About This Route
Tallink Silja Line operates luxury cruise ferries across the Baltic Sea and is excellent for pet travel between Scandinavian and Baltic capitals. Pet-friendly cabins are available in A, B, and C class on most ships, with linoleum flooring for easy cleaning. Up to 3 pets allowed per cabin. On the fast Helsinki–Tallinn Megastar/MyStar ferries (2 hours), pets can also travel in vehicles at no extra charge. Kennel options available when pet cabins are full. Small pets under 20kg in carriers are allowed in most indoor passenger areas (except restaurants, bars, and children's zones).
Cat Travel Details
Pet Fee
€16 per pet each way (~€32 round trip). Pet cabin prices vary by class — A-class with window is the premium option.
Cat Notes
Cats under 20kg in a carrier can access most passenger indoor areas on Megastar and MyStar. On overnight cruise ferries, cats must be in pet-friendly cabins. Dangerous animals not permitted. Maximum 3 pets per cabin. EU Pet Passport required. Worming required for Finland entry (1–5 days before arrival).
Booking
Book pet-friendly cabins at time of booking — limited availability (roughly 10 per ship). Book months in advance for summer dates. Pet fee is separate from cabin cost.
Pro Tip
The Helsinki–Stockholm overnight cruise is a fantastic way to relocate with a cat between Finland and Sweden — you sleep on the ship, your cat is in the cabin with you, and you wake up in a new country. The fast Helsinki–Tallinn shuttle is also excellent — just 2 hours, cat stays in the car. Great option for moving between the Baltic states.
Restrictions
Pets not allowed in restaurants, bars, pubs, or children's areas. On overnight ships, pets must be in pet cabins (not standard cabins). Cannot leave pet alone in cabin during port stops. Dangerous breeds not permitted.
Best Tallink Silja Routes With a Cat
Helsinki to Stockholm is the strongest cat route when you can book a pet cabin. It avoids airport cargo handling, gives you a private space overnight, and works well for Finland-Sweden relocations where both sides of the trip are already planned by car, rail or local transfer.
Helsinki to Tallinn is the practical short-hop option. Because the crossing is around two hours, a stable carrier inside the vehicle can be less stressful than a full airport day, provided the weather is mild and your cat is already car-trained.
Stockholm to Tallinn or Riga should be treated as an overnight move: choose a pet cabin first, then build the rest of the route around that sailing. Do not assume every departure has the same pet inventory.
Cat Owner Checklist
- Book the pet cabin or pet-in-vehicle option at the same time as the passenger ticket; do not leave pet space as a later add-on.
- Carry an EU Pet Passport or equivalent health certificate, microchip record, rabies proof and any Finland-specific treatment evidence required for your route.
- Pack a soft carrier, absorbent pads, collapsible bowls, familiar bedding, food for delays and a compact litter tray for overnight cabins.
- For vehicle crossings, check whether you may visit the vehicle during sailing and avoid departures where the car deck may become too hot or noisy.