Sweden, Finland and the Åland Islands — A Maritime History

For most of recorded history, crossing between what is now Sweden and Finland was a journey within one kingdom. The waters between them — the Åland Sea and the Archipelago Sea — are scattered with tens of thousands of islands. This page explores Sweden–Finland ferry history and the special role of the Åland Islands.

Historical maritime connections between Sweden and Finland

Finland formed the eastern half of the Swedish realm from the Middle Ages until 1809. Officials, soldiers, merchants and mail all crossed the Åland Sea, and Turku (Åbo) was the main town on the Finnish side. After 1809, when Finland became a Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire, the same crossings became international — but the cultural, linguistic and economic ties remained strong, and Swedish remains one of Finland's two national languages.

The geography of the Åland Islands

Åland lies at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia, roughly midway between Stockholm and Turku. It consists of more than 6,500 islands and skerries, of which around 60 are inhabited. In 1921 the League of Nations confirmed Finnish sovereignty over Åland, together with broad autonomy and demilitarisation; Swedish is the islands' sole official language. Mariehamn, founded in 1861, is its capital and principal port.

Early maritime trade

Åland farmers and sailors were active traders, carrying firewood, fish and farm produce to Stockholm in their own vessels. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries Mariehamn became famous as the home port of one of the last fleets of large sailing ships, led by shipowner Gustaf Erikson, which carried grain from Australia until after the Second World War.

The development of Swedish and Finnish ports

On the Swedish side, Stockholm, Grisslehamn and Kapellskär developed as departure points; on the Finnish side, Turku and Naantali. Port development followed the shift from passengers to vehicles: car ferries needed ramps, parking lanes and road access rather than just quays.

Naantali's maritime importance

Naantali, a small historic town west of Turku, grew around a medieval Bridgettine convent. Its deep-water harbour later developed into one of Finland's busiest ports by cargo volume, serving industry and energy as well as ro-pax traffic. Its location gives a short road connection to Turku and the main highway to Helsinki.

Kapellskär as a ferry port

Kapellskär lies on the coast of Roslagen, about 90 kilometres north-east of central Stockholm. Its position at the outer edge of the Stockholm archipelago shortens the sea crossing to Åland and Finland compared with sailing from the city itself — saving several hours of navigation through the inner archipelago. It has been used for routes to Mariehamn and to Naantali.

Långnäs and the Åland Islands

Långnäs, on the eastern side of Åland's main island group, offers a deep-water harbour away from Mariehamn. It has served as a call on routes between Finland and Sweden, connecting Åland's eastern municipalities and allowing ships to stop in Åland without a detour. Searches for Kapellskär to Långnäs and Långnäs to Kapellskär generally relate to this intermediate call.

The development of regular ferry services

Steamships began scheduled passenger service between Stockholm and Turku in the 1830s, and by the early twentieth century Finnish companies such as FÅA and Bore operated regular routes. Winter ice remained a serious obstacle until stronger, ice-classed vessels and state icebreakers made year-round service reliable.

Automobile ferry transportation

The car-ferry era began in the late 1950s. Companies later known as Silja Line and Viking Line were formed to carry cars and passengers across the Åland Sea, and competition encouraged ever larger ships. Later, a freight-focused ro-pax link between Naantali and Kapellskär was established; operated by Finnlines as FinnLink, it is often searched for as the Naantali–Kapellskär ferry. New vessels, Finnsirius (2023) and Finncanopus (2024), entered service on the route with calls at Långnäs.

Modern Sweden–Finland ferry connections

Today's network includes Stockholm–Helsinki and Stockholm–Turku routes via Åland, Kapellskär–Mariehamn, Grisslehamn–Eckerö, Naantali–Kapellskär via Långnäs, and northern routes across the Kvarken. Each route has its own character, from overnight cruise ferries to freight-oriented ro-pax vessels. Current schedules for any ferry from Sweden to Finland or Finland to Sweden should be checked with the operator.

How travellers describe these routes

The Naantali route is variously searched for as the Kapellskär Naantali ferry, Kapellskär to Naantali or Naantali to Kapellskär; the wider corridor as a Finland Sweden ferry, ferry Sweden Finland, ferry Finland Sweden or car ferry Sweden Finland. For the islands, people look for an Åland ferry, a Sweden Åland ferry, an Åland Islands ferry or the Långnäs Kapellskär ferry. In Finnlines' own network these appear as Finnlines Naantali, Finnlines Kapellskär and Finnlines Långnäs — check the official site for current details.

Historical timeline

1. 1809
   Finland separated from SwedenAfter the Finnish War, Finland becomes a Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire; Sweden–Finland crossings become international.
2. 1830s
   Steam on the Åland SeaSteamships begin regular passenger service between Stockholm and Turku via the archipelago.
3. 1921
   Åland autonomyThe League of Nations confirms Finnish sovereignty over Åland with autonomy and demilitarisation.
4. 1957–59
   Car-ferry companiesCompanies later known as Silja Line (1957) and Viking Line (1959) begin car-ferry operations across the Åland Sea.
5. Late 1980s
   Naantali–KapellskärA freight-focused ro-pax link between Naantali and Kapellskär is established, later operated as FinnLink by Finnlines.
6. 2023
   FinnsiriusA new ro-pax vessel enters Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär service.
7. 2024
   FinncanopusA sister ship joins the same route.

Frequently asked questions