Brussels-Helsinki by road via Stockholm
 

I would like to do it in 7-10d in October when my wife/I relocate. We are 47y old.
We like nice scenery, history, towns & countryside.
What is the best itinerary to have a glimpse of Scandinavia?
I am told the best way is through Hamburg, then ferry onto Sweden, Stockholm & again the ferry to Helsinki? to Turku?
I'd like a maximum daily mileage of 400 km & could consider stopping over for 2-3d when it makes sense.
I particularly like those places not visited by tours.
Thks for your recommendations.

wouldn't we have Scandinavian friends on this forum?

Isn't driving through Denmark faster than a ferry from Hamburg? Anyway, if you have time (if you have just seven days I doubt it a little) to cross over from Sweden to Finland, I suggest a ferry to Turku and see the wonderful archipelago (which is a lot bigger than the archipelago in front of Stockholm), and then driving the old Kings Road to Helsinki. Check www.kuninkaantie.net/eng/eng.html
Wherever you drive, take the smaller roads, and you will see a lot more and get better views.

But remember that you have to include in your days also the trip back.

It is 15 years since I have been in Sweden outside Stockholm, but I remember there are some nice towns around lake Vättern and southern coast.

To clarify things a bit (hopefully):

There is no ferry from Hamburg to Scandinavia.
The directions given to you, tgnych, are basically correct, though. From Belgium cross over into Germany and head North on the A1 Autobahn, which among other cities will lead you to Hamburg. From Hamburg, there are basically five options:

1. continue North on A1 Autobahn to Travemuende (about 45 min.) and board a ferry by TT- Line, which will take you to Trelleborg in Southern Sweden within 7 hours. There are 4 departures daily.

2. continue North on A1 Autobahn to Puttgarden (about 1 h 45 min.). Board a Scandlines ferry to Rödby in Denmark. Proceed through Lolland and Sealand to the Helsingör/Helsingborg ferry or the Oeresound toll bridge. Transfer time on the German/Danish segment is 45 min. with departures 24 hours a day, every half hour.

3. Continue North on A7 Autobahn to Kiel (about 1 hour) and board a Stena Line ferry to Gothenburg in Sweden. The trip is overnight and there is one departure daily.

4. Continue North on A7 Autobahn via Flensburg into Denmark and then via the islands of Fyn and Sealand again to the Helsingör/Helsingborg ferry or the Oeresound toll bridge close to Copenhagen. This option certainly involves the most driving and may not be too attractive.

5. Continue on East via A1 and A 20 (or A 24) to Rostock. Board a TT-Line or Scandlines ferry from there to take you into Trelleborg, Sweden. Transfer time is 5 hours. There are a couple of departures daily (probably 4).

Being a resident of Hamburg, I suggest you spend at least half a day in the city and depending on the weather probably tour the busy port.

Elina's suggestion of taking a ferry from Stockholm to Turku is excellent IMO. Silja Line and Viking Lines offer comfortable services. To my knowledge there are discounted combination tickets available if you book a package of transfer between Germany and Scandinavia and the segment between Sweden and Finland from either TT-Line or Scandlines. You might want to consult a travel agent, if you cannot find respective information on the websites.

Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to post again!

Here are the webpages of the ferry operators:

TT-Line:
http://www.tt-line.de/ENGLISH/fnp_start04e.htm

Scandlines:
http://www.scandlines.de/en/main.htm

Stena Line:
http://www7.stenaline.com/servlet/se...language.id=11

Silja Line (Sweden-Finland)
http://www.silja.com/

Viking Line (Sweden-Finland)
http://www.vikingline.fi/index.asp?lang=en

Thks Elina & hsv for responding (hsv, I appreciate your taking the time/effort of the so many useful details).

Does anyone have a recommended itinerary across Sweden to Stockholm. I may decide to bypass Denmark this time.

ps. do not need to plan for return time for it is a relocation trip to Finland.

Hi TG,

www.mappy.com has a suggested route (choose 'without tolls') from Hamburg via Puttgarden, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Turku.

You might also want to check www.viamichelin.com

Unfortunately I cannot be of help regarding an itinerary for the drive through Sweden, but given your time schedule, I would lean towards taking the overnight TT-Line ferry from Travemuende to Trelleborg. Trelleborg (I believe) puts you a bit closer to Stockholm than Gothenburg if you would take the Stena Line ferry from Kiel.

Taking an overnight ferry would give you some freedom to move during the day and see some sights in your constrained schedule. Plus, those ferries, while being Ro/Pax ferries, are quite comfortable - the ones operating between Stockholm and Finland even more so.

If you have read any of Swedish author Henning Mankell's books about inspector Wallander, you might enjoy a visit in Trelleborgs neighbour village of Ystad to see some of the places mentioned in those books. In case you haven't read any of them, I would strongly recommend them. It is a series of crime stories with a big focus on description of a changing society in Sweden (like elesewhere in Western Europe). The first volume is called "Faceless killers", I believe. But it while it is fun reading them in the order of their appearance, it is not mandatory.

Enjoy your trip
hsv

I recommend crossing at Puttgarden, Germany to Rødbyhavn, drive to Copenhagen, and then drive to Orrefors and other glass works in southern Sweden. Continue on to Stockholm and then take one of the ferries over to Helsinki.