Ferry from Helsinki to Travemünde (Lübeck)
Tickets, prices & schedulesYou can travel by ferry from Helsinki to Travemünde all year round, usually with 1 daily crossing. The journey from Helsinki Vuosaari to the port near Lübeck takes 28-31 hr. Standard ferry ticket prices start at €228, while cabins cost from €258.
Finnlines serves the ferry connection between Sweden and Germany with conventional cruise ferries. Find up-to-date info, compare timetables, companies and prices, and book your ferry tickets on Ferryhopper without hidden fees.
Discounts
When planning your ferry trip from Helsinki to Travemünde, you can take advantage of the fixed discounts available to specific passenger categories. Typically, you can expect lower ferry ticket prices for:
- Children aged 6 to 12
- Teenagers under 18 years old
Note: infants, toddlers and children up to 5 years old normally travel for free.
On-board services and amenities
Finnlines operates the Helsinki - Travemünde ferry route with conventional ferries, such as the Finnstar and Finnlady, which are designed for long-haul travel and offer a cruise experience. On board, you will typically find:
- Comfy seats in air-conditioned lounges and spacious outer decks to enjoy the sea view
- Snack bars, cafés, and restaurants (à la carte and self-service), with child-friendly and vegetarian options available
- Duty-free shops and kiosks with everything from the essentials to high-end gifts
- Onboard entertainment, including a spa and sauna area, TV lounges, and playrooms for children with events and games
- Wi-Fi hotspot to stay connected during the trip, with a range of data bundles available to suit your needs
Accessibility
The ferries serving the Helsinki - Travemünde route are generally accessible to travelers with disabilities, featuring ramps and elevators, accessible seating areas, and adapted cabins for passengers with disabilities.
Boarding assistance is typically available upon request and prior notification to the ferry company before your journey.
Note: accessibility features vary from vessel to vessel, so it is recommended to contact the ferry company at the time of booking for further details.
Cabins and accommodation
Are there cabins on the ferry?
Yes, on the ferries from Helsinki to Travemünde near Lübeck, you can book a cabin for a more comfortable journey. Typically, can choose between different cabin types, such as
- Standard inside cabins
- Outside cabins with a sea view
- Deluxe suites with double bed, minibar, and sea view
- Cabins for passengers with disabilities
- Pet-friendly cabins
- Shared cabins
All cabins feature air conditioning, a TV, a closet, and an ensuite bathroom.
Cabin prices start at about €258.
Can I book business-class seats?
Finnlines does not offer a business-class seating option on its Helsinki - Travemünde ferries, but you can book a standard reclining seat. Alternatively, you can book a premium cabin, which typically has extra room and amenities for a more comfortable journey.
Prices for reclining seats start at €228.
Luggage
On Finnlines ferries, you can bring as many pieces of luggage as you can carry on board, without any size or weight restrictions, free of charge. The ferries typically have storage areas and lockers on board.
Traveling with pets
You can bring your pet on Helsinki - Travemünde ferries, provided you include it in your booking. Pet tickets usually cost €70 on Finnlines ferries.
Make sure you bring along your pet’s health and travel documents, including passport, microchip ID and valid rabies vaccination, as well as tickets and pet supplies you may need for the trip.
Where do pets stay on the ferry?
On Finnlines ferries, your only option is to book a pet-friendly cabin, as there are no kennels on board and pets are not allowed to travel in vehicles.
The ferries have designated walking areas, however pets are generally not allowed in standard cabins, lounges or dining areas. During the trip, smaller pets must be kept in their carrier, while larger pets must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash.
Useful tips for your ferry trip to Travemünde from Helsinki
Here are some useful tips for your ferry trip from Helsinki to Travemünde:
- The port in Helsinki gets very busy, especially in the summer, so it’s best to be there at least 1 hr in advance. If you’re traveling with a vehicle, it’s best to arrive 2 hr ahead of your ferry’s departure.
- The Baltic Sea can get a bit choppy, so if you are sensitive to the waves, consider taking seasickness medication for the trip. As always, you can discuss your options with your pharmacist or doctor.
- When planning your ferry trip, keep in mind that there's a 1-hr time difference between Sweden and Germany.
- If you are heading to Italy on a short trip, book tickets on the Travemünde - Helsinki ferry in advance, as cabins and car deck spaces are limited.
- The Helsinki - Travemünde ferries travel overnight, so consider booking a cabin for greater privacy and comfort.
- From Helsinki, you can also travel by ferry to Stockholm, Tallinn and Mariehamn. For more details on all ferry routes, companies and ticket prices, check out the Helsinki ferry schedules.
Where to take the ferry from Helsinki to Travemünde
Ferries to Travemünde normally depart from the Hansa Terminal at Vuosaari Harbor in the eastern part of Helsinki. The port is roughly 17 km east of downtown Helsinki and about 24 km from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL).
At the ferry terminal, you will find essential traveler amenities, including waiting areas, restrooms, ticket offices, luggage storage, and a paid parking garage.
How to get to the port of Helsinki
- By car: drive toward Vuosaari Harbor and follow signs for Hansa Terminal / Finnlines. Due to the Vuosaari tunnel works, traffic may be redirected via a signed detour.
- By metro: take the metro to Vuosaari and continue by bus 90 or 90A to Vuosaari Harbor / Hansa Terminal.
- By bus: you can take bus 818 from Mellunmäki metro station directly to the port.
- From Helsinki Airport: take the I or P train to central Helsinki, then continue by metro and bus.
- By taxi: a taxi ride from downtown Helsinki to Vuosaari Harbour takes around 20 min.
Where does the ferry arrive at Travemünde?
Ferries from Helsinki typically dock at the Skandinavienkai terminal in Travemünde, a seaside resort in northern Germany. The port is at the mouth of the River Trave, about 5 km south of Travemünde’s seaside town center and 20 km northeast of Lübeck.
The terminal area is expansive and well-equipped with passenger facilities, featuring waiting areas, ticket offices, cafés, and parking spaces. From the terminal, you can continue by bus, taxi or car toward Travemünde, Lübeck or Hamburg.
Getting around Travemünde and Lübeck
- By car: the port has a direct link to the A1 road, so you can reach Lübeck in about 20 min and Hamburg in approximately 1 hr.
- By train: regional trains run hourly from the port to Lübeck Hauptbahnhof (Hbf), with a travel time of about 15 min.
- By bus: local bus lines 30 and 40 connect the terminal area to Travemünde and Lübeck, with the ride to Lübeck taking 35-40 min.
How long is the ferry ride from Helsinki to Travemünde?
The duration of the Helsinki - Travemünde ferry trip normally ranges from 28 hr to 31 hr, depending on the vessel and crossing.
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FAQs
When traveling on the Helsinki - Travemünde ferry, you will be crossing the international border between Finland and Germany, so you will need the following travel documents:
- EU citizens: a national ID card or a valid passport.
- Non-EU citizens: a valid passport, and depending on your nationality, you may also need a visa.
Yes, the ferries serving the Helsinki - Travemünde route have car decks for transporting vehicles.
Prices start at €170 to transport a car, €100 for a motorbike and €250 for a camper van.
Make sure you bring your driver’s license, along with your vehicle registration and insurance documents.
No, the Helsinki - Travemünde ferry route is only served by conventional ferries. The fastest ferry takes 28 hr to cover the distance from Sweden to Germany.
The distance between Helsinki and Travemünde is approximately 590 nautical miles (around 1092 km).
With Finnlines, you can book your Helsinki - Travemünde ferry tickets online on Ferryhopper and pick them up in paper form from the company’s collection points at the port before the trip.
Find detailed answers to all your questions about ferry ticket changes, cancellations and refunds.
Remember that you can also use Ferryhopper's online booking modification service, available with certain ferry companies.