Baltic Sea Ferries, Stockholm

Try to book a deal though the ferries (Viking line, Silja line) which includes a hotel. You will get a very good deal. My whole round-trip with a 4-bed cabin and a hotel for 1 night cost me only 166€ !

The nicest way to get there of you come from Finland is to take a day ferry from Turku. It takes 11 hours (with a 30 mts stop at Maarianhamina (Aland Islands) and you can see little islands of the Finnish and Swedish Archipelago ALL THE TIME! Amazing!!! The ferries are really big, luxurious and entertaining!

Have a look into my travelogue for more pictures of this lovely cruise!

Tallink (Silja) uses Vartahamnenterminal (http://www.tallinksilja.com/en/shipsAndTerminals/terminals/stoVar/default.htm). There are Silja ticket offices in downtown and also terminal (http://www.tallinksilja.com/en/mainMenu/contact/ticketOffices/).

Viking uses more convient port as it is with walking distance from the Old Town (http://www.vikingline.fi/info/portinfo/portinfo/port_stockholm.asp). Viking Line sales office is in the Cityterminalen (http://www.vikingline.fi/reservations/sales_agents_viking_line_offices.asp)

I had been few times already on this ferries.

There are two companies/lines to choose from and two harbors to start trip from.

Generally, Viking Line considered more affordable, so it might be better choice for students/backpackers/economizers. Backpackers, your dream came through - there are cheap "on deck" tickets ;)

Contrary, Silja Line considered as more expensive, family-friendly. If you look for real silence, try to take seaside cabin, not promenade cabin with look on gangway.

If you start from Helsinki, you could be offered cheaper "one day in Stockholm" cruise, and it is also convenient that you will return on same ship and same cabin.

If you start from Turku, you have to change ship in Stockholm for one-day-cruise but you ought to economize on bus/train from Helsinki to Turku and back - Viking Line at least offers 50% reduction, and you can also buy whole combined ticket from railway international cash desk.

All ships equipped with sauna - you start from Finland, aren't you? ;)

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A travel on a ferry from Turku to Stockholm was very convenient and inexpensive. All the way of 300 kilometers lasted 10 hours. We have slept rather well and overcame the long distance. Our car waited for us on a special deck.

The ferry is equipped by a lot of restaurants and entertaining places. At your desire it was possible not only to have a rest but also to have a good time. Our dogs peacefully slept in a cabin while we were walking on a huge sea liner Silja-line.

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We booked (online) a double cabin in a ferry to Tallinn from Stockholm with Tallink, departing at 18:00 from Frihamsterminalen (north-east) and arriving at 10:00 to Terminal D in Tallinn Port. It cost me around 2.800 SEK taxes and insurance included. Everything was perfect, just do it.
The way to get to the ferry is getting the BLUE BUS Nº1. The last stop is the terminal. I got it in the northern side of the central station, past the bus terminal, on the bridge over the rails (Kungsbron).
Our cabin was full equiped, we loved it, but was a bit noisy at the begining of the evening. The tv showed us the gps boat track live. The boad had restaurants, pub, casino, cabaret, duty-free, buffet, videogames, MONEY CHANGE, terraces... 9 floors! The Stockholm Archipielago, in the first hour of navigation is one of the best scenes I've seen.

TIP!!! The departure day, we saw the Tallink office in Stockholm (Klarabergsgatan) and did all the boarding procedure right there, so we didn't have to wait at the port terminal. We even got our room key there! Recommended!!!

It was one of the most wonderful evenings I've spend during our long lasting trip through Europe. A lot of shopping opportunities, good kitchen with magnificient dinner ! Went to sleep in Finland and awake in Sweeden... Great!

I came to Stockholm by an overnight ferry from Helsinki. I was able to use my railpass for the ferry and didn’t even get charged for my room (although it was just a small room sharing with 3 others – near the car deck – but it was comfortable enough and had a nice en-suite). I thought it was an excellent way to leave Helsinki, and a great way to arrive in Stockholm, coming in through the archipelago early in the morning, the crisp cool air blowing in your face as you stand on the upper deck, beautiful scenery surrounding you.

There is plenty to do on board, many restaurants, heaps of tax free shopping, a casino, pool, or just sit up on the decks and enjoy the views! Make sure you have cash on you before you get on the ferry or that you have a credit card (credit cards are accepted at all shops and restaurants on board).