How do you get to Sälen from Germany?

The ski resort Sälen is situated in the province of Dalarna in central Sweden. There are two routes there from Germany: by road through Denmark and across the Öresund Bridge, or by ferry from one of the Baltic Sea ports directly to Sweden. From northern Germany, the journey takes two days for most families, and from southern Germany you should allow for two overnight stays en route.

The journey is therefore longer than to many other ski resorts, and that is the only real drawback. In return, you get a whole house to yourselves, open mountain terrain and a network of cross-country trails that is hard to compare with anything further south. If you drive an electric car, you’ll also find that mountain chalets with charging points for electric cars, which completes the final link in the charging chain.

Short answer: here’s how to get from Germany to Sälen

Which route is the most sensible depends on where in Germany you start from.

We have deliberately chosen not to specify distances in kilometres or journey times in hours. The distance varies considerably depending on the route chosen, and a figure that applies to one route would be misleading for another. Enter your own address into a route planner for the dates you’re travelling, and allow extra time for winter road conditions at the end.

The route through Denmark and across the Öresund Bridge

The road heads north through Germany, up through Denmark and over the Öresund Bridge to Malmö. From there, carry on northwards and then turn inland towards Dalarna. The final section follows minor roads through wooded countryside, and these are narrower than the motorway network you started on.

The advantage is complete freedom over your timetable: you can stop whenever you like and aren’t tied to any specific departure times. The disadvantage is that the whole journey involves driving. You should therefore plan your breaks in advance and make sure they’re in places where the children can get some exercise.

Bridge tolls and any ferry tickets should be included in your travel budget from the outset. Prices are revised each season, so check the current charges with the Øresund Bridge and the ferry company before you do your calculations.

Ferry routes from Rostock, Travemünde and Kiel

The ferry from a German Baltic Sea port cuts out a significant part of the drive. Rostock, Travemünde and Kiel are the ports that German skiers usually set off from when their destination is in Sweden. The crossing is a real break: you can eat, rest and, in some cases, sleep on board.

It is a real safety benefit. A driver who arrives in the country well-rested will cope better with the Swedish leg of the journey, particularly if that part is driven in the dark and on snow-covered roads. The downside is that you are tied to a set departure time and that the ticket represents a significant expense.

Routes, frequency and prices vary between seasons. Please check the latest information directly with the ferry operator before finalising your itinerary, and book well in advance of the German school holidays.

Driving time, breaks and overnight stays en route

Plan your journey in stages rather than by kilometres. An itinerary that works for most families looks like this: a long first day travelling north, a night in northern Germany or Denmark, and a shorter second day on to Sälen in Dalarna.

There’s a reason to leave the short leg until last. You’ll arrive in daylight, you’ll have time to buy food on the way up, and the final stretch will be driven by a well-rested driver. Don’t drive any further per day in winter than you would in summer – it gets dark early in December and January.

Swedish rules that German motorists need to be aware of

Sweden has its own requirements regarding tyres during the winter months, and these requirements may also apply to a car registered in Germany. Check this first and foremost, as it is the only issue that could prevent you from travelling. The relevant regulations and dates can be found on the website of the Swedish Transport Agency, the responsible Swedish authority.

Apart from the tyres, several driving habits differ from those in Germany. Dipped headlights are widely used even during the day. Speed limits are generally lower than on German motorways and are monitored by cameras. The legal alcohol limit for drivers is low. And wild animals, particularly elk, are often found near the road at dusk and dawn. We have summarised the most important points in our guide to the traffic regulations in force in Sweden.

Cross-country trails, nature and child-friendly slopes

German visitors are often looking for two things: cross-country skiing and peaceful natural surroundings. Both can be found at Sälenfjällen. The trail network is extensive and runs through woodland and across open countryside, with trails for both beginners and experienced skiers. We’ve compiled the routes and practical information in our guide to the cross-country ski trails in the area.

The terrain is gentle and wide rather than steep and exposed. This makes it particularly well-suited to children who have just started skiing, and the beginners’ areas are all grouped together. If you want a short walk from your accommodation to the lifts, there is accommodation just a short walk from the slopes, which makes life with young children much easier.

Charging an electric car, making payments and buying food

If you’re driving an electric car, you’ll need to plan your charging stops along the entire route, particularly for the final stretch where the distances between towns are longer. Check in advance which charging cards and apps work in Sweden, as payment methods vary between operators. We’ve outlined the local situation in the article on electric car charging points in Sälen.

Payment is otherwise straightforward. Prices are quoted in SEK, not in EUR, and card payments are accepted practically everywhere: on the ski lifts, in shops and at ski hire outlets. Cash is rarely needed. However, do check what foreign exchange surcharge your bank charges for purchases in SEK.

Do your big weekly shop on the way up or in the valley below the slopes. That’s where you’ll find the widest selection, and a fully equipped kitchen in the cottage is one of the biggest financial advantages of staying in a holiday home compared to a hotel.

Summary – choose your route depending on where in Germany you live

From Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, travelling by road through Denmark is often the easiest option. From Berlin and eastern Germany, the ferry from Rostock is more convenient. If you live in the Ruhr area or in southern Germany, you should plan for two nights’ accommodation right from the start. Whichever route you choose, the same three things apply: check the tyre regulations with the Swedish Transport Agency before setting off, book the ferry well in advance for the holiday weeks, and leave the short leg of the journey until last so that you arrive while it is still light. If you’re unsure which cottage is best suited to your group and your arrival time, please do get in touch.