Getting to Sweden: Ferry, Bridge, Train and Plane

Sweden is easy to reach from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the rest of continental Europe. The best route depends on where you start, where you are going and whether you want to bring your own vehicle. This page introduces the four main options.

By car via Denmark

The overland route runs through Denmark. From Hamburg, it goes via Flensburg, the island of Funen and the Great Belt Bridge to Copenhagen. From there, the Øresund Bridge connects the Danish capital with Malmö. The link consists of a tunnel, an artificial island and a bridge, and is around 16 kilometres long in total. Both the Great Belt Bridge and the Øresund Bridge charge tolls.

The so-called “Vogelfluglinie” (Fehmarn Belt route) is somewhat shorter: a ferry runs from Puttgarden on the German island of Fehmarn to Rødby in Denmark in about 45 minutes. From there, continue to Copenhagen and over the Øresund Bridge, or take the short ferry from Helsingør to Helsingborg.

By ferry across the Baltic Sea

If you want to avoid the long drive through Denmark, take a ferry directly from Germany to Sweden. The main routes are:

• Kiel – Gothenburg: an overnight ferry, ideal for trips to the west coast and central Sweden.
• Travemünde – Trelleborg and Travemünde – Malmö: crossings of around seven to nine hours, often overnight.
• Rostock – Trelleborg: the shortest direct route, at around six hours.

On the overnight ferries you can book a cabin and arrive well rested. In high season and for motorhomes, reserve early, as prices rise with demand. Timetables and routes change from time to time, so check them directly with the ferry company before booking.

By train

From continental Europe, the rail journey usually goes via Hamburg and Copenhagen. From Copenhagen, Øresund trains run at frequent intervals to Malmö, Lund and on towards Gothenburg. From Malmö, Swedish high-speed trains reach Stockholm in a little over four hours. Night trains also run between Germany and Stockholm, some all year round, some only in season. Seat reservations are compulsory on long-distance trains in Sweden, and tickets booked early are considerably cheaper.

By plane

The country’s largest airport is Stockholm Arlanda, followed by Gothenburg Landvetter. For southern Sweden, Copenhagen Airport is often the best choice, as the train from there takes about 20 minutes to Malmö. If you are heading to Lapland, you usually change planes in Stockholm, for example for Kiruna or Luleå.

Which route suits you?

• Families and campers travel most comfortably with their own vehicle and an overnight ferry.
• City-break travellers are fastest by plane or train.
• If you want to stay flexible, take the route through Denmark, which does not depend on fixed departure times.

To find out what you need to know on Swedish roads, read the pages Transport in Sweden and Driving to Sweden.