Ferry to southern Sweden
Świnoujście – Ystad
Around seven and a half hours across the Baltic Sea to southern Sweden – by car, motorhome or as a foot passenger
- Year-round, multiple sailings daily and overnight
- Cabins, restaurants and a duty-free shop on board
- POLSCA Baltic Ferries: ships under the Polferries and Unity Line brands
Route guide
The Świnoujście–Ystad route in detail
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: if you're coming from Berlin or northern Germany, you save on driving time compared with the German Baltic ports, and you land in Ystad right where Skåne, Malmö and the Öresund begin.
The ports and getting there
Świnoujście's ferry terminal 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 generous time for that crossing, especially on summer weekends, and stick to the published check-in time: with both operators, 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, right next to the railway station. 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 ferries with a car deck, cabins, restaurants, a bar and a duty-free shop. On overnight sailings, a cabin is the sensible choice: you sleep through the crossing and start your day well rested in Sweden. On day sailings, a seat in the communal areas is usually enough, and the crossing works out cheaper too.
Because two operators serve the same route, cabin categories, on-board dining and facilities vary by ship. The booking window will show you exactly what applies to your chosen sailing.
Vehicles, motorhomes and pets
Cars, motorhomes, motorbikes, trailers and bicycles can all travel with either operator. The fare depends on your vehicle's length and height, measured including any roof box, bike rack or trailer. If you under-measure, you'll pay the difference at the terminal. Details on dimensions, gas bottles and on-board parking are in our guide to travelling to Sweden by motorhome.
Pets are welcome, but must be registered when you book, 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 our guide to travelling to Sweden with a dog.
Onward travel from Ystad
Ystad is both an arrival port and a transport hub. Malmö is around an hour away by train, and about the same by car via the E65. If you're continuing into Denmark, you then cross the toll Öresund Bridge and can be in Copenhagen roughly two hours after docking. Heading north, the E65 runs via Kristianstad towards Stockholm.
The same port is also the departure point for the ferries to Bornholm, so the island fits neatly into a wider Baltic Sea trip without a detour.
Sailings and booking
Both operators run year-round, with the number of sailings varying by season. Current departures for your travel date are in the timetable, and you'll find guidance on fares in the price overview. Rebooking and cancellation are possible with both operators up to one working day (24 hours) before departure; after that, any right to a refund lapses, 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 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 links Świnoujście (Swinemünde), at the mouth of the Oder on the German-Polish border, 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, with both day and overnight sailings on offer. If you're travelling from Berlin or northern Germany, this route is a handy alternative to the departures from Rostock or Travemünde: the terminal is around two and a half hours' drive away via the A11 and the Polish S3.
The line is served year-round by two operators, Polferries and Unity Line. Between them they run several sailings a day in each direction, so outbound and return crossings are easy to schedule around your trip. On board you'll find cabins in several categories, restaurants, bars and a duty-free 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 time
- approx. 7 hrs 30 min
- Operators
- POLSCA Baltic Ferries (Polferries, Unity Line)
- Frequency
- several times daily
- POLSCA Baltic Ferries
- Polferries
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 casting off to docking. Depending on the operator and departure, crossing times range from just over seven to just under eight hours; 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 extra time for check-in – it opens 120 minutes before departure and closes, with both operators, 30 minutes before departure for vehicles and 15 minutes for foot passengers. You'll find the exact times for your sailing 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. Both operators run multiple sailings daily, together adding up to more than two dozen crossings a week in each direction, with both day and night departures.
There are more sailings on the timetable in high season and at weekends than in winter. You can check which departures are available on your travel date in the timetable.
How much does the Świnoujście to Ystad ferry cost?+
The fare depends on season, departure time, vehicle length and cabin choice. You'll pay the least as a foot passenger on a day sailing in the low season; travelling with a car, motorhome or cabin pushes the fare up accordingly. With two operators on the same route, though, it's almost always worth comparing prices.
Because fares change constantly, we don't quote fixed amounts here – you'll see both operators' current prices in the booking window, and you can find general guidance in the price overview.
Can I bring my car or motorhome?+
Yes. Both operators carry cars, motorhomes, motorbikes, trailers and bicycles. When you book, you enter your vehicle's length and height, including any roof box, bike rack or trailer, since the fare is calculated from these dimensions.
If you're travelling by motorhome, you'll find details on dimensions, gas bottles and on-board parking in our guide to travelling to Sweden by motorhome.
Are cabins available on board, and do I need to book one?+
A cabin isn't compulsory, but it's the sensible choice on the overnight sailing: you board in the evening and step ashore in Sweden well rested the next morning. Inside and outside cabins are available in several categories; on day sailings, a seat in the communal areas is usually enough.
Cabins sell out early in peak season, so book one together with your ticket rather than leaving it until you reach the terminal.
Can I bring my pet?+
Yes, pets are welcome with both operators. You'll need an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination; register your pet when you book, since spaces are limited. Depending on the ship, your dog travels in a pet cabin or a kennel, and dogs must be kept on a lead in passenger areas.
You'll find Sweden's entry requirements for dogs and cats in our guide to travelling to Sweden with a dog.
How do I continue from Ystad to Malmö or Copenhagen?+
Ystad is well connected: the railway station sits right next to the ferry terminal, with regional trains reaching Malmö in under an hour, and onward connections to Copenhagen from there. By car, take the E65 to Malmö and then cross the Öresund Bridge, which carries a toll.
The same port is also the departure point for the high-speed ferries to Bornholm, making it easy to combine both legs into one Baltic Sea trip.