Viking Line ferry approaching Åland islands.

List of Ferry Operators in the Baltic Sea

There are at least 13 ferry operators in the Baltic Sea offering passenger and vehicle transport. There are many routes in the Baltic Sea, and many operators serving these. One unique aspect of the Baltic Sea, is that the smallest operators can compete with the largest on some routes.

Last Updated 2023-06-08

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Color Line

Color Line is a major ferry operator in the Western Baltic Sea region, linking Germany and Denmark with Norway, as well as Sweden and Norway. Color Line offers ferries between Kiel and Oslo, as well as Hirtshals and Larvik, Hirtshals and Kristiansand, and Strömstad and Sandefjord. Color Line has the largest volume of ferry traffic between Norway and the rest of Europe.

DFDS Seaways

DFDS Seaways, headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, is a reputable cruise ferry operator specializing in Baltic Sea routes. With a strong presence in the region, DFDS Seaways connects major cities through their well-established routes. Passengers can travel between Copenhagen and Oslo, Frederikshavn and Oslo, Karlshamn and Klaipėda, Kiel and Klaipėda, as well as Stockholm and Paldiski. To facilitate these journeys, DFDS Seaways operates a fleet of ships tailored to the Baltic Sea routes. The Crown Seaways, Pearl Seaways, Aura Seaways, Luna Seaways, Victoria Seaways, Athena Seaways, Optima Seaways, Sirena Seaways, and Patria Seaways offer modern amenities, comfortable cabins, and a range of dining and entertainment options. While DFDS Seaways extends its operations beyond the Baltic Sea, their focus on this region ensures a reliable and enjoyable travel experience for those exploring the coastal gems and vibrant cities of the Baltic Sea area.

Eckerö Line

Eckerö Line (not to be confused with Eckerölinjen) is a Helsinki-based ferry company. Their primary routes connect Helsinki with Tallinn, providing a popular and efficient means of transportation between the two capital cities. Despite the relatively small size of Eckerö Line, it still remains a consistent and affordable connection between Helsinki and Tallinn. Operating on the Helsinki - Tallinn route is the M/S Finlandia, a well-equipped cruise ferry that ensures a comfortable and enjoyable journey for passengers. It offers a range of onboard amenities, including comfortable cabins, dining options, and entertainment facilities. Additionally, Eckerö Line operates the Finbo Cargo ferry on the Vuosaari - Muuga route, specifically catering to passengers traveling with vehicles. This service allows for convenient transportation of vehicles between Helsinki and Tallinn, while avoiding the busy city centers of each capital.

Eckerö Linjen

Eckerö Linjen (not to be confused with Eckerö Line) is an Åland-based ferry company that offers a single ferry between Eckerö (Åland) and Grisslehamn (Sweden).

Finnlines

Finnlines, a subsidiary of the Italian Grimaldi Group, is a prominent cruise ferry operator based in Helsinki, Finland. With a diverse fleet of ships, Finnlines offers several routes within the Baltic Sea region, connecting various destinations. Their current routes include Helsinki to Lübeck (Travemünde), Turku (Naantali) to Stockholm (Kapellskär) via Åland, and Malmö to Lübeck (Travemünde). These routes provide convenient and efficient transportation options for passengers traveling between Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Åland. Notably, Finnlines is the only company to connect Helsinki with Germany by passenger ferry. Finnlines operates a range of ships on these routes, including the Finnlady, Finnmaid, Finnstar, Finnfellow, Finnswan, Finnpartner, Finntrader, Finnclipper, Finnsirius, Cruise Smeralda, and Europalink. Each vessel is equipped with modern amenities, comfortable cabins, and onboard services to ensure a pleasant and enjoyable travel experience.

Gotland Alandia Cruises

Gotland Alandia Cruises is a joint venture between Viking Line and Gotlandsbolaget which began in 2023, offering ferry services between the Swedish island of Gotland (Visby), Stockholm, and the Finnish Åland Islands. The company operates Birka Gotland, a well-equipped cruise ferry that provides passengers with a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.

Polferries

Polferries is a government-owned Polish ferry company that operates passenger ferries on the Baltic Sea. Polferries operates routes between Poland and Sweden, including Świnoujście to Ystad and Gdańsk to Nynäshamn. These routes provide convenient transportation options for passengers traveling between Poland and Sweden. Polferries operates a large fleet of ferries on these routes, including Nova Star, Cracovia, Mazovia, Wawel, Baltivia and Varsovia. These vessels offer comfortable cabins, dining options, and entertainment facilities to ensure a pleasant and enjoyable travel experience.

St. Peter Line

St. Peter Line formerly operated a circular route through the Baltic Sea, most notably connecting Finland (Helsinki) with Russia (Saint Petersburg) and was one of the few options for "visa-free" access (72 hour) to Russia from Europe. From 2021, the company stopped operations.

Stena Line

Stena Line is a prominent cruise ferry operator with its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden. With a strong presence in the Baltic Sea, Stena Line operates a range of routes connecting various destinations in the region. Their current Baltic Sea routes include Frederikshavn to Gothenburg, Stockholm (Nynäshamn) to Ventspils, Hanko to Stockholm, Grenaa to Halmstad, Kiel to Gothenburg, Karlskrona to Gdynia, Trelleborg to Rostock, and Lübeck (Travemünde) to Liepāja. These routes provide passengers with convenient transportation options to explore the Baltic Sea area. While Stena Line operates beyond the Baltic Sea, their focus on this region allows them to provide reliable and efficient ferry services, connecting passengers to their desired destinations with convenience and comfort.

TT-Line

TT-Line is a major player in the Southern Baltic, linking Germany with Poland, Lithuania and Sweden at high frequencies.

Tallink Silja

Tallink-Silja is a prominent cruise ferry operator in the Baltic Sea, offering a range of routes connecting Stockholm, Tallinn, Turku, and Helsinki, with stops in Åland along the way. Passengers can enjoy scenic journeys while exploring these vibrant destinations. The current fleet of Tallink-Silja consists of the Star, Megastar, Silja Europa, Silja Symphony, Silja Serenade, Galaxy, Baltic Princess, Romantika, Isabelle, Baltic Queen, Victoria I, Sailor, Regal Star, Sea Wind, and MyStar. These ships provide passengers with comfortable accommodations, dining options, entertainment facilities, and a memorable travel experience. While Tallink-Silja may not always be the most budget-friendly option, the additional cost is often worthwhile considering the quality service and amenities they provide. Travelers can expect reliable and enjoyable ferry services, making Tallink-Silja a preferred choice for Baltic Sea crossings.

Viking Line

Viking Line is a well-known cruise ferry operator headquartered in Mariehamn, Åland Islands, Finland. They offer a variety of routes within the Baltic Sea region, connecting Stockholm, Tallinn, Turku, and Helsinki, often with stops in Åland. Operating on these routes are their ships, including the Viking Cinderella, Viking Grace, Gabriella, Viking XPRS, and the new addition, Viking Glory. These vessels provide passengers with comfortable cabins, dining options, entertainment facilities, and a pleasant travel experience. Viking Line is recognized for its commitment to quality service and enjoyable voyages. Viking Line offers convenient and reliable ferry services, allowing passengers to explore the stunning Baltic Sea region with ease and comfort.

Wasaline

Wasaline operates the world's most northern passenger ferry, linking Finland's Vaasa with Umeå in Sweden. They offer a unique onboard selection compared to other Baltic ferry operators, and can be a good choice linking central Finland with Sweden.