How are people getting to Sweden these days now that there doesn't seem to be a direct ferry?
We talked about going again, probably next summer, this time camping with our 2 young children - ideally using the Newcastle/Gothenburg ferry - I've just found out it no longer runs though. That's a real shame as we're in Leeds so it's a short drive to Newcastle and Gothenburg gives you quite a few options as to where to go in Sweden without having to drive too far. With having the kids now, we're not keen on being in the car for too long, for obvious reasons!
I see you can catch a ferry from Harwich to Denmark and then drive but this sounds like a lot of driving to me (not least the drive to Harwich).
Would be interested to hear of anyone's experience of getting there.
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As far as I know the only ferry service from Newcastle is to Ijmuiden, and the only service to Denmark is from Harwich - both equally inconvenient for you I'm afraid.
The quickest route would probably be from Harwich to Esbjerg in Denmark. Drive through Denmark to Copenhagen and then drive over the bridge to Malmo in Sweden. The drive through Denmark doesn't actually take that long. We stayed in Copenhagen and drove to Legoland for the day in Billund and back (about 10yrs ago). You could maybe have a stop over in Billund and take your children to Legoland. We're considering a camping trip to Denmark and maybe Sweden in a couple of years time as I know our young children would love Copenhagen.
------------- Holidays
2011 - Turkey, France (Brittany), Finland (Lapland)
2012 - France (Paris), Luxembourg, Belgium (Bruge, Ghent), Germany (Black Forest)
2013 - Scotland (Isle of Mull), Tenerife
2014 - Tenerife, Wales (Abersoch), Scotland
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
To Sweden you have a few choices.
Harwich to Esjberg DK then either bridge to Malmo or Helsingor - Helsingborg ferry or ferry from Fredricshavn to Gothenburg.
or
Ship through the short crossings and either drive drive up to Kolding and across or drive to Puttgarten for ferry to Rodbyhavn then Helsingor ferry.
The Esbjerg route does look achievable - I've just priced it on the DFDS website though and the cost is going to put it out of our range unfortunately.
For a return in July 2012 with the cheapest cabin and meal options, it comes out around £950!
Wow, think we'll be going somewhere else!!
Unless does anyone know if they discount these prices at all?
I'm sure when we went to Gothenburg from Newcastle, probably about 6/7 years ago now, it was less than £500. Feels like a huge increase when I can probably get a Dover/Calais crossing for the same, if not less, as 6/7 years ago.
DFDS charge like a wounded Rhino for that route in school holidays. There is no direct competition.
We're off to DK this year and going to go the Dover/Calais crossing and drive. There is 5 of us and DFDS wanted over £1000 for this summer somewhere in the 11-1200 as I recall. So £100 to P&O, £200 for campsites in Holland and about £200 in fuel and we have over £500 in change.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I go Immingham to Gothenburg on the commercial ferry, don't think they take kids though. Its run by DFDS and they do take the odd private vehicle and passenger
thinks - probably shouldn't have given that one away, whoops
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"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
We are setting off for Sweden next Monday, with our caravan, and although we live in Germany (which is an advantage!!) we have friends joining us from the Hull area. They are getting the Hull-Rotterdam ferry, driving through Holland and Northern Germany, then meeting us north of Hamburg to go to Travemunde, and thus get the ferry to Trelleborg in southern Sweden. They looked at all the options and costed everything out (short crossings, long drives, overland through Denmark, bridge and ferry tolls etc, etc....) and decided this was the best option all round.
The Travemunde-Trelleborg service is operated by TT line, and to get the best deal, we are travelling at 2.30am, arriving 10.00am in Sweden.
Another tip - when I booked over the phone direct with TT line we received a 60 euros discount because we had a Scandinavian camping card - these can be ordered on line through Sweden tourism for about £12, so worth it for the savings on the ferry alone.
There are no really cheap options from the UK - our friends combined ferry fares came to around £650 with caravan and 2 adults! That includes all cabins and meals on both the UK and Swedish crossings.
We will be in Sweden for just under 3 weeks, travelling right up to the Arctic circle and back down the Baltic coast - can't wait!!!!
If you need any other info, just ask!
Thanks for your further replies, I'll be very interested to hear how you get on, Jonathan.
To be honest, not that I don't like a challenge, but the thought of all those different elements to the journey is a real barrier for us. Our children will be aged 4 and 2 next Summer so I really need a straightforward drive/get on ferry/drive a bit more type option!!
It's really frustrating because Sweden sounds like a great place to camp.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Getting to Sweden
