Lithuania ferry
Karlshamn - Klaipėda
By overnight ferry from southern Sweden to Lithuania - your gateway to the Baltics, operated by DFDS and TT-Line
- Overnight ferry across the Baltic Sea - departs 7:00 pm in Karlshamn, arrives the next morning
- Around 13 hours' crossing with cabin, restaurant and onboard shop
- Up to 9 departures a week with DFDS and TT-Line
Ferry to the Baltics
The shortest ferry from Sweden to Lithuania
The Karlshamn - Klaipėda route is the shortest ferry connection between southern Sweden and Lithuania: in around 13 hours you cross the 396-kilometre Baltic Sea route overnight and dock the next morning in Klaipėda, Lithuania. It's operated by DFDS, whose ships Optima Seaways and Luna Seaways depart Karlshamn daily at 7:00 pm. Since the space charter with TT-Line, TT-Line also takes over individual departures, so together up to nine crossings a week are available. Depending on the operator you book via dfds.com or ttline.com, but travel on the same connection.
On board you'll find cabins for the overnight crossing, the 7 Seas Buffet, bars and an onboard shop. Klaipėda is the gateway to the Baltics: from here you can reach Vilnius, Kaunas and neighbouring Latvia by road.
- Crossing
- approx. 13 hrs
- Operator
- DFDS & TT-Line
- Frequency
- up to 9× a week
Next departures
Route guide
Karlshamn - Klaipėda ferry overview
Everything about the overnight ferry Karlshamn - Klaipėda: getting to the port, check-in times, facilities on board, vehicle and pet rules, and onward travel from Klaipėda into the Baltics.
Getting there and the Karlshamn terminal
The ferry departs from the port of Karlshamn on Sweden's south coast. As your sat-nav destination enter the DFDS terminal, Öresundsvägen 49, 374 31 Karlshamn. The town sits directly on the E22 motorway, which links Blekinge with Malmö to the west and Kalmar to the east; from the E22 it's just a few minutes to the terminal.
Free car parking for up to seven days is available at the port; you get your parking permit at the check-in desk. If you're arriving without a car, a shuttle bus takes you from the terminal building straight to the ship.
Check-in and departure
DFDS departs Karlshamn daily at 7:00 pm, and in the other direction the ferry leaves Klaipėda at 9:00 pm. Note the time difference: Lithuania is one hour ahead of Sweden. Check-in closes 90 minutes before departure, so 5:30 pm for the evening ferry. Allow plenty of buffer, as latecoming vehicles won't be able to board.
Carry a valid ID document; a national ID card or passport is enough. Sweden and Lithuania are both in the Schengen area, so border checks generally don't apply on the crossing.
On board
The DFDS ships Optima Seaways and Luna Seaways sail on this route, with some departures taken over by TT-Line ships as part of the space charter. Since this is an overnight ferry, it makes sense to book a cabin, from an inside cabin to an outside cabin; if you want to save money, choose a reclining seat. On board you'll find the 7 Seas Buffet restaurant, bars with sea views, an onboard shop with duty-free goods and the Pirate's Island kids' play area. You can pre-order your meals at a discount when booking.
Payment on board is cashless with the usual cards. In Lithuania you pay in euros, in Sweden in kronor; a card is enough in either case.
Vehicle, bike and pets
Cars up to 2.7 metres in height, motorcycles, bicycles as well as caravans and motorhomes are all carried; there's no luggage restriction. Enter your vehicle's dimensions correctly when booking, as the fare depends on the length. If you're travelling by camper, you'll find the details in the guide Motorhome.
Pets are welcome on board. There are dedicated pet cabins in limited numbers, best booked early. What Sweden and Lithuania require for entry is covered in the guide Dogs and pets.
Arrival in Klaipėda and onward travel
In Klaipėda the ferry docks at the Central Klaipeda Terminal, Lithuania's gateway port. Klaipėda's central bus and train station is around 30 minutes away by bus. From the port city you can reach the seaside resorts around Palanga quickly, the capital Vilnius and Kaunas within a few hours' drive, and neighbouring Latvia with Riga by road.
Since Sweden and Lithuania both belong to the EU and the Schengen area, you continue your journey without customs formalities or fixed border checks. If you're travelling from Germany via Sweden, it's worth comparing this route with one of the Trelleborg - Klaipėda connections.
Tickets and fares
You book the crossing online via dfds.com or ttline.com, depending on which operator offers the sailing you want. The current from-price for your travel date is shown in the booking window. You'll generally travel most cheaply by booking early; booking the outbound and return together usually secures the better fare. Cabins and meals are chosen as add-ons during the booking process.
FAQ Karlshamn - Klaipėda
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Karlshamn - Klaipėda ferry connection
How long does the crossing from Karlshamn to Klaipėda take?+
The overnight ferry takes around 13 hours for the 396 kilometres across the Baltic Sea. You board in Karlshamn in the evening and arrive in Klaipėda the next morning.
Which operators run from Karlshamn to Klaipėda?+
The route is operated by DFDS with the ships Optima Seaways and Luna Seaways. Under a space charter, TT-Line also takes over individual departures. Together this gives up to nine crossings a week; the current times are shown in the timetable.
When does the ferry depart and when do I need to be at check-in?+
DFDS departs Karlshamn daily at 7:00 pm, arriving in Klaipėda at 9:00 pm (local time; there's a one-hour time difference between Sweden and Lithuania). Check-in closes 90 minutes before departure, so 5:30 pm for the 7:00 pm sailing. Have a valid national ID card or passport ready.
Do I need a cabin and what's on board?+
Since this is an overnight ferry, a cabin is recommended - from an inside cabin to an outside cabin - and there are also cheaper reclining seats. On board you'll find the 7 Seas Buffet, bars, an onboard shop with duty-free goods and the Pirate's Island kids' play area. Payment is cashless by card.
Can I take a car, motorhome or bicycle?+
Yes. Cars (up to 2.7 m in height), motorcycles, bicycles as well as caravans and motorhomes are all carried; there's no luggage restriction. Details on taking a vehicle are in the guide Motorhome.
Can my dog come on board?+
Yes, pets are welcome on board. Dedicated pet cabins are available in limited numbers, so book them early. What Sweden and Lithuania require for entry is covered in the guide Dogs and pets.