Ferry operator
Viking Line
The Mariehamn-based operator in profile - history, fleet, the Birka Gotland's sailings to Gotland, check-in, pets and fares
- Sailing between Finland, Åland and Sweden since 1959, headquartered in Mariehamn, over 2,000 employees
- To Gotland in summer only: Birka Gotland from Stockholm and Mariehamn to Visby
- Cruise ship with no vehicle deck; check-in closes 20 minutes before departure at every port
About Viking Line
Table of Contents
About Viking Line
Viking Line is the ferry operator of the Åland Islands. Its history began in spring 1959, when the S/S Viking - the Baltic's first genuine car ferry - entered service for the newly founded Vikinglinjen Ab between Finland, Åland and Sweden, on the initiative of Åland captain Gunnar Eklund. Three shipping companies soon marketed their vessels jointly under the Viking Line name; that marketing venture grew into today's Viking Line Abp, headquartered in Mariehamn. More than fifty ships have sailed under the brand since 1959.
Today the company employs over 2,000 people, many from the archipelago region, and operates between Finland, Åland, Sweden and Estonia. Its shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange.
Fleet
Six ships sail for Viking Line: Viking Cinderella and Gabriella between Stockholm, Mariehamn and Helsinki, Viking Glory and Viking Grace between Turku, Åland and Stockholm, Viking XPRS between Helsinki and Tallinn - and the Birka Gotland from Stockholm to Mariehamn and Visby.
The Birka Gotland stands apart from the rest: it's a cruise ship with no vehicle deck, built in 2004 by Aker Finnyards in Rauma, and sailed as the Birka Stockholm for Birka Line and Eckerö until 2023. Since 2024 it has operated for Gotland Alandia Cruises, the joint venture between Viking Line and Gotlandsbolaget, the parent company of Destination Gotland. Every cabin has a shower and toilet, and on board there are buffet and à la carte restaurants, the Archipelago Spa, a tax-free shop, and evening shows and dancing.
Routes to Gotland
Viking Line sails to Gotland in summer only, as an excursion and cruise destination for the Birka Gotland: Stockholm - Visby as a three-day cruise with a full day in Visby, or as a one-way crossing, with 24 sailings between early June and early September. The ship departs Stockholm's Stadsgårdskajen in the evening, calls at Mariehamn after midnight and reaches Visby mid-morning. The Åland leg can be booked separately as Mariehamn - Visby, either one-way or as a round trip from Visby.
For a year-round, multiple-times-daily service with a vehicle deck, Destination Gotland remains the only option, sailing from Nynäshamn and Oskarshamn.
Check-in, vehicles & pets
With Viking Line, check-in and boarding close 20 minutes before departure at every port. Check-in opens around 90 minutes before departure in Stockholm and 60 minutes before in Mariehamn; without a vehicle you should be checked in at least 30 minutes before departure. A valid ID is checked before boarding - digital copies are not accepted. A service fee applies for checking in at a staffed counter, while kiosks, the app and online check-in are free; terminals and vehicle check-in are card-only.
On its regular Baltic Sea routes, Viking Line carries both vehicles and pets. Neither applies on the Birka Gotland: the ship has no vehicle deck, and pets are excluded, with the exception of guide and assistance dogs, which must be registered by phone in advance. Travellers wanting to bring a car, motorhome or dog to Gotland should use the Destination Gotland car ferry instead.
Tickets
Booking runs through the booking window on the route pages; online is cheapest, while phone or in-person bookings carry a service fee. The price for the Gotland sailings depends on the travel date and cabin category, with the cabin always included - the base fare covers a share in a two-berth inside cabin, and fuel and emission surcharges are included. Travel insurance can be added, and members of the free Viking Line Club pay the club rate. For the cruises, payment isn't due until 30 days before departure. Check the timetable for available dates, and the fares overview for how the Gotland fare types are structured.
FAQ Viking Line
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Viking Line and its sailings to Gotland
Which routes to Gotland does Viking Line operate?+
Two, both summer-only and both on the Birka Gotland - Stockholm - Visby as a three-day cruise or a one-way crossing, and Mariehamn - Visby as the Åland leg of the same sailing. The ship departs Stockholm in the evening, calls at Mariehamn after midnight and reaches Visby mid-morning.
Which ships does Viking Line operate?+
Six ships - Viking Cinderella and Gabriella between Stockholm, Mariehamn and Helsinki, Viking Glory and Viking Grace between Turku, Åland and Stockholm, Viking XPRS between Helsinki and Tallinn, and the Birka Gotland from Stockholm to Mariehamn and Visby. Only the Birka Gotland sails to Gotland.
How early do I need to be at the port with Viking Line?+
Check-in and boarding close **20 minutes before departure** at every port. Check-in opens around 90 minutes before departure in Stockholm and 60 minutes before in Mariehamn; without a vehicle you should be checked in 30 minutes before departure. A valid ID is required - digital copies are not accepted.
Can I bring my car on the Gotland ferry?+
No. The Birka Gotland is a cruise ship with no vehicle deck, and Viking Line explicitly excludes vehicles from these sailings. To reach Gotland with a car or motorhome, take the Destination Gotland ferry from Nynäshamn or Oskarshamn instead.
Can my dog come with me?+
Yes on the regular Baltic Sea routes, but not on the Birka Gotland. Viking Line only carries guide and assistance dogs on that route, which must be registered by phone in advance. For travelling to Gotland with a dog, the Destination Gotland car ferry remains the option.
Where do I find the timetable and prices?+
Dates for the Gotland sailings are in the timetable. The price depends on the travel date and cabin category and always includes the cabin; the route page's booking window shows what applies to your date, and the fares overview explains how the Gotland fare types are structured.