Finnlines

Finnlines is a Finnish shipping company founded in 1947 as a subsidiary of Merivienti Oy, originally created to handle Finnish forest-industry exports to the United States. Now part of the Italian Grimaldi Group, Finnlines is headquartered in Helsinki and operates one of the largest passenger and freight networks in the Baltic Sea, with around 10 passenger Ro-Pax vessels and dozens of cargo ships.

Key facts

Company type: Finnish-flagged Ro-Pax operator
Founded: 1947 (as a Merivienti Oy subsidiary)
Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Parent group: Grimaldi Group (Italy)
Fleet: Around 10 passenger vessels including Finncanopus and Finnsirius (2023 Superstar class), plus Finnlady, Finnstar, Finnmaid, Europalink
Service area: Baltic Sea — Finland, Germany, Sweden, Aland, Poland
Future fleet: 3 new vessels ordered April 2025 from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard for Finland-Germany route, delivery 2028-2030

Top Finnlines routes on SimpleFerry

Helsinki (Finland) → Travemunde (Germany) — daily, around 30 hours
Naantali (Finland) → Langnas (Aland) → Kapellskar (Sweden) — Superstar ships, two daily
Malmo (Sweden) → Travemunde — up to three daily
Malmo → Swinoujscie (Poland) — daily new route
Travemunde → Helsinki (return)
Kapellskar → Langnas → Naantali (return)

Book Finnlines ferries

Helsinki → Travemunde Naantali → Langnas Langnas → Kapellskar Malmo → Travemunde Malmo → Swinoujscie Travemunde → Helsinki Kapellskar → Langnas Langnas → Naantali

Fleet and onboard experience

The newest vessels are Finncanopus and Finnsirius, the two 2023 Superstar-class ferries (235 m, 1,100 passengers, 323 cabins) running Naantali-Kapellskar via the Aland Islands. The earlier Star-class ships (Finnlady, Finnstar, Finnmaid, delivered 2006-2007) handle Helsinki-Travemunde and Malmo-Travemunde. Onboard the Superstar ships, passengers find a buffet restaurant (Mare Balticum), a cafe (Star Cafe), bars, lounges, conference space, a sauna and family cabins. Helsinki-Travemunde 30-hour crossings include cabins as standard. All Finnlines passenger vessels have ice-classified hulls (1A Super), built to navigate frozen Baltic waters without icebreaker assistance.

Booking, check-in and luggage on SimpleFerry

Finnlines tickets booked through SimpleFerry are issued as e-tickets. The 30-hour Helsinki-Travemunde crossing always requires a cabin booking. Vehicles must be at the terminal at least 90 minutes before sailing on the long routes; foot passengers 60 minutes. Boarding closes around 30 minutes before departure. Luggage allowance is generous on Finnlines — passengers may bring as much as fits in their car or as much as they can carry as foot passengers, free of charge.

Pet policy

Pet-friendly cabins are available on the Helsinki-Travemunde, Naantali-Kapellskar and Malmo-Travemunde routes. Pets need EU pet passport and rabies vaccination documentation.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Helsinki to Germany ferry?

Around 30 hours on the Helsinki-Travemunde route. Crossings include a buffet restaurant, cafe and cabins as standard.

What is a Superstar-class ferry?

Finncanopus and Finnsirius (delivered 2023) are the newest Finnlines passenger vessels. They are 235 m long, carry 1,100 passengers in 323 cabins and run the Naantali-Kapellskar Sweden-Finland route via the Aland Islands.

Is Finnlines part of Grimaldi?

Yes. Finnlines has been part of the Italian Grimaldi Group since the late 2000s. The Grimaldi Group also owns Grimaldi Lines, Trasmed and Minoan Lines.

Ready to travel with Finnlines? Search routes and compare prices on SimpleFerry.

Search ferry tickets