Ferry to Sweden
Rostock – Trelleborg
Germany's busiest route to Sweden – sail in comfort to southern Sweden with Stena Line and TT-Line
- Up to 6 departures daily with Stena Line and TT-Line – daytime and overnight
- Direct crossing in around 6 hours from Rostock Overseas Port
- Cheapest direct route including your car – return packages with up to 20% discount
Rostock is Germany's most-used departure point for the crossing to southern Sweden. In around six hours, the ferry carries you across the 150 kilometres of the Baltic from the Overseas Port to Trelleborg on Sweden's south coast. For drivers, it's a relaxed alternative to the Öresund Bridge – saving you the long drive through Denmark.
Getting to the Rostock ferry terminal
The ferry terminal is located at Rostock's Overseas Port and is well connected to the motorway network. Coming from Berlin, the route runs via the A19; the A20 covers the east–west axis. If you're travelling from the Hamburg area, Travemünde–Trelleborg is also worth considering.
Check-in and departure
Stena Line and TT-Line jointly run the route with up to six departures a day, spread across daytime and overnight sailings. The first ferry leaves in the morning, the last as an overnight sailing late in the evening, so you can plan your travel day flexibly. If you're bringing a vehicle, you need to arrive at the terminal earlier than foot passengers: with Stena Line, check-in closes 60 minutes before departure for vehicles and 30 minutes before for foot passengers, while TT-Line requires vehicles to be checked in at least 30 minutes before departure. The check-in time that applies to your booking is also shown on your ticket.
On board
Ships on this route include TT-Line's Nils Holgersson and Stena Line's Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. On board you'll find restaurants and cafés, an onboard shop, sauna areas and play corners for children, alongside comfortable seating areas and cabins in several categories. Wi-Fi is free on all TT-Line ships.
Payment on board is by card: Stena Line's Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a cashless ship, accepting credit and debit cards as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay, while TT-Line also accepts cash in euros and Swedish kronor. Dogs and other pets travel with both operators but aren't allowed in restaurants, bars or shops. Stena Line offers bookable pet cabins and kennels, TT-Line its own pet cabins and exercise areas on deck; you register your pet when booking. Entry requirements are summed up in the guide Travelling to Sweden with your dog.
Daytime or overnight crossing
During the day you won't need a cabin: the roughly six-hour crossing is easily spent in the lounges, restaurants or out on deck, with views across the Baltic. For overnight sailings, on the other hand, a cabin is well worth booking. The ships deliberately sail slower – and so longer – overnight, so you can sleep undisturbed and arrive rested in Sweden the next morning.
Arrival in Trelleborg and onward travel
Trelleborg is Sweden's southernmost town and the classic gateway to Skåne. Malmö and the Öresund region, including Copenhagen, are a short drive away, and you can reach the west coast around Gothenburg within a manageable day's drive. If you want to continue towards Stockholm, an early arrival leaves you a full day of travel ahead.
Tickets and booking
What the crossing costs depends on season, demand and vehicle type: summer is the most expensive time to travel, spring and autumn noticeably cheaper, and as a foot passenger you pay only a fraction of what's due with a car. Both operators offer early-booking discounts and return fares that help you save. The exact figures for your travel date appear in the booking window; for an overview of what makes up the price, see the price overview.
Rostock - Trelleborg
Germany's busiest route to Sweden
The Rostock–Trelleborg route is Germany's busiest connection to Sweden. In around six hours you cross the 150-kilometre stretch of the Baltic Sea from Rostock's Overseas Port to Trelleborg on Sweden's southern coast. It's operated by Stena Line and TT-Line, which together run a dense schedule of daytime and overnight crossings. From Trelleborg you can reach Malmö, Copenhagen and the west coast around Gothenburg in no time – a comfortable alternative to the Öresund Bridge that saves you the long drive through Denmark.
On overnight sailings you sleep in a cabin and arrive rested in Sweden the next morning, while daytime crossings turn the voyage itself into part of the holiday. On board ships such as TT-Line's Nils Holgersson or Stena Line's Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, you'll find restaurants and cafés, an onboard shop, sauna areas and play corners for children; Wi-Fi is free on all TT-Line ships. Rostock's Overseas Port has excellent motorway access via the A19 and A20.
- Crossing
- approx. 6 hrs
- Operator
- Stena Line & TT-Line
- Frequency
- up to 6× daily
- From price
- €31
Next departures
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Rostock–Trelleborg ferry route
How long does the Rostock–Trelleborg ferry crossing take?+
The crossing from Rostock to Trelleborg usually takes around 6 hours. Both operators (Stena Line and TT-Line) cover the 150 km route in roughly six hours.
Overnight sailings can take a little longer (up to 8 hours), as the ferries slow down overnight so passengers on board can sleep undisturbed.
How much does the Rostock–Trelleborg ferry cost?+
The price depends on the season, demand, vehicle type and how far ahead you book. As a foot passenger you pay only a fraction of what's due with a car, and summer works out noticeably more expensive than spring and autumn.
Both operators also offer early-booking discounts and special return fares that let you save further. You'll find current fares on our price overview and in the booking window.
How often does the ferry run from Rostock to Trelleborg?+
The Rostock–Trelleborg ferry service runs several times a day. Depending on the day of the week, there are up to six departures a day, spread across daytime and overnight sailings.
Both operators (Stena Line and TT-Line) generally run three crossings a day each – typically one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one late at night. The first ferry usually departs around 7–8am, the last (overnight) ferry around 10–11pm.
When do I need to check in at the Rostock ferry terminal?+
It depends on the operator. With Stena Line, check-in closes 60 minutes before departure for vehicles and 30 minutes before for foot passengers. With TT-Line, you need to be checked in with your vehicle at least 30 minutes before departure.
If in doubt, arrive at the terminal earlier, especially in peak season and with a motorhome or trailer. The check-in time that applies to your booking is also shown on your ticket.
Do I need a cabin on the Rostock–Trelleborg ferry?+
On the roughly six-hour daytime crossings, you don't need a cabin. You can spend the crossing in the seating areas, restaurants or lounges on board.
On overnight sailings (late departure around 10pm), however, booking a cabin is strongly recommended, so you can sleep during the longer crossing and arrive well rested. Cabins are available as an optional extra for a surcharge; the price is shown in the booking window.
Can I bring my car on the Rostock–Trelleborg ferry?+
Yes, you can easily bring your vehicle on this route. The ferries carry all common vehicle types, from cars and motorbikes to motorhomes, caravans, trucks and coaches.
Make sure to give the exact dimensions of your vehicle when booking (including add-ons such as bike racks or roof boxes). Oversized vehicles (e.g. motorhomes over 6 m) incur a surcharge, and incorrect details can lead to extra charges at the port.
Can I bring my pet on board?+
Yes, dogs and other pets travel with both operators, but must be registered when you book. Pets aren't allowed in restaurants, bars or the onboard shops.
Stena Line offers bookable pet cabins and kennels on the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the Skåne, while TT-Line has its own pet cabins and exercise areas on deck. To enter Sweden you'll need an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination. The guide Travelling to Sweden with your dog sums up what Sweden requires.