To Sweden via Fehmarn
Ferry plus bridge or ferry plus ferry? How to get from Puttgarden to Sweden on one combination ticket, and how to choose between the Øresund Bridge and Helsingør-Helsingborg.
Bridge or Helsingør at a glance
Both combination tickets start with the same Puttgarden-Rødby crossing. The differences lie in the second leg; prices for both options are on the Tickets & prices page.
The two combination tickets to Sweden
To Sweden on one ticket
Table of Contents
The Vogelfluglinie doesn't end in Denmark: if you are heading for Sweden, you combine the Puttgarden-Rødby ferry with a crossing of the Øresund. There are two ways to do this: the Øresund Bridge between Copenhagen and Malmö, and the Helsingør-Helsingborg ferry further north. Scandlines sells both together with the Fehmarn Belt crossing as a combination ticket in one booking; the "from" prices for both options are on the Tickets & prices page.
The route via the Øresund Bridge
From Rødby, the E47 takes you to Copenhagen in about two hours, and then the bridge takes over: eight kilometres across the Øresund, plus the tunnel under the Drogden strait and the artificial island of Peberholm, a good quarter of an hour's drive in all. Opened in 2000, the link is the fastest road route between Germany and Sweden; from Puttgarden you will be in Malmö in about three to four hours, depending on traffic.
The bridge is tolled. With the Scandlines combination ticket, the toll is already included in your ferry booking: you book once, cross the Belt and pass the toll station with your ticket. The combination ticket comes as a Standard and a Flex option, and for motorcycles.
Who the bridge suits: anyone heading for southern Sweden (Malmö, Lund, Ystad, Trelleborg), and anyone who wants to stop off in Copenhagen on the way.
The alternative: Helsingør-Helsingborg
If you want to avoid Copenhagen and its rush hour, take the route across Zealand from Rødby to Helsingør and cross from there by ferry to Helsingborg; the crossing at the narrowest point of the Øresund takes about 20 minutes, with frequent sailings during the day. Scandlines also sells this combination as one ticket together with Puttgarden-Rødby, again with its own motorcycle option.
Who Helsingør suits: destinations on the Swedish west coast such as Gothenburg, and anyone taking the E4 towards Jönköping and Stockholm; from Helsingborg you are right on the main road north. And if you enjoy a break on deck, two ferries make for a more relaxed journey.
Bridge or second ferry: which to choose
- Heading for southern Sweden (Malmö, Lund, Ystad): the bridge, as it is the shortest way and saves one ferry.
- Heading for the west coast or the E4 (Gothenburg, Stockholm): Helsingør-Helsingborg, which keeps you out of the Greater Copenhagen area.
- Planning a stop in Copenhagen: the bridge, because the city is on the route anyway; the journey there is described on the From Rødby to Copenhagen page.
- Flexibility: Both combination tickets follow the route's fare structure; the Flex option is worth it if your travel date or return is still open. Compare the prices on the Tickets & prices page.
The combinations are usually close in price; what decides is your destination, not the fare. For the whole journey from Hamburg to Malmö, allow half a day, including the 45 minutes on the Fehmarn Belt.
Via Fehmarn or by direct ferry
The route via Fehmarn is the overland route through Denmark: 45 minutes on the Fehmarn Belt, a drive across Lolland, Falster and Zealand, then the bridge or a second short crossing. If you want to reach Sweden without driving through Denmark, take a direct ferry from Kiel, Travemünde or Rostock. That is a different kind of trip, with several hours or a night on board, and is not part of the combination tickets via the Fehmarn Belt.
How to book the combination ticket
When booking with Scandlines, choose the combination product with the Øresund Bridge or Helsingør-Helsingborg instead of the simple crossing, along with your vehicle class and departure for the Belt leg. Check-in at Puttgarden works as for any other booking; keep the ticket for the second leg to hand. The same principle applies in reverse on the way home.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about continuing to Sweden
Can I book the ferry and the Øresund Bridge together? +
Yes, Scandlines sells combination tickets that include the Puttgarden-Rødby crossing and the bridge toll, as a Standard or Flex option and for motorcycles. The "from" prices are on the Tickets & prices page.
Bridge or Helsingør-Helsingborg: which is faster? +
For Malmö and southern Sweden, the bridge is the direct route. The route via Helsingør gives Copenhagen a wide berth and makes sense if you are heading for the Swedish west coast or the E4 towards Stockholm.
Do I have to pay the bridge toll in advance? +
With the combination ticket, the toll is part of your booking. Without one, you pay at the bridge toll station; the combination ticket is usually the more convenient and often the cheaper option.
Is the combination ticket also available for motorhomes? +
Combination tickets are priced by vehicle class. What applies to motorhomes and cars with caravans or trailers is shown when you book; the basics are explained on the Motorhomes & caravans page.
Do I need different documents for Sweden? +
Denmark and Sweden are both in the Schengen Area; carry your passport or national ID card, as there are random checks at the Swedish border.