Ferry-Ideas about going from Germany to Sweden and later from scandinavia to GB
Unfortunately I am not so good in knowing how to go by ferrys. We (family, 2 adults, two children 2, 5) want to go from Munich to the Lofoten, and later on to Great Britain. So our plan is to go on a day train from Munich to Sassnitz or Rostock for a ferry to Sweden. We should arrive there early evening. Which connection would you prefer, from Sassnitz or Rostock for an overnight ferry?
(From there, we plan to travel to Stockholm, where we want to take the night train to Narvik, and there with the Bus to the Lofoten. From the Lofoten with a ferry to Bodo, and there with the train to the South.)
Next we want to go to Great Britain. I only know two options so far: We go to Brussels and with the Eurostar to London. Or we go to Hook van Holland and from there with a night ferry to England. Is there a third option recommendable? Any hints for the hook van Holland ferry?
Thank you very much!
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I have no experience with Sassnitz or Rostock ferries. Maybe someone else could help. Sadly ferry terminals are rarely aimed at foot passengers these days...
Otherwise the Berlin - Stockholm night trains are a pretty good choice (either SJ or Snälltåget).
The third option to the UK would be the IJmuiden - Newcastle ferry but it's pretty expensive. I don't recommend it.
Hoek van Holland - Harwich is pretty cool and convenient. Use the overnight crossing. 20-30% discount with Interrail.
On the way back use Eurostar to Paris, Lille or Brussels. Don't forget to book in advance: very popular service + there's a passholder quota.
Feel free to ask anything.
The ferry options to England are
IJmuiden-Newcastle Rotterdam-Hull Hoek van Holland-Harwich Dunkirk or Calais-Dover Dieppe-Newhaven
(There are more, but the longer Channel crossings will be far out of your way.)
Thank you. So most likely it will be Hoek van Holland to GB and Eurostar back. Only problem is, like you said, that you have to book long in advance - especially with children it is much more easy to travel spontaneous…
Anybody knows, if Sassnitz or Rostock is better for reaching Sweden? Like you said, maybe terminals are sometimes not aimed at foot passengers.
As far as I could see Sassnitz doesn't have overnight crossings. The journey is simply too short or they don't accept foot passengers at night.
Rostock might be better then. There's a 20-30% discount by adding EURAIL2024 as code. Note that you'll have to add 95€ for a couchette compartment (terrible idea to overnight on seats...).
You are right with Sassnitz. Problem is, that from Munich, we will only arrive after 6 or 7 pm, and there is no more ferry on the same day.
Rostock seems to be a little complicated reaching the ferry terminal by bus or train. At least the website of the port only lists options for cars But when there is even a discount code for Interrail, there should be some experience getting there? Btw: As far as I have seen, there are two ferry companies Rostock - Trelleborg: TT and Stena Line. Which one accepts the discount code?
Sassnitz is even more in the middle of nowhere. I don't think there are buses at all.
Rostock is very doable as long as you leave enough margin. There are plenty of bus connections. Here's what's written on the Stena Line website but double check to get more up-to-date info:
The discount would be through Stena Line. It doesn't apply for the compartment supplement.
Honestly the Berlin - Stockholm night trains would be much easier and less stressful...
Thank you again. As far as I know, Sassnitz Fährhafen should have a good connection to trains, at least according to this (old) timetable:
Thank you with the screen shot from stenaline. I have seen this, unfortunately at least Deutsche Bahn Website does not know “Seehafen Fähre” or “ Rostock Seehafen Fähre”. On OpenstreetMap it is named “Seehafen Terminal” . I fount it know with the local transport website: https://www.verkehrsverbund-warnow.de
It takes around half an hour from main station to ferry terminal…
I also thought about Berlin Stockholm night train (I would board in Hamburg)… But unfortunately when I enter my 6 digit pass numbers, the snalltaget website says “One or more of your Pass numbers are invalid. Please check that you have entered them correctly. You can not use the same number for more than one traveller.”
Or you thought about the SJ night train? Which one is better for my small family? We have first class interrail...
Rostock harbour is shown in DB Navigator as Seehafen Fähre, Rostock. The connections via Lütten Klein are probably the best bet. Half an hour from Rostock Hbf to harbour seems very hopeful, I’d count 45-60 min. It’s still a 15 km journey!
After a quick look a private compartment on Snälltåget would be 1999 SEK (171€). Similar to Stena Line then. I’d try to board in Berlin so you don’t have to wait until midnight with small children… Obviously have some margin for the Germany crossing with the ICEs notorious delays!
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But when there is even a discount code for Interrail, there should be some experience getting there?