Ferry to Finland
Umeå - Vaasa
The fastest ferry crossing between Sweden and Finland - under 4 hours across the Gulf of Bothnia
- Up to 4 daily departures - a year-round crossing over the Kvarken with Wasaline
- Direct crossing in just 3.5 hours aboard the eco-friendly Aurora Botnia
- Cars, motorhomes, bikes and pets travel too - with a Pet Lounge on board
Umeå - Vaasa
The fastest ferry between Sweden and Finland
The Umeå - Vaasa route is the shortest ferry crossing between Sweden and Finland: in around 3.5 hours, Wasaline takes you across the Kvarken, the narrowest point of the Gulf of Bothnia. The ferry runs year-round with up to 4 departures a day from the terminal in Holmsund, about 20 kilometres southeast of Umeå.
The route is served by the Aurora Botnia, a RoPax ship that entered service in 2021 with LNG and battery hybrid propulsion. On board you will find restaurants, a shop, several lounges and cabins. In Vaasa, the port lies close to the city centre, with a shuttle bus taking you into town.
- Crossing time
- approx. 3.5 hrs
- Operator
- Wasaline
- Frequency
- up to 4x daily
- From price
- €37
Next departures
Route guide
Umeå - Vaasa ferry at a glance
Everything about the Umeå - Vaasa route with Wasaline: getting to the terminal in Holmsund, check-in times, on-board facilities aboard the Aurora Botnia, vehicle and pet rules, and onward travel from Vaasa.
Getting to Umeå port
The ferry departs from the terminal in Holmsund, about 20 kilometres southeast of Umeå. For satnav, use Blå Vägen 4, 91332 Holmsund; via the E12 you'll reach the port from the city centre in a good 20 minutes. There is paid, unstaffed parking right at the terminal, run by UPAB; pay by SMS or via the EasyPark or Parkster apps.
Travelling without a car, take the shuttle bus: it departs Ålidhem 1 hour 30 minutes before departure and calls at the city centre 1 hour 20 minutes before departure. Book your seat at least 3 hours ahead - it's cheaper online than on board.
Check-in and departure
With a vehicle, check in at least 60 minutes before departure; as a foot passenger, 30 minutes is enough. Boarding closes 20 minutes before departure. Only one vehicle can be registered per booking, so automatic check-in runs smoothly. Bring valid photo ID, as identity checks may take place. Registered guests can also use the Wasaline app as a mobile cabin key.
On board
The Aurora Botnia runs this route with LNG and battery hybrid propulsion. On Deck 7 you'll find three restaurants, a bar with pub area and a shop, plus the Business Lounge (34 seats with coffee, tea and its own Wi-Fi), the Comfort Lounge with 42 recliners, and the Pet Lounge. Wi-Fi on board is free with no login required. You can book a cabin for the crossing, but you can't stay in it once the ship has docked.
Payment on board is card only - Visa and Mastercard are preferred. Wasaline accepts cash only in the port of Vaasa; no cash payment is possible in Umeå. You can pay in euros or Swedish kronor, but there's no currency exchange on board.
Vehicles, bikes and pets
Cars, motorhomes, trailers, motorbikes and bicycles are all carried; give the exact dimensions and registration number when booking, as longer vehicles are charged a higher fare. Travelling by camper? Find the details in the motorhome guide.
Pets are welcome on board and must be registered when booking; the fee applies whether your pet stays in the vehicle or joins you in the passenger areas. The Pet Lounge on Deck 7 has a door straight out to the open deck for a quick walk, or your pet can travel in a pet-friendly cabin instead. Entry requirements are summarised in the travelling with a dog guide.
Arrival in Vaasa and onward travel
In Vaasa, the ferry docks on Vanha Satamatie (65170 Vaasa), on an island just off the city centre. Without a car, take the shuttle bus: it departs from the Travel Centre by the rail viaduct about 1 hour before departure, calls at stops including Vaasanpuistikko and the Scandic Waskia, and returns to the centre roughly 10 minutes after arrival. There's no shuttle bus for night arrivals between midnight and 2am.
Tickets and fares
Wasaline offers the crossing as a one-way ticket, a day cruise (there and back the same day) and a hotel package. Children under 6 travel free, with reduced fares for older children, and frequent travellers benefit from the Frequent Traveller programme. An environmental and fuel surcharge applies to every ticket.
Refunds are only given if you cancel according to the cancellation terms; refunds are made automatically to the card used for booking. Changing your booking may incur a fee. The booking window shows the exact prices for your travel date, with an overview on the prices page.
FAQ Umeå - Vaasa
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Umeå - Vaasa ferry route
How long does the ferry from Umeå to Vaasa take?+
The crossing over the Kvarken takes around 3.5 to 4 hours depending on the departure; the fastest sailings cover the route in about 3 hours 30 minutes. Note the time difference: Finland (Vaasa) is one hour ahead of Sweden (Umeå), and times are shown in local time.
Which operator and ship run the route?+
The route is served by Wasaline with the Aurora Botnia, a RoPax ship that entered service in 2021 with LNG and battery hybrid propulsion. It carries 935 passengers, has 68 cabins, three restaurants, a bar and a shop, plus a Business, Comfort and Pet Lounge on Deck 7.
How much does the Umeå to Vaasa ferry cost?+
The price depends on season, demand and vehicle. Children under 6 travel free, with reduced fares for older children. Wasaline also adds an environmental and fuel surcharge to every ticket. The booking window shows the current starting price for your travel date, with an overview on the prices page.
How often does the ferry run and when are the departures?+
The ferry runs year-round with up to 4 departures a day, depending on the day of the week and season; frequency increases in summer. All current departure times, including seasonal differences, are on the timetable.
Can I bring my car or motorhome?+
Yes, you can bring cars, motorhomes, motorbikes and bicycles. Give the exact dimensions and registration number when booking, as longer vehicles and trailers cost more; only one vehicle is allowed per booking. Details on the vehicle package are in the motorhome guide. With a vehicle, be at the terminal at least 60 minutes before departure.
Can I bring my dog or cat?+
Yes, pets are welcome on board and must be registered when booking; a fee applies. There is a dedicated Pet Lounge on Deck 7 with direct access to the outer deck, or your pet can travel in a pet-friendly cabin or in the vehicle. What you need for entry is summarised in the travelling with a dog guide; bring the EU pet passport with valid vaccinations.
How do I get to the ferry terminals in Umeå and Vaasa?+
The Umeå terminal is in Holmsund (Blå Vägen 4, 91332 Holmsund), about 20 km southeast of the city on the E12. A shuttle bus departs from Ålidhem 1 hr 30 min before departure and from the city centre 1 hr 20 min before departure; book it at least 3 hours in advance.
In Vaasa, the port is on Vanha Satamatie (65170 Vaasa), close to the city centre. The shuttle bus departs from the Travel Centre about 1 hour before departure and returns roughly 10 minutes after arrival. There is no shuttle bus for night arrivals between midnight and 2am.