Lithuania has a compact international passenger ferry network centred on Klaipėda, the country’s principal seaport. Regular ferries connect Lithuania with Sweden and Germany, providing direct passenger, vehicle and freight links across the Baltic Sea.
Network overview: Klaipėda is Lithuania’s main international passenger ferry gateway. The principal routes connect the port with Karlshamn in southern Sweden and Kiel in northern Germany, while additional Baltic services strengthen Klaipėda’s role as a link between the Baltic states, Scandinavia and continental Europe.
Last checked: 7 September 2026.
Current Lithuania ferry network
Lithuania’s international passenger ferry network is concentrated at Klaipėda on the Baltic coast. Unlike countries with several competing passenger ports, Lithuania effectively has one main maritime gateway for regular international ferry travel.
The two most important corridors connect Klaipėda with Karlshamn in Sweden and Kiel in Germany. These are long-distance ro-pax routes carrying passengers and private vehicles alongside substantial commercial freight traffic.
Lithuania forms part of the wider Baltic Sea ferry network.
Main passenger ferry routes
| Route | Countries | Network role |
|---|---|---|
| Klaipėda-Karlshamn | Lithuania-Sweden | Overnight passenger, vehicle and freight connection between Lithuania and southern Sweden |
| Klaipėda-Kiel | Lithuania-Germany | Long-distance passenger, vehicle and freight connection between Lithuania and northern Germany |
| Klaipėda-Trelleborg | Lithuania-Sweden | Baltic ro-pax connection between Lithuania and southern Sweden |
Passenger access and schedules differ between services. FerryLines treats freight-only sailings separately and only includes routes in the passenger network where ordinary passenger access can be confirmed.
Klaipėda-Karlshamn ferry
Klaipėda-Karlshamn is one of Lithuania’s principal international passenger ferry routes. It provides a direct maritime connection between Lithuania and southern Sweden across the Baltic Sea.
DFDS operates the corridor with ro-pax ferries carrying passengers, cars and commercial freight. The crossing is normally an overnight journey, with cabins and other passenger facilities available on board.
Karlshamn is located in southern Sweden and provides road connections towards Malmö, Gothenburg and other parts of Scandinavia.
See also Sweden ferries for the wider Swedish passenger ferry network.
Klaipėda-Kiel ferry
Klaipėda-Kiel provides Lithuania with a direct passenger and vehicle connection to Germany. It is one of the longest established ferry corridors linking the Baltic states directly with western Europe.
DFDS operates the route using ro-pax vessels designed for both passenger and freight traffic. The crossing is considerably longer than many central Baltic routes and normally involves an overnight journey.
Kiel is one of Germany’s major Baltic ferry ports and provides direct access to the German motorway and rail networks.
See also Germany ferries for Germany’s wider Baltic and North Sea ferry network.
Klaipėda-Trelleborg ferry
Klaipėda also has a ferry connection with Trelleborg in southern Sweden. The route forms part of the dense group of ro-pax and freight corridors connecting the southern Baltic with Scandinavia.
Trelleborg is one of Sweden’s largest ferry ports and has additional connections with Germany and Poland. This makes it an important gateway for traffic continuing through southern Sweden or towards Denmark and Norway.
Passengers should check current access and schedules for individual sailings, as freight plays a particularly important role on southern Baltic routes.
Klaipėda ferry port
Klaipėda is Lithuania’s principal seaport and the centre of the country’s international ferry network. The port lies on Lithuania’s Baltic coast close to the entrance to the Curonian Lagoon.
International passenger ferries use dedicated ferry facilities within the larger commercial port. Because Klaipėda handles extensive cargo and freight traffic, passengers should use the terminal information supplied by their operator rather than navigating simply to the general port area.
The port’s location makes it an important maritime gateway not only for Lithuania but also for road traffic moving between the Baltic region, Scandinavia and Germany.
Ferries between Lithuania and Sweden
Sweden is one of Lithuania’s principal ferry destinations. Klaipėda-Karlshamn provides the main passenger corridor, while services towards Trelleborg add another connection with southern Sweden.
These routes allow passengers travelling with vehicles to reach Scandinavia directly without driving north through Latvia and Estonia or south through Poland and Denmark.
Once in Sweden, travellers can connect with the country’s wider ferry and road network.
Ferries between Lithuania and Germany
Klaipėda-Kiel forms Lithuania’s principal direct passenger ferry connection with Germany. The route provides an alternative to the long overland journey through Poland.
It is particularly useful for passengers travelling with cars, motorcycles and motorhomes between Lithuania and western Europe. Freight traffic also forms a major part of the service.
Kiel itself is connected with other parts of the Baltic and Scandinavian ferry network, giving the route a broader role beyond point-to-point travel between Lithuania and Germany.
What about ferries from other Lithuanian ports?
Klaipėda is Lithuania’s only major seaport with a regular international passenger ferry network. Smaller Lithuanian ports and terminals have different maritime roles and should not be treated as alternative international passenger ferry gateways.
This makes the Lithuanian network structurally simple: most international passenger ferry journeys by sea begin or end in Klaipėda.
Curonian Spit ferries
Klaipėda also has an important local ferry system across the Curonian Lagoon to Smiltynė on the Curonian Spit. These short crossings are separate from the international ferry network but form an important part of local transport.
The ferries provide access from Klaipėda to the northern end of the Curonian Spit. Different services accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.
These local crossings should not be confused with the international ferries from Klaipėda to Sweden and Germany.
Main ferry ports in Lithuania
Lithuania’s international passenger ferry network is centred on:
- Klaipėda – international passenger, vehicle and freight services to Sweden and Germany.
Klaipėda also operates local ferry connections across the Curonian Lagoon to Smiltynė.
Main ferry operators in Lithuania
DFDS is the principal operator in Lithuania’s international passenger ferry network.
- DFDS
The operator provides passenger and vehicle ferry connections from Klaipėda towards Sweden and Germany while also carrying substantial commercial freight volumes.
Browse FerryLines ferry operator profiles.
Foot passengers and vehicles
Lithuania’s principal international ferry services use ro-pax vessels designed to carry passengers alongside cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and commercial vehicles.
Cabins are available on the main overnight crossings and are particularly relevant on longer routes such as Klaipėda-Kiel.
Foot-passenger access and check-in arrangements should be confirmed for the individual sailing because terminal procedures can differ from those for passengers travelling with vehicles.
Passenger and freight role
Freight is central to the economics of Lithuania’s international ferry routes. Klaipėda is a major commercial port, and its international ferries form important logistics corridors between the Baltic states, Scandinavia and Germany.
Passenger and vehicle traffic operates alongside this freight network, allowing the same routes to serve tourists, residents and commercial transport throughout the year.
Seasonality and reliability
The principal international routes from Klaipėda operate as regular transport corridors rather than purely seasonal tourist services.
Departure times, frequencies and vessel deployment can still change during the year. Weather conditions in the Baltic and operational disruption can also affect individual sailings.
Passengers should check the current operator timetable and terminal information before travelling.
How the Lithuanian ferry network fits together
Lithuania’s ferry network is built around a single international hub. Klaipėda connects directly westwards across the Baltic to Sweden and southwest towards Germany.
Karlshamn and Trelleborg connect Lithuania with southern Sweden, while Kiel provides direct access to Germany and the continental European road network.
This gives Lithuania a small but strategically useful passenger ferry system linking the eastern Baltic with both Scandinavia and western Europe.
Explore Lithuania’s ferry network
- Baltic Sea ferries
- Sweden ferries
- Germany ferries
- Latvia ferries
- Poland ferries
- Explore all ferry regions
- Browse ferry routes
- Browse ferry ports
- Browse ferry operators
Sources and verification
Current international passenger route status, passenger access and operating patterns were checked against official ferry operator and port information. Primary sources reviewed for this update include DFDS and the Port of Klaipėda.
Route status, operating periods, frequencies, passenger access and vessel deployment can change. FerryLines distinguishes active passenger services from seasonal, freight-only, proposed, suspended and discontinued routes.