Ferry to Estonia with a car or camper – Tallink Silja or DFDS?

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | Which ferry to Estonia is best – Tallink Silja from Stockholm to Tallinn or DFDS from Kapellskär to Paldiski? We have travelled by motorhome on both routes. Here we compare travel times, ports, cabins, food and life on board – and tell you which option we think is best depending on how you want to travel.

Ferry to Estonia – two different options

For those who want to travel by car or camper from the Stockholm area to Estonia, there are two interesting ferry routes. Tallink Silja runs between Stockholm and Tallinn, while DFDS operates Kapellskär–Paldiski.

We have travelled with both and the difference is quite significant. Tallink Silja takes you directly between the two capitals and offers more restaurants, bars, shopping and entertainment on board. DFDS is faster and more focused on transporting passengers and vehicles across the Baltic Sea.

Which one is best therefore depends primarily on where you are going and what you want to get out of the ferry trip itself.

	Tallink Silja	DFDS
Route	Stockholm–Tallinn	Kapellskär–Paldiski
Travelling time	about 17.5 hours	about 10 hours
Port in Sweden	Stockholm	Kapellskär
Port in Estonia	Tallinn	Paldiski
Foot passenger	Yes	No
Car/motorhome	Yes	Yes
On board	Large selection	Simpler selection
Best suited	Anyone who wants to go to Tallinn/have a ferry experience	Anyone who wants to move quickly by vehicle

The information is current as of August 2026; timetables and offerings are subject to change.

Tallink Silja – Stockholm to Tallinn

Tallink Silja operates the Stockholm–Tallinn route with the Baltic Queen. The regular departure from Stockholm is at 5:30 PM, arriving in Tallinn at 11 AM the following day, which means a travel time of approximately 17.5 hours.

It is a relatively long crossing, but at the same time the journey is almost like a mini cruise. On board there are restaurants, bars, shopping and entertainment, and since the journey is overnight, a large part of the time is spent dining and sleeping.

The big advantage is of course also where you end up. When the ferry docks you are in Tallinn and can either visit the city or drive on through Estonia.

READ MORE: Tallink Silja Stockholm–Tallinn – our experiences with the ferry

DFDS – Kapellskar to Paldiski

DFDS instead runs between Kapellskär and Paldiski. The crossing takes around 10 hours and DFDS has an average of six departures a week. Paldiski is located around 50 km west of Tallinn.

This line is more of a transport ferry than a cruise experience, but there are still cabins, restaurants, a bar, shopping and a play area on board.

An important difference is that you must travel by vehicle. Foot passengers are not accepted on the line. This makes the route particularly interesting for those travelling by car or camper and above all who want to cross the Baltic Sea in a smooth way.

Travel time – DFDS is faster

DFDS has a clear advantage when it comes to the crossing time itself. The Kapellskär–Paldiski journey takes around 10 hours, compared to around 17.5 hours between Stockholm and Tallinn.

But that's not the whole truth. If you live in Stockholm, you first have to drive to Kapellskär, and when you get to Estonia, you find yourself in Paldiski instead of Tallinn.

If you're still going on a road trip through Estonia, it doesn't have to play a big role – and depending on where you're going, Paldiski may even be better located. However, if you're going to spend a few days in Tallinn, Tallink Silja is much more convenient.

On board – two quite different experiences

When we traveled on both ferries, we experienced quite a big difference on board. Tallink Silja offers more of a cruise experience, with several restaurants and bars, a wide range of shopping and entertainment.

We found the DFDS ferry to be much more focused on transportation. That doesn't mean the trip has to be uncomfortable – there are restaurants, a bar, a shop and cabins – but the ship itself isn't the main attraction of the trip in the same way.

For us, the difference is actually quite simple: with Tallink, the ferry journey itself can be part of the holiday. With DFDS, it is primarily a convenient way to get to Estonia.

Cabins

We have had regular cabins on both routes and slept well on both. Tallink Silja offers a wide range of cabin categories, from simple inside cabins to larger and more exclusive options.

DFDS also offers different cabin categories. On some morning departures from Kapellskär it is also possible to book a deck berth instead of a cabin, which can be a cheaper option for those travelling during the day.

Food on board

We have eaten on both ferries and were satisfied, but the selection is greater on Tallink Silja. There are several restaurant options and you can make dinner a bigger part of the experience.

DFDS also offers the option of eating on board, and meals can be pre-booked. For us who primarily saw the DFDS journey as transport, it worked out perfectly.

By motorhome to Estonia – which option is best?

We have traveled by camper on both routes ourselves and find that both work well. Which one we would choose depends mainly on the itinerary.

If we were going to Tallinn and maybe staying there for a few days, we would choose Tallink Silja. Then we would board in Stockholm and wake up the next morning in the middle of Tallinn.

However, if we are going on a road trip through Estonia, DFDS may be just as interesting. The crossing is shorter and Paldiski is well located to continue on with the camper without having to drive through Tallinn.

READ MORE: Travelling with a motorhome in Estonia - all you need to know

Tallink Silja or DFDS – which ferry do we choose?

We would choose Tallink Silja if:

• we want to visit Tallinn
• we want the ferry trip to be part of the experience
• we want a wider range of restaurants and entertainment
• we travel without a vehicle

We would choose DFDS if:

• we travel by car or camper
• We primarily want to get across the Baltic Sea as quickly and smoothly as possible.
• we are going on a road trip in Estonia
• Paldiski is a better fit for our continued itinerary

Tips on travel destinations and experiences in Estonia

Are you planning to travel around Estonia? Here you will find tips and reports about interesting places to visit:

• Things to do in Tallinn
• Dagö in Estonia
• Things to do in Tartu
• Things to do in Estonia