Ferry operator
Stena Line
The operator behind the ferries to Latvia - routes, fleet, check-in, pets and fares at a glance
- Both ferries to Latvia are run by Stena Line - from Travemünde and from Nynäshamn
- At sea since 1962: around 40 ships, 20 routes, over 35,000 departures a year
- Check-in closes 60 minutes before departure in Travemünde and Liepāja - book pet cabins in advance
About Stena Line
Table of Contents
About Stena Line
Stena Line is a Swedish ferry operator based in Gothenburg and one of the largest ferry companies in the world. Its roots go back to 1939, when Sten A. Olsson founded a scrap metal trading business in Gothenburg; the ferry company itself was launched in 1962 with the first route between Gothenburg and Skagen. Stena Line remains a family business to this day and belongs to the Stena AB group, headed by the founder's son, Dan Olsson.
Today the operator runs around 40 ships on 20 routes between Scandinavia, Germany, Poland, the Baltics, the Netherlands, the UK and Ireland, with more than 35,000 departures a year and 8,750 employees. Stena Line arrived in the Baltics in 2012, when it took over five ferry lines from Sweden and Germany to Latvia. Today's two Latvia routes grew out of that network.
Ships to Latvia
On the Travemünde - Liepāja route, the sister ships Stena Flavia and Stena Horizon operate. Both are freight-oriented RoPax ferries with a buffet restaurant, bar, onboard shop, recliner seats, and standard, accessible and pet-friendly cabins; Wi-Fi is available as a paid premium option. Before joining Stena Line in 2014, the Stena Horizon sailed the Irish Sea for Celtic Link Ferries.
Between Nynäshamn and Ventspils, Stena Line runs the Stena Baltica and the Stena Scandica, which were rebuilt and lengthened by 36 metres in 2020 and 2021. On board you'll find a restaurant, bar and shop, cabins with en-suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and the Happy World play area for children.
Routes to Latvia
From Germany, Stena Line runs the direct crossing Travemünde - Liepāja: one departure a day each way from Skandinavienkai, taking just over 22 hours with a night on board. In Liepāja the ferry docks at the terminal on Brīvostas iela 14A, less than a 30-minute walk from the railway station; the A9 leads on to Riga.
From Sweden, the operator runs Nynäshamn - Ventspils, the shortest Baltic Sea crossing to the Baltic states: around nine hours from the port of Norvik, 60 kilometres south of Stockholm, either by day or as an overnight ferry. The terminal in Ventspils on Dārzu iela 6 is less than a kilometre from the town centre and reachable via the E22. Both routes run year-round; current departure times are shown in the timetable.
Check-in, vehicles and pets
In Travemünde and Liepāja, check-in closes 60 minutes before scheduled departure for all passengers. In Ventspils you check in at drive-through counters and stay in your vehicle; in Nynäshamn you drive into the marked check-in lane. Have everyone's ID and the vehicle documents ready.
All four ships carry cars, motorbikes, trailers and motorhomes; the fare depends on length and height, and the vehicle deck is closed during the crossing. Pets travel in a pre-booked pet cabin. On Travemünde - Liepāja it's compulsory: if the pet cabins are fully booked, the animal can't travel, and a lead and muzzle are required in the general passenger areas. On Nynäshamn - Ventspils the pet cabin can be booked at no extra charge for the animal, and in summer the animal may stay in the car instead. More in the guides Travelling to Latvia with a motorhome and Travelling to Latvia with a dog.
Tickets and fares
Stena Line offers the crossings in Economy, Flexi and Premium fares. Economy is the cheapest fare - changes carry a fee and cancellations aren't refunded; Flexi allows free rebooking and a refund up to 24 hours before departure minus a small fee, while Premium allows a refund right up until shortly before departure. On both routes a cabin is worth booking for overnight departures and sells out early in high season. Payment on board is by card only. Prices for your date are shown in each route's booking window; what goes into the fare is explained on the prices overview.
FAQ Stena Line
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Stena Line and the ferry connections to Latvia
Which routes does Stena Line run to Latvia?+
Two. From Germany, the direct crossing Travemünde - Liepāja with one departure a day each way; from Sweden, the shorter crossing Nynäshamn - Ventspils from the port of Norvik south of Stockholm. Both routes run year-round; no other operator currently serves Latvia.
Which ships does Stena Line use to Latvia?+
Between Travemünde and Liepāja, the sister ships Stena Flavia and Stena Horizon operate; between Nynäshamn and Ventspils, it's the Stena Baltica and the Stena Scandica. All four are RoPax ferries with a vehicle deck, cabins, restaurant, bar and onboard shop.
How early do I need to be at the port with Stena Line?+
In Travemünde and Liepāja, check-in closes 60 minutes before scheduled departure for all passengers. In Ventspils, you check in at drive-through counters and stay in your vehicle. Have everyone's ID and the vehicle documents ready; current departure times are in the timetable.
Can I bring a car or motorhome?+
Yes. All four ships carry cars, motorbikes, trailers and motorhomes. The fare depends on your vehicle's length and height, so you provide the dimensions when booking. The vehicle deck is closed during the crossing.
Can my dog travel on the Stena Line ferry?+
Yes, in a pre-booked pet cabin. On Travemünde - Liepāja it's compulsory - without an available pet cabin, the animal can't travel, and a lead and muzzle are required in the general passenger areas. On Nynäshamn - Ventspils pet cabins are also available, and in summer the animal may stay in the car instead. See the guide Travelling to Latvia with a dog for details.
Where can I find prices and fares?+
Stena Line books in Economy, Flexi and Premium fares, which mainly differ in rebooking and cancellation terms. What goes into the price is explained on the prices page; the amount for your date, vehicle and cabin is shown in each route's booking window.