Ferry from Finland to Sweden
Helsinki - Stockholm
Overnight from Finland's capital to Stockholm, calling at Åland
- Overnight ferry: around 18 hrs on board
- 2 operators, 1 departure each in the evening
- 7 days a week, all year round
Helsinki - Stockholm
The route in detail
Table of Contents
A night on the Baltic separates Helsinki and Stockholm. You board in the South Harbour in the late afternoon, sleep in your cabin, and sail through the archipelago into the Swedish capital the next morning. Two operators run the route every day, both with large cruise ferries and a vehicle deck.
Departure in Helsinki
The two operators leave from different terminals, both on the South Harbour. Viking Line uses the Katajanokka terminal. Tallink Silja Line departs from the Olympia terminal, Olympiaranta 1, served directly by tram lines 2 and 3.
At the Olympia terminal, check-in opens daily at 14:45, for cars at 15:00. Registration closes 30 minutes before departure, and boarding closes 20 minutes before. The terminal does not accept cash. Short-stay parking is in front of the building, with a car park underneath. With Viking Line, foot passengers and cars should check in at least 30 minutes before departure, vehicles over 2.40 m tall 45 minutes before. Check-in closes 20 minutes before sailing.
The crossing
You're at sea for around 18 hours, similar for both operators. The clock shows an hour less because Sweden is one time zone behind Finland. Viking Line sails with the Gabriella and the Viking Cinderella, Tallink Silja Line with the Silja Serenade and the Silja Symphony, both with a 142 m promenade deck inside the ship. Both lines call at Mariehamn on Åland along the way.
Since the crossing runs overnight, a cabin is part of the booking. On board you'll find restaurants, bars, a shop and a sauna. Payment is by card; some bars on the Silja ships are cashless, and on board, Tallink accepts cash in euros only.
With a car, campervan, bike or dog
Both operators take cars, campervans and bicycles. You enter your vehicle's dimensions when booking; Tallink Silja Line re-measures length and height at check-in. Tips for a campervan crossing are collected in the guide Travelling to Sweden with a campervan.
Dogs travel on the Silja Serenade and the Silja Symphony in a pet-friendly cabin, for up to three animals. For exercise there's an outdoor deck with a sand pit on Deck 12; pets may not stay in the car on the vehicle deck. With Tallink you register the animal when booking, and the number of pets on board is limited. Viking Line takes pets on all its sailings. Entry rules are listed under Travelling to Sweden with a dog.
Arrival in Stockholm and onward travel
In Stockholm too, the terminals are some distance apart. Tallink Silja Line docks at Värtahamnen, Hamnpirsvägen 10. Gärdet metro station on the red line is within walking distance, bus 76 runs into the centre, and the operator's shuttle buses connect the terminal with the Cityterminalen. Viking Line arrives at Stadsgården on Södermalm, with car check-in for the return trip about 700 m away near Fotografiska. By car, you're straight into the city once you disembark; connections and tips for the capital are under Ferries to Stockholm.
Timetable, season and prices
The route runs all year, with each operator sailing once a day. Departures for your travel period are shown in the timetable. The price depends on the day of travel, cabin category and vehicle; the booking window lets you enter all three and see the total price. How ferry prices to Sweden are made up is explained under Prices.
Finland - Sweden
Overnight from Helsinki to Stockholm
The overnight ferry between Helsinki and Stockholm is the classic link between the capitals of Finland and Sweden. Two operators share the route: Viking Line with the Gabriella and the Viking Cinderella from the Katajanokka terminal, and Tallink Silja Line with the Silja Serenade and the Silja Symphony from the Olympia terminal. Both depart in the late afternoon or evening, call at Åland overnight, and reach Stockholm the following morning.
You sleep in a cabin, your car stays on the vehicle deck, and you sail through the Stockholm archipelago in the morning light. If you're taking the car onward into central Sweden, this saves the long drive around the Gulf of Bothnia.
- Crossing time
- approx. 18 hrs
- Operator
- Viking Line, Tallink Silja Line
- Frequency
- 2× daily
- Viking Line
- Tallink & Silja Line
Next departures
FAQ Helsinki - Stockholm
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Helsinki - Stockholm ferry route
How long does the ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm take? +
Around 18 hours, for both Viking Line and Tallink Silja Line. The ferries leave Helsinki in the late afternoon or evening and reach Stockholm the following morning. Finland is an hour ahead of Sweden, so the clock shows an hour less than the crossing actually takes.
How often does the ferry run? +
Each of the two operators sails once a day overnight, all year round. Viking Line runs the Gabriella and the Viking Cinderella, Tallink Silja Line the Silja Serenade and the Silja Symphony. The times for your travel day are in the timetable.
When do I need to be at the terminal in Helsinki? +
With Tallink Silja Line, registration at the Olympia terminal closes 30 minutes before departure, and boarding closes 20 minutes before; check-in opens daily at 14:45, for cars at 15:00. With Viking Line, foot passengers and cars should check in at least 30 minutes before departure, vehicles over 2.40 m tall 45 minutes before; check-in closes 20 minutes before departure.
How much does the Helsinki to Stockholm ferry cost? +
The price depends on the day of travel, cabin category and vehicle. In the booking window above, enter your travel day, vehicle and cabin to see the total price. How ferry prices to Sweden are made up is explained under Prices.
Can I bring my car or campervan? +
Yes, both operators take cars, campervans and bicycles. You enter your vehicle's dimensions when booking; with Tallink Silja Line, length and height are re-measured at check-in. What matters for a campervan crossing is covered in the guide Travelling to Sweden with a campervan.
Can my dog come along? +
Yes. On the Silja Serenade and the Silja Symphony, your dog travels in a pet-friendly cabin (up to three animals); for exercise there's an outdoor deck with a sand pit on Deck 12, but pets may not stay in the car on the vehicle deck. Viking Line takes pets on all its sailings. Entry rules are summed up in Travelling to Sweden with a dog.