The journey to Åland is an essential part of the experience – the ferry takes you through a stunning archipelago, with plenty to see and do along the way. Enjoy delicious food, entertainment, and breathtaking views of thousands of islands and islets.
The Åland Islands are located in the middle of the Baltic Sea, roughly halfway between Stockholm and Helsinki. There are daily connections to Åland from both Finland and Sweden. It’s important to make your reservations and book your journey well in advance – especially during the summer and if you're travelling by car or another motor vehicle on a ferry.
Short on time and want to make the most of your stay? The fastest way to get to Åland is by plane – from Arlanda Airport in Sweden, or from Turku or Helsinki Airport in Finland.
Travel from Finland
You can take a ferry with Viking Line, Tallink Silja, or Finnlines from Turku or Naantali. From the Turku region, you can travel in the morning, during the day, or in the evening.
Tallink Silja also offers regular cruise service between Turku and Stockholm.
Viking Line offers regular cruise service between Helsinki, Mariehamn, and Stockholm, except for scheduled destination cruises.
Current departure times and travel information can be found on the ferry operators’ websites:
The Archipelago Route
Experience the beautiful Åland archipelago by taking the Archipelago Route! This scenic route gives you the chance to explore the islands up close. Ferries depart from Osnäs and Galtby near Turku in Finland. Especially during summer, it’s important to book your trip well in advance. Reservations for the archipelago ferries can be made through Ålandstrafiken.
When travelling along the Archipelago Route, it’s recommended to spend at least one night on one of the islands along the way – such as Brändö, Lappo, Kumlinge, Sottunga, Kökar, or Föglö.
Travel from Sweden
The shortest ferry connection from Sweden is the route from Grisslehamn with Eckerö Linjen. The ferry takes two hours.
From Stockholm to Mariehamn and Långnäs, you can travel with Viking Line or Tallink Silja. The journey, which mostly passes through the archipelago, takes about 5.5 hours. Finnlines also operates a year-round connection between Kapellskär and Långnäs.
Current departure times and travel information can be found on the ferry operators’ websites:
Flying to Åland
Flying to Åland is a quick and convenient option. Finnair operates flights to Mariehamn with connections via Helsinki, making it easy to travel from both Finland and other parts of Europe. From Sweden, PopulAir offers regular departures from Stockholm and other locations, providing great opportunities to reach Åland with just a short flight.
The flight from Arlanda and Turku takes 30 minutes, and the flight from Helsinki takes about 1 hour. Once you arrive in Åland, the airport is a five-minute drive from central Mariehamn.
Travel from Estonia
If you're travelling from Estonia, you can take the ferry from Tallinn to Mariehamn with Tallink Silja. The journey offers a comfortable route across the Baltic Sea, giving you a chance to enjoy the views on your way to Åland.
Passport and Visa
Citizens of Nordic countries and Schengen Area countries do not need a passport to travel to Åland, but it is advisable to bring an ID card. Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries should check whether they need a visa to travel to Finland and Åland.
For more information, visit the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs website.
