Ferry services between European cities open up new opportunities for traveling without air travel and long journeys. In 2026, sister city routes connecting cultural capitals, resorts, and island destinations are gaining popularity. Learn more about the most convenient and interesting ferry routes between twin cities in Europe in 2026

When planning a trip to Europe, more and more travelers are choosing itineraries with multiple destinations to see as much as possible in one trip. Ferry crossings between twin cities allow you to combine two countries or two completely different vacation formats at once: historical centers, islands, beaches, and cultural capitals. This travel format is convenient because it does not require additional air travel and often takes only a few hours to travel.

In 2026, ferry routes between European cities will become even more popular due to convenient schedules, the development of port infrastructure, and the demand for slow, scenic travel. This article summarizes the most interesting routes between the twin cities in Europe that you should consider when planning your trip.

In the previous article, we talked about 7 new wonders of the world that tourists should see in 2026.

Planning a trip abroad and want to protect yourself from unforeseen situations?

Travel insurance from Visit World will cover medical expenses, flight delays, and lost luggage in any country. Get a policy online in a few minutes and travel with confidence!

Tallinn (Estonia) - Helsinki (Finland)

This route is considered one of the most convenient ferry connections in Northern Europe, as the capitals of the two countries are separated only by the Gulf of Finland. The trip between Tallinn and Helsinki takes about two hours, so it's easy to combine visits to both cities in one trip or even organize a short weekend tour with an overnight stay in the neighboring country.

Tallinn attracts visitors with its atmospheric Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, medieval streets, and observation decks overlooking tiled roofs. It is convenient to combine walks in the historic center with modern art spaces, museums, and restaurants serving Baltic cuisine. Helsinki offers a different rhythm: Scandinavian design, modern architecture, coastal neighborhoods, and the culture of urban saunas that have become part of everyday life in Finland.

Thanks to frequent ferry services, this route is suitable for flexible travel planning: you can arrive in one city by plane and return from another without spending extra time traveling. This is a convenient option for those who want to experience the atmosphere of two different northern capitals in one trip and see how different life can look on the shores of the Baltic Sea.

In the previous article, we talked about the TOP-10 tourist destinations according to Time Out, which are definitely worth visiting in 2026.

Pozzallo (Italy) - Valletta (Malta)

The ferry between Sicily's Pozzallo and Malta's capital Valletta allows you to combine mainland Italy and an island vacation in one trip. The crossing takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, which makes the route convenient even for short trips without an overnight stay.

Pozzallo is a compact resort town with sandy beaches, some of which have the Blue Flag award, which indicates the purity of the water and coastline. This is a convenient starting point for traveling in Sicily if you plan to combine the sea with cities like Noto or Syracuse. Valletta, on the other hand, is suitable for walking in the historic center, visiting the fortifications, observation decks and St. John's Cathedral, one of the main architectural symbols of Malta.

The route is convenient for a combined city + beach trip: you can plan a few days in Valletta for sightseeing and then continue your vacation on the Sicilian coast or vice versa. Thanks to regular ferry services, it is easy to adjust the dates to your route and not be tied to air travel.

You can learn more about the TOP 10 little-known destinations for crowd-free travel in 2026 here.

Saint-Malo (France) - St. Helier (Jersey)

The ferry between Saint Malo and the capital of Jersey allows you to see both mainland France and the Channel Islands in one trip. The crossing takes about two hours, so the route is convenient for short trips or as part of a larger tour of the Atlantic coast.

Saint-Malo is a compact fortress city with fully preserved city walls, which can be used to walk around the historic center in a circle with panoramic views of the ocean. This is a good place to walk along the coast and start a trip to Brittany. St. Helier is interesting for its combination of British and French influences: you should plan a visit to the Château d'Elisabeth on the tidal island and a walk along the port promenade.

The route is suitable for those who want to add a less touristy destination to a classic trip to France. It's important to note that Jersey is not a member of the EU, so you should check the entry rules and document requirements in advance.

Earlier we talked about the 13 best places for a spring trip in Europe in 2026.

Ancona (Italy) - Split (Croatia)

The overnight ferry between Ancona and Split allows you to connect Italy and Croatia without daytime travel conveniently: you take the ferry in the evening and arrive in the other country in the morning. This saves you a day of travel and is convenient for multi-city itineraries.

Ancona is a convenient starting point for traveling in central Italy if you have already been to Rome or Florence and want to continue your route along the Adriatic coast. Split is one of the most popular cities in Croatia with a historic center around Diocletian's Palace, beaches within the city, and convenient connections to the islands of Brac and Hvar. This makes it possible to combine a city vacation with boat trips or islands in one trip.

The route is suitable for combined tours “Italy + Balkans” without air travel. It is worth considering the seasonality: in the summer months, seats on night ferries are sold out quickly, so it is better to book tickets in advance, especially if you are planning a trip with a cabin.

In the article at the link, we have provided useful tips to help you save money while traveling in Europe in 2026.

From Milan, Rome or Naples to Sicily (Italy)

This route is convenient for those who want to see mainland Italy and Sicily in one trip without flights. Trains from Milan, Rome or Naples travel to the south of Italy, after which the cars are loaded onto a ferry to cross the Strait of Messina. The journey continues in Sicily to Messina, Palermo or Syracuse.

The train + ferry format is convenient if you are planning a multi-city route: you can start with the cultural capitals of Italy and end your trip on an island with beaches, historical sites, and Sicilian cuisine. Such a move allows you to avoid additional transfers at airports and not lose a day on the flight.

The route is suitable for long trips with flexible planning: it is easy to combine Rome or Naples with the southern cities of Sicily without being tied to domestic flights. It is important to keep in mind that during the high demand season, it is better to book seats on trains and ferries in advance, especially if you are planning a trip with luggage or in an overnight format.

How to plan a trip between European twin cities by ferry?

Ferry routes between cities allow you to combine several countries or different vacation formats within one trip without air travel and unnecessary transfers. To ensure that such a trip goes smoothly, you should think about the key planning points in advance:

1. Check flight schedules and seasonality of routes: some ferries run more frequently in summer, and in winter the number of flights is limited;

2. Book tickets in advance during the high season, especially for night ferries and routes to popular islands;

3. Plan your itinerary so that your ferry arrival coincides with the time of your hotel check-in or the start of your sightseeing day;

4. Take into account the peculiarities of entering countries and territories outside the EU (for example, the Channel Islands);

5. Think about the logistics of luggage if you combine train, ferry and walking in cities.

This travel format is well suited for routes with several stops, when you want to see more without constant travel between airports and additional airfare.

No matter how well thought out your itinerary is, there is always room for force majeure when traveling. Unexpected medical expenses, transportation delays, or problems with luggage can ruin your plans and budget. Travel insurance helps you avoid unnecessary worries in such situations. You can apply for a travel insurance policy for a specific trip online at Visit World - quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy!

Take out a policy online at Visit World and enjoy your trip without any unnecessary worries!

We remind you! Europe remains one of the best continents for those traveling on their own, thanks to its safe infrastructure, diverse cultures, and friendly local communities. From sunny Mediterranean islands to remote archipelagos in the North Atlantic, Lonely Planet experts have compiled seven destinations where solo travelers will feel most comfortable. Read more about the best places in Europe for solo travel in our article.

---

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Travel guide for 200 countries;

Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues;

Travel insurance around the world (please select the country of interest and citizenship to receive services);

Medical insurance all over the world.

---

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline