Polferries Ystad-Świnoujście – our experiences

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | What is it like to travel with Polferries between Ystad and Świnoujście? We have travelled the route in both directions, with a night ferry and cabin on the outward journey and a day ferry on the return journey. Here we share our experiences of the journey and life on board. Keep in mind that ships, departure times, prices and on-board offerings are subject to change – so always check the latest information before your trip.

Polar ferries between Ystad and Świnoujście

Polferries operates the ferry route between Ystad and Świnoujście in northwestern Poland. The crossing takes approximately 6–8 hours depending on the departure, and there are both day and night departures. The timetable varies throughout the year and different ships may operate the route.

For us, the ferry has been a convenient way to get directly from southern Sweden to the Polish coast. Świnoujście is also a good starting point for a road trip through Poland or further south in Europe.

Our trip with M/f Cracovia

We travelled both ways on the ferry M/F Cracovia. We have travelled with Polferries before, but never on this ferry. Since we travelled down to Skåne by train we did not have a car and therefore we walked on board. We had to wait in a rather dreary waiting hall and were then carefully guided on board by security guards.

On board the M/F Cracovia

M/F Cracovia is not an entertainment ferry like the Finnish ferries, and you should not expect activities or exciting food experiences. However, we found the ferry to be quite fresh and pleasant.

Restaurant

On deck 8 there is a large restaurant where you take a tray and collect food from canteens. When we were here the food was quite simple and dishes such as meatballs, schnitzel and golonka (Polish pork knuckle) were served.

The portions were generous and it tasted just ok, without being exciting in any way. When we were here you could pay by card, euro, Polish zloty, Swedish kronor, Danish kronor or Norwegian kronor.

Breakfast is served in the same restaurant. When we traveled, bread, cold cuts, a few different kinds of eggs, coffee, tea, juice, etc. In some nicer cabin categories, breakfast may be included in the price.

Café

Right next to the restaurant on level 8 is a large café serving coffee, beer and other drinks, pastries and sandwiches. Here we also found both regular electrical sockets and USB sockets, so we sat and worked at our computers for several hours. You can pay for WiFi if you want, but we didn't try it and chose to be disconnected and work with photos.

Bar

A little further away on the same floor is a bar, which is quite nice. Here we sat on the trip with Polferries Ystad-Swinoujscie, when we went on the night ferry. When we went home in the daytime, this bar was not open (at least not when we checked).

Vilrum

On deck 8 there is also a rest room with armchairs that can be tilted back a bit and lockable cabinets for valuables. We slept away a few hours here when we travelled home on the daytime ferry. Those who do not book a cabin on the night ferry can also choose to (try) to sleep here.

Tax free shop

On the same deck as the restaurants, there is a small tax-free shop, which is open for a few hours during the journey. The shop is not large, but you will find a small selection of alcohol and sweets.

Cabins on M/F Cracovia - Polferries Ystad-Swinoujscie

If you are travelling on the night ferry, it is of course most convenient to book a cabin. We actually wanted to book a regular standard cabin, but since these were sold out, we had to go up a step in price range. We got a perfectly ok cabin with windows, on deck 7.

The fact that it was a slightly nicer cabin was especially noticeable in that there was fruit set out, and that we had a refrigerator filled with a few bottles of water, juice and beer. We also got breakfast vouchers, which could be exchanged for breakfast tickets at the reception.

What did we think of Polferries Ystad-Swinoujscie?

For us, the trip with Polferries worked well. M/F Cracovia was not a pleasure ferry with lots of activities, but above all felt like a practical way to get across the Baltic Sea to Poland – and that was exactly what we needed.

We especially appreciated the option to choose between a day and night trip. On the night trip it was nice to have your own cabin, while the day trip worked well without. For those who want to continue on a road trip in Poland, Świnoujście is also a practical starting point.

Tips on things to see and do when you arrive in Poland

Below you will find lots of reports with tips on things to see and do around Poland, especially within easy reach of Świnoujście:

• Things to do in Swinoujscie
• Things to do in Szczecin
• Things to do on Usedom
• Things to do on Hel Peninsula