Journey to Bornholm

How to get to Bornholm by ferry

Bornholm is an island, so a boat trip is unavoidable. There are roughly three ways to get there by car from the UK. Although the ferry from Germany might seem obvious, most travellers choose the route via the Øresund Bridge and Southern Sweden.

Below we list the options for you, starting with the fastest and most popular route.

Map of all ferries to Bornholm

1. The favourite: Via the Øresund Bridge and Ystad (Sweden)

This is by far the most efficient route for most travellers from the UK. Why? Because the ferry connection from Sweden is extremely frequent and fast. You are not dependent on just one boat a day.

• Step 1: Crossing the Øresund Bridge. You drive through Denmark and cross the bridge to Malmö. A beautiful drive where you continue straight to Sweden.
• Step 2: To Ystad. Once past the bridge toll booths, keep right and follow the E65 towards Ystad. This is a relaxed drive of about 50 to 60 minutes through the rolling Swedish landscape. Ystad itself is also beautiful and famous for the Wallander series.
• Step 3: The fast ferry to Rønne. In Ystad, you catch the high-speed ferry from Bornholmslinjen. This huge catamaran takes you to Rønne, Bornholm’s capital, in just 80 minutes. In high season this boat sails very regularly (sometimes up to 8 times a day).

The ferry from Ystad to Bornholm can be booked via Direct Ferries. View the prices here.

2. The alternative: Via Sassnitz (Germany)

You can also drive through Northern Germany and catch the ferry from the island of Rügen (Sassnitz).

• The route: You drive via Bremen and Hamburg to the northeast of Germany.
• The crossing: The ferry from Sassnitz to Rønne takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes.
• Disadvantage: The road across the island of Rügen to the harbour can be very busy in summer, with many traffic jams on the two-lane roads. Additionally, this boat sails much less frequently than the boat from Ystad. If you miss it, you often have a long wait.

The ferry from Sassnitz to Bornholm can be booked via Direct Ferries. View the prices here.

3. The ‘night’ option: Via Køge (Denmark)

Just below Copenhagen lies the harbour town of Køge.

• The route: You drive until just before Copenhagen but skip the Øresund Bridge.
• The crossing: A ferry departs from here to Rønne. This is usually a night boat that takes 5.5 hours.
• For whom: This can be an option if you want to sleep during the crossing and arrive rested, but it is often pricier and less flexible than the route via Sweden.

The ferry from Køge to Bornholm can be booked via Direct Ferries. View the prices here.

What to do on Bornholm? The 5 highlights

Bornholm is compact (you drive from north to south in 40 minutes) but incredibly diverse. From rugged rocky coasts to fine white sandy beaches.

1. Hammershus

The largest castle ruin in Northern Europe. It sits spectacularly on a rocky point in the north of the island. Admission is free and the view over the sea is priceless.

2. Dueodde Beach

In the south, you find a beach with sand so fine that it used to be used in hourglasses. The beach is miles long, wide and surrounded by pine forests and dunes. A perfect place for a beach day.

3. The Round Churches (Rundkirker)

Bornholm is famous for its four white, round churches. They used to serve not only as churches but also as fortresses against pirates. The most famous is the Østerlars Rundkirke.

4. Smoked herring in a Røgeri

You cannot leave Bornholm without eating “Sol over Gudhjem”, smoked herring on rye bread with egg yolk, radish and chives. Visit one of the many smokehouses (Røgeri) in harbour towns like Gudhjem or Svaneke.

5. Ekkodalen (The Echo Valley)

In the middle of the island lies a gorge where, as the name suggests, you can hear fantastic echoes. Fun for children (and secretly also for adults) to shout very loudly for a moment.

Onward travel: Back to the mainland or to Stockholm?

Did you enjoy island life? Then it is time to continue your journey. Because Bornholm is an island, you always have to take the ferry again.

• Option 1: Back home or Denmark. Take the ferry from Rønne to Ystad and drive back via the Øresund Bridge. Or take the (less frequent) ferry to Køge (near Copenhagen) or Sassnitz (Germany).
• Option 2: Travel on to Stockholm. Want to combine Bornholm with a visit to Stockholm? That is a perfect road trip!
• Take the ferry back from Rønne to Ystad.
• The drive from Ystad to Stockholm takes about 7 to 8 hours (660 km).

Along the way, you pass beautiful lakes and forests, so your holiday feeling lingers a little longer.

Where to stay on Bornholm?

Bornholm has something for every type of traveller. Whether you want to sleep immediately after arrival or wake up with a sea view.

Hit the road well prepared

Want to drive through smoothly? Arrange your toll online in advance. A smart choice for many travellers is the route via Puttgarden-Rødby. If you book a combo ticket for this, you are often cheaper off for the crossing and the bridge together.

Want to know exactly what this costs and book directly? Then go to the Tickets & Prices page for a complete overview.