gotland.de

Overview

Getting to Gotland

Ferry, flight or car: compare the ways to reach Gotland and find the route that suits your trip, via Nynäshamn, Oskarshamn or Stockholm.

View from the ferry deck of Oskarshamn harbour at sunset before departure to Gotland
Contents

The quick decision

Gotland has no fixed link to the Swedish mainland. The final leg is always either by ferry to Visby or by flight to Visby Airport. For visitors arriving from abroad, three combinations tend to work best:

Your trip Best-suited route Why
With a car, campervan or lots of luggage Via southern Sweden to Oskarshamn, then ferry Direct connection for many routes arriving via Denmark or Trelleborg
No car, and time to spare Flight or train to Stockholm, on to Nynäshamn, then ferry Arrival right in central Visby, no rental car needed for the crossing
Short stay Flight with a connection to Visby Fastest final leg, and a good base for exploring Visby

The table is a decision guide, not a timetable. Departures, flight destinations and prices change by season and day of travel. Check your specific connection for the actual date first, then book accommodation and onward travel.

Three practical ways to reach Gotland

By car via southern Sweden

If you're driving from continental Europe, Baltic Sea ferries connect various ports to southern Sweden; crossing via Denmark and the Öresund Bridge is another option depending on where you start. From there you continue to Oskarshamn or Nynäshamn and take the car ferry to Visby.

Oskarshamn tends to suit you better if you're arriving from southern Sweden. Nynäshamn lies just south of Stockholm and makes sense if Stockholm is part of your trip anyway. Compare both ports in the ferry guide before committing to your long drive.

Without a car, via Stockholm and Nynäshamn

If you fly or take the train into Stockholm, you can continue to the ferry at Nynäshamn without a rental car. The Visby ferry terminal is close to the old town, so you won't need a car for a stay focused on the city. For trips further north, to Fårö, or to more remote beaches, plan for a bus, bicycle or rental car once you're on the island.

By plane to Visby

Flying is particularly worthwhile for a long weekend or a trip centred on Visby. Regular connections run via Swedish hubs; the exact routes on offer are seasonal. Use the current destination list for Visby Airport rather than relying on an airline timetable that can go out of date. Details on baggage, transfers and booking are covered in the flight guide.

Ferry vs flight compared

The ferry is usually the right choice if you want to bring your own vehicle, bicycles or a lot of luggage. It takes you directly into Visby harbour. Vehicle spaces are the tightest part of the trip in busy holiday weeks, so it pays to book early.

Flying saves time if your connection via Stockholm works well and you won't need a car on the island. When comparing options, factor in the whole journey, getting to the airport, luggage, the transfer in Visby and, if needed, a rental car. The fastest single leg on its own isn't automatically the best overall route.

Cruise ships also call at Visby, but a cruise isn't a regular way to reach the island for a longer stay. Notes for a day stop are in the cruise guide.

Booking in the right order

  1. Fix your travel dates: First check which days the ferry or flight options suit your starting point.
  2. Secure the tightest bottleneck first: In summer that's usually the vehicle space on the ferry; around major events, it's accommodation.
  3. Book the full route: Only then lock in transfers, any overnight stops and onward travel.
  4. Double-check just before departure: Confirm the timetable, check-in time and traffic conditions with the operator again.

The official ferry timetable is published by Destination Gotland. Ticket types, ports, check-in and official booking are covered in the guide to the ferry to Gotland.

Once you've arrived on Gotland

Both the ferry terminal and the airport are close to Visby. Within the old town, you'll get around easily on foot. For longer island routes, the official Region Gotland bus timetables, a bicycle or a rental car will help. The Gotland map shows which destinations cluster together regionally; the where-to-stay guide can help you pick a suitable base.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Gotland?+
Most visitors first travel to Sweden, then cross to Visby by ferry from Nynäshamn or Oskarshamn. If you'd rather not bring a car, flying via Stockholm is an alternative. Which combination suits you best depends on where you're starting from, when you're travelling, and whether you want to bring a vehicle.
Which ferry goes to Gotland?+
The Gotland ferries run from Nynäshamn, just south of Stockholm, and from Oskarshamn on Sweden's south-east coast, both to Visby. If you're arriving from southern Sweden or continental Europe by road, Oskarshamn is often the more direct option; if Stockholm is part of your route, or you're travelling by public transport, Nynäshamn usually fits better.
Can you drive to Gotland?+
Yes. You first drive to Sweden, then book your car onto the Gotland ferry from Nynäshamn or Oskarshamn. In busy summer weeks, reserve your vehicle space and accommodation early and together.
Are there direct flights to Gotland?+
Direct international connections are not reliably available year-round. Plan on a change of flight, usually via Stockholm, and check the destinations currently on offer directly with Swedavia.
What's cheaper: ferry or flight to Gotland?+
There's no blanket answer without a specific date, since both are dynamically priced. For solo travellers without a car, flying can be competitive; families and groups with a vehicle should compare the total cost of getting to the port, the crossing and luggage.