Plan the crossing from Gothenburg to Kiel, with departure-port details, Stena Line and onward travel after arrival.
Choose your route, travel dates, passengers and vehicle to compare current sailings and fares. Route selected: Gothenburg to Kiel. Search all ferry routes.
Check your ports, passengers, vehicle and dates before completing the reservation.
The Gothenburg to Kiel crossing links Gothenburg in Sweden with Kiel in Germany.
For a departure from Gothenburg, start by locating the ferry terminal and checking how to reach the correct boarding point. Stena Line has separate terminals in Gothenburg for the Kiel and Frederikshavn routes. The Germany terminal is on the south side of the river and connects quickly with the city road network.
On the other side of the crossing, Kiel is your arrival port. Kiel’s central waterfront is easy to navigate on foot and by bus, while the main railway station provides strong connections towards Hamburg and the wider German network.
Compare the Gothenburg departure and Kiel arrival on the same dated itinerary. Sailing times and intermediate calls can differ between directions, so use the Gothenburg to Kiel result when planning your trip rather than assuming the outward timetable applies in reverse.
Check the total cost for everyone travelling, including any vehicle, reserved seat, cabin or other option offered. A later arrival in Kiel may affect your next connection or accommodation, so compare the whole journey as well as the fare.
Travelling the other way? Read the Kiel to Gothenburg ferry guide.
Compare the operators and departures offered for your dates. The sailing result confirms the carrier, vessel and travel options for that journey.
Stena LineStena Line is listed in FerryEU’s guide to this crossing. Search the Gothenburg to Kiel direction to see which departures and ticket types are offered for your date.
Check the vessel, boarding arrangements at Gothenburg, baggage allowance and any vehicle or accommodation options in the selected sailing. The return leg can have a different schedule or ship.
Stena Line has separate terminals in Gothenburg for the Kiel and Frederikshavn routes. The Germany terminal is on the south side of the river and connects quickly with the city road network.
For your Gothenburg to Kiel sailing, arrange your journey to Gothenburg around the check-in deadline. The ferry may use a different entrance or terminal from other services at the same harbour. Check the boarding instructions before booking a connecting train, bus or taxi.
Stena Line’s Schwedenkai terminal is close to central Kiel and the railway station, making this one of the easier long-distance ferry terminals to reach without a car.
After the ferry reaches Kiel, allow time for disembarkation before a collection or onward connection. Check where passengers leave the terminal and whether your next stop is within walking distance or requires a transfer.
Use the facilities listed for the ship on your departure. Vessel assignments and onboard services can change.
Choose from onboard dining and drinks during the evening crossing.
The onboard shop offers travel essentials, gifts and other products.
Cars, motorcycles and leisure vehicles can be booked, subject to space and dimensions.
Compare the seating or cabin options offered on your chosen sailing. Check what is included in the fare and book the accommodation you need before travel.
The Gothenburg to Kiel journey crosses between Sweden and Germany. Check the current entry and travel-document requirements for your nationality and itinerary, together with the operator’s boarding instructions.
Use the terminal named on the Gothenburg booking confirmation. Plan the approach, parking or drop-off before departure; the town centre or railway station may be some distance from check-in.
Check names and travel details before you arrive. If taking a vehicle, enter its full dimensions and include trailers, roof loads or rear-mounted equipment where required.
Use current official guidance for documents, entry permissions and any vehicle or pet requirements that apply to your journey. Requirements depend on your circumstances and can change.
Kiel’s central waterfront is easy to navigate on foot and by bus, while the main railway station provides strong connections towards Hamburg and the wider German network.
The main station, Norwegenkai, Schwedenkai, shopping streets and much of the inner harbour are close together.
Regional and intercity trains connect Kiel with Hamburg and onward destinations across Germany.
DFDS’s Ostuferhafen terminal is across the fjord from the centre and is reached by bus, taxi or road rather than a short central walk.
For an onward connection from Kiel, include time to leave the ship and terminal. Check local transport for the actual arrival day, especially if the ferry arrives early in the morning or late at night. A nearby hotel or a later connection may give more flexibility if the crossing is delayed.
Explore KielSearch nearby dates and compare the complete journey when considering another crossing. Different ports can change your transfer time, onward drive or overnight plans.
Return journey: Kiel to Gothenburg · Browse all ferry routes
Check the sailing time shown for your selected Gothenburg to Kiel departure. A timetable for the opposite direction may have different calls, departure patterns or overnight timings. Allow additional time at both ports for check-in, boarding and disembarkation.
FerryEU’s guide to this crossing lists Stena Line. Search the Gothenburg to Kiel direction and your travel date to confirm which operators and departures are available.
Stena Line has separate terminals in Gothenburg for the Kiel and Frederikshavn routes. The Germany terminal is on the south side of the river and connects quickly with the city road network. Use the terminal and check-in deadline specified on your booking confirmation.
Check the travel categories offered for the selected Gothenburg to Kiel departure. The choices depend on the operator and vessel; do not assume every sailing accepts both vehicles and foot passengers. Enter all travellers and the correct vehicle dimensions before comparing fares.
Compare the dates and departure times that work for your trip. Check the total for passengers, any vehicle and accommodation, then compare ticket flexibility and the onward journey from Kiel. Prices depend on the sailing and available capacity.
Kiel’s central waterfront is easy to navigate on foot and by bus, while the main railway station provides strong connections towards Hamburg and the wider German network. Allow time to disembark and reach your onward transport before a timed connection.
Use the return-trip option in the search and check both directions and dates before booking. The Kiel to Gothenburg guide covers the opposite departure port. Availability and sailing times can differ between the two legs.
Kiel to Gothenburg ferry guide covers the opposite departure port, arrival arrangements and onward connections.
Use the terminal or pier named on your Stena Line confirmation. The published departure is the sailing time; check-in and vehicle acceptance close earlier. If reaching Gothenburg by train or bus, allow for the transfer from the station to the harbour and for luggage handling.
Start your onward itinerary at the actual landing point in Kiel. Leave time to unload before a timed collection, train or island bus. If the ferry arrives late in the day, check the final public-transport departure or arrange a transfer in advance.
Allow for the overland journey to Gothenburg before choosing the ferry. A separately booked flight, train or earlier crossing may not protect you if you miss check-in. Use local times on both sides and check entry rules for each country on your full itinerary. Travel within Europe is not automatically free of document checks.
Northern German ports provide useful onward routes to Scandinavia and the Baltic after a continental road journey from Britain. Compare the long drive to the terminal with the overnight sailing and cabin cost.
Select the correct passenger category before comparing Gothenburg to Kiel fares. A passenger-only boat cannot take a car, and a vehicle ferry may still have limited bicycle or foot-passenger availability. The travel modes shown in the facts panel should be checked against the specific sailing.
For a vehicle booking, give the full height and length including a roof box, rear rack or trailer. Where accommodation is offered, check whether a cabin or seat is required and whether meals are included. Request mobility assistance and any pet space before completing the booking, because these can have separate capacity limits.
Prices depend on the date, passenger mix, vehicle and ticket conditions. Compare the complete return cost and the amendment or cancellation terms. No fixed fare on this guide should replace a dated quote.
Car and motorhome planning · Travelling without a car · Taking a pet
Check the sailing from Gothenburg, arrival in Kiel and travel options before confirming your reservation.
Gothenburg → Kiel
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