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The Fastest Ferry Between Germany and the Baltic Countries
There are a number of ferries from the Baltic countries (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) to Germany. These ferries are convenient because they can save a significant amount of time when travelling between Germany and the Baltic countries and beyond. A number of ferry operators including DFDS Seaways and Stena Line operate ferries between Germany and cities like Klaipeda and Liepaja in the Baltics. It is worth nothing that there are more options if travelling from Sweden to the Baltic countries.
Option 1: Ferry from Germany to Lithuania
DFDS Seaways operates a daily ferry between Kiel (Germany) to Klaipeda (Lithuania). DFDS operates one ferry in each direction every day. The ferry departs in the late evening and arrives around 20 hours later. This can be considered the fastest ferry option between Germany and the Baltic Countries.
| Duration | 20-21 hours |
|---|---|
| Sailings per Day | 1 |
| From | Kiel Schwedenkai Ferry Terminal |
| To | Central Klaipeda Ferry Terminal |
Option 2: Ferry from Germany to Latvia
Stena Line offers a once-daily ferry between Lübeck (Travemünde harbor) and Liepaja (Latvia). Because Latvia is further from Germany than Lithuania, the ferry is slightly longer at approximately 22 hours. Keep in mind that you will be sleeping overnight onboard, so the duration of the ferry is not as long as it appears.
| Duration | 22 hours |
|---|---|
| Sailings per Day | 1 |
| From | Lübeck (Travemünde) Port, Skandinavienkai Terminal |
| To | Liepāja Ferry Terminal |
Option 3: Ferry from Germany to Lithuania via Trelleborg
TT-Line offers multiple weekly departues between Germany (Rostock and Lübeck/Travemünde) to Klaipeda. They are not the fastest sailings however, because all sailings have a stop-over in Trelleborg, Sweden. For that reason, we are only mentioning the ferry routes here.
| Duration | 24-31 hours |
|---|---|
| To | Central Klaipeda Ferry Terminal |
Bonus Option: Ferry from Germany to Finland
If your final destination is Finland, Russia or Estonia, it might make sense to consider the alternative ferry option from Lübeck (Travemünde harbor) to Helsinki operated by Finnlines. With a duration of 31 hours, this is the longest ferry route in the Baltic Sea. Finland is not a Baltic country, but it may be considered an option if travelling from Germany.
| Duration | 31 hours |
|---|---|
| Sailings per Day | 1-2 |
| From | Lübeck (Travemünde) Port, Skandinavienkai Terminal |
| To | Helsinki (Vuosaari), Hansa Terminal |