Ferry to southern Sweden
Świnoujście - Ystad
Around seven and a half hours across the Baltic Sea to Skåne, with a car, motorhome or as a foot passenger
- Several sailings daily, year-round, by day and overnight
- Cabins, restaurants and shop on board
- POLSCA Baltic Ferries: ships under the Polferries and Unity Line brands
Route guide
The Świnoujście - Ystad route in detail
Table of Contents
The crossing from Świnoujście to Ystad is the shortest ferry link between Poland and southern Sweden. It's aimed above all at travellers with a vehicle: coming from northern or eastern Germany, you save driving time compared with the German Baltic ports, and in Ystad you land right where Skåne, Malmö and the Öresund begin.
The ports and getting there
The ferry terminal in Świnoujście isn't in the town centre but on the eastern side of the Świna river, in the Warszów district. Coming from the German side, you cross the river either through the tunnel or on the municipal car ferries. Build in plenty of time for the crossing, especially on summer weekends, and stick to the stated check-in time: check-in opens 120 minutes before departure and closes 30 minutes before for vehicles, 15 minutes before for foot passengers.
In Ystad, the ferry terminal sits at the edge of the old town, with the railway station right next door. Foot passengers can walk almost straight from the ship onto the train, while drivers are on the E65 towards Malmö within minutes.
On board
The ships on this route are classic Baltic Sea ferries with a car deck, cabins, restaurants, a bar and a shop. On overnight sailings, a cabin is the sensible choice: you sleep through the crossing and start your travel day well rested in Sweden. On daytime sailings, a seat in the communal areas is usually enough, which also keeps the crossing cheaper.
Because the ships sail under two brands, cabin categories, on-board dining and facilities vary from ship to ship. The booking window shows what applies to your specific sailing.
Vehicles, motorhomes and pets
Cars, motorhomes, motorbikes, trailers and bicycles travel on all ships on this route. The fare depends on the length and height of your vehicle, measured including any roof box, bike rack and trailer. If the dimensions you give are too small, you'll pay the difference at the terminal. Details on dimensions, gas bottles and parking on board are in the guide Travelling to Sweden by motorhome.
Pets are welcome, but must be registered when booking, since pet cabins and kennels are limited. An EU pet passport and valid rabies vaccination are required, along with Sweden's entry rules, which are summarised in the guide Travelling to Sweden with a dog.
Onward travel from Ystad
Ystad is both an arrival port and a transport hub. It's just under an hour to Malmö by train, and about the same by car via the E65. If you're heading on to Denmark, you then cross the Öresund Bridge, which charges a toll, and can be in Copenhagen around two hours after docking. Heading north, the E65 runs via Kristianstad towards Stockholm.
Ferries to Bornholm also depart from the same port, making it easy to fit the island into a wider Baltic Sea trip without a detour.
Connections and booking
Sailings run year-round, with the number of departures varying by season. Current departures for your travel date are shown in the timetable, and an overview of fares is on the Prices page. Rebooking and cancellation are possible up to one working day (24 hours) before departure; after that, refunds are no longer available, and promotional and special fares are non-refundable in any case. Book early if you're travelling with a vehicle and cabin in summer: that exact combination is the first to sell out on this route.
Świnoujście - Ystad
Across the Baltic Sea from Poland to southern Sweden
The Świnoujście - Ystad ferry route connects Świnoujście at the mouth of the Oder with Ystad in the southern Swedish province of Skåne. The ships cross around 170 kilometres of open Baltic Sea in about seven and a half hours, by day and overnight alike. For travellers from northern and eastern Germany or further afield in central Europe, it's a straightforward alternative to sailings from Rostock or Travemünde.
The line is served year-round by POLSCA Baltic Ferries, with ships under the Polferries and Unity Line brands. Together they add up to several sailings a day in each direction, so outbound and return journeys are easy to plan flexibly. On board you'll find cabins in several categories, restaurants, bars and a shop. Ystad is also a convenient arrival port: Malmö is barely an hour's drive away, and Copenhagen is around two hours via the Öresund Bridge.
- Crossing
- approx. 7 hrs 30 min
- Ferry operators
- POLSCA Baltic Ferries (Polferries, Unity Line)
- Frequency
- several times daily
Next departures
FAQ: Świnoujście - Ystad
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Świnoujście - Ystad ferry route
How long does the ferry from Świnoujście to Ystad take? +
Allow around seven and a half hours from departure to docking. Depending on the ship and sailing, the crossing time ranges from just over seven hours to just under eight; night sailings tend to run a little longer, since the ships travel more slowly and give you a full night's sleep.
At the terminal, also allow time for check-in: it opens 120 minutes before departure and closes 30 minutes before for vehicles, 15 minutes before for foot passengers. The exact times for your sailing are shown in the timetable.
How often does the ferry run, and which operators serve the route? +
The route is served year-round by POLSCA Baltic Ferries, the joint operator of Polferries and Unity Line since 30 March 2026. The ships continue to sail under both brands and together add up to well over two dozen crossings a week in each direction, with both daytime and overnight sailings.
In peak season and at weekends there are more sailings in the timetable than in winter. Which departures are available on your travel date is shown in the timetable.
How much does the ferry from Świnoujście to Ystad cost? +
The price depends on season, departure time, vehicle length and cabin. Travelling as a foot passenger on a daytime sailing in the off-season is cheapest; with a car, motorhome or cabin the fare rises accordingly. With two operators on the same route, though, it's almost always worth comparing.
Because fares change constantly, we don't quote fixed amounts here: you'll find the current prices for both operators in the booking window, and an overview on the Prices page.
Can I bring my car or motorhome? +
Yes. Ships of both brands carry cars, motorhomes, motorbikes, trailers and bicycles. When booking, you give your vehicle's length and height, including any roof box, bike rack and trailer, since the fare is based on this.
If you're travelling by motorhome, details on dimensions, gas bottles and parking on board are in the guide Travelling to Sweden by motorhome.
Are cabins available on board, and do I need to book one? +
Cabins aren't compulsory, but on the overnight sailing they're the sensible choice: you board in the evening and arrive in Sweden well rested the next morning. Inside and outside cabins are available in several categories; on daytime sailings, a seat in the communal areas is usually enough.
In peak season, cabins sell out early, so book one together with your ticket rather than waiting until you're at the terminal.
Can I bring my pet? +
Yes, pets are welcome on all ships on this route. You need an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination; register your pet when booking, since spaces are limited. Depending on the ship, your dog travels in a pet cabin or a kennel, and a lead is required in passenger areas.
What Sweden requires for entry with a dog or cat is covered in the guide Travelling to Sweden with a dog.
How do I get on from Ystad to Malmö or Copenhagen? +
Ystad is well connected: the railway station sits right next to the ferry port, with regional trains taking just under an hour to Malmö, and onward from there to Copenhagen. By car, take the E65 to Malmö and then cross the Öresund Bridge, which carries a toll.
Fast ferries to Bornholm also depart from the same port, making it easy to add the island to a wider Baltic Sea trip.