Stockholm to Finland

The classic overnight cruise from Stockholm to Helsinki (and/or the opposite way) departs at around 6PM and arrives at 10AM the following morning. Your two choices are Silja and Viking. They are very similar, although the reputation of the Silja line is slightly newer and fancier boats, slightly more expensive, and slightly less rowdy passengers. Though, I don't think the differences are dramatic. Both boats offer a relatively economical experience (given that it is also your hotel for the night). They can do this because they get lots of business from locals using it for a quick getaway and a chance to buy cheap tax-free booze en route. Even so, our one-way trip in 2008 on Silja was very quiet, comfortable, relaxing and beautiful. I would recommend it to anyone. Google the companies for exact departure/arrival times. This is only what I recall.

Take Silja. Viking is a party boat. In the middle of the cruise both ships dock at an island half-way through the journey for a few minutes. When the Viking ship pulled along side the Silja ship I was on, some of it's passengers threw beer bottles at the ship (none of the the bottles hit anything) and yelled obscenities:) The scenery right after the ship departs Stockholm along the massive archipelago is stunning! It's about a twelve hour journey, the ship arrives at Helsinki in the morning. http://www.tallinksilja.com/en/

Stockholm to Tallinn. Tallinn is a great place to spend a day.

I also recommend the Silja line. A very nice experience. Cost will depend on type of cabin you get and can range from quite economical (about the cost of a reasonable hotel) to pricer with windows and views. I actually think the ships depart about 4-5:00, just before dinner time. Book the smorgesbord first seating leaving Stockholm so you can enjoy the scenery afterwards (about 3 hours worth). Michael - what were you doing up at that hour? ;-)

What was I doing up at that hour:) Good question! The ship was so much fun, I barely spent any time in my cabin, and I only got like three hours of sleep:) There is so much to do on that ship! Between the scenery, the buffet, the disco, the casino, the movie room, the family magic show, the after midnight adults-only magic show....I completely lost track time. This ferry trip is one of my favorite experiences in all of Europe. I've been looking for an excuse to do it again. Out of curiosity does anyone know of any other overnight ferry voyages comparable to Stockholm-Helsinki?

The price also varies based on time of year and day of week. If you prefer doing it on a budget, book on a weekday.

I took that boat from Helsinki to Stockholm in October a few years back. Let me tell you, my party and a Muslim family were the only sober ones on that entire boat! I wish I remember which line it was. But it was great entertainment, seeing all of these people drunk on a random Tuesday night in October. And a little sad. Though it might not be as bad going from Stockholm to Finland since Sweden has a very high liquor tax. But who knows. Just a word of caution...