Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gamla Stan) to the Londonviadukten stop, then hike five minutes down to the terminal. A
taxi from the train station will cost you around 150 kr.
Tallink Silja's boats leave from the Frihamnen port, about three miles northeast of the
city center. At Frihamnen, Tallink Silja boats use the terminal called Värtahamnen (at the
northern end of the sprawling industrial port). To reach the terminal, it's simplest to catch
the Tallink Silja shuttle bus from Stockholm's bus station (50 kr, departs according to boat
schedule). By public transportation, you can either ride the T-bana to the Gärdet station,
then walk about 10 minutes; or you can take public bus #76 all the way from downtown
(Mon-Sat only, direction Ropsten, get off at Färjeterminalen stop). Figure about 230-250
kr for a taxi from Gamla Stan, the train station, or other downtown areas.
For Stockholm public transport information, see
www.sl.se
.
In
Helsinki,
both lines are perfectly central, on opposite sides of the main harbor, a
10-minute walk from the center.
Terminal Buildings:
These are well-organized, with cafés, lockers, tourist information
desks, lounges, and phones. Remember, 2,000-plus passengers come and go with each boat.
Boats open 1.5 hours before departure, and you must be checked in 20 minutes before de-
parture.
Parking:
Both lines offer safe and handy parking in Stockholm. Ask for details when
you reserve your ticket.
Onboard Services
Meals:
While ships have cheap, fast cafeterias as well as classy, romantic restaurants, they
are famous for their
smörgåsbord
dinners. If you want the
smörgåsbord
experience, board
the ship hungry. Dinner is self-serve in two sittings, one at about 17:30, the other around
20:00. You'll save 10 percent if you pay for both the dinner buffet (€36-39) and breakfast
buffet (€10) when you buy your ticket. If you board without a reservation, go to the res-
taurant and make one. Make sure to reserve your table, not just your meal; window seats
are highly sought after. The key to eating a
smörgåsbord
is to take small portions and pace
yourself. The price includes free beer, wine, soft drinks, and coffee. Of course, you can
also bring a picnic and eat it on deck, or eat a standard restaurant meal.
Sauna:
Each ship has a sauna (which costs about €8 extra) and other spa facilities.
Tallink Silja also offers massage for an extra fee. Reserve sauna time or massage appoint-
ments immediately upon boarding.
Banking:
Ships take euros and Swedish kronor, and just about every vendor or shop
also accepts credit cards. Each boat has a handy exchange desk on board with acceptable
rates. None of the boats has an ATM, but all terminals have ATMs and exchange windows.
TouristInfoonBoard:
Boats generally offer racks of
Stockholm
or
Helsinki This Week
magazines. Grab a copy for some practical bedtime reading.
Options
Tallinn:
You can visit Tallinn as a day trip from Helsinki, or Helsinki as a day trip from
Tallinn, or you can make a triangle trip on Tallink Silja: Stockholm-Helsinki-Tallinn-
Stockholm, or vice versa (this has to be booked as three one-ways). See the Tallinn chapter
for details on the Helsinki-Tallinn and Stockholm-Tallinn crossings.
