Travelling from Sweden to Poland in times of coronavirus

What is it like travelling from Sweden to Poland during the coronavirus pandemic? We have finally gone on a trip abroad, for the first time in a very long time, and it feels great. We are travelling by motorhome and have taken a ferry from Nynäshamn to Gdansk. We tell you about the start of the trip!

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From Nynäshamn to Gdansk with Polferries Nova Star

We travelled to Poland on the Polferries ferry. Nova Star. The ferry departs from Nynäshamn at 18:00 in the evening and arrives in St. Petersburg. Gdansk at 12:00 the next day. Since we live in Stockholm, we think this is a very convenient way to travel. We avoid the long car journey through Sweden and can instead start the trip by taking it easy on board the boat.

Nickstabadet campsite in Nynäshamn. We hung out nearby while I (Helena) conducted the last work meeting before departure.

Nova Star is one of Polferrie's newest ferries and is really fresh and modern, although the trip may feel a little more like transport than a pleasure cruise. Right now there were also very few tourists on board, probably both because of the corona pandemic and because it is starting to be autumn. However, the ferry was full of lorry drivers and craftsmen who have worked in Sweden.

READ MORE: Travelling with a motorhome in Poland - good to know
READ MORE: Sopot in Poland - beach life on the Polish Riviera

How corona safe is it on board?

It is very clear on board the Nova Star that the coronavirus pandemic is being taken into account. We cannot report on all the safety measures taken as we have not talked to anyone on board about it, but can only describe what we have seen with our own eyes.

There are signs everywhere reminding you to keep your distance, hand sanitiser is available in every corner, there is plexiglass between sellers and customers in the duty free shop, what you take yourself in the breakfast buffet is wrapped and you have to wear a mask in the part of the buffet restaurant where you take food and in the duty free shop. We did not experience congestion anywhere so yes, it feels corona safe.

Dinner and bars

You can choose to eat dinner in the restaurant or in the simple buffet, which serves things like schnitzel, pork loin or breaded fish. We ate the simple buffet now, but are thinking of trying the restaurant on the way home. Then we would also write a slightly larger report about the ferry.

We chose chicken fillet, French fries and boiled vegetables, and Peter also started with the classic Polish soup zurek. This was accompanied by the IPA version of the Polish beer Zywiek. Of course, this was not an exclusive or fantastic dinner, but still sat nicely and tasted good.

We then sat for a while in the large bar, where we each got an Irish Coffee. Good and also affordable. The drink cost 18 zloty, which at today's rate corresponds to about 42 kronor. Quite ok for a drink on board a boat, right?

Breakfast and morning on board

We woke up early and had breakfast in the same simple buffet restaurant. We had to indicate whether we wanted scrambled eggs, fried eggs or perhaps sausage, which was served by a waiter behind a visor. Then we could help ourselves to bread and toppings, which were laid out on small wrapped plates. Not a great breakfast by any means, but absolutely ok.

You can pay for WiFi on board, but we did not do it on this trip, and you can turn off your own internet when you are in international waters. So there was no surfing in the morning hours. Instead, we took the opportunity to shop a little in the tax free shop, and we also luxuriated in it and slept for a while in the cabin. As we approached Gdansk, it was time to go out on deck and take photos.

READ MORE: Polish food - specialities of Polish cuisine
READ MORE: Reflections from the first trip abroad since February

Arriving in Poland

So now we have arrived in Poland. It feels really fantastic, and almost exotic, to be abroad again. At the same time, we have been many times in Poland, and in that way it feels a little homely. Now there are perhaps fewer tourists than usual, mainly because people travel less during the corona pandemic, but also because it is starting to be autumn. However, it does not feel like autumn. We have sun and nice summer heat here in northern Poland!

What is noticeable about the coronavirus is that, just like in Sweden, there are plenty of signs telling people to keep their distance. You also see more people wearing face masks than at home, but most people only put them on where they need to. On the streets, most people walk without masks.

Torun in Poland

We drove directly from Gdansk to Torunwhich was our first planned stop on this trip. Torun is mainly known for its gingerbread and the astronomer Copernicus. In addition, this is a completely fantastic beautiful, charming and historically interesting city. We met a guide, in co-operation with the Polish Tourist Board, who showed us around the city. Then we also had time for a visit to House of Copernicus in Torun. We'll tell you more soon!

12 September 2020 6:00

Poland

ferries

Helena

Administrator

23 Comments

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Tobias says:

We took the ferry that route last summer but another ferry. We had to back up on board. A bit of a challenging start to the holiday when you have a caravan! But you got good help so there was no major danger. We went the other way towards you and travelled through the Baltics then. This summer it was Sweden. Exciting to follow your journey.
https://findpenguins.com/17intvkz1fpnt/trip/5d25fdd0e0eb94-16958742

12 September 2020 - 8:55

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  A bit of excitement is part of it. The Baltics are interesting! We travelled all around Estonia last summer. We want to see more of Latvia and Lithuania!
  
  12 September 2020 - 9:51
  
  Reply
Husis blog says:

Great to see that you went abroad. Poland is a nice country to holiday in so hope you get to see a lot of new things on your trip.
Nice boat, even if it is a lot of hours, it surely got to sleep away a lot of these.
I myself am going to a neighbouring country to you...
All the best and drive carefully!

12 September 2020 - 8:56

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, it feels really fun! We have travelled a lot in Poland before, but now we will check out places that are new to us! Are you going to Germany perhaps?
  
  12 September 2020 - 9:52
  
  Reply
Ama de casa says:

What a great start to the trip abroad! Really good price on the drink there too 🙂

Did you have the masks with you or were they provided on the boat? Here it is mandatory, but that is not the case in Sweden as far as I have understood and Poland also seems a bit "voluntary" when it comes to the masks.

Have a nice trip! We are going home today 🙂

12 September 2020 - 9:08

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes good start! ? We had mouth guards with us. It is needed in different places, so just as well! Outdoors you don't need to wear a mask in Poland, but there are often signs when you enter museums, shops and other places.
  
  12 September 2020 - 9:54
  
  Reply
Arne Lindh says:

Glad you're on your way. We will follow you. We ourselves are travelling the Aptitude Tour in Sörmland. From farm shop to farm shop. We spend the night with our children and grandchildren. The best sites (Huddinge and Katrineholm). Not on the blog yet.

12 September 2020 - 9:24

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  How nice and delicious it sounds 🙂 Wishing you a nice trip!
  
  12 September 2020 - 9:55
  
  Reply
Johnny Friskilä says:

Have a nice trip! Solid food on the ferry, but that's what you (at least I) expect on such a trip. It is 16 years ago now that I took the boat to Gdansk. Maybe time to do it again!

12 September 2020 - 11:51

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thank you very much! Yes, it's a bit of truck food, but it works! (And there is another restaurant as well.)
  
  13 September 2020 - 9:53
  
  Reply
Susanne says:

Love Poland we go Karlskrona- Gdynia at least 3 times a year. Sometimes 36 hours overland 3 hotel nights in Gdansk. Going in October again.

12 September 2020 - 17:39

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Great that there are more people who like Poland! 🙂 Wish you a nice trip in October!
  
  13 September 2020 - 9:54
  
  Reply
Stefan Höjelid says:

Interesting report! I recognise myself, often take the ferry route Gdynia-Karlskrona-Gdynia, "married Polish". I actually feel safer on the ferry than in the centre of Växjö.

12 September 2020 - 17:57

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I'm glad you liked the report, and nice to hear that you recognise yourself. Yes, it definitely felt like a safe journey!
  
  13 September 2020 - 9:55
  
  Reply
BP says:

Yes, I recognise Polferries, but what an improvement in terms of the boat. The old boats were downright disgusting, but this boat is completely fresh. How nice. This particular line is mostly operated by guest workers and is not really intended as a tourist ferry.
However, the food is much the same, including the delicious Zurek soup - mmmmhhhhhhh!

12 September 2020 - 20:45

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  This new ferry is fresh, definitely an improvement! There may well be more tourists at certain times, but there are a lot of workers travelling.
  
  13 September 2020 - 9:57
  
  Reply
Elisabeth says:

Torun is a nice old town, well worth a visit. It's 9 years since we were there, Ha dé bra!

13 September 2020 - 8:38

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Funny that you were in Torun! Yes really nice!
  
  13 September 2020 - 9:57
  
  Reply
Liniz Travel says:

Is there anything child-friendly on the ferry? Please write about it. Is also hungry for Poland. Hugs

13 September 2020 - 9:19

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  There is a small play corner. I will write a more detailed report when we are back home.
  
  13 September 2020 - 9:58
  
  Reply
Joanna Tilly says:

Read with great interest your report!
We are on our way to Poland to visit Mazuria. We take the ferry from Trelleborg.
Let's hope for good autumn weather and that most campsites are still open.

13 September 2020 - 22:04

Reply
Carolyn says:

Hello!
Love the site and all the tips! I was wondering if you could bring LPG in the campervan on polferries? It says on their website that you can't do that, but no specific one about motorhomes!
Thank you for your help!

25 February 2024 - 10:26

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Hi Carolyn! How nice that you like our site! Yes, you have LPG in your motorhome, so you can take it with you. On some ferries, however, they want you to switch off the gas, it may be required when crossing (good to not have so much in the fridge then).
  
  25 February 2024 - 10:38
  
  Reply

Travelling from Sweden to Poland in times of coronavirus

From Nynäshamn to Gdansk with Polferries Nova Star

How corona safe is it on board?

Dinner and bars

Breakfast and morning on board

Arriving in Poland

Torun in Poland

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23 Comments

Tobias says:

Helena says:

Husis blog says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Arne Lindh says:

Helena says:

Johnny Friskilä says:

Helena says:

Susanne says:

Helena says:

Stefan Höjelid says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Elisabeth says:

Helena says:

Liniz Travel says:

Helena says:

Joanna Tilly says:

Carolyn says:

Helena says:

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