Ferry company
Viking Line
The Åland company behind the overnight ferries from Stockholm and the day ferry from Tallinn, in profile
- Sailing between Finland and Sweden since 1959
- Three routes to Helsinki and Turku
- Around 4.9 million passengers a year
About Viking Line
Table of Contents
About Viking Line
Viking Line is a Finnish ferry company based in Mariehamn on the Åland Islands. Its history began in 1959 on the initiative of Åland sea captain Gunnar Eklund: on 1 June 1959, the S/S Viking began service between mainland Finland, Åland and Sweden, with three shipping companies marketing their vessels jointly from then on under the name Viking Line. What began as second-hand car ferries in the early years grew into a fleet that combines cruise-ship comfort with large vehicle decks. Today, Viking Line Abp is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange and, by its own figures, carries around 4.9 million passengers a year (2023: 4,897,494 passengers and 563,081 cars), over 2.1 million of them on the Turku–Åland–Stockholm line.
Fleet
Viking Line operates five of its own ships, all holding the highest ice class, 1A Super. On the overnight route Helsinki–Mariehamn–Stockholm sail the Gabriella (built 1992, 171 m, 2,420 passengers) and, since March 2024, the Viking Cinderella (1989, 191 m, 2,560 passengers). Between Turku, Åland and Stockholm run the Viking Grace (2013, 218 m, 2,800 passengers) and the Viking Glory, which entered service in 2022 and, using around ten per cent less fuel than the Grace, ranks among the most fuel-efficient passenger ships on the Baltic. The Viking XPRS (2008, 185 m, 2,500 passengers) shuttles between Helsinki and Tallinn. The company also charters the Birka Gotland for the Stockholm–Mariehamn–Visby line.
Routes to Finland
Travelling via Sweden, Viking Line offers two destinations: Stockholm–Helsinki is the overnight crossing from the Stadsgården terminal on Södermalm, via Mariehamn, to the Katajanokka terminal in central Helsinki, around 16.5 hours with a cabin. Stockholm–Turku takes just under eleven hours and runs twice daily, by day with the Viking Glory and overnight with the Viking Grace; Turku is the gateway to south-west Finland and lies two train hours from Helsinki. If you're travelling via the Baltic states, take Tallinn–Helsinki with the Viking XPRS from the A-Terminal in Tallinn to Katajanokka, around two and a half hours and several times a day.
Check-in, vehicles and pets
By car you must be ready for loading 30 minutes before departure, or at least 45 minutes beforehand for vehicles over 2.40 m in height; check-in and boarding for foot passengers close 20 minutes before departure. The self-service kiosks at the terminals open around two hours beforehand; online and kiosk check-in are free, while a fee applies at a staffed counter. A valid ID card or passport should be in your hand luggage.
All ships take cars, motorbikes, caravans, motorhomes and bicycles; the fare depends on the vehicle length, and the standard vehicle deck has a height limit of 2.40 m. More on this in the guide Travelling to Finland with a motorhome. Register pets when booking: on the overnight ferries they stay in the cabin, with an exercise area for dogs on deck, and guide dogs travel free of charge. Entry rules for Finland are summarised in the guide Travelling to Finland with a dog.
Tickets
On board you pay by card or cash in euros, and in Swedish kronor too on the Sweden routes. Viking Line offers several fare tiers with different rules for rebooking and refunds; the conditions shown before purchase are binding. Departures are shown in the timetable, fares for your date in the route page's booking window, with the comparison rules explained in the price overview.
FAQ Viking Line
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about Viking Line and its ferry routes to Finland
Which routes does Viking Line run to Finland?+
Three: Stockholm–Helsinki overnight with a stop in Mariehamn, Stockholm–Turku by day and night via the Åland Islands, and the short day ferry Tallinn–Helsinki. There is also the Stockholm–Mariehamn line, which doesn't reach mainland Finland.
Which ships does Viking Line use?+
The Gabriella (built 1992, 2,420 passengers) and the Viking Cinderella (1989, 2,560 passengers) sail to Helsinki, while the Viking Grace (2013, 2,800 passengers) and the Viking Glory (in service since 2022) sail to Turku. The Viking XPRS (2008, 2,500 passengers) shuttles between Tallinn and Helsinki.
When do I need to be at the terminal for Viking Line?+
By car you must be ready for loading 30 minutes before departure, or 45 minutes beforehand for vehicles over 2.40 m in height; check-in and boarding for foot passengers close 20 minutes before departure. The self-service kiosks open around two hours beforehand, and checking in via the app in advance is the easiest option.
Can I bring a car or motorhome?+
Yes, all ships take cars, motorbikes, caravans, motorhomes and bicycles. The standard vehicle deck has a height limit of 2.40 m; give the dimensions of taller vehicles when booking. Details are in the guide Travelling to Finland with a motorhome.
Can my dog come on board?+
Yes, with registration at booking; on the overnight ferries your pet travels in the cabin, and there's an exercise area on deck. What applies when entering Finland is summarised in the guide Travelling to Finland with a dog.
Where can I find Viking Line's timetable and fares?+
Departures on all three routes are shown in the timetable. Fares depend on travel date, fare type, cabin and vehicle, and are calculated during booking.