Germany · From tidal Halligen crossings to overnight ships bound for Scandinavia
Schleswig-Holstein ferry routes & schedules
Germany's northernmost state touches two seas, and its ferries reflect that split personality. On the North Sea side, small boats thread the Wadden Sea to the Frisian islands and the tiny Halligen; on the Baltic side, great overnight liners set out from Kiel and Travemünde toward Norway, Sweden and Finland. Few regions pack in such variety of sailing.
- 26
- Connections
- 9
- Operators
- 11
- Quays
- 20h
- Avg crossing
About
Ferry travel in Schleswig-Holstein
North Sea islands and the Halligen
From Dagebüll, Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei serves Amrum (Wittdün) and Föhr (Wyk), while Schlüttsiel is the springboard to the low-lying Halligen of Hooge and Langeneß. The far-north island of Sylt is reached at List by the FRS Syltfähre crossing to Havneby in Denmark, and rocky Helgoland is served from the mainland by Cassen Eils and FRS Helgoline.
Wadden Sea sailings are governed by the tide, so departure times shift day to day — always read the operator's tidal timetable before setting out.
Baltic gateways to the North
The Baltic ports handle the big international traffic. Color Line sails Kiel to Oslo, Stena Line runs Kiel to Gothenburg, and from Travemünde Finnlines reaches Helsinki with TT-Line heading to Trelleborg. The short but relentless Puttgarden–Rødby shuttle across the Fehmarn Belt is operated by Scandlines.
For the full picture of sailings within the country and beyond, see Germany ferry routes.
Quays
Ferry quays in Schleswig-Holstein
11 quays with published connections. Open a quay for every route that calls there.
At a glance
Which Schleswig-Holstein crossings run most often?
The busiest published crossings, ranked by number of listed sailings.
| Route | Crossing | Sailings | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiel → Oslo | 20h | 1 / wk | 1 |
| List (Sylt) → Havneby (Rømø) | 40m | — | 1 |
| Dagebüll → Wyk auf Föhr | 45m | — | 1 |
| Puttgarden (Fehmarn) → Rødby (Lolland) | 45m | — | 1 |
| Wyk auf Föhr → Dagebüll | 45m | — | 1 |
| Hooge (Hallig) → Schlüttsiel | 1h | — | 1 |
| Schlüttsiel → Hooge (Hallig) | 1h | — | 1 |
| Dagebüll → Wittdün (Amrum) | 1h 30m | — | 1 |
| Langeneß (Hallig) → Schlüttsiel | 1h 30m | — | 1 |
| Schlüttsiel → Langeneß (Hallig) | 1h 30m | — | 1 |
| Wittdün (Amrum) → Dagebüll | 1h 30m | — | 1 |
| Helgoland → Cuxhaven | 2h 30m | — | 1 |
Timetables
Ferry routes in Schleswig-Holstein
17 routes departing Schleswig-Holstein.
Travemünde3 routes
Dagebüll2 routes
Helgoland2 routes
Kiel2 routes
Schlüttsiel2 routes
Hooge (Hallig)1 route
Langeneß (Hallig)1 route
List (Sylt)1 route
Puttgarden (Fehmarn)1 route
Wittdün (Amrum)1 route
Wyk auf Föhr1 route
Operators
Who runs the ferries in Schleswig-Holstein?
Travel updates
Latest updates for Schleswig-Holstein
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Sylt, Amrum or Föhr?
Föhr and Amrum are reached by Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei from Dagebüll. Sylt has a ferry from List to Havneby in Denmark via FRS Syltfähre, though it is also connected to the mainland by the causeway railway.
Why do the island ferry times change each day?
The North Sea crossings run through the Wadden Sea, where shallow channels depend on the tide. Departure times therefore shift daily — check the operator's tidal timetable.
Which ports have ferries to Scandinavia?
Kiel sails to Oslo and Gothenburg, and Travemünde connects to Helsinki and Trelleborg. Scandlines also runs the fast Puttgarden–Rødby link to Denmark.
How many ferry routes are there in Schleswig-Holstein?
Schleswig-Holstein has 26 ferry and express-boat connections across 11 quays. Each route page lists the timetable, crossing time and operator.
Who operates ferries in Schleswig-Holstein?
Boat and ferry services in Schleswig-Holstein are run by 9 operators, including Cassen Eils, Color Line, FRS Helgoline, FRS Syltfähre, Finnlines and Scandlines. Most are part of Germany's county public-transport network.
How long are ferry crossings in Schleswig-Holstein?
Across Schleswig-Holstein's active crossings the average sailing takes about 20h. Each route page shows the exact duration.
Explore
Other ferry regions in Germany
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated July 20, 2026.