Ferry from Åland to Gotland
Mariehamn - Visby
Summer route: overnight from Åland to Gotland with the Birka Gotland
- Around 10 hrs overnight
- Departs 00:40, arrives Visby 10:00
- 24 departures, 2 Jun - 2 Sep 2027
Mariehamn - Visby
The route in detail
Table of Contents
There's only a direct ferry between Åland and Gotland in summer. The Birka Gotland from Viking Line then sails overnight from Mariehamn to Visby, with no detour via Stockholm. You sleep in the cabin and sail into the harbour of the Hanseatic town in the morning.
Departure in Mariehamn
The Birka Gotland leaves from Västerhamn on Hamngatan, the same terminal Viking Line uses for its sailings to Stockholm. You can park free of charge in front of the terminal, there's a taxi rank right outside, and lockers are available inside. Payment at the terminal is by card.
Check-in opens 60 minutes before departure and closes 20 minutes before; without a vehicle, check in no later than 30 minutes before departure. Your ID is checked before boarding. Watch the date: the 00:40 departure falls on the travel date printed on your ticket, not the evening before.
The crossing
The Birka Gotland takes around 10 hours and 20 minutes and reaches Visby at 10:00. Because Åland is an hour ahead of Sweden, the clock shows an hour less. The ship has sailed since 2024 for a joint venture between Viking Line and Gotlandsbolaget. All cabins have a shower and toilet; a cabin berth is always included with every one-way trip. On board there are restaurants, bars and live music in the evening.
With a car, motorhome, bike or dog
The Birka Gotland has no vehicle deck. Cars, motorhomes, motorbikes and bicycles can't travel with you, as Viking Line explicitly rules this out on these sailings. If you want to bring a vehicle to Gotland, you travel via the Swedish mainland and take the car ferry from there, for example from Nynäshamn. Tips for travelling by motorhome are in the guide Travelling to Sweden by motorhome.
Pets aren't allowed on the Birka Gotland, unlike on Viking Line's other routes. The exceptions are guide and assistance dogs, which you register in advance by phone. Sweden's entry rules are explained in the guide Travelling to Sweden with a dog.
Arrival in Visby and onward travel
The ship docks at the Visby hamnterminal, right below the old town. Viking Line runs transfer buses from the berth to Österport, the eastern gate of the town wall; taxis wait outside the terminal. From Visby, the Gotland ferries sail to the Swedish mainland, to Nynäshamn and to Oskarshamn. From Nynäshamn it's a short trip to the capital; more on that under Ferries to Stockholm.
Timetable, season and prices
The route sails only in summer: in 2027 from 2 June to 2 September, on two days a week, 24 departures in total. The dates are in the timetable. The price depends on your travel date and cabin category; enter both in the booking window to see the total price. More on ferry prices in the price overview.
Åland - Gotland
From Åland to Gotland in summer
The ferry from Mariehamn to Visby is a summer-only route. Viking Line runs the Birka Gotland on it, a cruise ship with no vehicle deck, shuttling between Åland and Gotland two days a week from early June to early September. In summer 2027 that's 24 departures from 2 June to 2 September.
The Birka Gotland leaves Mariehamn just after midnight and reaches Visby in the morning. A cabin is included with every booking.
- Crossing
- approx. 10 hrs 20 min
- Operator
- Viking Line
- Frequency
- 2x a week, summer only
Next departures
FAQ: Mariehamn - Visby
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Mariehamn - Visby ferry connection
How long does the ferry from Mariehamn to Visby take? +
Around 10 hours and 20 minutes. The Birka Gotland leaves Mariehamn at 00:40 and reaches Visby at 10:00. Åland is an hour ahead of Sweden, so the clock shows an hour less than the crossing actually takes.
When does the ferry sail? +
Only in summer, on two days a week. In 2027 the Birka Gotland sails from 2 June to 2 September, 24 times in total from Mariehamn to Visby. The dates are in the timetable.
When do I need to be at the terminal in Mariehamn? +
Check-in at the Västerhamn terminal opens 60 minutes before departure and closes 20 minutes before; without a vehicle, check in no later than 30 minutes before departure. Your ID is checked before boarding.
How much does the Mariehamn - Visby ferry cost? +
That depends on your travel date and cabin category; a cabin is always included, and the base price covers a berth in an inside cabin for two. Enter your travel date and cabin in the booking window above to see the total price. More on ferry prices in the price overview.
Can I bring my car or bicycle? +
No. The Birka Gotland has no vehicle deck, so cars, motorhomes and bicycles stay ashore. To bring a vehicle to Gotland, you travel via the Swedish mainland. Tips for travelling by motorhome are in the guide Travelling to Sweden by motorhome.
Can my dog come along? +
No. No pets are allowed on the Birka Gotland, only guide and assistance dogs, which you register in advance by phone. Sweden's entry rules for pets are in the guide Travelling to Sweden with a dog.