Estonia · Estonia's western islands, reached by the state's short-run car ferries
Saare County ferry routes & schedules
Saare County is Estonia's island province, gathered around Saaremaa and Muhu in the Baltic, with lonely Ruhnu adrift far to the south. Getting there means a ferry: short, frequent car-ferry shuttles across the sounds and slower seasonal links to the smaller islands.
- 10
- Connections
- 3
- Operators
- 4
- Quays
About
Ferry travel in Saare County
The mainland shuttle and the island links
The lifeline crossing is Kuivastu on Muhu to Virtsu on the mainland — a short, high-frequency car-ferry hop that, via the Muhu causeway, is how most traffic reaches Saaremaa. Elsewhere the boats grow smaller and rarer: Triigi on Saaremaa connects across to Sõru on Hiiumaa, and remote Ruhnu is tied by seasonal sailings to Roomassaare, Munalaid and Pärnu.
These routes are woven into Estonia's ferry network, and as Estonia is in the Schengen Area, EU and Schengen travellers cross without border checks.
State ferries and the small-island operators
The main Virtsu–Kuivastu shuttle is run by TS Laevad, the national car-ferry operator. The thinner island links fall to Kihnu Veeteed and Tuule Liinid, whose Ruhnu and Hiiumaa services run to lighter, weather-sensitive schedules.
On the busy mainland shuttle you can often just turn up, but on peak summer weekends and for the small-island boats a vehicle reservation is wise. Confirm timings with the operator, especially outside summer.
Quays
Ferry quays in Saare County
4 quays with published connections. Open a quay for every route that calls there.
At a glance
Which Saare County crossings run most often?
The busiest published crossings, ranked by number of listed sailings.
| Route | Crossing | Sailings | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuivastu (Muhu) → Virtsu | 27m | — | 1 |
| Triigi (Saaremaa) → Sõru (Hiiumaa) | 1h | — | 1 |
| Ringsu (Ruhnu) → Munalaid | 2h 30m | — | 1 |
| Ringsu (Ruhnu) → Roomassaare (Saaremaa) | 2h 30m | — | 1 |
| Roomassaare (Saaremaa) → Ringsu (Ruhnu) | 2h 30m | — | 1 |
| Ringsu (Ruhnu) → Pärnu | 3h | — | 1 |
Timetables
Ferry routes in Saare County
6 routes departing Saare County.
Ringsu (Ruhnu)3 routes
Kuivastu (Muhu)1 route
Roomassaare (Saaremaa)1 route
Triigi (Saaremaa)1 route
Operators
Who runs the ferries in Saare County?
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Saaremaa?
Take the frequent Virtsu to Kuivastu car ferry to Muhu island, then drive the causeway to Saaremaa. TS Laevad operates the crossing.
Is Ruhnu island easy to reach?
Less so. Ruhnu has seasonal links to Pärnu, Munalaid and Roomassaare with limited, weather-dependent sailings, so plan around the operator's timetable.
Do I need to book the car ferry?
For the main Virtsu–Kuivastu shuttle you can usually travel without a booking, but reserve on busy summer weekends and for the smaller island routes.
How many ferry routes are there in Saare County?
Saare County has 10 ferry and express-boat connections across 4 quays. Each route page lists the timetable, crossing time and operator.
Who operates ferries in Saare County?
Boat and ferry services in Saare County are run by 3 operators, including Kihnu Veeteed, TS Laevad and Tuule Liinid. Most are part of Estonia's county public-transport network.
Explore
Other ferry regions in Estonia
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub.