Hamburg - Heligoland
By catamaran in just 3h 45 min from Hamburg directly to Helgoland. Perfect as a day trip or for travelling there for several days.
From
€70
Timetable
Ferries to Heligoland
Compare all ferry connections to Heligoland - find the best route for your trip
- Direct from Hamburg: from the heart of the city to Heligoland in just 3:45 h
- More departures from Cuxhaven, Brunsbüttel & other ports
- Compare all operators: FRS Helgoline, Cassen Eils, Adler & Eils & more
Popular routes
Our most popular connections to Heligoland.
Prices per person, one way
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Heligoland route map
All ferry routes at a glance
Interactive map of all ferry connections to Heligoland. Click a route for details.
- FRS Helgoline
- Reederei Cassen Eils
FRS Helgoline2 hours 10 minutes
Check prices →Reederei Cassen Eils1 hour 30 minutes
Check prices →FRS Helgoline1 hour 15 minutes
Check prices →FRS Helgoline3 hours 30 minutes
Check prices →Ferries to Heligoland
All routes to Heligoland
From the mainland
Several operators run regular connections from the German mainland to Heligoland, using both traditional excursion ships and fast catamarans.
Cuxhaven - Heligoland
From Cuxhaven, operator Cassen Eils runs the modern excursion ship MS "Helgoland" to the island of Heligoland all year round. The crossing takes around 2.5 hours. Departure is usually at 10:30, with the return sailing at 16:00.
From late March to early November, FRS Helgoline also runs a fast connection with the catamaran "Halunder Jet", which reaches Heligoland in about 75 minutes. Departure time is usually between 11:15 and 11:30, with the return sailing in the afternoon. Cassen Eils also runs its own catamaran seasonally, covering the route in around 75 minutes.
Hamburg - Heligoland
From late March to early November, FRS Helgoline runs a daily connection with the catamaran "Halunder Jet" from the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken (pier 3/4) to Heligoland. Departure is usually at 9:00, with stops in Cuxhaven and sometimes Brunsbüttel along the way. Arrival on Heligoland is scheduled for around 12:30-12:45, with the return sailing at around 16:30 or 17:00.
Büsum - Heligoland
From Büsum, operator Adler & Eils runs daily sailings in the main season, from 12 April to 26 October, with the excursion ship MS "Funny Girl". Departure is at 9:30, and the crossing takes around 2.5 hours. The return sailing is at 16:00 (17:00 on Mondays).
In the high season, between late June and mid-September, a catamaran (e.g. "Nordlicht" or "Nordlicht II") is also used, covering the route in around 1.5 hours.
Bremerhaven - Heligoland
No ferry currently runs from Bremerhaven to Heligoland. Operator Cassen Eils has discontinued the connection: the MS "Fair Lady" opened the 2025 season on 11 April, but from late May 2025 it was laid up in the shipyard with a gearbox fault and never returned to service. For 2026, the operator has dropped the route and is focusing on Cuxhaven instead; the ship is up for sale. The nearest alternative is the year-round connection from Cuxhaven with the MS "Helgoland".
Hooksiel/Wilhelmshaven - Heligoland
From Wilhelmshaven or Hooksiel, operator Adler & Eils sails to Heligoland on selected dates from April to October with the catamaran "Adler Cat" - mostly on Fridays and Saturdays, plus occasional Thursdays. Departure times vary from sailing to sailing because they depend on the tide; this is especially true from Hooksiel. The operator's published schedule is therefore the definitive source. The MS "Fair Lady", which previously served this route, is no longer in service.
From the North Frisian Islands and Halligen
Connections to Heligoland also run in the summer half of the year from Sylt, Amrum, Föhr, the Hallig Hooge, Nordstrand and Pellworm. Only Hörnum and Amrum offer a direct catamaran crossing; all other ports require a change.
For sailing times, frequencies and the season dates of these Wadden Sea connections, see faehre-nordfriesland.de.
FAQ ferries to Heligoland
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find the timetable for the ferries to Heligoland?+
From Cuxhaven, the excursion ship MS "Helgoland" sails all year round, taking about two and a half hours each way. The catamaran "Halunder Jet" runs from the end of March to the beginning of November from Hamburg and Cuxhaven. All departure times are in the timetable.
Can I take my car on the ferry?+
No. Heligoland is car free and the ships do not carry vehicles. Your car stays at the departure port: in Hamburg, Cuxhaven and Brunsbüttel there are car parks close to the harbour. On the island itself you do not need one.
Will I be brought ashore by Börteboot?+
Not on the services from Hamburg and Cuxhaven. The catamaran "Halunder Jet" sails straight into the harbour, nobody transfers to a small boat. The excursion ship MS "Helgoland" also berths in the south harbour all year round, so the island is step free to reach.
Can I shop duty free on Heligoland?+
Yes. Heligoland lies outside the customs and tax territory of the EU. Goods such as spirits, tobacco, perfume and jewellery are sold there without customs duty and without VAT. For the return journey there is a value limit per person and there are maximum quantities for alcohol, tobacco and medicines.
Which operators sail to Heligoland?+
The catamaran "Halunder Jet" from Hamburg, Brunsbüttel and Cuxhaven is operated by FRS Helgoline. From Cuxhaven, Cassen-Eils sails with the excursion ship MS "Helgoland", and from Büsum and Hooksiel it is Adler & Eils. Who serves which route is listed under operators.
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