Polferries
Polferries (Polska Żegluga Bałtycka) is Poland's state ferry operator and has linked the Polish Baltic coast with Sweden since 1976. Here is what you need to know about the company and its routes to Sweden.
About Polferries
About Polferries
Polferries is the trading name of Polska Żegluga Bałtycka, Poland's state ferry operator headquartered in Kołobrzeg on the Baltic coast. The company has linked the Polish coast with Sweden since 1976 and today operates as a joint-stock company owned by the Polish State Treasury. The fleet comprises five ferries running between Poland and Sweden.
Two routes matter for a Sweden trip: the overnight service from Gdańsk to Nynäshamn near Stockholm, and the crossing from Świnoujście to Ystad in southern Sweden. On both routes, Polferries carries foot passengers as well as cars, motorhomes and bicycles.
History
Polska Żegluga Bałtycka was founded on 31 January 1976 in Kołobrzeg. Over the following decades the company expanded ferry services between Poland and Scandinavia, reaching a record 655,617 passengers in 1989. On 31 December 1991, the state enterprise became a joint-stock company owned by the Polish State Treasury, the structure it still operates under today.
The company has traded as Polferries since its founding. In 2026 it marks its fiftieth anniversary, making it one of the longest-established ferry operators on the Baltic. Since 30 March 2026, Polferries, Unity Line and EuroAfrica have pooled their ferry operations under the joint POLSCA Baltic Ferries group; the Polferries brand and its routes continue unchanged.
Polferries to Sweden
Polferries offers two ways to cross to Sweden. The overnight ferry Gdańsk-Nynäshamn links the Gdańsk Bay with Nynäshamn, around sixty kilometres south of Stockholm, in roughly eighteen hours. You board in the evening and arrive at the gateway to the Swedish capital by midday. The M/F Nova Star and M/F Wawel sail this route, both offering cabins from simple inside berths up to Owner Class.
Further south, Świnoujście-Ystad crosses the open Baltic to Skåne in around seven and a half hours, with several sailings a day. From Ystad it is about an hour's drive to Malmö and around two hours across the Öresund Bridge to Copenhagen. Polferries shares this route with a second operator; the M/F Varsovia and M/F Mazovia sail here under the Polferries flag.
FAQ Polferries
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about Polferries and its ferry routes to Sweden
Which ferry routes does Polferries run to Sweden?+
Polferries operates two ferry links from Poland to Sweden. The overnight Gdańsk-Nynäshamn route sails from the Gdańsk Bay to greater Stockholm. To southern Sweden, Świnoujście-Ystad runs both day and night sailings; Polferries shares this route with a second operator.
When was Polferries founded and who owns the company?+
Polska Żegluga Bałtycka was founded on 31 January 1976 in Kołobrzeg and has traded as Polferries ever since. At the end of 1991 the state enterprise became a joint-stock company owned by the Polish State Treasury, which still owns it today. The company is headquartered in Kołobrzeg on Poland's Baltic coast.
Which ships does Polferries operate?+
The fleet comprises five ferries. M/F Nova Star and M/F Wawel sail Gdańsk-Nynäshamn, while M/F Varsovia and M/F Mazovia sail Świnoujście-Ystad. The fifth ship is the M/F Cracovia. These are classic Baltic ferries with a car deck, cabins, restaurants and an onboard shop.
Can I bring a car, motorhome or pet?+
Yes. On both Sweden routes, Polferries carries motorhomes, cars, trailers and bicycles; you enter your vehicle's length and height when booking. Pets are welcome too, but must be registered in advance because space is limited.