We're planning a trip for July 2024 and had hoped to take the ferry from Stockholm to Tallinn. However, it appears that it sails only every other day. Is this the case, or is it just that I am attempting to book too far out and the full schedule isn't yet posted? (It's too early to book trains right now.)
I don't see it mentioned in in RS Scandinavia that it's not a daily sailing, and a detail like this is usually something that the RS books would emphasize.
I looked at a random date in July on Tallink Silja line: https://booking.tallink.com/?voyageType=ROUTETRIP&eveningDeparture=true&withVehicle=false&from=sto&to=tal&adults=2&children=0&juniors=0&youths=0&date=2024-07-10&locale=en&country=XZ&marketUntilDate=2024-12-31
On their website, there was a notice that it departs every other day until May 30. Then an additional vessel is added and departures are more frequent.
https://en.tallink.com/stockholm-tallinn-one-way-trip
I am booking Helsinki to Stockholm and read that this line is a bit quieter than Viking. But you can check both.
https://ssl.directferries.com/ferry/secure/booking_redirect_df.aspx?stdc=DF10CA&grid=0&rfid=165&psgr=1&curr=19&retn=false&rfidr=166
Thanks!
I just found the Viking route after I posted (it's available every day), but it takes 20 hours as opposed to 16 for the other ferry and doesn't arrive until the afternoon. That cuts into the time I'd want to spend in Tallinn, so I think I may explore flights instead.
Never trust guidebooks when it comes to things like ferry schedules, those change. And when a guidebook is printed, there is no way to update it.
It's correct that departures from Stockholm to Tallinn are only every other day, but in July there will be daily departures.
Thanks! We decided to book a flight - $75 per person direct from Stockholm to Talinn. This will give us more time on the ground. :)
We took the Tallin Silja Line overnight 16 hour ferry last June. Nothing glamorous but comfortable enough. Married early morning. Tallin was great. Then another ferry to Helsinki.
We can't wait!
This will give us more time on the ground. :)
But you'll miss the lovely views of the archipelago as you leave Stockholm…
We're planning to do a half or full-day archipelago tour from Stockholm so we don't miss it. :)
Somehow it seemed like a good thing timewise since most of the ferry ride is overnight. Add in the archipelago tour and hotel cost you get all rolled together and it seems pretty good financially also. I’ll be doing it Helsinki-Stockholm this summer.
I don't know when the RS book dates from, but the Silja ferry did used to be nightly. They then got a more remunerative series of charters for the 2nd ferry, and there was probably over capacity on the route. So that is how it became nightly only seasonally. The ferries are known as cruise ferries because of their quality. I absolutely concur that is totally worth the ferry ride for the overall quality of the experience.
Originally it wasn't meant to be a long term change.
So it's just one of those things, where events have overtaken a guide book.
Makes sense! Thanks, all! Enjoy your trips!
When I first checked a couple of months ago, this cruise wasn't available the day I wanted either. But checking again now, it is every day during the high season. They use a different ship every other day. I know it is too late for you, but just so others that see this thread know that it is still possible to travel every day on Tallink Skija from Stockholm to Tallin during high season.
When you consider hotel money saved, time going to/from airport and security saved, plus great trip of Stockholm archipelago, ferry is a no brainer. Especially when cabin is so cheap.
In 2022 we were on our way to Tallinn and when we arrived in Sweden the SAS pilots went on strike before we caught our plane to Tallinn. We couldn't find a direct ferry to Tallinn but we found an overnight "cruise ship" ferry to Helsinki and then took the fun high speed ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn (after taking a ride on the Hop on Hop off bus in Helsinki to kill some time). The ferry from Sweden to Helsinki was wonderful with restaurants and bars and other entertainment and we saw the most gorgeous scenery on the route. We were all very happy to miss our plane and have the beautiful and fun detour while we adjusted to the time zone. The Sweden ferry terminal also has luggage lockers so you can go explore Stockholm while you await the ferry.
