Viking Line
Viking Line sails from Helsinki, Turku and Åland to Stockholm, and in summer also from Tallinn and to Visby. Here you'll find out more about the ferry company from Mariehamn, its ships and its routes to Sweden.
About Viking Line
Table of Contents
About Viking Line
Viking Line is a ferry company from the Åland Islands, based in Mariehamn. The company trades as Viking Line Abp, is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange, and employs more than 2,000 people. In 2023 Viking Line carried, by its own figures, 4,897,494 passengers and 563,081 cars; the Turku - Åland - Stockholm route alone accounted for a good 2.1 million passengers.
The large ships combine cruise-ship comfort with a vehicle deck: you travel with a cabin, restaurants and an on-board shop, and bring your car, motorhome or bicycle along. Dogs are welcome on almost every route.
History and fleet
The story begins on 1 June 1959: on the initiative of Åland captain Gunnar Eklund, the S/S Viking began sailing for Vikinglinjen Ab between mainland Finland, Åland and Sweden. Three shipping companies then began marketing their ships jointly under the name Viking Line, which became today's Viking Line Abp. More than 50 ships have sailed for the company since 1959.
Today four of the company's own ships operate the Sweden routes. The Gabriella (built 1992, 171 m, 2,420 passengers) and the Viking Cinderella (1989, 191 m, 2,560 passengers) sail between Helsinki, Mariehamn and Stockholm, the Cinderella since 8 March 2024. Between Turku, Åland and Stockholm sail the Viking Grace (2013, 218 m, 2,800 passengers) and the Viking Glory, which is around ten per cent more fuel-efficient than the Grace. There's also the Birka Gotland, which Viking Line operates jointly with Gotlandsbolaget. The Viking XPRS shuttles between Helsinki and Tallinn and doesn't call at Sweden.
Viking Line to Sweden
In Stockholm, Viking Line docks at the Stadsgården terminal on Södermalm. These routes sail to Sweden:
- Helsinki - Stockholm: an overnight ferry with the Gabriella or the Viking Cinderella from the Katajanokka terminal, around 18 hours with a call at Mariehamn.
- Turku - Stockholm: around 11 hours with the Viking Grace or the Viking Glory, one daytime departure and one overnight.
- Mariehamn - Stockholm and Långnäs - Stockholm: the stops on Åland, taking around 5.5 to 8 hours to Stockholm depending on the ship.
- Tallinn - Stockholm: summer only, in 2027 from 22 June to 8 August.
- Mariehamn - Visby: in summer with the Birka Gotland, overnight to Gotland, without vehicles and without pets.
Cars should check in 30 minutes before departure, or 45 minutes for vehicles over 2.40 m tall; check-in closes 20 minutes before departure at every port. The terminals are cashless, and you'll need a valid ID. In Stockholm, the car check-in for the return journey is around 700 m from the terminal, by Fotografiska. More on the harbours of the capital is on the Ferries to Stockholm page, and departures are shown in the timetable.
FAQ Viking Line
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Viking Line and the ferries to Sweden
Which ferry routes to Sweden does Viking Line operate? +
Viking Line sails year-round from Helsinki and Turku to Stockholm, calling at Mariehamn or Långnäs on Åland. In summer, Tallinn - Stockholm and Mariehamn - Visby are added.
When was Viking Line founded? +
On 1 June 1959 the S/S Viking began sailing between Finland, Åland and Sweden, on the initiative of Åland captain Gunnar Eklund. Today the company is called Viking Line Abp and is based in Mariehamn.
Which ships does Viking Line use? +
The Gabriella and the Viking Cinderella sail to Sweden from Helsinki, the Viking Grace and the Viking Glory from Turku, and in summer the Birka Gotland between Mariehamn and Visby. The Viking XPRS shuttles between Helsinki and Tallinn.
Can I bring a car, motorhome or dog? +
Yes, on all scheduled ships. Cars should check in 30 minutes before departure, or 45 minutes for vehicles over 2.40 m tall. Pets travel on all scheduled crossings, except on the Birka Gotland, which also doesn't carry vehicles. More at Travelling to Sweden by motorhome and Travelling to Sweden with a dog.