Explore Bornholmslinjen routes with EUFerry, compare the journeys relevant to your trip and check
current passenger, vehicle and accommodation availability for your dates.
Bornholmslinjen is the Molslinjen ferry brand connecting the Danish Baltic island of Bornholm with
Sweden, mainland Denmark and Germany. Molslinjen has operated the services since 1 September 2018,
and the network is built around Rønne, the island's principal ferry port.
The three routes serve very different journeys. Ystad–Rønne is the high-frequency fast-ferry link
and the quickest route for most travellers coming from Copenhagen or southern Sweden. Køge–Rønne is
a much longer conventional-ferry sailing that carries passengers, vehicles and freight and offers
cabins or berths for travellers who want to sleep. Sassnitz–Rønne provides a direct Germany–Bornholm
option, especially useful in the warmer months and holiday periods.
That mix is why it is worth choosing the route before choosing the fare. A traveller driving from
Copenhagen may favour Ystad for speed; someone beginning in Zealand may prefer the direct Køge
sailing; a German road trip can avoid the Swedish transit altogether by using Sassnitz when the
timetable suits. The scale of the operation is substantial for an island network: Molslinjen
reported more than two million Bornholmslinjen passengers in 2025. That traffic reflects both
everyday island mobility and a strong holiday market, so school breaks, summer weekends and major
Bornholm events can place very different pressure on capacity from an ordinary weekday. For
visitors, this means booking strategy changes with season. The fast route may offer many daily
choices in high summer, but the most convenient vehicle slots can still fill early. The Køge route
has far fewer departures but adds sleeping accommodation, while Sassnitz is valuable precisely
because it removes a long road detour when its seasonal timetable aligns with the trip. The
80-minute Rønne–Ystad crossing makes the island surprisingly accessible from southern Sweden and the
Copenhagen region.
Published crossing times are a useful planning guide, but frequencies change by season and travel
date. Always compare the actual sailing before finalising road, rail or accommodation plans.
Sweden ↔ Bornholm~80 min
Ystad
Rønne
Ystad–Rønne is the principal fast-ferry corridor and takes about 80 minutes. BORNHOLMSLINJEN
publishes up to 16 departures a day across its timetable, so check the live schedule for the exact
Ystad frequency on your date.
Best for fast travel from southern Sweden and Copenhagen connections
Køge–Rønne is the direct mainland-Denmark conventional-ferry route and takes about 5 hours 30
minutes. Hammershus carries passengers, vehicles and freight, and cabins are particularly useful on
longer or overnight timings.
Direct Zealand–Bornholm crossing without travelling through Sweden
Sassnitz–Rønne links the German island of Rügen directly with Bornholm in about 3 hours 20 minutes.
It is a seasonal/date-dependent option, so confirm the operating day before building road
connections around it.
This schematic summarises the three representative current route groups described above. It is not a
complete network map or timetable; the live operator booking result is definitive.
For planning with Bornholmslinjen, use the map to compare the representative route groups above,
including Ystad–Rønne, Køge–Rønne, Sassnitz–Rønne. It is most useful for judging which departure or
arrival point best fits the rest of the journey rather than as a substitute for the live timetable.
After choosing the most practical route, compare the live Bornholmslinjen sailing for departure
time, calling pattern, passenger requirements and the facilities or accommodation shown for that
service. The complete itinerary and arrival location can matter more than a small difference in the
headline fare.
Ferry schedules can change because of seasonal planning, weather, port instructions or operational
vessel changes. Avoid planning a tight onward connection solely from an illustrative map.
Illustrative Bornholmslinjen route map. Routes and operating patterns can change; check the live timetable for your date.
Ports and places
Bornholm gateways worth understanding
Where you start matters almost as much as the sailing itself. The three mainland gateways suit
different road, rail and holiday itineraries.
Bornholm, Denmark
Rønne
The island hub for every Bornholmslinjen route. Rønne is a practical arrival point for exploring
beaches, round churches, rocky northern coastlines and towns such as Gudhjem and Svaneke.
The fastest mainland gateway. Ystad is well connected by road and rail in southern Sweden and is
commonly used by travellers linking Copenhagen with the fast ferry to Bornholm.
The German gateway at Mukran gives road-trippers a direct Baltic route to Bornholm and pairs
naturally with a holiday on Rügen or travel from northern Germany.
Compare the complete journey rather than the sea crossing alone. Check the live timetable for your
date, confirm the exact departure and arrival ports, and allow enough time for check-in and onward
travel.
Seats, rest and sleep
Accommodation depends on the route
The 80-minute fast-ferry crossing and the 5½-hour Køge sailing have very different accommodation
needs. Match the onboard product to the length and timing of your journey.
Passenger lounges and seating Express 5 and Express 1 are designed around high-capacity seated travel. For the relatively short Ystad crossing, most passengers simply choose a comfortable lounge area, collect food or coffee and use the crossing as a break in the road journey. Private cabins Hammershus offers cabins with up to four berths and a private shower and toilet. Booking the whole cabin is the most comfortable option for couples, families or anyone who wants uninterrupted rest on the longer sailing.
Accessible cabin
An accessible cabin option is available on the Køge service and should be reserved in advance when required.
Best considered forPassengers requiring adapted overnight accommodation
Pet cabin
A very limited number of cabins permit pets. These must be arranged through Bornholmslinjen customer
service rather than assumed available online.
Best considered forTravelling overnight with a pet
Bedding included
Cabin berths are prepared for arrival and towels are provided, making the longer sailing easier to
treat as part of the overnight journey.
Best considered forOvernight travellers wanting a ready-to-use cabin
Standard seating
A comfortable reserved or public seating option is available on applicable passenger sailings. Exact
seat types depend on the vessel shown for your departure.
Best considered forDaytime journeys and budget-conscious travel
Premium seating or lounge
Selected vessels offer upgraded seating, quieter lounges or premium spaces for passengers wanting
extra comfort.
Best considered forTravellers who value more space and a quieter environment
Cabin accommodation
Where cabins are offered, availability and cabin categories depend on vessel and route. Check the
live result before relying on overnight accommodation.
Best considered forLonger or overnight crossings
Cabin booking tip
Search early for summer weekends and school-holiday dates. A cabin category can sell out even when
passenger and vehicle space remains available, and a last-minute upgrade should never be assumed.
Onboard experience
Food, coffee, shopping and a Baltic pause
Bornholmslinjen keeps the onboard offer practical: eat, have a coffee, browse the shop or simply
enjoy a break between road journeys.
PROVIANTEN The main food concept offers sandwiches, Danish-style open sandwiches, snacks and refreshments on the fast ferries, with a broader hot-food offer aboard Hammershus. BARISTA'S Coffee Shop Express 1 and Express 5 feature a dedicated coffee bar serving coffee and tea, useful on early departures and short crossings where a full meal may be unnecessary. Onboard shop Bornholmslinjen publishes a shop offer across its ferries, including confectionery, beauty products, drinks and Bornholm specialities. Customs rules vary with the international route. Time to slow down Longer conventional-ferry travel provides more time to move around and enjoy the sea journey. On fast ferries, the experience is more focused on comfortable indoor seating and efficient travel.
Food & drink
Catering varies by vessel and sailing.
Lounges & seating
Passenger lounge layouts vary by vessel.
Wi-Fi
Connectivity depends on vessel and route.
Luggage
Keep luggage within the operator’s published allowance.
Family facilities
Family facilities are vessel-dependent.
Assistance
Ask the operator in advance when assistance is required.
Images in this section are from EUFerry’s general ferry-travel library and illustrate facility
types; they are not presented as photographs of a particular Bornholmslinjen vessel. Confirm the
facilities on the ship assigned to your sailing.
Bring more than a suitcase
Vehicles, bicycles, pets and accessibility
Bornholm is especially well suited to taking your own vehicle or bicycle, but accurate booking
details and route-specific check-in times matter.
Cars and touring vehicles Bicycles and foot passengers Dogs and cats
Cars and touring vehicles
Cars, motorhomes, caravans and trailers can be carried subject to booked dimensions and deck
availability. Bornholmslinjen publishes separate categories for vehicle height and trailer size, so
measure accurately rather than guessing.
Enter the correct vehicle type and dimensions when booking.
Include racks, roof boxes, trailers or tow bars in the overall size where relevant.
Follow crew instructions for boarding, securing and vehicle-deck access.
Bicycles and foot passengers
Cyclists can travel on the network and Bornholm is an excellent cycling destination. Port access
differs for walkers, cyclists and motorists—particularly at Rønne, Ystad and Sassnitz—so check the
correct entrance before departure.
Confirm that your selected sailing accepts the passenger or bicycle type you need.
Check the correct passenger check-in point and boarding deadline.
Follow crew instructions for bicycle storage or securing where applicable.
Dogs and cats
Dogs and cats are welcome in marked pet areas, on a lead or in a carrier, and must remain on the
floor rather than furniture. Some animals may be calmer staying in the vehicle where permitted.
International pet documentation remains the traveller's responsibility.
Reserve the required pet space or accommodation before travel.
Carry any pet documents required for the route and destination.
Follow the vessel-specific rules for carriers, kennels, cabins and deck access.
Reduced mobility
Free assistance can be arranged in advance, and motorists can request parking close to a lift where
possible. Assistance should be ordered at least 48 hours before departure; those with reserved
lift-adjacent parking must check in at least 30 minutes early.
Request assistance when booking or as early as the operator requires.
Confirm accessible boarding, seating, lifts or cabin arrangements for your sailing.
Arrive within the published assistance and check-in window.
Before you reach the ramp
Check-in, ports and travel documents
Bornholmslinjen's published latest check-in times are unusually close to departure for ordinary
passengers, but EUFerry recommends allowing a larger margin—especially when driving, travelling
internationally or using an unfamiliar port.
Check the route-specific deadline for Ystad, Køge or Sassnitz and allow extra time for assistance, onboard EV charging or unfamiliar port access. At the departure terminal, verify the check-in area and keep tickets, identity documents and essentials accessible.
Recommended travel sequence
When booking
Enter every traveller, vehicle and pet correctly
Names must match identification. Declare discounts, accommodation, vehicle dimensions, alternative
fuel and pet details before payment.
Ystad — 10 min before
Standard passenger check-in
Bornholmslinjen publishes a latest check-in time of 10 minutes before departure for standard
tickets, foot passengers and bicycles on the Ystad route. EUFerry recommends arriving earlier.
Køge — 15 min before
Standard passenger check-in
The published latest check-in time for standard tickets, foot passengers and bicycles on the Køge
route is 15 minutes before departure. Allow a larger practical margin.
Sassnitz — 20 min before
Standard passenger check-in
The published latest check-in time for standard tickets, foot passengers and bicycles on the
Sassnitz route is 20 minutes before departure. Arrive earlier for a less rushed check-in.
Special arrangements — 30 min
Arrive earlier when extra handling is required
Bornholmslinjen publishes a 30-minute latest check-in for onboard EV charging, accessible vehicles,
passengers needing special assistance and several larger vehicle categories.
Choosing the best Bornholm crossing
Speed, sleep or a direct German route?
Bornholmslinjen is unusual because its three routes are not interchangeable copies of one another.
They solve different travel problems. If your priority is the shortest sea crossing, Ystad is
usually the obvious choice. If you want to stay within Denmark and avoid the road trip across
southern Sweden, Køge becomes more attractive. If you are approaching from Germany, Sassnitz can
dramatically simplify the itinerary when a sailing operates on your date.
For families and road-trippers, vehicle cost should be compared with the total journey rather than
in isolation. A cheaper ferry may require more fuel, bridge tolls, hotel nights or road hours.
Similarly, the cabin on Hammershus can effectively replace part of an overnight stay while
transporting the car at the same time.
Bornholm itself rewards having transport after arrival. A car is convenient for reaching Hammershus,
Dueodde, round churches and smaller coastal towns, while cyclists benefit from the island's
manageable scale and established cycle routes. Foot passengers can still travel effectively, but
should plan local buses and luggage around the ferry timetable.
Ticket flexibility is another useful comparison point. Bornholmslinjen sells lower-price and more
flexible ticket types, and its fast-ferry tickets can generally be changed up to departure subject
to the fare rules and any price difference. For a trip built around fixed accommodation, a low fare
may be enough; for a road trip where driving time or weather can alter the plan, paying for
flexibility can be more valuable.
Common planning questions
Bornholmslinjen FAQs
Which routes does Bornholmslinjen operate?
The network links Rønne on Bornholm with Ystad in Sweden, Køge on Zealand in Denmark and
Sassnitz/Mukran on Rügen in Germany.
How long is the Ystad–Rønne crossing?
The fast-ferry crossing is approximately 80 minutes. Frequency is high, especially in summer, making
Ystad the principal high-speed gateway to Bornholm.
How long is Køge–Rønne?
The published crossing time is around 5 hours 30 minutes. It is normally a daily conventional-ferry
service and is the route where cabins and berths are most useful.
When does Sassnitz–Rønne operate?
The route has a published crossing time of about 3 hours 20 minutes and frequency varies seasonally,
with additional opportunities in summer weekends and holiday periods. Check your exact travel date
rather than assuming daily service.
Can I bring a car, motorhome or trailer?
Yes. Vehicle capacity is central to the service. Enter accurate height and length because
Bornholmslinjen uses vehicle-size categories and publishes separate trailer dimensions.
Are cabins available?
Cabins and individual shared-cabin berths can be booked on the longer Rønne–Køge crossing aboard
Hammershus. Cabins have up to four berths with shower and toilet. The Ystad fast ferry is primarily
seated travel.
Can I take a dog or cat?
Yes. Dogs and cats are welcome in designated pet areas on a lead or in a carrier. A small number of
pet-permitted cabins are available on relevant sailings and must be arranged through customer
service.
What is the latest check-in time?
For ordinary Standard, Flex and low-price tickets, the published latest times are 10 minutes for
Ystad, 15 minutes for Køge and 20 minutes for Sassnitz. Passengers requiring assistance and some
large/commercial vehicles have earlier deadlines.
Which ferries are used?
The official fleet page lists Express 5, Express 1, Hammershus and Povl Anker. Express 5 is the
flagship high-speed ferry; Hammershus is the conventional passenger/freight ship used particularly
on the Køge route; Povl Anker has a reserve role.
Who operates Bornholmslinjen?
Bornholmslinjen is part of Molslinjen A/S. Molslinjen has operated the Bornholm ferry services since
1 September 2018.
Facility photographs are examples; the vessels shown are identified below. Facilities vary by ship.
250120 1029 MV Glen Sannox loading, Port of Troon ferry terminal.jpg — Dave souza; CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:250120_1029_MV_Glen_Sannox_loading,_Port_of_Troon_ferry_terminal.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. Resized for display.
Bikes on MV Coho.jpg — Loneshieling; CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bikes_on_MV_Coho.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. Resized for display.
Cabin on MV Hrossey - geograph.org.uk - 7254252.jpg — Oliver Dixon; CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cabin_on_MV_Hrossey_-_geograph.org.uk_-_7254252.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0. Resized for display.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (49687542022).jpg — Chris Hunkeler from Carlsbad, California, USA; CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cavalier_King_Charles_Spaniel_(49687542022).jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0. Resized for display.
Check-in, Holyhead Ferry Terminal - geograph.org.uk - 7757104.jpg — JThomas; CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Check-in,_Holyhead_Ferry_Terminal_-_geograph.org.uk_-_7757104.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0. Resized for display.
Deckchair on ferry.jpg — User:Amada44; CC BY 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Deckchair_on_ferry.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0. Resized for display.