Crossing from Poland to Sweden on an overnight ferry was the opening chapter of our summer loop through Scandinavia and the Baltics. We sailed with TT-Line from the port of Świnoujście in Poland to Trelleborg in Sweden — and of course, with our dog Ibo.
The plan was simple: board in the evening, grab a few hours of sleep, and wake up in Sweden. Reality turned out a little more eventful.
Last-minute booking
Because the whole trip came together quite spontaneously, we booked the ferry at the last minute. Spaces on the ship were still available, but pet-friendly cabins were already sold out.
We decided to chance it and figured we could manage a few hours in the shared areas of the ship. In hindsight, it wasn’t an ideal plan.
The drive to Świnoujście
We set off from Bratislava around noon. After pushing through the Czech Republic and cruising the smooth Polish motorways, we rolled into the port of Świnoujście in the evening.
Everything is well signposted, so we quickly find the correct lane to queue in. Around us are plenty of cars, campervans and vans. There’s about an hour to departure.
Ibo peers out the window — time for a walk. Unfortunately, we’re in an industrial part of the port with hardly any greenery. The soundtrack is noise, clatter and the constant screech of gulls. Ibo takes a moment to adjust. The never-ending gull calls keep him on alert, but after a few minutes we realise he’s handling it better than we are. By the end of the walk he looks like he’s got the place under control.
We’re not the only dog people here. Other travellers with dogs are making use of the open spaces, too. A nice bonus: public toilets nearby. We don’t see any food options, but we’re well prepared — Iva always packs us properly for trips like this.
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Boarding
When we bought tickets online, we were told self-check-in was available, but in the port it’s a different story. There’s no kiosk in sight, so we do what everyone else does — wait in line.
The queue starts moving and cars begin to board. At the checkpoint we show our printed tickets and receive temporary TT-Line boarding passes with instructions on where to park.
After parking we grab the basics for the night — two small sleeping bags, mats, water and a few snacks. We’d eaten before boarding — after all, it’s just past midnight. Sleep matters more than food right now.
We leave Ibo in the car for the moment until things calm down. It’s noisy and chaotic around us. When we’re ready, we put him on the leash and head up the stairs into the belly of the ship.
Finding a place for the night
The decks are surprisingly crowded. Progress is slow and it’s busy everywhere. We meet other dog owners — cue the usual bout of mutual barking. A leash is essential here.
We quickly realise most of the good spots in the public areas are taken. Families, solo travellers and anyone without a cabin have staked out benches, wall space and even the kids’ corner.
Finding a quiet place for the three of us feels almost impossible.
Eventually, on one of the decks, I find a corridor at the end of a passage leading to the outside deck. It’s away from the main flow, where we don’t bother anyone and no one bothers us. Iva isn’t thrilled with the choice, but admits it’s calmer than elsewhere.
The ship gets underway and the familiar rumble of the engines kicks in. Nothing new for Ibo. He knows these sounds from our ferry trips to the Croatian islands, though he’s still alert and figuring out the new environment.
Night in the corridor
Comfort is minimal, but at least no one disturbs us. Halfway through the crossing, another couple with a dog lies down at the far end of the corridor. There’s tension for a moment, but fatigue wins and both dogs gradually settle.
Before turning in we use the nearby deck for a quick walk. Near dawn we try again, but strong wind and the ship’s motion make being outside unpleasant and even unsafe. The walk has to wait, which doesn’t do much for our peace of mind.
In the end we survive a short, intense night unscathed. We caught a bit of sleep, but it was far from pleasant — more like improvising our way through a few hours.
Arrival in Sweden
The ferry did its job and delivered us safely to Trelleborg. A little stiff and sleep-deprived, we head back to the car and wait to disembark.
Since we’re travelling within the EU, nobody checks our documents — or Ibo’s.
After docking we drive to the first service station, give Ibo a proper walk and treat ourselves to breakfast. Another interesting day lies ahead, but it’s going to be an easy one — the main goal is to catch up on sleep and feel human again.
What we learned
This experience taught us that on overnight ferries it’s worth booking a dog-friendly cabin, even if it’s more expensive.
We also noticed that nobody looked closely at whether we were travelling with a dog. In theory, you could book a regular cabin and sleep there with your dog. We’ll leave that without comment.
Either way — ferries work brilliantly as a way to get around. Just don’t underestimate comfort, especially if you’re travelling with a dog. Fatigue, the stress of finding a spot and the ship’s nighttime bustle can sour the start of a trip more than you’d expect.
Key facts about the Świnoujście–Trelleborg route
- Route: Świnoujście (Poland) – Trelleborg (Sweden)
- Company: TT-Line
- Crossing time: approximately 6–7 hours (depending on the specific sailing)
- Type of crossing: daytime and overnight sailings
- Transport options: passenger cars, motorhomes, motorcycles, freight vehicles
- Cabins: standard and pet-friendly cabins (limited number)
- Dogs on board: permitted on selected decks and in designated cabins