Ferry to Finland
Stockholm - Helsinki
Two capitals, one unforgettable night on the Baltic - aboard the cruise ferries of Tallink Silja and Viking Line
- Daily departures from Stockholm with both Tallink Silja Line and Viking Line
- Overnight crossing through the archipelago with a stop in Mariehamn on Åland, around 16 to 18 hours
- Cars, motorhomes, bikes and pets welcome aboard - cabins bookable for the night
Overnight ferry to Finland
Overnight to Helsinki with Tallink Silja and Viking Line
The Stockholm - Helsinki route links the Swedish and Finnish capitals overnight: in around 16 to 18 hours, the ferry glides through the Stockholm archipelago, calls briefly at Mariehamn in the Åland Islands, and arrives in Helsinki the next morning. Two operators run the crossing - Tallink Silja Line with its sister cruise ferries Silja Serenade and Silja Symphony, and Viking Line with the M/S Gabriella - each departing daily from Stockholm.
Both ships are floating small towns, with long promenades, restaurants, bars, duty-free shopping and spa areas, so the crossing itself becomes part of the trip. Since it is an overnight sailing, you book a cabin and arrive well rested. In Helsinki, both terminals sit close to the city centre at the South Harbour, putting you within easy reach of downtown as soon as you disembark.
- Crossing time
- around 16-18 hrs
- Operators
- Tallink Silja & Viking Line
- Frequency
- 2x daily
- Tallink & Silja Line
- Viking Line
Next departures
Route guide
Ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki at a glance
Everything about the Stockholm - Helsinki route with Tallink Silja Line and Viking Line: getting to the terminals, check-in times, what to expect on board, vehicle and pet rules, and onward travel from Helsinki.
Getting to the terminals in Stockholm
The two operators use different terminals, so check which one runs your crossing when you book. Tallink Silja Line departs from Värtahamnen in the north-east of the city (Hamnpirsvägen 10, 115 74 Stockholm); from the centre, take the metro to Ropsten, then a short bus ride or walk to the terminal. Viking Line sails from the Stadsgården terminal on Södermalm, just a few minutes' walk from Slussen metro station.
Check-in and departure
The ferries depart in the late afternoon and arrive in Helsinki the following morning. Tallink Silja opens online check-in 24 hours before departure; passenger check-in closes 30 minutes and boarding 20 minutes before sailing, while vehicle check-in opens around 1.5 hours in advance. With Viking Line, drivers need to be ready to load 30 minutes before departure, or 45 minutes for tall vehicles over 2.4 m; boarding for foot passengers closes 20 minutes before sailing. Bring a valid ID - a passport or national ID card is enough to board.
On board
These are genuine cruise ferries: Tallink Silja's sister ships Silja Serenade and Silja Symphony with their long promenade decks, and Viking Line's M/S Gabriella. On board you'll find restaurants and buffets, bars, duty-free shopping, sauna and spa areas, and live entertainment. Since it's an overnight sailing, you book a cabin - everything from inside cabins to suites is available.
Payments on board are in euros; cards such as Visa, Mastercard and Maestro are accepted everywhere, though a few bars on the Silja ships are card-only. Cash is accepted in euros only - you won't need Swedish kronor on board.
Vehicles, bikes and pets
Both operators carry cars, motorcycles, caravans and bicycles; you'll find details on bringing a vehicle, including larger motorhomes, in our motorhome guide. Enter your vehicle's dimensions correctly when booking, as the fare depends on its length.
Pets travel too and must be registered when booking - during the overnight crossing they stay in the cabin, with an exercise area on deck for dogs. Our dogs and pets guide covers what applies when travelling with an animal; guide dogs travel free of charge.
Arrival in Helsinki and onward travel
Helsinki also has two terminals: Tallink Silja docks at the Olympia Terminal (Olympiaranta 1), Viking Line at the Katajanokka Terminal (Katajanokanlaituri 8). Both sit close to the centre at the South Harbour and connect quickly to downtown and the main railway station by tram. From there you can walk to the Cathedral, the Market Square and the Design District, or continue by train towards Turku or northern Finland.
Tickets and fares
Both operators offer tiered fares - from budget tickets with limited rebooking to flexible, refundable rates. With Viking Line you can change your travel date, cabin or number of passengers up to 24 hours before departure or cancel, with fees depending on the fare type; Tallink Silja's cancellation fee scales with how close you are to departure. Children travel at a reduced fare or free. Booking the route as a round trip lets you take advantage of the popular mini cruise packages. The booking window shows current prices for your travel dates, and our prices page gives you an overview.
FAQ Stockholm - Helsinki
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Stockholm - Helsinki ferry
Which operators run ferries from Stockholm to Helsinki?+
The route is run by two operators: Tallink Silja Line with its sister cruise ferries Silja Serenade and Silja Symphony, and Viking Line with the M/S Gabriella.
Both depart daily from Stockholm and offer a cruise-like experience on board, with restaurants, entertainment, shopping and spa facilities.
When do the ferries sail, and how long does the crossing take?+
Both operators depart Stockholm in the late afternoon and arrive in Helsinki the following morning. The crossing takes around 16 to 18 hours depending on the operator - a comfortable overnight sailing where you sleep in your cabin and arrive rested.
Along the way, the ferries make a brief stop at Mariehamn in the Åland Islands. You can find exact departure times in the timetable.
Which terminals do the ferries use in Stockholm and Helsinki?+
In Stockholm, Tallink Silja Line uses the Värtahamnen terminal (Hamnpirsvägen 10) in the north-east of the city, while Viking Line departs from Stadsgården on Södermalm, near Slussen.
In Helsinki, Tallink Silja arrives at the Olympia Terminal (Olympiaranta 1), and Viking Line at the Katajanokka Terminal (Katajanokanlaituri 8). All four terminals are close to the city centre and well served by public transport.
How much does the ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki cost?+
Fares depend on the season, cabin category, vehicle and how far ahead you book. Foot passengers pay considerably less than travellers bringing a car, and booking early or being flexible with dates gets you the best rates.
Children travel at a reduced fare or free with both operators. You will find an overview of fare components on our prices page, while the booking window shows the exact rates for your travel dates.
Do I need a cabin on the ferry to Helsinki?+
Yes. Since this is an overnight crossing, you book a cabin for the sailing and sleep on board. Operators offer categories ranging from inside cabins to spacious suites with sea views.
If you book the route as a round trip (a mini cruise), your cabin is also yours to use during the stopover in Helsinki.
Can I bring my car or motorhome?+
Yes, both operators carry cars, motorhomes, caravans, motorcycles and bicycles. Enter your vehicle's dimensions correctly when booking, as the fare depends on its length.
If you are travelling with a vehicle, arrive at the terminal earlier than foot passengers - vehicle check-in closes 30 to 45 minutes before departure, depending on the operator. Full details on bringing larger motorhomes are in our motorhome guide.
Can I bring my dog or cat on the ferry?+
Yes, pets are welcome with both operators and must be registered when booking. During the overnight crossing your pet stays in the cabin; there is an exercise area on deck for dogs, though pets are not allowed in restaurants or bars.
Places for pets are limited, so book early. Our dogs and pets guide covers entry requirements for travelling with an animal; guide dogs travel free of charge.