Ferry from Germany to Sweden

When planning your Germany - Sweden ferry trip, you can take advantage of the regular discounts available to specific passenger categories. These discounts differ from one company to another, but typically, you can expect lower ticket prices for teenagers and children under 13.

Note: infants and toddlers up to 3 or 5 years old, depending on the operator, travel for free.

The Germany - Sweden ferry routes are served by conventional cruise ferries designed for long-haul travel with many modern amenities and services. On board, you can typically find:

• Comfy air-conditioned lounges and seating on outer decks to enjoy the sea view
• Restaurants, cafés and bars serving a range of hot and cold drinks, snacks, and meals (including child-friendly options)
• Shops and kiosks selling snacks, gifts and travel essentials
• Entertainment, including movie lounges, children’s play areas, video game lounges and casino games for adults
• Wi-Fi hotspot with free and premium options available to stay connected during the trip

Additionally, some TT-Line vessels, such as the Nils Holgersson, Robin Hood and Tom Sawyer, have an onboard sauna, while the Peter Pan has charging stations for electric vehicles in its car deck.

Accessibility

The ferries serving the Germany - Sweden routes are generally accessible to travelers with disabilities, featuring ramps and elevators, accessible seating areas, and adapted cabins for passengers with disabilities.

Boarding assistance is typically available upon request and prior notification to the ferry company before your journey.

Note: accessibility features vary from vessel to vessel, so it is recommended to contact the ferry operator at the time of booking for further details.

Cabins and accommodation

Can you sleep on the ferry from Germany to Sweden?

Absolutely! Routes like Travemünde - Malmö or Kiel - Gothenburg frequently involve overnight travel and typically last between 7 and 15 hr, so booking a cabin is highly recommended and often mandatory for night sailings. Cabins allow you to sleep comfortably through the night and wake up refreshed right as you pull into port. Alternatively, you can usually book a reclining seat.

What cabins can I book on the ferry?

Yes, you can book a cabin for up to 4 passengers on all ferries serving the Germany - Sweden routes. Typically, you can choose between:

• Standard inside cabins
• Outside cabins with a sea view
• Deluxe cabins and suites with extra space, a double bed, a TV, a minibar and a sea view
• Adapted cabins for passengers with disabilities
• Pet-friendly cabins

All cabins have air conditioning, a desk, a wardrobe, and an ensuite bathroom.

Can I book business-class seats?

Business-class seating is not standard across all Germany - Sweden routes, and availability depends on the company and vessel.

On many Stena Line ferries, you can usually book numbered reclining seats, while TT-Line ferries typically have a business-class lounge with premium seating. These premium seats typically come with extra legroom for a more comfortable journey and power sockets to keep your devices charged.

Finnlines does not offer business-class seats on its Germany - Sweden ferries, however, you can book a premium cabin or suite for additional comfort and space.

Luggage

The companies operating the Germany - Sweden ferry routes are generally flexible with their luggage policies. When traveling with Finnlines, Stena Line and TT-Line, you can bring as many bags as you can carry on board by yourself, with no size or weight restrictions.

Depending on the ferry, there may also be storage areas or luggage space near the seating and cabin areas.

Traveling with pets

You can bring your pet with you on Germany - Sweden ferries, provided you include it in your booking. The exact rules and available pet facilities vary depending on the company and vessel.

Make sure to bring your pet’s health and travel documents, as well as any pet supplies you may need for the duration of the trip.

Where do pets stay on the ferry?

On most ferries from Germany to Sweden, you can usually book a pet-friendly cabin, while some Stena Line vessels also have onboard kennels. If pet cabins are full, TT-Line may allow pets in a standard cabin for an additional fee. On Finnlines ferries, booking a pet-friendly cabin is mandatory.

Typically, you can have a maximum of 2 pets per cabin. Keep in mind that pet cabins are usually limited, so early booking is highly recommended.

Where are pets allowed?

Pets are not permitted in indoor public areas, such as lounges, dining areas or shops, however there are designated pet-friendly areas on the outer decks.

During the trip, smaller pets must be kept in a suitable carrier, while larger pets must be kept on a leash and wear a muzzle.

Here are some useful tips for your ferry trip from Germany to Sweden:

• The ports in Germany can get busy, so plan your arrival at least 1 hr ahead of your ferry’s departure. If you are travelling with a vehicle, it’s best to be there 2 hr in advance.
• The Baltic Sea can get a bit rough, so if you are sensitive to the waves, consider taking seasickness medication before the trip. As always, you can discuss your options with your pharmacist or doctor.
• You can also travel to Sweden by ferry from Poland, Denmark, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, and Estonia. For more information on all routes, ticket prices and companies, check out our detailed guide on Sweden ferry schedules.

Where to take the ferry from Germany to Sweden

Depending on your route, ferries to Sweden depart from 3 ports in Germany: Rostock, Travemünde (near Lübeck), or Kiel. Each port is exceptionally well-connected to its nearby city center and major German highways, serving as a major gateway to Scandinavia.

When traveling as a foot passenger, you will generally check in at the main passenger terminal before boarding a shuttle bus to the vessel. If you are driving on board, you will bypass the main terminal buildings and head straight to the vehicle check-in lanes.

How to get to the ports in Germany

Getting to the port of Rostock

• By car: the port is directly connected to the A19 (exit Rostock-Überseehafen) and the B105, by following the signs for Skandinavien or Fähren (Ferries).
• By bus: from the Rostock Central Station (Hauptbahnhof), take the S-Bahn to the Lütten Klein station and then transfer to bus line 45, which stops directly at the Seehafen Fähre terminal. The total journey takes about 30-40 min.
• By taxi: a taxi from the city center to the ferry terminal takes approximately 15-20 min.
• From Rostock-Laage Airport: the airport is about 45 km away and it takes about 40 min to reach the port by car or taxi via the A19.

Getting to Travemünde (Lübeck) port

• By car: follow the A1 road towards Lübeck, then take the exit towards Travemünde/Skandinavienkai to reach the port.
• By train: the regional train from Lübeck Hauptbahnhof to Lübeck-Travemünde Skandinavienkai takes about 20-25 min, with the station being within walking distance of the terminal.
• By bus: you can reach the port of Travemünde from Lübeck with local buses, such as line 30 or 31, in around 40-50 min.
• By taxi: a taxi from downtown Lübeck to the port takes about 20-25 min.

Getting to Kiel

• On foot: the terminal is located directly in the city center, about 5-10 min on foot from the Kiel Central Station (Kiel Hauptbahnhof).
• By car: take the A7 or A215 to Kiel and once there, follow the signs for Fähren and Schwedenkai.
• By bus: several local bus lines stop at Kiel Hauptbahnhof, the main hub in town which is a very short walk from the terminal.
• From Hamburg Airport: the Kielius airport bus usually runs hourly and takes about 1.5 hr to reach the Kiel Central Station, right next to the port.

Where does the ferry arrive in Sweden?

Ferries from Germany arrive in Gothenburg, Karlshamn, Malmö or Trelleborg, depending on the route. These ports are well connected by road and public transport, but some terminals are in industrial port areas, so it’s worth checking your onward route before traveling.

Port of Gothenburg

Ferries arriving from Kiel dock at Stena Line's dedicated Tysklandsterminalen (Germany Terminal), situated at Jaegerdorffsplatsen along the southern bank of the Göta älv River. It is located roughly 4 km west of Gothenburg city center. From the port, you can hop onto the city's iconic blue trams (Lines 3, 9, or 11) at the nearby Jaegerdorffsplatsen stop and reach Gothenburg Central Station in less than 15 min. At the ferry terminal, you will also find car rental agencies, waiting areas, and luggage lockers.

Port of Karlshamn

Ferries from Travemünde arrive at the Stilleryd Harbor in Karlshamn, on the southeast coast of Sweden. The terminal is roughly 5 km west of Karlshamn's town center. Taxis are regularly stationed outside the terminal building during scheduled ship arrivals, and local bus connections are available to transport you to the Karlshamn train station for onward travel toward Stockholm or Gothenburg.

Port of Malmö

Ferries arriving from Travemünde dock at the Malmö Norra Hamnen (North Harbor), specifically at the Finnlines terminal. This industrial port zone is situated about 8 km north of Malmö Central Station. Because it is an active commercial area, foot passengers cannot walk out of the port and are transferred via a complimentary operator shuttle bus directly to a nearby public transit stop. From there, city bus line 32 connects you to the heart of Malmö in about 20 min.

Port of Trelleborg

As Sweden's southernmost port, Trelleborg serves routes from both Rostock and Travemünde. The ferry berths are situated immediately adjacent to the town center. The central Trelleborg Övre (Central Station) is about a 5-10 min walk from the passenger terminal, where you can catch direct regional trains to Malmö (30 minutes) or buses across the Skåne region. The port features a passenger lounge, light dining options, and local taxi stands.