Best route to Malmo, Sweden from UK via Eurotunnel

[WelshGas]

Hi,
I've just started researching our 6 week trip to Sweden and Finland in August/September and I'm trying to work out the best route to get there. However, I'm already stuck on the first bit! We will be coming from the Eurotunnel, Calais.

We don't particularly like the bobbing of ferries but can put up with short hops. There seems to be 2 road options, one via Denmark over bridges including the Oresund bridge or, one via Lubeck in Germany including the short 45 minute Puttgarden to Rodby ferry plus the Oresund Bridge. Google maps says that the second option will save approximately 200 kms and about 1 hour 30 mins. But is this worth it? I've had a look at pricing and with the OresundGo subscription (which looks very easy to do) and is about £85. However, the second option looks a bit of a pain, in particular being tied to booking a specific day and time both ways! Also, the cost will be more. Which option does everyone prefer and why? Maybe there is an alternative?

Thank you

Check out my Thread/ Blog of my trip from South Wales to Knordkapp via the Channel Tunnel and Sweden.

Countdown begins!

Well, just 12 days until I depart on my trip to Nordkapp - 5,000 mile return trip according to Garmin Basecamp. South Wales - Folkeston - Euroshuttle - Calais - Belgium - Germany - Denmark - The Bridge - Sweden - Finland - Norway - Nordkapp and then a leisurely return via the Euroshuttle. 19...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[johnosborne1970]

This was us in 2024. Eurotunnel to Calais then two nights in Amsterdam. An overnighter in Hamburg then on for a trip around Denmark (round the edge mostly). Did a day trip over the Oresund Bridge from Copenhagen to Malmo.

Best sites:

Camping Zeeburg (Amsterdam)
Vejers Strand (Denmark west coast)
Charlottenlund (Copenhagen - absolutely stunning).

Enjoy.

 

[richard.clarke@veseypartne]

I've just done this trip and took the overnight Hull-Rotterdam ferry then it's a day's driving to Travemunde in Germany where you can get another overnight ferry direct to Malmo (actually Trelleborg). Two nights into the trip I was already in Malmo. It's a short hop by train to Copenhagen for a day trip (leave the van in Malmo to save the expense of driving over the bridge)

 

[hirsty]

from the train …

 

[CaliDeventerNL]

Hi, We are living in NL. So a shorter drive. Been to Sweden, Norway, Finland lots of times. Our preferred crossing is Travemünde-Malmö with Finnlines. These are ferries mainly used by lorries but they offer a good deal for our short Cali. Three sailings a day. Our preference is the early evening sailing with cabin. Then you arrive after a good night sleep early (but not too) in Malmö. Be aware that the ferries have a tight schedule , so boarding just shortly before sailing. When you are tempted to take the midnight sailing you might have to wait till about 3 am to get on the ship!. Alternative can be TT line from Travemunde to Trelleborg . It is a little more to the south of Sweden . TT line also sails from Rostock.
Traveling to Travemunde or Rostock leads to the east of Hamburg and avoids the Elbe tunnel.
For those considering Finland. We love the Travemunde _Helsinki ferry. Takes a day but saves a lot of expensive fuel!

 

[Mrs Acer]

Hi, We are living in NL. So a shorter drive. Been to Sweden, Norway, Finland lots of times. Our preferred crossing is Travemünde-Malmö with Finnlines. These are ferries mainly used by lorries but they offer a good deal for our short Cali. Three sailings a day. Our preference is the early evening sailing with cabin. Then you arrive after a good night sleep early (but not too) in Malmö. Be aware that the ferries have a tight schedule , so boarding just shortly before sailing. When you are tempted to take the midnight sailing you might have to wait till about 3 am to get on the ship!. Alternative can be TT line from Travemunde to Trelleborg . It is a little more to the south of Sweden . TT line also sails from Rostock.
Traveling to Travemunde or Rostock leads to the east of Hamburg and avoids the Elbe tunnel.
For those considering Finland. We love the Travemunde _Helsinki ferry. Takes a day but saves a lot of expensive fuel!

Ahh we are aiming for Finland. I’m interested to hear about your ferry Travemunde to Helsinki. I’m worried about motion sickness! Is it a calm journey?

 

[Mrs Acer]

The "Via Michelin" app or website is great for calculating the time and full cost of journeys. Free to use, just set up an account and put your vehicle into the search box and bob is your slightly awkward and a little bit risky, uncle.

Yes we do use this and have found it very helpful.

 

[Mrs Acer]

Check out my Thread/ Blog of my trip from South Wales to Knordkapp via the Channel Tunnel and Sweden.

Countdown begins!

Well, just 12 days until I depart on my trip to Nordkapp - 5,000 mile return trip according to Garmin Basecamp. South Wales - Folkeston - Euroshuttle - Calais - Belgium - Germany - Denmark - The Bridge - Sweden - Finland - Norway - Nordkapp and then a leisurely return via the Euroshuttle. 19...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Yes, I have read your thread. I do love reading about other people’s adventures. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Mrs Acer]

This was us in 2024. Eurotunnel to Calais then two nights in Amsterdam. An overnighter in Hamburg then on for a trip around Denmark (round the edge mostly). Did a day trip over the Oresund Bridge from Copenhagen to Malmo.

Best sites:

Camping Zeeburg (Amsterdam)
Vejers Strand (Denmark west coast)
Charlottenlund (Copenhagen - absolutely stunning).

Enjoy.

View attachment 144969

Ooh yes, we liked Camping Zeeburg!
We have taken in some of Denmark too on a previous trip to Norway. This time our plan is Sweden and Finland. Have you been and if so, what route did you take there and back?

 

[Hillsiders]

Just time your passing through the Hamburg area VERY carefully, the A7 Elbe tunnel is a huge bottleneck. Made even worse by extensive roadworks when I went that way last year.

Hi,
I've just started researching our 6 week trip to Sweden and Finland in August/September and I'm trying to work out the best route to get there. However, I'm already stuck on the first bit! We will be coming from the Eurotunnel, Calais.

We don't particularly like the bobbing of ferries but can put up with short hops. There seems to be 2 road options, one via Denmark over bridges including the Oresund bridge or, one via Lubeck in Germany including the short 45 minute Puttgarden to Rodby ferry plus the Oresund Bridge. Google maps says that the second option will save approximately 200 kms and about 1 hour 30 mins. But is this worth it? I've had a look at pricing and with the OresundGo subscription (which looks very easy to do) and is about £85. However, the second option looks a bit of a pain, in particular being tied to booking a specific day and time both ways! Also, the cost will be more. Which option does everyone prefer and why? Maybe there is an alternative?

Thank you

Avoid Hamburg completely and take the little ferry over the Elbe at Wischaven. Peaceful and scenic. Rejoin the main road just before Flensburg and enjoy a delightful Park4nite stop at Middlefart. The Oresund bridge is delightful you could return via the short ferry at Helsingor

 

[Mrs Acer]

Yes, I have read your thread. I do love reading about other people’s adventures. Thank you for sharing

Aww I have another question. I'm thinking about our route between Sweden and Finland, either going or returning. Has anyone taken the ferry between Vaasa (Finland) and Umea (Sweden)? It's 4 hours, which I think I can just about manage. I can't seem to find much on the forum about travel between Sweden and Finland.

 

[Mrs Acer]

Avoid Hamburg completely and take the little ferry over the Elbe at Wischaven. Peaceful and scenic. Rejoin the main road just before Flensburg and enjoy a delightful Park4nite stop at Middlefart. The Oresund bridge is delightful you could return via the short ferry at Helsingor

Ooooh thank you, that is very helpful! I've just had a quick look at the little ferry over the Elbe. That's perfect! It looks like you just turn up and pay onboard and it departs every 20/30 minutes. That's exactly how I like it.
I've added the Park4Night to the folder!
And I'll have a look at the Helsingor ferry route....

 

[Hillsiders]

Ooooh thank you, that is very helpful! I've just had a quick look at the little ferry over the Elbe. That's perfect! It looks like you just turn up and pay onboard and it departs every 20/30 minutes. That's exactly how I like it.
I've added the Park4Night to the folder!
And I'll have a look at the Helsingor ferry route....

I think you would like the overnight ferry from Stockholm to Turku it just floats between the islands of the archipelago and in the late night light you probably wouldn’t want to sleep much. Once in Finland across towards Loppi there are many P4N sites by lakes and in the forest many with toilet facilities.
Perfectly placed to drop down to Porvoo on the way down to Helsinki (a great camp site in the city) to catch the ferry to Talinn.
Good travels

 

[CaliDeventerNL]

Ahh we are aiming for Finland. I’m interested to hear about your ferry Travemunde to Helsinki. I’m worried about motion sickness! Is it a calm journey?

We have made this trip several times. It was always a smooth "ride" . I would not be too concerned . Can always take a seasickness pill as precaution. Because the Finnlines ferries to Helsinki start boarding at 11 pm you might drive from the UK eg Stena to Rotterdam or P&O also to Rotterdam in one go. Eurotunnel or Calais might be just too far for one day.
When taking Finnlines do not forget to signup for the 'starclub' for free . Gives 5% discount. Furthermore you could ferry Naantali- Kappelskar (just above Stockholm) for the trip back via Sweden.

 

[Mrs Acer]

I think you would like the overnight ferry from Stockholm to Turku it just floats between the islands of the archipelago and in the late night light you probably wouldn’t want to sleep much. Once in Finland across towards Loppi there are many P4N sites by lakes and in the forest many with toilet facilities.
Perfectly placed to drop down to Porvoo on the way down to Helsinki (a great camp site in the city) to catch the ferry to Talinn.
Good travels

Thank you! Hopefully I’ll get a chance to look at this tomorrow. I may have some more questions

 

[Mrs Acer]

We have made this trip several times. It was always a smooth "ride" . I would not be too concerned . Can always take a seasickness pill as precaution. Because the Finnlines ferries to Helsinki start boarding at 11 pm you might drive from the UK eg Stena to Rotterdam or P&O also to Rotterdam in one go. Eurotunnel or Calais might be just too far for one day.
When taking Finnlines do not forget to signup for the 'starclub' for free . Gives 5% discount. Furthermore you could ferry Naantali- Kappelskar (just above Stockholm) for the trip back via Sweden.

Thank you! It looks like I need to look at the ferry options more closely. I may have more questions

 

[johnosborne1970]

Ooh yes, we liked Camping Zeeburg!
We have taken in some of Denmark too on a previous trip to Norway. This time our plan is Sweden and Finland. Have you been and if so, what route did you take there and back?

Only a day trip to Malmo from Copenhagen! Would love to do more plus Finland one day.