The ferry from Gdynia to Karlskrona is an increasingly popular sea connection as a gateway to Scandinavia. We chose the overnight connection from Gdynia to Sweden, during which we crossed with our car and began our month-long adventure in these beautiful regions. Our main destination was Norway, but we also spent a few days exploring Sweden.
In this post, we give you an overview of what it’s like to take a ferry to Sweden with a car and a dog, and what to consider when choosing your tickets. This was our first ferry crossing with a car, during which we stayed overnight in a cabin, so maybe some of our insights will be useful and make your ferry journey easier so that it goes without stress.
Table of Contents
Buying a ticket from Gdynia to Karlskrona - how to buy a cheap ticket and when to look for them
The easiest way to buy a ticket is to use a ferry connection comparison site (you can check it here – Ferry connection from Gdynia to Sweden). After selecting the relevant parameters, you will be shown the cheapest connections available, as well as the departure times. By using the ferry search engine, you can quickly and easily compare prices, and often also take advantage of promotional offers available only to service partners. We also managed to take advantage of a 2% discount in the form of cashback with the AleRabat plug-in, thanks to which an additional few euro were credited to our account.
As we did not know whether we would be sailing to Sweden from Gdynia, we bought our ticket a few days before departure. We paid PLN 415 euro for a place in a 4-person cabin (2 adults and children aged 2 and 4) including breakfasts and carriage of a passenger car. This was not the best bargain and learning from our mistakes, it is better to buy tickets two months in advance. A lot also depends on what month you are sailing in, as prices can be higher in the high season than in the low season. A favourable price you can get is around 120 euro per adult, meaning we could get tickets for our family for around 250 euro to 280 euro if we did it well in advance.
It is worth mentioning at this point that when ordering a seat on the ferry, you have several options to buy an open-air seat (the cheapest option good for those travelling solo and looking for an economical crossing), an inside cabin (without a window, it is also cheaper) and an outside cabin (located by a window).
In addition, you can purchase a travel protection in case you have to give up your trip for any reason. That is especially important if you are travelling with small children, because, as you know, situations with them are quite unpredictable. You can also order a bed rail for free for your cabin if you are travelling with a small child.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Once you have purchased your ticket, you will receive a confirmation of the transfer and your booking information. With this number you can go directly to the ferry and you do not need to print anything.
It is worth noting that you must be at the port at least 60 minutes before departure. In our case, the ferry started at 9 p.m., so we had to be in the queue before 8 p.m. to get on the ferry.
We chose the night ferry because this way we could rest before driving across Sweden and children could sleep comfortably in bed. We travelled on a Stena Line ferry called the Estelle – why is this important? Each ship has slightly different infrastructure, so it’s worth paying attention.
Traveling by ferry from Gdynia to Karlskrona - what it looks like and what you will find on board
As we mentioned earlier, you should arrive at the ferry at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure of the ship. Stena Line departs from the Public Terminal in Gdynia at Polska 4 Street and takes about 9.5 hours to Karlskrona. If you take the ferry by car, drive directly to the check-in booths with your reservation on your phone or printed out. Port staff will then record your arrival in the system and issue boarding passes. It is very important to have them with you, as the ticket is also the card that opens the cabin door. The guards may also inspect your vehicle. For us, they told us to open the trunk and took a look at what we were carrying. Then they let us in by directing traffic and pointing out exactly where to park.
Walking check-in or with a bicycle
The situation is different if you want to cross from Gdynia to Sweden on foot or by bicycle. Check-in takes place in the terminal building on the ground floor. Before you check in, you need to collect your boarding passes at the self-service check-in kiosks or at the terminal ticket offices. Cyclists should leave their bikes on the bike trailer and board as a walking passenger.
After parking your car, take the lift to your room where you can safely leave your backpacks and personal belongings. Each cabin has a code reader at the door handle, which opens the door when you apply your boarding pass. The cabins are not large, however, they are sufficient for sleeping. Towels and a small bathroom with a shower are available for passengers’ use.
Attractions on the ferry from Poland to Sweden
Due to the late hour of the crossing, we did not have much opportunity to explore the ship and enjoy its attractions. We wanted to rest as much as possible before the trip across Sweden. However, the children were awake when transferring them from the car and we were able to visit a few places.
Of course, the most attractive part of the ship for children is the playroom, which is a separate room dedicated to the youngest passengers. In addition to slides and tunnels, you can find a TV inside, on which cartoons in English are played. From the information we got from observers, this is not a very elaborate playroom that they have seen and there is definitely a better one on the Stena Line ship Ebba. For us, however, this was not a big problem as the children did not spend too much time on it. However, it is worth bearing in mind when choosing a day ferry.
In addition to the playground, there are extensive refreshment facilities where you can buy a meal, snacks or also something to drink. There is also a duty-free zone on the ferry, where you can buy products that are cheaper than in Scandinavia. Many people buy these types of products here.
It can also be quite an attraction to go to the upper deck of the ship, where there is also a dog walking area. We sailed in the evening hour, so we ended up with a beautiful sunset with Poland in the background. It is worth taking a jacket or sweatshirt with you, as it can be quite windy there.
Overnight stay on the ferry and breakfast included - what you need to know
If you are afraid of seasickness, it is rather hard to get it when travelling by ferry from Gdynia to Sweden. The voyage is very peaceful and the Baltic is not a very rough sea and there are often no large waves that can cause discomfort. The cabins are equipped with fresh linen and towels, so a fairly good standard is maintained. Remember, if there is anything wrong with your room, don’t be afraid to report it. We did this when we took the ferry from Vlora (Albania) to Brindisi (Italy). The room we were placed in smelled of dampness and it was impossible to stand there. After consulting the problem with the worker of the ferry, we were given a larger room of a better standard (usually these better rooms remain in stock, so there is a good chance you will be moved to one).
On the beds, although they are reasonably comfortable, you can feel a slight rocking on them and it is a bit of a strange feeling. There are two upper beds (which close) and two lower beds for passengers to choose from in the four-person cabin. Our older son, of course, wanted to sleep on the upper floor, from where he could admire Poland in the distance.
Our ferry to the Swedish city of Karlskrona was scheduled for 6:30am and an hour before arrival, Rod Stewards’ song Sailing was blaring in the cabin (you can see the music and video of the crossing in the video below). It’s very recognisable to Stena Line and we think it makes a very cool vibe. It’s worth getting up at this hour, as each passenger is provided with an open buffet breakfast*. If you arrive early enough to sit by the window, you are guaranteed breakfast with some of the most beautiful scenery you could eat. The view of Karlskrona getting closer and closer really is something special. If you’ll be interested in exploring Karlskrona, you can see our post about the city, where we took a slow step through Karlskrona and its attractions.
*Note: breakfast included in the price of the thicket applies to Stena Estelle/Ebba. For the Stena Spirit ferry, breakfast is only included for passengers using a window cabin, a cabin with pet option or a Superior cabin.
Passengers are also asked to leave their cabins a minimum of 30 minutes before the end of the cruise. The crew prepares them for the use of other passengers during this time, so it is advisable to carry your luggage to the car and only then go to breakfast to enjoy the views and delicious food in peace. As for the food, there is a choice of continental meals, such as you would find in hotel kitchens. We think there is something for everyone and even the children will leave the ship full and energised to explore Scandinavia.
Summary of a ferry crossing to Sweden from Poland
Below is a summary of the essential information you need to know when planning a ferry journey from Poland to Sweden. We hope that our little guide will help dispel any doubts you have before taking the ferry from Gdynia to Karlskrona.
- You can conveniently order your ticket online using the ferry connection search engine – Check out and buy your ticket online.
- You must be present at the check-in at least 60 minutes before departure. The Stena Line ferry departs from the public terminal in Gdynia at Polska 4. The journey takes 9.5 hours.
- Current proof of identity – passport or ID card – is required during the journey. Documents must be valid for at least 3 months.
- Carriage of animals – dogs can be carried on board Stena Line. This must be notified at the time of booking, as the ship has cabins specially equipped to carry pets. The dog on board the ship must be on a leash and muzzled. As for vaccinations, it must meet all the requirements according to the law in the EU. The dog must have a passport, be tagged, have a valid rabies vaccination and be dewormed.
Importantly – when planning to travel to Sweden with an animal, you must notify customs. - If you currently live in another EU country, you can use an e-service to notify Swedish customs before you travel. Information on how to notify Swedish customs is provided on their website: Travelling with dogs or cats.
- If you know that you cannot sail on your cruise, you can change your sailing date (cost 37,50 euro per date change per person). This can be avoided by taking out appropriate insurance.
- When taking the ferry, you can take a trunk with you on the roof of your car.
1 comment
[…] to Secrets: Why You Should Visit… Zoo Lubin – free dinosaur park and mini… The ferry from Gdynia to Karlskrona (Sweden) –… Saranda for Everyday – check out recommended stores,… Family slow travel […]