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Baltic Sea ferries

Photo: Ypsilon from Finland, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons

There are many passenger ferries crossing the Baltic Sea, between all countries along its coastlines. Those between Sweden and Finland are in Sweden called Finlandsbåt or Finlandsfärja ("Finland boat/ferry"), while in Finland Ruotsinlaiva or Sverigebåt ("Sweden boat") whereas Finns (at least in Helsinki) commonly refer to the Helsinki-Tallinn ferries as Tallinnanlaiva ("Tallinn ferry").

Most of these ferries carry passengers, car traffic and trucks between countries and often also function as cruise ships for shopping trips of 2–48 hours. Evening departures on the Stockholm–Turku, Stockholm–Helsinki, Helsinki–Tallinn and Tallinn–Stockholm routes – especially during weekends and holidays – are wild party cruises, with heavy drinking and crowded dance floors. Other cruises tend to be more laid-back, with more travellers who actually intend to visit a foreign country. Some of the ferries between Sweden and Finland, and most long-haul services, are quiet and Spartan, concentrating on lorries but providing a good alternative for some travellers too. Historically a number of ferries also carried trains, but these have disappeared with the construction of fixed links, the rise of aviation and the opening of many European borders — the last connection was discontinued in 2019. Such services still exist for cargo.

If you have a day or more to spare in a city served by these ferries, consider a cruise. This gets you low-cost accommodation, as well as on some routes a one-day stop in another city. On the Stockholm–Helsinki/Tallinn/Riga routes the ferries do the passage overnight and stay the day in port, allowing you to leave belongings locked in the cabin (to which you have access if need be) while you spend the day in the city. The Turku–Stockholm ferries and Helsinki–Tallinn day tours return immediately, so you cannot even leave the ship without taking your belongings with you. Some evening departures on the latter route let you spend the night on board.

Occasional cruises are special events, such as music festivals or conferences. These might cost extra.

TicketsTickets are usually booked on-line. Check for "Red tickets" or "Last minute offers" for cheap cruises to Stockholm.
WeatherAs the Baltic Sea is rather small, swell dies down in a day or two, so the sea is rough mainly when the wind is strong.
Major companiesMost ferries on a nearby route call at Åland, to allow tax free shopping.
SleepFor overnight cruises, the ticket price is per cabin.
EatMost cruise ferries have several cafés and restaurants at all price levels (although the budget options will not keep your hunger away), at a standard typical to Sweden and Finland; you know what you get, but you won't…
DrinkDrinks in the bar are slightly cheaper than in regular Swedish or Finnish pubs, although expensive compared with the ones in Estonia, Latvia and Russia. Cocktails start around €8.
BuyMost cruise ferries between Sweden and Finland make a stop at Åland, to earn the legal opportunity to host duty-free shopping (as Åland isn't part of the EU for tax purposes).
Do
SeeElevated view of e.g. the Stockholm archipelago, Åland and the Finnish Archipelago Sea (depending on route). Stage performances nightly and often now and then also in the day.
Stay safeShip safety is serious business on these ships, with experience from the M/S Estonia disaster in 1994. Avoid the open deck at night and in harsh weather. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas.
ConnectOn most cruise ferries, Wi-Fi is available at least in common areas and higher-class cabins throughout the trip, accessible through individual passwords printed on each passenger's ticket or from reception.
CopeMost of the cruise ferries have playing rooms for children and children's cruise programs, some have separate entertainment rooms for older children and youth.
Go nextA 40-hour cruise Stockholm–Helsinki, Stockholm–Tallinn, Stockholm–Riga or vice versa includes an 8-hour stop in the destination city, enough for visitors to make a short tour.

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