Klaipėda Ferry Port: Terminals, Getting There and Onward Travel

• Local connection: The Old and New Ferry Terminals connect mainland Klaipėda with Smiltynė on the Curonian Spit.
• Old Ferry Terminal: It is near the city centre and carries pedestrians, bicycles and pets, but not motor vehicles.
• Address, Old Ferry Terminal: Šiaurinis Ragas, E. Galvanausko bul. 1.
• New Ferry Terminal: The local vehicle ferry departs from Nemuno g. 8 and carries cars and buses, as well as pedestrians and bicycles.
• International arrivals: DFDS lists the Central Klaipėda Terminal (CKT), Baltijos pr. 40, for passenger services; confirm the details in your booking.
• Direct to the museum: Special ferries run directly from the Old Ferry Terminal to the Lithuanian Sea Museum and Dolphinarium.
• Timetable: Departure intervals and seasonal services may vary; check the latest information on the day of travel.

The term “ferry port” can refer to different places in Klaipėda. The local ferries to Smiltynė cross the Curonian Lagoon and form part of the local transport network between the city and the spit. International passenger ferries use a separate terminal area. So don’t rely on a generic map pin labelled “Klaipėda port”: check your booking to see whether you need to go to the Old or New local Ferry Terminal, or to the international passenger terminal.

Your approach also depends on how you plan to continue your journey. If you are on foot or travelling by bicycle, the Old Ferry Terminal in the city centre is often the right connection to Smiltynė. If you have a car and want to take it onto the spit, you will need the New local Ferry Terminal. For an international arrival, follow the terminal details provided by the ferry operator—not automatically the address of the local car ferry.

The Old Ferry Terminal is in the centre, near where the Danė meets the Curonian Lagoon. The official tourism information gives its address as Šiaurinis Ragas, E. Galvanausko bul. 1. Local ferries from here carry pedestrians, bicycles and pets; cars and other motor vehicles are not carried at this terminal. If you are travelling by car, don’t simply follow the address in the Old Town and expect to board there.

Special services also run directly from the Old Ferry Terminal to the Lithuanian Sea Museum and Dolphinarium. Check separately whether this connection operates on the day of your visit: it does not automatically replace the regular crossing to Smiltynė, and may have its own departure times or conditions. For a walk around the city before or after your crossing, the article about Klaipėda as a port city offers an overview; for specific places in the centre, see the sights in Klaipėda.

The New local Ferry Terminal is at Nemuno Street 8, farther south than the old landing. According to the tourism information, ferries here carry cars and buses, as well as pedestrians and cyclists. It is therefore the local connection to check if you want to take a vehicle to Smiltynė. However, the name “New Ferry Terminal” does not automatically mean it is the terminal for an international crossing.

Before travelling, check the departure point, vehicle category, ticket requirements and current waiting conditions. Special rules may apply to bicycles, trailers or larger vehicles; don’t assume every ferry handles all vehicle types in the same way. The local information explicitly distinguishes between the Old and New Ferry Terminals. You can also consult the general overview of ferry connections to Lithuania, but the operator’s specific instructions for your journey take precedence.

If you are travelling to Klaipėda on an international passenger ferry, use the terminal specified in your booking confirmation for that particular route. DFDS lists the Central Klaipėda Terminal at Baltijos pr. 40. As check-in, access and procedures may vary by route and departure, confirm the address against your travel documents before setting off. The official DFDS terminal information for Klaipėda is a good place to start; for your specific journey, your booking details remain authoritative.

Allow extra time for the journey to the terminal, possible checks and check-in. If you plan to continue by train, coach or taxi after arriving, check the connection between the terminal, your accommodation and your next mode of transport in advance. If you arrive late, an overnight stay in the city can make the transition easier. To find a suitable base, compare accommodation in Klaipėda and check its location and how to get back to the station or city centre.

The crossing to Smiltynė is only the first leg if you are continuing towards Nida or Juodkrantė. Allow for travel on the spit, your next connection and the return journey, rather than planning only for the ferry crossing itself. The Curonian Lagoon lies between the mainland and the spit; the page about the Curonian Lagoon helps distinguish this expanse of water from the open Baltic Sea.

For a longer stay, you can choose accommodation in the port city or on the spit after you arrive. The overviews of Neringa and accommodation in Neringa can help you plan different places to stay. If you are looking for a beach, promenade or lively centre rather than dunes and nature, the guide to a Baltic holiday in Lithuania compares different coastal destinations. This will help you decide whether Klaipėda should be your starting point, a stopover or your main base.

Open your booking and note the exact terminal address, required arrival time and conditions for vehicles, luggage or pets. Then check whether you have booked a local crossing to Smiltynė or an international passage. Match the terminal name to the correct address, and check the timetable again on the day. Screenshots or old search results should not replace the operator’s latest information.

If you are travelling by car, decide before setting off whether you want to take the vehicle onto the spit or leave it in Klaipėda. For the latter, pedestrian and bicycle services may be enough; for the former, you will need the vehicle ferry at the New local Ferry Terminal. Allow time for getting around and making connections on both sides of the crossing. The right accommodation can also make for a more relaxed overnight stay after you arrive or before you continue your journey.

Which ferry terminal should I use to get from Klaipėda to Smiltynė?

There are two local crossings: the Old and New Ferry Terminals. Which one you need depends mainly on whether you are travelling on foot, by bicycle or in a motor vehicle.

Can I take my car from the Old Ferry Terminal?

No. According to the local tourism information, the Old Ferry Terminal carries pedestrians, bicycles and pets, but not motor vehicles. For a vehicle crossing, check the New local Ferry Terminal on Nemuno Street.

Is the New Ferry Terminal also the international DFDS terminal?

No. The New Ferry Terminal at Nemuno g. 8 serves the local connection to Smiltynė. For an international journey, use the terminal specified in your booking for your route; DFDS lists a separate terminal in Klaipėda.

Where is the international passenger terminal?

DFDS lists the Central Klaipėda Terminal (CKT) at Baltijos pr. 40. Check the address and check-in details in your current travel documents before each departure, as the specific route is what matters.

How do I get from Smiltynė to Nida or Juodkrantė?

After the crossing, you will need to plan your onward journey along the spit and your return trip as well. Check connections and times for your travel day, and consider staying overnight in Neringa if you want to visit several places.