Ferry operator · Sweden
Marstrandsfärjan
- Routes
- 2
- Terminals
- 2
- Regions
- 1
- Avg crossing
- 2 min
Authority and ship operator
The Marstrand ferry is owned and operated by Kungälv municipality, which took over passenger traffic on 1 January 2021. Two boats, five captains and three crew carry more than 500,000 passengers a year across to a car-free island — on a ticket that only comes as a return.
Official site: www.marstrandsfarja.se — always confirm the current timetable there before travelling.
Timetables
Routes operated by Marstrandsfärjan
| Route | Crossing | Sailings/day | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marstrand → Marstrandsön | 2 min | 110 | Bohuslän |
| Marstrandsön → Marstrand | 2 min | 103 | Bohuslän |
A municipality that runs its own boats
Most Scandinavian ferry services split the roles: an authority orders, a shipping company sails. Kungälv does both. The municipality owns and operates the Marstrand ferry, having taken over passenger traffic on 1 January 2021, and runs the whole operation with two ferries, five ferry captains and three ferry staff plus its own office and administration.
The scale is larger than that headcount suggests: more than 500,000 passengers a year cross from the ferry station on Koön to Marstrand Island. Capacity is 329 passengers under normal conditions, and the pressure is concentrated — the peak season runs from the Easter weekend to the end of September, when the crossing can get very busy.
There is no single ticket — only a return
This is the detail that catches visitors out. Tickets are sold as a two-way trip from Koön to the island; a one-way fare is not an option. The ticket is validated at the Koön ferry station on the way out, and not checked at all on the way back, so the return leg is already covered before you set foot on Marstrand.
Children under 7 travel free with a guardian or another adult, and the youth fare covers ages 7 to 19. Period cards are available for repeated use and require an account.
Rules that differ from the Swedish norm
Two conditions here run against what you might expect from other Swedish operators. Dogs and other fur animals are not allowed in the passenger compartment — where Västtrafik, for instance, simply asks that pets travel on the starboard side. And dangerous goods must be reported to the ferry captain or crew, with a dangerous goods certificate or table of contents carried, rather than simply being prohibited.
Bicycles and mopeds are allowed but must be parked where the crew directs. Passengers are responsible for their own luggage and goods, and tickets must be shown on request to the inspector, crew or captain.
The network
Where Marstrandsfärjan sails
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Regions Marstrandsfärjan serves
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a one-way ticket to Marstrand?
No. Tickets are sold only as a two-way trip from the ferry station on Koön to Marstrand Island. The ticket is validated on the outbound leg and is not checked on the return.
Who runs the Marstrand ferry?
Kungälv municipality owns and operates it directly, having taken over passenger traffic on 1 January 2021. It runs two ferries with five captains and three ferry staff, plus its own administration.
Can I take a dog on the Marstrand ferry?
Not into the passenger compartment — dogs and other fur animals are excluded from it. This is stricter than most Swedish operators, several of which carry pets in the cabin under simple placement rules.
How busy does the crossing get?
The ferries carry more than 500,000 passengers a year with a capacity of 329 under normal conditions. Peak season runs from the Easter weekend to the end of September, when traffic pressure can be high.
Can I bring a bicycle?
Yes. Bicycles and mopeds are carried, but must be parked in the place the ferry staff or captain designates.
What about dangerous goods?
They must be reported to the ferry captain or crew, and you must carry a dangerous goods certificate or table of contents. They are not simply banned, but they are not carried unannounced either.