Important travel information

Certificate
Passengers under the age of 18 must be present with a parent or legal guardian. We make an exception if a minor is traveling with a letter from legal guardian or parents stating the reasons and information. The trip is made on the basis of study, work, family visits or similar. You can find the letter of consent here and it's also available at our sales office. Exceptions are also given for youth groups traveling together with conductors, such as sports and school groups.

Proof of identity
Please note that passengers must have a valid form of identity that includes a photograph (passport, ID card) when traveling and be able to produce it on demand. Children and young people under the age of 18 traveling accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who can provide a valid form of identity card with a photograph, are exempt from this requirement.

Citizens of the Nordic countries are not required to have a passport for travels between the Nordic countries. For citizens of other countries a passport may be required. All passengers must however be able to prove their identity with a valid ID with photo.
Regular controls are held according to the ISPS rules or International Ship and Port Facility Code that the International Maritime Organization IMO has drawn up for increased safety.

Eckerö Linjen reserves the right to refuse boarding of passengers who lack valid travel documents.

Check in times
We recommend you to always prebook your ticket online or by phone +46 17 258 00. All passengers must be check in no later than 30 minutes before departure. When travelling by car, the driver must be alone in the vehicle when driveing on board and the rest of the passengers walk on board. During the trip it is not allowed to stay in the car. Booked car is reserved until 30 minutes before departure.

Check in instructions for travelers without car
You who have booked and paid your trip will check in at our new check in points in the terminal. There are nine points in Grisslehamn and three in Berghamn, if you want help with check in, you can turn to one of our staff in yellow vests. Type in your booking number or scan the QR code on the confirmation and you will get a boarding card/ticket, which you scan later to pass through the check in gates. Check-in points are open 2 hours before the ferry departure (1.5 hours before ferry departure at 10.00) in Grisslehamn and 1 hour before ferry departure in Berghamn. Groups check in at the information in the terminal. All times are local.

Instructions for MC on the car deck
Motorcycles must be placed along the outside of the ship on the lower car deck. When you come to your designated place, put it in first gear and extend the side stand. Do not place the center stand during the journey. At the site you will find custom strings for you to tie your MC during the trip to avoid any damages.

We would recommend you to place the gloves on the saddle if you do not intend to bring them up on the ferry, place the string over them and tie it into the foot peg or frame. You can also pull the string to the handlebar or any other suitable location depending on the model. The crew are able to offer you help if necessary. Upon arrival – do not start the motorcycle before any given instructions or clearance.

Customs Regulations
Duty-free import rules

Conditions of carriage
The Company disclaims any responsibility to the extent applicable maritime law allows.
The ship’s liability for injury to passengers and damage or loss of luggage or other goods seized for promotion, is maximized in accordance with maritime law provisions.

Carrier reserves the right to carry cargo on deck
Passengers are solely the maximum deductibles as mentioned in the applicable maritime law.
Familiarize yourself with the CSO general conditions of carriage.

Entering Åland non -Nordic citizens
Nordic citizens do not need visas. For current visa rules for non -Nordic citizens, contact the Finnish Embassy in Stockholm, tel. +46 (0) 8-67 6 67 00.

Note! As a result of Covid-19, the regulations regarding travels to Åland have been changed. Here is up-to-date information on what applies to travelers to Finland / Åland:
Work trips and other necessary cross-border travel within the Schengen area are permitted.
Border control at the Finnish (Åland) borders will remain for the time being. It is the traveler's own responsibility to familiarize themselves with the recommendations of the authorities and the hygiene and health rules that the authorities have introduced.

Read more about what applies to entry to Åland at the moment - see the current Finnish border guard's current rules here:
https://www.raja.fi/current_issues/qa
https://www.raja.fi/current_issues/guidelines_for_border_traffic
Contact information for the Finnish border guard system:
Phone +358 (0) 50 597 2255 (08:00 to 16:00)
rajavartiolaitos@raja.fi

Click here for more info for travelers from Sweden.

Commander’s discretionary powers
All passengers and crew on board is of utmost importance. To maintain security, the right to review travel authorization and use of companion master of the vessel. See summerized information for Eckerö Linjen assistance, click here.

Here you will find the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the rights of passengers when traveling by sea and inland waterway.

Here you can also read about accessibility conditions and quality standards for assistance.

For contact information regarding rights to the national authority, the Swedish Consumer Agency, click here.

Disability and Special Needs
Plan your trip and let us know in advance upon your wishes, as well as any mobility equipment or medical equipment you plan to bring so Eckerö Linjen can organize the most appropriate assistance based on your needs.

On board there is a lift between car deck and deck 7 as well as low thresholds in public areas (meeting room Jungman, meeting room/bar Båtsman and sun deck are on deck 8 where only stairs are available). On deck 6 there is a accessible toilet.

If you are impaired mobility and require special demands while traveling, you must state this when booking. If your health is compromised due to illness, you should pre-trip; consult your physician to rule out any barriers to travel.

Under EU rules, people with reduced mobility right to accompany if reservation made at least 48 hours before scheduled departure. Check when booking how long before departure you need to be in the terminal. PCA performed by the CSO staff.
Book a PCA if you:
• Not have a PCA or personal assistant with you
• Need special service to get to and from the ship and to get on board
• Use portable oxygen equipment
• Wheelchair user
• Have visual or hearing impairments and need immediate information & assistance
Included assistant

Eckerö Linjen can offer assistance to persons with reduced mobility traveling with someone who can assist during the trip. An accompanying assistant shall provide necessary assistance in the terminal and with embarking and disembarking. A pick up-point/ is inside the terminal, next to the information desk.

You will be met by at the pick up-point from which you will be escorted through security and on to embarkation. You need to be at the pickup point 30 minutes prior to departure unless otherwise agreed at time of booking. The companion helps you on board.

On board the ship, the shipping company is responsible for the safety all on board. Any types of special rules for evacuation and more are determined by the PCA.

Upon arrival – Assistants will meet up at the information Upon arrival of the vessel meets escorts up at the ship’s reception and assists to the pick- up point at the output from the terminal.

Currency
On board, you can use SEK and euro. You can pay for your purchases with debit card and Swedish bank card. There is an ATM in Grisslehamn, to the right of the entrance to the terminal. In Åland, you can pay with euro (€), SEK and credit cards.

NOTE Check with your bank if your can use your debit card abroad.

Time differences
The time difference between Sweden and Finland is one hour. Finland and Åland has timezone GMT+2. That means when the clock is 11:00 in Sweden is 12 o’clock in Åland.

Restaurants and table reservations
Here you will find information about our meal options on board.

Pets
You are allowed to bring pets between countries when animals have an ID tag , pet passport, rabies vaccination, for dogs even deworming tapeworm (echinococcosis) and are dewormed against tape worms by an veterinary 1-5 days (24-120 h) prior to departure. Contact your veterinarian in advance of departure (minimum 1 month). Check the relevant provisions of entry/re-entry to the Åland Islands in Food Safety Authority Elvira, phone 00358-20690999 and entry/re-entry into Sweden Board of Agriculture, phone 036-15 50 00. Please observate that there are different rules for cats. dogs, horses and so on.

Pets may be carried on the shuttle bus only if you have it in a basket or bag in your lap. The owner are responsible for that the animal does not disturb others, and also have to be placed designated in the back of the bus due to any allergies. Guide dogs are excepted from the rule.
Pets on board the M/S Eckerö

On board M/S Eckerö there are special places where pets may be present, these sites are at marked tables at the back of the cafeteria and out on deck. Pets left in vehicles during the boat trip will be on the owners responsibility. Doors to the car deck are closed after departure and will be opened again at arrival. Please remember that the temperature on the car deck can be very high during summer time. Responsibility for the pet rests with the owner and they must always be leashed when they are on board.

Booking of connection bus
Our connection buses must be booked in advance. Arrive at the bus stop you have booked at least 10 minutes before the departure time of the bus. When boarding the bus, refer to the booking number. You then redeem your boarding card at the terminal in Grisslehamn. See bus timetable and stops here

Parking in Grisslehamn
At your disposal is a special parking privilege at our terminal in Grisslehamn. Parking costs SEK 20 for 12 hours and SEK 30 for 24 hours.

Fee for caravan/motorhome SEK 80 (1/10-30/3) och SEK 150 (1/4-30/9) per day, maximum time one day. For you who wish to camp we recommend Grisslehamns Marina & Camping that is situated 500 meters from Eckerö Linjen harbour.

Non smoking
Eckerö Linjen ships are non-smoking area. Smoking is permitted outside on the deck.

Nut allergy
Please note that we are selling peanuts and nut mix on board.

Customs Clearance
All customs clearance for Swedish account occurs at Eckerö Customs Station, for more info see www.tulli.fi

Maritime safety
The boat trip takes two hours and is partially closed waters; you have land in sight at all times. If conditions require we try to travel without delays. We have the ability to choose different lanes for different weather conditions. No traffic at night. Our ship has been inspected and approved by both the Swedish and Finnish maritime authorities. From the ship’s bridge we have visual watch over the ship’s bow door and additionally video monitoring and alarm of the same. The crew is of the Swedish language and safety information is in Swedish. Safety training is carried out continuously every week and regularly during navigation control of authorities.

Order and security
The ship’s master, or his designee, has the right to refuse to carry passengers who disturbs the order and safety of the ship. Passengers should follow the appropriate rules that are posted on board and in the terminal and any instructions from the crew.
Food, with the intention to be consumed on board in the ship’s restaurants is not permitted without crew’s permission. Baby food and special diets for special allergies may be brought on board.

Passengers may not bring alcohol or other drugs on board. It is not permitted to bring any types of alcoholic beverages on board; it is allowed to be purchased in the ship’s duty-free shop. Passengers who are intoxicated or who disrupts order on board may be turned away from the ship

Passengers are not permitted without special permission to bring weapons, equipment, or other objects that could endanger passengers, crew or ship. Passengers are required to provide upon request to produce objects that could endanger order and security on board, the crew will keep the equipment’s for storage during travel. Passengers at the request do not show the content of luggage may be denied on board the ship. Passengers are not entitled for a refund of the ticket price, including any right to compensation for any costs which it incurs due to deportation.

Order and security on connecting buses
The above rules also apply to passengers on board our shuttle buses. The driver has the right to refuse passengers who disrupt the order. Connection bus can only be used in connection with vessel trip.