Which ferries to Sweden are best for travelling to Sälen?

Which ferries to Sweden are best for travelling to the Sälen ski resort in Dalarna? The answer depends almost entirely on where you’re setting off from. If you’re travelling from northern Germany, there are ferries that drop you off directly on Swedish soil. If you’re travelling from the Netherlands, Belgium or western Germany, the route via Denmark is often easier, involving a short ferry crossing or a bridge rather than a long sea journey.

Choosing which ferry to take is the first decision you’ll make, and it determines both the distance travelled and the cost of the rest of the journey. A group travelling rent a large cottage in Sälen We often travel in several cars, in which case the choice also becomes a financial consideration: more vehicles mean more tickets. This guide looks at the routes region by region, without tying you to a single option.

Short answer: three ways to enter Sweden

There are three fundamentally different ways of driving into Sweden from the continent. All three work for a journey to Sälenfjällen, but they are suitable for different starting points.

Always check the current routes, departure times and fares directly with the ferry company before booking. Routes are subject to change between seasons, and the winter timetable often differs from the summer one.

Across Denmark: Puttgarden–Rødby and on across the Øresund

The classic route north from Germany goes via Fehmarn and then by ferry from Puttgarden to Rødby on Lolland. The crossing is short, there are frequent departures, and you remain in your car for most of the journey. From there, you drive on across Zealand and cross into Sweden at Öresund.

The advantage is the flexibility. In practice, you can drive until you need a break and then take the next crossing, rather than having to plan your whole day around a single crossing. The disadvantage is that you drive further in Denmark and pay several separate tolls along the way. We have summarised these points in our overview of how much bridges and ferries cost, so that you can include them in the budget from the outset.

Direct to Sweden: Rostock, Travemünde and Kiel

From northern Germany, there are ferry crossings that take you directly to Swedish territory without having to travel via Denmark. Rostock and Travemünde have routes to southern Sweden, and from Kiel there is a longer crossing to the Swedish west coast.

These routes take on a different character during the journey. A longer crossing is effectively a day of rest: you can book a cabin, sleep, eat and disembark feeling refreshed. For a family travelling with children, this is often worth more than the time saved on a short ferry journey. Bear in mind that cabins sell out quickly during the ski season, particularly around the school holidays. If, instead, you’d prefer to break up your overland journey into stages, you can read more about overnight accommodation along the way.

From Jutland: Frederikshavn and Grenaa

Whether you’re starting in Jutland or have already driven up through Denmark, there are ferry crossings from Frederikshavn and Grenaa to the Swedish west coast. This option avoids the entire stretch through Zealand and the Øresund.

For a journey to Sälenfjällen, this is often the most underrated route. You’ll land north of Skåne and avoid both the Great Belt and the Öresund. Check the service frequency carefully in winter, as the number of daily departures may be lower than in summer.

From Finland: Helsinki and Turku to the Stockholm area

Finnish travellers usually take a night ferry across the Sea of Åland. Ferries depart from Helsinki and from Turku – known as Turku in Finnish – and arrive in the Stockholm area. From there, the journey continues westwards by road through the Mälaren Valley and Dalarna.

The night ferry makes it easy to plan your journey: you drive on board in the evening and drive off in the morning with a whole day ahead of you. Book your car space well in advance during the ski season, and check with the ferry company to find out what the rules are regarding roof boxes and skis on the roof.

How the choice of ferry affects the driving distance to Sälen

The further north you go ashore, the shorter the remaining overland journey becomes. A drop-off on the west coast of Sweden results in a noticeably shorter drive to Sälenfjällen than a drop-off in the far south. The difference can amount to several hours’ driving, and this must be weighed against the fact that the longer sea crossing itself takes time.

You should therefore calculate the total journey time from door to door, not the cost of the ferry. Add up the driving time to the port, the crossing, the waiting time before boarding and the drive across Sweden. Use a route planner to get the exact distances in kilometres and allow extra time for breaks with children. One final thing to bear in mind: the winter darkness means that the overland journey in Sweden is often driven in the dark, which affects how far you can travel in a day.

Booking a ferry in winter – timetables, weather and margins

A winter trip requires more flexibility than a summer trip. Strong winds can affect departures, and a delayed crossing can disrupt the whole day’s schedule. Allow for some leeway in your timetable and, if possible, avoid arriving at the cottage late in the evening.

• Book early. Car spaces and cabins during the school holidays sell out well in advance.
• Enter the correct vehicle height. A roof box and ski rack can push the car into a higher price category.
• Check the running-in time. It is normally set some time before departure and is non-negotiable.
• Keep a plan B up your sleeve. Make sure you know which nearby route or bridge you can take if the service is cancelled.
• Please read the terms and conditions for rebooking. The rules vary between shipping companies and ticket types.

Please also keep an eye on the weather forecast for Dalarna in the days leading up to your departure. Our page on The weather in Sälen during the winter describes what conditions are usually like during the season, so that you know what to expect once you’ve rolled off the ferry.

Summary – choose a ferry based on where you’re starting from

There is no single ferry route that is best for everyone. If you’re setting off from the Netherlands, Belgium or western Germany, the route through Denmark is usually the smoothest. If you’re setting off from Berlin, Hamburg or Lübeck, a direct route to Sweden saves both time and a drive through Denmark. If you’re coming from northern Jutland, the crossing to the Swedish west coast is hard to beat, and from Finland, the night ferry is the obvious choice. Compare the options in terms of total journey time from door to door, book well in advance of the school holidays and check the latest timetables and prices with the ferry company before you make your decision. If you’d like help working out which route suits your group and your dates, please feel free to get in touch.