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How to get from Helsinki to Stockholm
Overnight cruise ferries from Viking Line and Tallink Silja link Helsinki and Stockholm in about 16–17 h, leaving in the late afternoon and arriving the next morning. Flights take about 1 h, and driving round the Gulf of Bothnia takes more than a day.
Best option: Ferry. The overnight ferry combines travel and a night's accommodation, and arrives in central Stockholm in the morning.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ferry Overnight cruise ferries from Helsinki to Stockholm, calling at Mariehamn (Åland) on the way (Viking Line and Tallink Silja) | about 16–17 h | daily departures with each company, in the late afternoon | about €60–300 per cabin depending on season and cabin type | Book cabins early for summer weekends and holidays; cars can be taken. |
| flight Direct flights from Helsinki-Vantaa to Stockholm Arlanda (Finnair, SAS and Norwegian among the airlines) | about 1 h in the air | many a day | about €50–200 one way | Arlanda is about 20 min from central Stockholm by Arlanda Express train. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Finland is one hour ahead of Sweden.
- Ferries are cheaper midweek and outside summer; buffet dinner and breakfast can be booked in advance.
- Sweden uses the krona; Finland uses the euro. Card payments are near-universal in both.
- Viking Line and Tallink Silja use different terminals in Helsinki and Stockholm; check your ticket.
Common questions
How long is the ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm?
About 16–17 h overnight. Ferries leave Helsinki in the late afternoon, call at Mariehamn on the Åland Islands, and arrive in Stockholm the next morning. Viking Line and Tallink Silja each run daily. A cabin is effectively your night's hotel, so compare the price with flying plus a hotel.
Is it better to fly or take the ferry?
If you want to save time, fly: about 1 h in the air. If you would rather travel overnight and arrive in central Stockholm in the morning, the ferry is relaxing and saves a hotel night. The ferry is also the only practical way to take a car across.
Can I drive from Helsinki to Stockholm?
You can drive around the Gulf of Bothnia via Tornio and Haparanda, but it is about 1,500 km and takes two days. Almost everyone takes the car on the overnight ferry instead. Book a car space and cabin in advance, especially in summer.
Do I need to book the ferry in advance?
In summer, on weekends and around holidays, yes, as cabins sell out and prices rise. Outside these periods you can often book a few days ahead. Booking early also gives better cabin choices, such as sea-view cabins, and lets you add meals at lower prices.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.