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Travel Northern Europe by ferry: In the age of budget flights and Skyscanner, it’s become almost automatic to travel everywhere by plane. Especially when traveling across borders and even more especially if you come from a part of the world where public transport is lacking. But did you know that it’s very easy to explore Europe without flying at all? And not just by train. The humble ferry, once the only way of reaching some destinations, is making somewhat of a comeback.
And what’s not to love? Take an overnight ferry and that’s a night of accommodation sorted. There are fewer baggage restrictions (no more desperately stuffing clothes into pillowcases to try and beat the budget airline system!). On board cafes and restaurants mean it can be a sociable experience too (something all too lacking from modern day travel). And with flights becoming more stressful with crowded airports and last-minute cancellations, could traveling by ferry be more relaxing?
Read on for some of my favourite Northern European destinations to visit by ferry:
Amsterdam
If you’re based in the UK, you can take the ferry from Newcastle directly to Amsterdam (book here). There are also sailings from Hull to Rotterdam and from Harwich to Hook of Holland. Foot passenger is cheapest, or you could book with a vehicle and take a car or campervan to explore more of Europe. Amsterdam itself is one of my favourite cities to visit. Excellent food, non-stop fun and all small enough to explore on foot / by bicycle. Read my posts about the Netherlands here.
Learn about ferries to and from Amsterdam here.
Helsinki
Helsinki (Finland) is a beautiful city and extremely well-connected by ferry. From here you can sail to Stockholm, Sweden or Tallinn, Estonia (close enough for a day trip!). You can even get a ferry all the way to Travemünde, Germany. This connectivity makes Helsinki the perfect starting point for exploring the Nordics and/or Baltics. Read about Helsinki itself here.
Learn about ferries to and from Helsinki here.
Tallinn
Tallinn is one of the prettiest cities I’ve been to, with red-roofed houses and cinnamon buns a-plenty. The Estonian capital’s location on the Baltic sea also makes it a perfect candidate for exploring the region without flying. The ferry crossing to Helsinki is only 2 hours and from there you can take another ferry to Sweden. In the other direction, buses from Tallinn to Riga (Latvia) only take 4 hours door-to-door.
Learn about ferries to and from Tallinn here.
Stockholm
Another contender for the best cinnamon buns, Stockholm is well worth a visit. The Swedish capital has a rich history and the architecture alone is a reason to go. From here you can catch a ferry to Tallinn, Estonia or Helsinki, Finland. In the other direction, you can take a train (5 hours) to Copenhagen, Denmark.
Learn about ferries to and from Stockholm here.
Booking Ferries
The above is just a snapshot of what is available – there are many more routes around Europe waiting to be discovered. To book a ferry in Europe I’d recommend heading to Direct Ferries, as they summarise all the routes available on one website.
Calculate your travel carbon footprint here.
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