Nordic Countries - Turku to Stockholm ferry: Day or Night?

My wife and I are planning on visiting Helsinki and want to take the ferry to Stockholm at the end of August but aren't sure of the best way to do it. I've read that taking the ferry from Turku is a lot more picturesque then from Helsinki.

As I see it:

Option 1: Take train from Helsinki to Turku in the early afternoon, see the sights, and then take the night ferry, which leaves around 21:00. Pro: Save on a hotel room (which aren't cheap in TKU on a weekday)

Con: As the sun is already starting to set, we won't be able to see much in the dark. Plus, we'll need to sleep, and the ferry arrives in Sweden around 06:00, just around sunrise!

Option 2 would require us getting a hotel room in Turku for the night and getting to the port for the 08:00 departure.

On a related note: can anyone explain the difference in cabin classes, and which ones are the better values?

Many thanks!

Is this a one-way trip or do you intend to return to Helsinki?
Which ship are you thinking about, the Silja or the Viking?

You're from the North, but even you might be surprised at the length of the twilight and dawning at this latitude in the summer. At the end of August you'll still be able to see the islands on the night crossing.

There is a train from Helsinki to Turku harbour timed for the morning sailings.

cheers,

Henry

My wife and I are planning on visiting Helsinki and want to take the ferry to Stockholm at the end of August but aren't sure of the best way to do it. I've read that taking the ferry from Turku is a lot more picturesque then from Helsinki.

As I see it:

Option 1: Take train from Helsinki to Turku in the early afternoon, see the sights, and then take the night ferry, which leaves around 21:00. Pro: Save on a hotel room (which aren't cheap in TKU on a weekday)

Con: As the sun is already starting to set, we won't be able to see much in the dark. Plus, we'll need to sleep, and the ferry arrives in Sweden around 06:00, just around sunrise!

Option 2 would require us getting a hotel room in Turku for the night and getting to the port for the 08:00 departure.

On a related note: can anyone explain the difference in cabin classes, and which ones are the better values?

Many thanks!
The Turku route is not only more picturesque, it is normally cheaper too. However, on the Swedish side, the ships will have the same route.

So I would suggest the Turku route mainly for the day crossing, the price, or in case you want to see some of Turku. If this is probably the first and only time you will do this route, then I would suggest the day crossing, especially as it is still summer.

You won't need a cabin for a day crossing, although you can book one if you are tired (you can do that on the ship too, I think). There are lockers onboard for your luggage.

For the night crossing, you will nowadays have to book a cabin. The B-cabins are inside cabins w/o a window but on higher decks. These are the best value. A/Seaside cabins are like B-cabins but with a window towards the sea. If you want a double bed, TV etc. then you will have to book a B2L/B4L/luxury cabin/suite etc. I think only Viking has B2L/B4L cabins. I would not recommend a C-cabin below the water line.

There is something to be said for night crossings, too: the sunset and the sunrise.

If you decide to do the night crossing, by far the most comfortable way is to use Silja and book a Commodore class cabin. They are bit pricey but very comfortable - the ones with the balcony are particularly nice.

If you decide to go on Silja, their Bon Vivant restaurant is surprisingly good.

Cheers,
T.

Thanks for the info.

This would be a one-way crossing to Stockholm.

Since many people have written that Helsinki can get "boring" :confused: after a while, I figured Turku would make for a nice day trip and we wouldn't have to take the train back to Helsinki.

But someone suggested that I should skip the Turku ferry and take the Helsinki one instead, since it leaves at 17:00 and would allow for more viewing while awake! :) The idea of spending $$$ for a hotel in Turku only to have to wake up quite early doesn't strike me as very relaxing! ;)

As we are also planning to visit Estonia, there's also the option of the Tallinn-Stockholm ferry.

So many options!

Thanks for the info.

This would be a one-way crossing to Stockholm.

Since many people have written that Helsinki can get "boring" :confused: after a while, I figured Turku would make for a nice day trip and we wouldn't have to take the train back to Helsinki.

But someone suggested that I should skip the Turku ferry and take the Helsinki one instead, since it leaves at 17:00 and would allow for more viewing while awake! :) The idea of spending $$$ for a hotel in Turku only to have to wake up quite early doesn't strike me as very relaxing! ;)

As we are also planning to visit Estonia, there's also the option of the Tallinn-Stockholm ferry.

So many options!

Being local, I am biased, but I hardly think Helsinki is very boring ;-)

Turku is good for one day but Helsinki does have far more things to do and see. Ferrywise, I love the early morning arrival to Stockholm on the night ferry -- the approach in the archipelago and the narrow shipping lane between rocky shores is quite spectacular. With any luck, you'll see swans out there.

Cheers,
T.

What parts of your trip are nailed down already? You're flying into Helsinki, is that it? And you're flying out of Stockholm? How much time is there in between? If you're going to Tallinn (good idea, by the way), then Helsinki -> Tallinn -> Stockholm makes perfect sense; no need to bother with Turku at all.

cheers,

Henry

What parts of your trip are nailed down already? You're flying into Helsinki, is that it? And you're flying out of Stockholm? How much time is there in between? If you're going to Tallinn (good idea, by the way), then Helsinki -> Tallinn -> Stockholm makes perfect sense; no need to bother with Turku at all.


Actually, due to the fact that I constantly keep discovering new places to discover, this segment is WIDE open! :D

All I know for sure is that we'll be flying out of CPH on a Thursday morning and we'd like to be in Stockholm by the following Tuesday.

First , the plan was was going to be a flight into HEL, maybe a day trip to TLL, and a visit to Tempere, before taking the ferry to Stockholm from HEL.

BUT, now that I've read up on TLL, it seems like it might be nicer (and cheaper) to fly into TLL, stay 2 nights, take the ferry to HEL, sleep 2 nights, and make our way to Turku before taking the overnight ferry.

BUT, there's also the option of doing the other way around CPH-HEL-side trip to ???- TLL-Stockholm. (Though I'm told that that service aboard Silja Line from HEL is better than on Tallink from TLL).

I think it's worth spending a night (if not 2) in TLL as well as 2 nights in HEL, but I'm still wide open when it comes to everything else, which for me is quite unusual!

Being local, I am biased, but I hardly think Helsinki is very boring ;-)

Turku is good for one day but Helsinki does have far more things to do and see. Ferrywise, I love the early morning arrival to Stockholm on the night ferry -- the approach in the archipelago and the narrow shipping lane between rocky shores is quite spectacular. With any luck, you'll see swans out there.


Hi Thalassa,

I doubt Helsinki is boring either, but I've come across that a few times during my travel research! :confused:

I'm starting to come around to the idea of taking the overnight ferry from Helsinki. The fact that it leaves at 17:00 will allow for better viewing. I thought initially that the Turku crossing would be better because it would be crossing though the Finnish islands that the Helsinki ferry does not. But the departures times are not ideal, and..well, how many little islands do you need to see on one ferry right? :D

If that is the case, could you recommend any worthwhile side trips from Helsinki? Turku, Tampere, and Porvoo have all been recommended to me.

Many thanks!

well, how many little islands do you need to see on one ferry right? :D
Fine, if that's the way you see it, then you will not be getting any more advice at least from me! ;) :D

(Seriously I really love the archipelago both in Sweden, Finland and on the Åland islands)

Hi Thalassa,

I doubt Helsinki is boring either, but I've come across that a few times during my travel research! :confused:

I'm starting to come around to the idea of taking the overnight ferry from Helsinki. The fact that it leaves at 17:00 will allow for better viewing. I thought initially that the Turku crossing would be better because it would be crossing though the Finnish islands that the Helsinki ferry does not. But the departures times are not ideal, and..well, how many little islands do you need to see on one ferry right? :D

If that is the case, could you recommend any worthwhile side trips from Helsinki? Turku, Tampere, and Porvoo have all been recommended to me.

Many thanks!

I would normally recommend TLL first but you seem to have covered that already. Porvoo is a plesant small town about an hour's drive east. It has some history, decent restaurants and some antiques shopping.

I am not a great fan of Tampere. It is pleasant enough to visit but it is not exactly exciting. Turku has the Castle and Cathedral and the old quarters working for it.

What kind of things are you interested in? That can make quite a difference as to what are the places to visit.

Cheers,
T.

Fine, if that's the way you see it, then you will not be getting any more advice at least from me! ;) :D

(Seriously I really love the archipelago both in Sweden, Finland and on the Åland islands)

:eek:

Oh, wise Tsator, any chance you have photos of your Turku journey to help convince me?! :D

I would normally recommend TLL first but you seem to have covered that already. Porvoo is a pleasant small town about an hour's drive east. It has some history, decent restaurants and some antiques shopping.

I am not a great fan of Tampere. It is pleasant enough to visit but it is not exactly exciting. Turku has the Castle and Cathedral and the old quarters working for it.

What kind of things are you interested in? That can make quite a difference as to what are the places to visit.


Thalassa,

After thinking about it a little, I realized it would have to be something different from the usual tourist fare. Sure, Old Porvoo looks interesting, but how much different is it from visiting Tallinn?

Since we'll be in Finland, the idea of visiting somewhere more exotic, perhaps up North, seemed like a good place to start. A little digging revealed that Tornio might be worth visiting. The fact that it's a border town with Sweden doesn't hurt. Fincomm has a same-day return for 170EUR. Not cheap, but I'd be willing to spend it if it was going to be worth it. Of course, it would be even more interesting if it was during the Summer solstice....Winter photos look amazing, but that will obviously have to wait for another day! :)

If not Tornio, can you recommend something else exotic/unusual/not too expensive..if it exists?! :)

Many thanks!

Thalassa,

After thinking about it a little, I realized it would have to be something different from the usual tourist fare. Sure, Old Porvoo looks interesting, but how much different is it from visiting Tallinn?

Since we'll be in Finland, the idea of visiting somewhere more exotic, perhaps up North, seemed like a good place to start. A little digging revealed that Tornio might be worth visiting. The fact that it's a border town with Sweden doesn't hurt. Fincomm has a same-day return for 170EUR. Not cheap, but I'd be willing to spend it if it was going to be worth it. Of course, it would be even more interesting if it was during the Summer solstice....Winter photos look amazing, but that will obviously have to wait for another day! :)

If not Tornio, can you recommend something else exotic/unusual/not too expensive..if it exists?! :)

Many thanks!

If you had a bit more time, Lapland would be fantastic. A day trip is going to be trickier, but you still might be able to see some decent stuff. If you go to Tornio, the town itself is small and does not have that much to see but you could pop over to the Swedish side to see Haparanda, then go a little bit up north to Kukkolankoski where you can see traditional fishing and taste some of the best white fish ever, and continue onto to Aavasaksa which affords some fantastic views. The River Tornio is also pretty scenic. You'd need to rent a car to do this.

Another suggestion would be Savonlinna. It is a small town in South-Eastern Finland (about 300 km from Helsinki). The town features a really nicely preserved 15th century castle ruins (the venue of a famous Opera festival; alas the festival is over for this year). You can also easily drive to Retretti (in Punkaharju), which is a unique art museum located in a series of caves. The last day of opening this summer is August 29 (they have an exhibition of Helene Schjerfbeck and other notable Finnish female artists that should be quite good). While in Punkaharju, you could also have lunch at the Valtionhotelli, which is an old traditional hotel. The scenery in Punkaharju is also quite uniquely Finnish. You can either drive to Savonlinna or fly there.

While in Helsinki, do have lunch at Chez Dominique. It is at the heart of town, has two Michelin stars and offers an utterly fabulous three-course lunch for 29 euros (stay away from the wine, though, they charge quite a bit for it). Open Wed-Fri for lunch.

Cheers,
T.

:eek:

Oh, wise Tsator, any chance you have photos of your Turku journey to help convince me?! :D
Ha-ha, no I will keep those as a secret for now. ;) Besides, they are taken from a much smaller boat nowadays.

If you had a bit more time, Lapland would be fantastic. A day trip is going to be trickier, but you still might be able to see some decent stuff. If you go to Tornio, the town itself is small and does not have that much to see but you could pop over to the Swedish side to see Haparanda, then go a little bit up north to Kukkolankoski where you can see traditional fishing and taste some of the best white fish ever, and continue onto to Aavasaksa which affords some fantastic views. The River Tornio is also pretty scenic. You'd need to rent a car to do this.

Another suggestion would be Savonlinna. It is a small town in South-Eastern Finland (about 300 km from Helsinki). The town features a really nicely preserved 15th century castle ruins (the venue of a famous Opera festival; alas the festival is over for this year). You can also easily drive to Retretti (in Punkaharju), which is a unique art museum located in a series of caves. The last day of opening this summer is August 29 (they have an exhibition of Helene Schjerfbeck and other notable Finnish female artists that should be quite good). While in Punkaharju, you could also have lunch at the Valtionhotelli, which is an old traditional hotel. The scenery in Punkaharju is also quite uniquely Finnish. You can either drive to Savonlinna or fly there.


Yes, Lapland would indeed be something special and unique, but like you say, we'd need more time (and, if you're taking the time to go all the way there, might as well go during the midnight sun/winter)! :)

Savonlinna looks amazing, but it seems far, especially for a day trip. The train takes at least 4 hours, and Fincomm charges almost 200 Euros/person for the return trip.

Anything more than 4 hours of total traveling time seems too long for one day. That leaves Porvoo (one hour by bus each way) or Turku (2 hour train ride each way).

One other recommendation was go to Lappeenranta and and take a cruise to Vyborg, Russia.

(Much) closer to Helsinki, is the Suomenlinna worth visiting?

Many thanks!

(Much) closer to Helsinki, is the Suomenlinna worth visiting?
Yes. Try to pick a nice day though, it's not much fun when it's rainy and cold.

Yes, Lapland would indeed be something special and unique, but like you say, we'd need more time (and, if you're taking the time to go all the way there, might as well go during the midnight sun/winter)! :)

Savonlinna looks amazing, but it seems far, especially for a day trip. The train takes at least 4 hours, and Fincomm charges almost 200 Euros/person for the return trip.

Anything more than 4 hours of total traveling time seems too long for one day. That leaves Porvoo (one hour by bus each way) or Turku (2 hour train ride each way).

One other recommendation was go to Lappeenranta and and take a cruise to Vyborg, Russia.

(Much) closer to Helsinki, is the Suomenlinna worth visiting?

Many thanks!

Suomenlinna is certainly worth visiting, especially in nice weather, as mentioned already.

Other interesting and slightly off the beaten track destinations around Helsinki include:

1) Tarvaspää (the studio of Akseli Gallen-Kallela, one of the iconic Finnish golden period painters)
2) Seurasaari (an open-air museum that features a lot of Finnish history and historical buildings from many eras)
3) Tamminiemi (the former museum of and museum for Urho Kekkonen, a former long-time president)

These three can be easily combined and could make a great bicycle tour if you like biking. Tarvaspää is roughly 8 km from city center and the rest are closer, in the same general direction. While in these areas of town, you could also visit the Sibelius monument which is quite grand.

The fourth place definitely worth visiting is Hvitträsk, the house and studio of architects Eliel Saarinen, Herman Gesellius and Armas Lindgren. It is a fantastic art nouveau building with an interesting (albeit rather small) collection about these architects. It also features some fantastic period furniture and crafts.

Hvitträsk is roughly 30 km outside of city centre. One possible target in the same general direction is the Fiskars mill area; it is a small town that has been the home of Fiskars (of the orange scissors fame) for a couple of centuries. There are some nice museums, galleries, and restaurants in the town. It is quite low key but lovely. Fiskars is roughly 60 km outside of Helsinki. To do Fiskars, you'd need a car (you could possibly make it with public transportation).

A pretty offbeat possibility in this direction is Camp Degerö, which is an adventure destination in the Porkkala area (that was under Soviet control after WWII). They arrange military-type adventures and other programs using old Soviet equipment. They specialize in larger groups but it might be worth your while to check out if they have something for individuals. More info at: http://www.campdegero.com/id3.html. This place is about one hour's drive from Helsinki.

Cheers,
T.