Friesland, Netherlands
Ferries from Harlingen
Harlingen (Friesland, Netherlands) has 4 ferry routes to 2 destinations, operated by Rederij Doeksen. You can sail from Harlingen to Terschelling and Vlieland. Crossing times and timetables for each route are listed below.
- 4
- Routes
- 2
- Destinations
- 1
- Operators
Routes & timetables
What ferry routes connect Harlingen?
4 crossings with live schedules — each card opens its full timetable.
Timetable
Ferry departures from Harlingen
26 scheduled sailings leaving Harlingen, across every route. Times are local.
| Departs | Arrives | To | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07:55 | 08:45 | Terschelling | 50m | Rederij Doeksen | Sun |
| 08:05 | 10:05 | Terschelling | 2h | Rederij Doeksen | Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| 08:15 | 09:05 | Terschelling | 50m | Rederij Doeksen | Daily |
| 08:30 | 09:20 | Terschelling | 50m | Rederij Doeksen | Sun |
| 09:05 | 10:40 | Vlieland | 1h 35m | Rederij Doeksen | Daily |
| 09:35 | 11:35 | Terschelling | 2h | Rederij Doeksen | Sun |
| 09:55 | 11:55 | Terschelling | 2h | Rederij Doeksen | Daily |
| 10:05 | 10:55 | Terschelling | 50m | Rederij Doeksen | Sun |
| 10:30 | 11:20 | Terschelling | 50m | Rederij Doeksen | Mon, Fri |
| 10:50 | 11:40 | Terschelling | 50m | Rederij Doeksen | Sun |
| 11:55 | 13:55 | Terschelling | 2h | Rederij Doeksen | Fri, Sat |
| 12:40 | 13:30 | Terschelling | 50m | Rederij Doeksen | Daily |
| 13:05 | 15:05 | Terschelling | 2h | Rederij Doeksen | Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| 14:05 | 15:40 | Vlieland | 1h 35m | Rederij Doeksen | Daily |
| 14:35 | 15:20 | Vlieland | 45m | Rederij Doeksen | Fri |
| 14:55 | 15:45 | Terschelling | 50m | Rederij Doeksen | Fri |
| 15:05 | 17:05 | Terschelling | 2h | Rederij Doeksen | Daily |
| 15:45 | 16:35 | Terschelling | 50m | Rederij Doeksen | Sun |
| 17:05 | 19:05 | Terschelling | 2h | Rederij Doeksen | Fri, Sat |
| 17:35 | 18:25 | Terschelling | 50m | Rederij Doeksen | Daily |
| 18:00 | 18:45 | Vlieland | 45m | Rederij Doeksen | Sun |
| 18:05 | 20:05 | Terschelling | 2h | Rederij Doeksen | Fri, Sun |
| 18:55 | 19:45 | Terschelling | 50m | Rederij Doeksen | Sun |
| 19:05 | 20:40 | Vlieland | 1h 35m | Rederij Doeksen | Daily |
| 19:50 | 20:40 | Terschelling | 50m | Rederij Doeksen | Wed, Sun |
| 19:55 | 21:55 | Terschelling | 2h | Rederij Doeksen | Daily |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
Network
Where does Harlingen connect?
Ports connected
Operators
Location
Where is Harlingen?
- Region
- Friesland
- Coordinates
- 53.176° N, 5.412° E
- Shortest crossing
- 45m
Plan your trip
The day at Harlingen
First 07:55
Last 19:55
Busiest 08:00–09:00
13 of 24 hours served
Nothing sails outside 07:55–19:55, so a day trip has to fit inside that window; the last departure is the last one. 150 scheduled departures in total.
About
About Harlingen
Two islands, two sets of rules. From this quay you can take a car to Terschelling and you cannot take one to Vlieland — not because the boat will not carry it, but because Vlieland does not allow visitor cars at all. Getting that wrong at the ticket desk is the most common mistake made in Harlingen.
The two crossings
- Terschelling — about 50 minutes, with 15 sailings out and 18 back in our timetable. Vehicles carried.
- Vlieland — about 45 minutes, 23 sailings out and 21 back. Foot passengers and bicycles only.
Both are operated by Rederij Doeksen from the terminal at Waddenpromenade 5, on the harbour front.
⚠ You are sailing across a seabed
The Wadden Sea is a tidal flat, not open water. Large parts of it dry to mud at low tide, and the ferries follow a narrow, heavily marked channel that winds between the shallows rather than running in a straight line.
That is why a 25-kilometre crossing takes the better part of an hour, why the fast services and the conventional ones take noticeably different routes, and why sailings are tied to the tide more than in most European ports. It is also why the whole area is a UNESCO World Heritage site — at low water you can walk on parts of the seabed with a guide.
Planning for a car-free island
If Vlieland is the destination, leave the car in Harlingen. There is long-stay parking near the terminal, and on the island itself you move by bicycle — which is how the place is designed to work rather than a hardship.
Terschelling does take cars, but the island restricts and charges for them, and most visitors still arrive on foot with a bike. The practical default for both islands is to travel as a foot passenger.
Harlingen itself
A working Frisian harbour town with a preserved centre, and the mainland gateway to this stretch of the Wadden. The rail station is close to the ferry terminal, which makes the whole journey from Amsterdam feasible without a car.
Season
Both routes run year round because people live on both islands, but frequency and vessel type change with the season, and summer weekends sell out — particularly the vehicle deck to Terschelling.
Book ahead for a car in July and August. As a foot passenger you have far more flexibility, which is another argument for leaving the vehicle on the mainland.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a ferry to from Harlingen?
From Harlingen you can take a ferry to Terschelling and Vlieland. Each route page shows the crossing time and timetable.
Which ferry companies operate from Harlingen?
Ferries from Harlingen are run by Rederij Doeksen. Open an operator page for its fleet, routes and contact details.
How many ferry routes serve Harlingen?
Harlingen is served by 4 ferry routes connecting 2 ports. Timetables can change seasonally, so confirm with the operator before travelling.
Where is Harlingen ferry port located?
Harlingen is in Friesland, Netherlands (around 53.176, 5.412). See the map on this page for its exact location.
How do I get to Harlingen ferry terminal?
Arrive at Harlingen well before departure — typically 30–60 minutes ahead for foot passengers and longer if you are travelling with a vehicle. Check local bus, train or taxi connections to the terminal and confirm the exact boarding point with your operator.
What are the most popular ferries from Harlingen?
Popular crossings from Harlingen include Terschelling and Vlieland. Browse the full list below for crossing times and live timetables.
Do ferries from Harlingen carry cars?
Vehicle capacity varies by route and vessel. Check the individual route page and confirm with the operator before travelling with a car.
When should I book a ferry from Harlingen?
For peak season and any sailing with a vehicle, book as early as possible. Off-peak foot-passenger fares are usually more flexible. Always confirm the latest timetable before travelling.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated Aug 8, 2026.
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