Ferries from Sweden: Ystad - Rønne
The route from Ystad in southern Sweden to Rønne is the most frequently used and most important ferry connection to Bornholm. It is operated by Bornholmslinjen and offers an exceptionally high frequency in the high season - up to 16 crossings daily.
Ystad - Rønne
Two types of ferry are used on this route:
- fast ferries (catamarans), which make the crossing in just 1 hour and 20 minutes and are suitable for travelers who want to reach Bornholm as quickly as possible.
- conventional ferries. Conventional ferries (ro-pax ships), which take around 2 hours and 30 minutes and offer a quieter crossing with more time for the amenities on board (e.g. restaurants or deck views).
Even in the low season, there are several ferries a day (typically 3-6 departures daily). The connection is particularly popular with holidaymakers who are already traveling in southern Sweden or arriving from Copenhagen via the Oeresund Bridge. Thanks to the high frequency, short journey times and flexibility, Ystad-Rønne is also ideal for spontaneous travel plans.
Ferries from Germany: Sassnitz - Rønne
The ferry connection between Sassnitz (Mukran ferry port on Rügen) and Rønne is the only direct connection between Germany and the Danish island in the Baltic Sea. It is operated by the Bornholmslinjen shipping company. The crossing takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes. In the summer months, the ferries usually run daily (occasionally up to two departures per day in the high season), while the frequency is significantly reduced in the low season (often only a few crossings per week).
Sassnitz - Rønne
Bornholmslinjen operates the modern combined car and passenger ferry M/S Hammershus on this route. This ship was built in 2018 especially for the Bornholm routes and offers space for cars, trucks and up to 720 passengers. In the high season, the connection is reinforced by the classic ferry M/S Povl Anker, which is characterized by its robust construction and comfortable equipment. The Sassnitz-Rønne route is particularly attractive for travelers from northern and eastern Germany, as it leads directly to the Baltic island without any detours via Denmark or Sweden and thus offers considerable time savings.
Ferries from Denmark: Køge - Rønne (night ferry)
Another important connection is the night ferry from Køge (about 40 km south of Copenhagen on Zealand) to Rønne. This route is served daily by Bornholmslinjen. The ferry usually departs from Køge every night at around 00:30 and arrives in Rønne the next morning at around 6:00. The crossing takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Køge - Rønne
The Køge-Rønne night service is the only direct ferry route between the Danish mainland and Bornholm. It is mainly used by travelers from Copenhagen and the rest of Denmark. The night-time departure makes it extremely time-saving: you spend the journey sleeping on board and arrive on Bornholm early in the morning rested, without losing a day's vacation. The ferries used (Ro-Pax ferries of Bornholmslinjen) have cabins or reclining chairs so that passengers can travel comfortably overnight.
Ferries from Poland: Kołobrzeg - Rønne (planned)
There have been seasonal ferry connections to Bornholm from Poland in the past, but there is currently no regular direct connection. Until 2020, an excursion catamaran operated by the Kolberg shipping company KŻP on the route Kołobrzeg (Kolberg) - Nexø (Bornholm) in summer. This crossing took around 4 to 5 hours and was primarily aimed at day trippers (departure in the morning from Kolberg, return from Bornholm in the evening). This line only carried passengers, bicycles and motorcycles, but no cars.
The Polish ferry company Polferries had announced a new direct route from Kołobrzeg to Rønne for 2025. The plan was for a ferry with capacity for around 500 passengers and 50 cars to call at Bornholm daily in the high season and three times a week in the low season. The journey was expected to take around 3 to 4 hours. However, the implementation of this project was delayed: by October 2025, Polferries had not yet started operations and a concrete timetable was not available.