing from Kiel in Germany, and a daytime crossing, several times a day, from Frederikshavn in Denmark. Alternatively, you can reach Gothenburg via southern Sweden – for example with Finnlines from Travemünde to Malmö, or with TT-Line to Trelleborg – and continue from there by car.

Q: How long does the crossing to Gothenburg take?

The overnight ferry Kiel – Gothenburg takes around 15 hours : you depart in the early evening and arrive the next morning. The daytime ferry Frederikshavn – Gothenburg across the Kattegat is much faster, covering the route in just 3.5 hours .

Q: Do I need to book a cabin for the ferry to Gothenburg?

Yes. Since the direct Kiel – Gothenburg route runs overnight, a cabin is always included in the booking. On the short daytime crossing from Frederikshavn, you don't need one.

Q: How do I get to the ferry port, and how do I continue my journey?

Kiel is centrally located in northern Germany and well connected by motorway. Frederikshavn in Denmark is reached via the Danish motorway network: from Flensburg it's around 360 km and roughly 3.5 hours . If you travel via southern Sweden, factor in the onward drive: from Malmö it's about 2 hours 45 minutes to Gothenburg, from Trelleborg around 3 hours , and from Oslo around 3 hours 20 minutes .

Compare all ferry connections to Gothenburg and find the best route for your trip to Sweden

Direct ferry from Kiel – an overnight crossing to Gothenburg with Stena Line
Fastest crossing – just 3.5 hours from Frederikshavn (Denmark)
Alternative routes via Trelleborg & Malmö – often the cheapest option including your car

Routes Timetable

Popular routes

Our most popular routes to Gothenburg.

Prices for a car incl. driver, one way

Kiel – Gothenburg

With Stena Line overnight from Kiel to Gothenburg every day

Frederikshavn - Gothenburg

From Denmark to Gothenburg in just 3.5 hours

Gothenburg route map

All ferry routes at a glance

Interactive map of all ferry connections for your trip to Gothenburg.

Scandlines
Finnlines
Stena Line
Color Line

Ferries to Gothenburg

Direct ferry to Gothenburg

There are two direct ferry connections to Gothenburg: from Kiel in Germany and from Frederikshavn in Denmark.

Kiel – Gothenburg

This is arguably the most enjoyable way to travel to Gothenburg: depart from Kiel in the early evening and arrive well rested in Gothenburg the next morning. The crossing includes a spectacular sail through the Gothenburg archipelago and the approach into the harbour under the Älvsborg Bridge.

The direct Kiel–Gothenburg route is operated once daily by Stena Line and takes around 15 hours. Since it runs overnight, a cabin must always be booked along with the ticket. Dogs are welcome on board too.

Frederikshavn – Gothenburg

If you'd rather travel during the day and take a shorter crossing, Stena Line also sails directly from Frederikshavn in Denmark to Gothenburg.

The route across the Kattegat takes only 3.5 hours and runs several times a day. Frederikshavn is easy to reach by motorway if you're driving up through Germany and Denmark; from Flensburg it's around 360 km, roughly 3.5 hours.

The ferry Stena Danica leaves the port of Gothenburg heading for Denmark.

Via southern Sweden to Gothenburg

It doesn't always have to be the direct ferry from Kiel to Gothenburg. From Travemünde and Rostock there are alternative ferry routes to southern Sweden that are often noticeably cheaper.

Travemünde – Malmö

The Finnish shipping company Finnlines sails three times a day between Travemünde and Malmö and back (two of these are overnight crossings). The approach into Malmö under the Öresund Bridge is particularly impressive. From Malmö, the onward drive to Gothenburg takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Travemünde – Trelleborg

Very similar to the Travemünde–Malmö route is the corresponding route to Trelleborg, operated several times daily by the Lübeck-based shipping company TT-Line. The crossing is available both during the day and overnight. From Trelleborg, the onward drive to Gothenburg takes around 3 hours.

Rostock – Trelleborg

Up to six ferry connections run daily from Rostock to Trelleborg. Worth knowing – since September 2018, the two operators TT-Line and Stena Line no longer cooperate on this route, so always check both providers. Until 2012 the route was operated by Scandlines. From Trelleborg, the onward drive to Gothenburg takes around 3 hours.

Via the Öresund Bridge

Puttgarden – Rødby / Rostock – Gedser

The classic "Bird Flight Line" from Hamburg to Copenhagen follows the flight path of migrating cranes (hence the name). The ferry crossing from Puttgarden (on the island of Fehmarn) to Rødby (on the Danish island of Falster) takes just 45 minutes; the onward journey from Rødby across the Öresund Bridge to Gothenburg takes around 4.5 hours. Scandlines offers combined tickets (ferry + Öresund Bridge toll).

Via Norway

Kiel – Oslo

A trip to Gothenburg can also be combined nicely with a visit to the Norwegian capital, Oslo. Color Line ferries sail daily from Kiel to Oslo, and the onward drive from Oslo to Gothenburg takes just 3 hours 20 minutes. The round trip Kiel – Oslo – Gothenburg – Kiel also works well without a car.

FAQ Gothenburg

Frequently asked questions

Answers to common questions about ferry connections to Gothenburg

Which ferries sail to Gothenburg?+

There are two direct routes to Gothenburg, both with Stena Line: an overnight crossing from Kiel in Germany, and a daytime crossing, several times a day, from Frederikshavn in Denmark. Alternatively, you can reach Gothenburg via southern Sweden – for example with Finnlines from Travemünde to Malmö, or with TT-Line to Trelleborg – and continue from there by car.

How long does the crossing to Gothenburg take?+

The overnight ferry Kiel – Gothenburg takes around 15 hours: you depart in the early evening and arrive the next morning. The daytime ferry Frederikshavn – Gothenburg across the Kattegat is much faster, covering the route in just 3.5 hours.

Do I need to book a cabin for the ferry to Gothenburg?+

Yes. Since the direct Kiel – Gothenburg route runs overnight, a cabin is always included in the booking. On the short daytime crossing from Frederikshavn, you don't need one.

How do I get to the ferry port, and how do I continue my journey?+

Kiel is centrally located in northern Germany and well connected by motorway. Frederikshavn in Denmark is reached via the Danish motorway network: from Flensburg it's around 360 km and roughly 3.5 hours. If you travel via southern Sweden, factor in the onward drive: from Malmö it's about 2 hours 45 minutes to Gothenburg, from Trelleborg around 3 hours, and from Oslo around 3 hours 20 minutes.