Where Do Ferries From Helsinki Go?

Tallinn, Estonia

The busy one. Tallinn is about 80 km across the Gulf of Finland and the crossing takes about two hours at the fast end, up to about 3 hours 25 depending on the ship. Tallink Silja runs 5 to 7 crossings a day from West Harbour (Länsisatama) Terminal 2 in Jätkäsaari with the ships Megastar and MyStar; Eckerö Line runs 1 to 3 a day from the same terminal, taking 2 h 15 to 2 h 30; Viking Line runs 2 to 3 a day from Katajanokka, taking 2 h 15 to 2 h 45. That is around ten crossings a day in total, which is why a day trip works at all. The differences are set out on which Tallinn ferry to take.

Stockholm, Sweden

An overnight sailing of about 17 to 18 hours. Ships leave Helsinki in the early evening, roughly between 17:00 and 18:10, and reach Stockholm the next morning, roughly between 10:00 and 11:00. Viking Line sails from Katajanokka and Tallink Silja from the Olympia Terminal in the South Harbour, generally one or two departures a day. You sleep on board. Whether that is a good idea is argued on the Stockholm ferry page.

The islands

These are not international ferries and they are not sold as travel. The Suomenlinna ferry is run by HSL as part of the city's public transport: it leaves from the eastern side of Market Square, directly in front of the Presidential Palace, crosses in 15 minutes, runs every day of the year from early morning until late at night, and takes an ordinary AB ticket valid 90 minutes. In summer JT-Line runs to Vallisaari, about 15 minutes out, season 20 May to 12 September 2026, and to Lonna, about seven minutes out. Pihlajasaari boats leave from Merisatama and Ruoholahti, season 16 May to 30 August 2026, about a ten-minute crossing. Harakka has a summer ferry from Kaivopuisto. Isosaari is about 40 minutes out. All of it is on the island hopping page.

What is not a ferry

The sightseeing boats along the Market Square quay. They go out through the channels between the islands, show you the city and the fortress from the water, and come back to the same quay without landing. They are worth taking for what they are and they will not get you anywhere. I sold tickets next to that confusion for nine summers.

Getting to the right harbour

West Harbour is in Jätkäsaari, west of the centre, and Terminal 2 is the one that matters. Katajanokka is east of the centre and is served by trams 4 and 5. The Olympia Terminal is on the South Harbour. Market Square is the middle of all of it, and none of the international ships leave from there. The departure points page has the full list.

Frequently asked questions