Getting to ferry terminals used by Tallink Silja and Viking Line boats in Stockholm is cheap and fast by public bus or metro T-Bana trains.
Stockholm has several ports and many boat quays but Baltic Sea ferries use two basic terminals: Tallink Silja Line boats depart from the Värtahamnen terminal to the northeast of the center while Viking Line ferryboats sail from the Stadsgården terminal on Södermalm island near Slussen. Stockholm ferry terminals are easily reached on public transportation: buses and the metro are the cheapest while the boat bus and hop-on hop-off buses are also convenient options.
Baltic Sea Ferry Terminals in Stockholm
Tallink Silja and Viking Line operate car and passenger ferryboats daily from Stockholm to other Baltic Sea capitals such as Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga. These ferry boats depart from two different terminals:
- Tallink Silja Line ferries use the Värtahamnen terminal to the northeast of the center of Stockholm. (Värtahamnen is also used by the Russian St Peters Line.) Tallink Silja Line ferries from Stockholm go to Helsinki, Riga, Tallinn, Turku and Åland.
- Viking Line uses the Stadsgården ferry terminal on the Stockholm island Södermalm facing the old town and city center. Viking Line ferries from Stockholm go to Helsinki, Tallinn, Turku and Åland.
Direct Ferries is handy for comparing prices and offers – the differences between the boats are so minor that many travelers book on price only.
Private Bus Services to Stockholm Ferry Terminals
Båtbussarna Stockholm Ferry Terminal Transfers
Båtbussarna (boat buses) are convenient transfers from the ferry terminals in Stockholm. The bus services are available from both the Tallink Silja and Viking ferry terminals. The timetable depends on the season with only a few journeys per day.
Two main routes are available from either terminal:
- To Djurgården bridge on the edge of Stockholm city near such major sights such as Skansen and many museums including the Nordic, Vasa, ABBA and National History Museum.
- To Stockholm City / Stockholm Centralen Main train station.
Tickets (SEK60 / SEK100 return) are available online, from the driver (card only), or on the boat when arriving. Standard Stockholm public transportation tickets are NOT valid.
Traveling times are from the Viking Line terminal 20 minutes to the city center and 30 minutes to Djurgården and from the Tallink Silja Line terminal 15 minutes to either Djurgården or the center.
Hop-on Hop-off Buses to Stockholm Ferry Terminals
Hop-on Hop-Off buses are a great option when traveling to / from the Viking Line ferry terminal in Stockholm. Almost all hop-on hop-off buses stop at the Viking terminal year round and on all journeys. During the summer season, hop-on hop-off boats also stop nearby at the Cruise Berth Viking Line & S167 stop.
Hop-on Hop-Off buses are less convenient for the Tallink Silja ferry terminal, as not all buses stop here and the frequency depending on the operations of cruise ships at the nearby Frihamen cruise boat terminal.
Public Transportation to Stockholm Ferry Terminals
Public transportation is generally the cheapest way to travel to ferry terminals in Stockholm and with the high frequency of services often the most convenient way too.
Stockholm public transportation tickets are sold at all metro stations, from Pressbyran kiosks, and usually from the information desk on ferries. Tickets are NOT available from bus drivers or on trains. Basic tickets are currently SEK43 for 75 minutes of travel.
Public Transportation to Tallink Silja Värtahamnens Ferry Terminal
Tallink Silja Värtahamnens ferry terminal can easily be reached from central Stockholm by bus 76 or on the metro:
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Public Bus 76 to Tallink Silja Ferry Terminal
The most convenient bus from central Stockholm is bus 76 that stops directly in front of the Silja Ferry Terminal at stop Värtahamnens färjeterminal. Bus 76 runs three to seven times per hour. The route starts on Södermalm island and passes amongst others Slussen, Gamla stan, Kungsträdgårten, Strandvägen, Djurgårdsbron and Värtahamnens färjeterminal with Ropsten as final destination. Traveling time from Djurgårds Bridge to the terminal is around 15 minutes – from further afield traffic conditions play a larger role.
From the bus stop, go up the stairs to the covered walkway for a long walk to the terminal building.
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Tunnelbana (Metro) to Tallnk Silja Ferry Terminal
Stockholm’s metro (Tunnelbana / T-Bana) offers fast and very reliable transportation to near the Tallink Silja ferry terminal.
The closest T-Bana metro station to the Värtahamnens ferry terminal is Gärdet, which is a 500 m walk from the terminal. From the city center, take any metro on the red line heading towards Ropsten and alight at Gärdet. The route to the ferry is well marked – used the elevated walkway once at the bus stop closest to the terminal.
An alternative to Gärdet is continuing an extra stop to Ropsten station and then use bus 76 for three stops to Värtahamnens färjeterminal – the same ticket is valid. This option involves slightly less walking but is a bit slower and most passengers use the Gärdet route.
Public Transportation to Viking Line Stadgården Ferry Terminal
Viking Line Stadgården ferry terminal is easily reached on public transportation. From anywhere in Stockholm, travel to the very busy Slussen transportation hub where numerous metro Line and bus routes cross.
From the Slussen T-Bana station use exit Saltsjöbanan, Nacka-bussar and take any bus with a 400-series number, except buses marked with a D, for one stop to Londonviadukten that is directly at the Viking Line terminal. These buses run with very high frequency. In the reverse direction, use any bus towards Slussen.
It is possible to walk from Slussen to the Viking Line terminal in around 15 minutes (1 km). However, the walk is next to a very busy road and anyone arriving by public transportation at Slussen usually has the bus fare already covered anyway.
Passenger and car ferries from Stockholm to other Baltic Sea capitals such as Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga are important transportation links but also very popular with leisure travelers. Mini cruises – overnight on the boat, day in foreign capital, and overnight back on the boat – are hugely popular and very cheap during the off season.