Which Ferry Route?

We are still pondering the choice of ferry to Turku. At least I am.

Option 1 is the direct ferry, Mariehamn to Turku, on a full size ferry, Viking or Silja Lines. It takes about 5 hours, I think. It winds its way through the islands, and a cabin for snoozing in would be a possibility.

Option 2 is the more adventurous one, island hopping by small ferry across first the Aland Archipelago, and then the Turku Archipelago. Trying to find out about this route has been rather like doing a jigsaw puzzle. Starting in Langnas on the wonderfully named island of Lumparland, it would be spread over three days, with about 3 hours each day taken up with ferries. One night would have to be spent on one of the intermediate Åland Islands as a condition of using the ferry route, because it is primarily meant for the use of the islanders. A second night would be spent on Galtby, on the furthest of the Åland Islands, because the ferry doesn't arrive there until 9 pm. The route from there to Turku, by ferries and bridges, is still a bit of an unknown quantity.

On his website, Paul gives some insight into this route. He describes racing across islands to catch the next ferry, in a little convoy of vehicles on the same mission, trying not to break the speed limit in the process. Our German cyclist yesterday confirmed this, saying that the timetables were such that you couldn't do the route on a bike, because there was not sufficient time to get from one ferry to the next.

There is little difference in the cost, as far as we can tell. If anything option 2 is a bit more expensive.

Those we have spoken to say that island hopping is a lovely way to do the crossing. I must say that it sounds potentially stressful to me, and we have forgotten how to do stressful! We have at least another day to make a decision.