Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | What is it like to travel with Tallink Silja between Stockholm and Tallinn? We have traveled the route several times, both as a cruise and by car or camper to continue the journey in Estonia. Here we tell you about our experiences of the ferry, the cabins, the food and life on board – and give tips for those of you planning a trip to Tallinn.

Tallink Silja Stockholm–Tallinn

Taking the ferry from Stockholm to Tallinn is a convenient way to travel to Estonia, whether you're traveling without a vehicle or want to bring your car. Plus, the crossing itself becomes part of the journey, with restaurants, bars, shopping and entertainment on board.

We have traveled the route several times over the years and have, among other things, traveled with Victoria I and the Baltic Queen. We have also tested different cabins, restaurants and breakfast options – and both taken cruises and brought the camper to continue out into Estonia.

Today is Baltic Queen which operates the regular route between Stockholm and Tallinn. The ship normally departs from Stockholm every other day.

Ferry Baltic Queen to Tallinn

Baltic Queen is much more than just a transport ferry. On board there are several restaurants and bars, duty-free shopping and entertainment, which means that the hours across the Baltic Sea pass quite quickly.

For us, it's perhaps the combination we appreciate most. You can start the trip with a good dinner and something to drink, sleep in the cabin and wake up on the other side of the Baltic Sea.

On regular departures in 2026, Baltic Queen will leave Stockholm at 5:30 PM and arrive in Tallinn at 11 AM the following day. Times are of course subject to change, so always check the current timetable before your trip.

We have also traveled with Victoria I

On previous trips between Stockholm and Tallinn, we have also traveled with Victoria I. On board, we tested, among other things, the A-cabin, the Grill House restaurant and the slightly more luxurious special breakfast. Victoria I no longer operates between Stockholm and Tallinn, but now operates between Helsinki and Tallinn.

Cabins on the ferry to Tallinn

We have tested several different cabins on the route over the years. A regular A-cabin is a simple but comfortable option with a private bathroom and a window facing the sea. On a previous trip we also tested a DeLuxe cabin, which includes a double bed and minibar.

As the crossing is overnight, we find the cabin to be an important part of the journey. It's nice to be able to retreat after dinner and then wake up refreshed as the ferry approaches Tallinn.

Today, there are several cabin categories on the Baltic Queen, from simpler inside cabins to larger and more exclusive options.

Food and restaurants on board

When it's time for dinner, you can choose between buffet and à la carte, and both options can offer tasty experiences, in slightly different ways.

À la carte - our favorite choice

When we have traveled with Tallink Silja, we have several times chosen à la carte over the large buffet. On one trip, for example, we ate at Grill House, where we started with salmon carpaccio and continued with meat and potato gratin.

On another occasion, we ate at the then Russian restaurant Alexandra on the Baltic Queen. There, we had smoked fish, quail eggs and pike-perch – a really successful dinner.

Restaurants and menus change over time, but our experience is that it can be worth choosing à la carte if you want to make the crossing itself part of the holiday experience.

Buffet on board

We have also eaten in the large buffet restaurant several times. There is a lot to choose from and it is good if you want to try a little bit of everything.

We usually appreciate fish and seafood above all, but compared to à la carte restaurants, the environment is of course larger, livelier and sometimes considerably noisier.

Which one you prefer is a matter of taste. If we want a quiet dinner where we sit for a long time, we prefer à la carte, while the buffet is good when you want a wide selection and the freedom to choose.

Special breakfast – our favorite

One of our favorites on our trips to Tallinn has been the so-called special breakfast. We have tried it several times and think it is worth choosing if you want to start the day a little extra nice.

When we had a special breakfast, we were served smoked salmon, rum, cheeses, pates, Skagen mash, fresh fruit and small pastries, along with sparkling wine. On some trips, you could also order eggs to the table.

But almost as important as the food was the tranquility. Compared to the large breakfast buffet, the environment was much quieter – a very nice way to start the morning before arriving in Tallinn.

The range, names and layout of breakfast options are subject to change, so check what is on offer on your departure. And if you don't choose a special breakfast, the regular breakfast buffet is usually just fine too.

Bars, shopping and entertainment

There are plenty of opportunities to while away the evening on board. Over the years we have hung out in various bars, shopped in the duty-free shop and sometimes watched the entertainment.

We may not be the type of people who stay up the longest at a nightclub – an Irish coffee and then a cab is often more our style. But for those who want more excitement, there are usually shows, live music and other entertainment.

The Baltic Queen also has a relaxation area with a sauna and pool, and there are play facilities for children. The range may vary between different departures.

Travel by car or camper to Tallinn

It is possible to take both a car and a camper on the ferry between Stockholm and Tallinn. For those of us who travel a lot by camper, it is a very convenient way to get directly to Estonia without having to drive south through Sweden first.

We have taken the campervan with Baltic Queen ourselves and continued the journey through Estonia after arriving in Tallinn. The advantage of course is that you wake up in Estonia and can drive on straight away.

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

Cruise to Tallinn or regular trip?

There are actually two quite different ways to use the same ferry. If you mainly want a mini-vacation, you can book a cruise to Tallinn. Then you leave from Stockholm, spend two nights on board and get a few hours in Tallinn during the day.

However, if you want to stay longer in Estonia, you can book a regular trip, one way or round trip with any number of days between trips. This is of course also the natural option if you are bringing a car or camper van to travel further in Estonia.

A regular Tallinn cruise with Baltic Queen currently provides around seven hours ashore in Tallinn.

A day in Tallinn

Tallinn is a city where you can actually experience a lot even in a few hours. From the ferry terminal it is not far to the Old Town, where you can stroll among cobblestone alleys, historic houses, churches and viewpoints.

If you have more time, we of course recommend staying for a night or two. Tallinn has much more to offer than the Old Town, with neighborhoods and areas such as Kalamaja, Telliskivi, Noblessner and Kadriorg.

READ MORE: Things to do in Tallinn – our best tips

What do we think about Tallink Silja Stockholm–Tallinn?

We have traveled between Stockholm and Tallinn with Tallink Silja several times and find it a convenient way to get to Estonia. Above all, we appreciate that the transportation itself becomes part of the trip.

Instead of just getting from A to B, you can have a nice dinner, have a drink, sleep in the cabin and have breakfast before you arrive. If you are traveling by car or camper, it is also very convenient to get off the ferry in Tallinn and continue on through Estonia.

For those who just want to get across the Baltic Sea as quickly as possible, there are more options.

READ MORE: Ferry to Estonia by car – Tallink Silja or DFDS?