Gothenburg - Kiel
Ferry to Germany
Gothenburg - Kiel
Ferry to Germany
Fares for the Gothenburg to Kiel crossing usually range somewhere between $213* and $1478*. Most travellers pay around $941* for a Gothenburg Kiel ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $213*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $614* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $991*.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked September 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Gothenburg Kiel sailings generally depart at around 17:45.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Gothenburg and Kiel is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
Yes, Stena Line carries vehicles on the Gothenburg to Kiel route. Check our Deal Finder for up-to-date car ferry pricing on this crossing.
Whether a caravan or campervan is welcome on board the Gothenburg to Kiel ferry comes down to the ship and operator running the sailing. Pop your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll check the operators on this route for you.
Yes, Stena Line takes bicycles on the Gothenburg to Kiel crossing. Most operators are happy to carry bikes, but it's always worth confirming their exact policy before you turn up at the terminal.
Yes, Stena Line carries foot passengers between Gothenburg and Kiel.
Pet owners are in luck — Stena Line allows pets on board between Gothenburg and Kiel. .
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked September 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Gothenburg to Kiel route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Gothenburg to Kiel crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Gothenburg to Kiel on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Gothenburg to Kiel ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Gothenburg - Kiel Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $614 | |
| Average Price with Car | $991 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $625 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $990 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $933 | |
| Gothenburg - Kiel Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sweden |
| Destination | Germany |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Stena Line |
| Average Price | $941 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 7 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 15 h 30 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 15 h 30 m |
| First Ferry | 17:45 |
| Last Ferry | 17:45 |
| Distance | 227 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
The Swedish city of Gothenburg is located on the west coast of Sweden and lies around midway between the cities of Copenhagen in Denmark and the Norwegian city of Oslo. The city's strategic location at the mouth of the River Gota Alv, which then flows into Kattegatt, part of the North Sea, has been instrumental in its development as a trading city. The city's rich industrial and cultural heritage is well known and is home to some of the largest events in Scandinavia. The International Film Festival has been held in Gothenburg every year since 1979 and so too has the Way Out West and Metaltown music festivals. Gothenburg is also the home city of Volvo, the car maker, that was founded in 1927. Additionally, Gothenburg is also home to the University of Gothenburg and the Chalmers University of Technology.
Gothenburg's port, the largest of its kind in the Nordic countries, has ferry services departing from it towards Frederikshavn in Denmark, Kristiansand in Norway, Kiel in Germany and Newcastle in the UK. When arriving by boat, visitors will see the spectacular waterfront before them and will enjoy the convenience of disembarking in the city centre.
The city of Kiel is located in the north of Germany and lies on the Baltic Sea coast, to the south east of the Jutland Peninsular. Situated around 90 km to the north of the city of Hamburg, Kiel is a major maritime hub in Germany and has been one of the traditional homes of the German Navy's Baltic Sea Fleet. The city is also a major centre of high tech shipbuilding and an important transport hub as a result of its location on the Kiel Fjord and the busiest waterway in the world, the Kiel Canal.
Visitors to Kiel will find a number of interesting museums that focus on topics such as zoological, geological, historical, fine art, industrial and the military. Notable is the Stadt- und Schifffahrtsmuseum Warleberger Hof (City and Maritime Museum), which belongs to the association museen am meer.
A number of passenger ferries to Sweden, Norway, Russia, and other countries operate from the city's harbour. Today, Kiel harbour is an important port of call for cruise ships touring the Baltic Sea.
