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 and find the best route for your trip
- Direct from Hamburg: from the heart of the city to Heligoland in just 3h45
- More departures from Cuxhaven, Brunsbüttel & more
- Compare all operators: FRS Helgoline, Cassen Eils, Adler & Eils & more
Popular routes
Our most-booked 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 ferry operators run regular connections from the German mainland to Heligoland, using both traditional excursion ships and fast catamarans.
Cuxhaven - Heligoland
From Cuxhaven, the operator Cassen Eils runs the modern excursion ship MS "Helgoland" to the island of Heligoland all year round. The crossing takes about 2.5 hours. Departure is usually at 10:30, with the return sailing at 16:00.
FRS Helgoline also runs a fast connection from late March to early November with the "Halunder Jet" catamaran, which reaches Heligoland in around 75 minutes. Departure is usually between 11:15 and 11:30, with the return sailing in the afternoon. Cassen Eils also operates its own catamaran seasonally, covering the route in around 75 minutes.
Hamburg - Heligoland
FRS Helgoline runs a daily connection from late March to early November with the "Halunder Jet" catamaran from the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken (pier 3/4) to Heligoland. Departure is usually at 9:00, with stops in Cuxhaven and sometimes Brunsbüttel. Arrival on Heligoland is scheduled for around 12:30 to 12:45, with the return sailing around 16:30 or 17:00.
Büsum - Heligoland
From Büsum, the 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 about 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 deployed, covering the route in around 1.5 hours.
Bremerhaven - Heligoland
No ship sails from Bremerhaven to Heligoland any more. Operator Cassen Eils has discontinued the connection: the MS "Fair Lady" opened the 2025 season on 11 April, but from late May 2025 was laid up in the shipyard with a gearbox fault and never returned to service. For 2026 the operator has dropped the route to focus on Cuxhaven, and 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 between April and October with the "Adler Cat" catamaran, mostly on Fridays and Saturdays plus occasional Thursdays. Departure times vary from sailing to sailing because they depend on the tide, which is especially true from Hooksiel. The operator's own schedule is therefore the definitive source. The MS "Fair Lady", which previously served this route, is out of 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 are served directly by catamaran; all other ports require a change.
These Wadden Sea connections, with crossing times, frequencies and season dates, are listed on faehre-nordfriesland.de.
FAQ Heligoland ferries
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find the Heligoland ferry timetable?+
The MS "Helgoland" excursion ship sails from Cuxhaven all year round, taking around two and a half hours each way. The "Halunder Jet" catamaran runs from Hamburg and Cuxhaven from late March to early November. All departure times are in the timetable.
Can I take my car on the ferry?+
No. Heligoland is car-free, and the ships don't carry vehicles. Your car stays at the departure port: Hamburg, Cuxhaven and Brunsbüttel all have parking near the harbour. You won't need one on the island itself.
Will I be taken ashore in Börte boats?+
Not on the connections from Hamburg and Cuxhaven. The "Halunder Jet" catamaran sails directly into the harbour, so nobody transfers to a small boat. The MS "Helgoland" excursion ship also docks in the South Harbour all year round, so the island is reachable without any boat transfer.
Can I shop duty-free on Heligoland?+
Yes. Heligoland lies outside the EU customs and tax area. Goods such as spirits, tobacco, perfume and jewellery are available there without customs duty or VAT. On your return journey, an allowance limit per person and maximum quantities for alcohol, tobacco and medicines apply.
Which ferry operators sail to Heligoland?+
The "Halunder Jet" catamaran from Hamburg, Brunsbüttel and Cuxhaven is operated by FRS Helgoline. Cassen Eils sails from Cuxhaven with the MS "Helgoland" excursion ship, and Adler & Eils from Büsum and Hooksiel. Check with each operator to see which route they serve.
Ready for Heligoland?
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