Kiel - Gothenburg
Ferry to Sweden
Kiel - Gothenburg
Ferry to Sweden
Fares for the Kiel to Gothenburg crossing usually range somewhere between $212* and $1749*. Most travellers pay around $893* for a Kiel Gothenburg ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $212*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $694* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $1043*.
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.
Kiel Gothenburg sailings generally depart at around 17:45.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Kiel and Gothenburg 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 Kiel to Gothenburg 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 Kiel to Gothenburg 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 Kiel to Gothenburg 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 Kiel and Gothenburg.
Pet owners are in luck — Stena Line allows pets on board between Kiel and Gothenburg. .
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 Kiel to Gothenburg 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 Kiel to Gothenburg 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 Kiel to Gothenburg 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 Kiel to Gothenburg 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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| Kiel - Gothenburg Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $694 | |
| Average Price with Car | $1043 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $683 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $1229 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $1184 | |
| Kiel - Gothenburg Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Destination | Sweden |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Stena Line |
| Average Price | $893 |
| 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 city of Kiel is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, and is around 90 km to the north of Hamburg. The city's port has become an important port for both commercial and pleasure vessels almost certainly because of its location on the south western shore of the Baltic Sea and to the south east of the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark. Kiel Week, which the city hosts annually, is known the world over and comprises of a number of international regattas. The city was also the host to the sailing events at the 1936 and 1972 Summer Olympics.
The 13th century St Nicholas' Church (Nikolaikirch) is the oldest building in the city which has a sculpture by Ernst Barlach in front of it. The city, which has a number of parks and lakes for visitors to enjoy, especially if they are seeking some peace and tranquillity, is the main shopping destination for the region. Holstenstrabe in the city is one of the longest shopping streets in Germany.
Kiel's busy port has around 50 crossings per week to destinations in Sweden, Denmark and Lithuania. The port has three passenger terminals with a good level of facilities including a number of shops and places to eat.
Gothenburg is Sweden's second largest city and is located on the west coast of the country, with an amazing archipelago that is only 30 minutes by tram from the city centre. The city is home to a number of festivals and concerts during the summer months and include the Way Out West festival, Metaldown and Summerburst Electronic Dance Festival. For visitors that prefer smaller venues there are a host of bars and clubs in the city that host many events and DJ performances.
For lovers of the great outdoors, Gothenburg's islands make up one of the most beautiful archipelagos in Europe and is made up of around 10,000 granite islets.
Shipping and commerce has always played an important role in Gothenburg's economy due in large part to its strategic location. The city's port is the largest harbour in Scandinavia are there are daily ferry services to Kiel in Germany and Frederikshavn in Denmark. When arriving in Gothenburg by ferry, passengers should take the time to admire the archipelago and enjoy the fact that the port is only a short walk from the city centre.
