Operator
FRS Helgoline
The operator behind the Halunder Jet – a profile of its history, ship, seat classes, check-in and luggage rules.
- Serving Helgoland since 1984, under the FRS Helgoline name within the Flensburg-based FRS Group since 2007
- One ship, three Elbe ports: the Halunder Jet from Hamburg, Brunsbüttel and Cuxhaven, late March to early November
- Check-in for day visitors 20 minutes before departure at the gangway, luggage checked in beforehand at the counter or ship
About FRS Helgoline
Table of Contents
About FRS Helgoline
FRS Helgoline is the catamaran operator serving Helgoland. It began in 1984 with the seaside steamer Wappen von Hamburg on the Hamburg–Cuxhaven–Helgoland route, then under the name Helgoline, and has traded as FRS Helgoline since 2007. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the FRS Group from Flensburg – Förde Reederei Seetouristik – with more than 150 years of shipping history; the group operates around 60 ships worldwide, carrying roughly 7.9 million passengers and 2.1 million vehicles a year.
Over the decades the operator has run several fast catamarans alongside the Wappen von Hamburg, at times also serving Wedel, Stade and Sylt. The first Halunder Jet, built in 2003, ran until 2017; its 2018-built successor carries the same name and has been the operator's sole ship since.
The ship: Halunder Jet
Today's Halunder Jet was launched in 2018 at the Austal shipyard in Cebu. The catamaran is 56.40 metres long, carries around 680 passengers and reaches up to 36 knots (about 67 km/h) on four MTU engines with waterjet propulsion. A computer-controlled stabiliser system smooths out the motion on the North Sea.
On board there are four seat categories: Jet Class with group tables, Panorama Class along the large window rows, Premium Class in its own forward lounge on the upper deck, and the front row with panoramic views and balcony access in port. All seats have tables and USB ports, Wi-Fi is free, and food and drinks are brought to your seat. A lift connects the decks, and there are ten wheelchair spaces, seats with movable armrests and accessible toilets on every deck, plus an open sun deck.
Routes on this page
The Halunder Jet runs a single line calling at three Elbe ports: it departs Landungsbrücken in the morning, calls at Cuxhaven and, three to four days a week, at Brunsbüttel, reaching Helgoland in the early afternoon, with the return in the late afternoon. The season runs from late March to early November. Getting there, check-in and timings for each port are covered on the route pages Hamburg – Helgoland, Cuxhaven – Helgoland and Brunsbüttel – Helgoland, with all departures in the timetable. On Helgoland the catamaran berths directly in the harbour, so there's no tendering.
Check-in, luggage and pets
As a day visitor, be at the gangway at least 20 minutes before departure; online check-in is available. One piece of hand luggage up to 45 x 30 x 17 cm and 8 kg fits at your seat; larger items are checked in, up to 20 kg each – at the ticket counter in Brunsbüttel and Cuxhaven, or directly at the ship in Hamburg and on Helgoland, within a window before departure. Multi-day tickets include one checked item; extra pieces and excess baggage cost more, and on Helgoland the operator can deliver your luggage to your accommodation for a fee.
The catamaran doesn't carry bicycles to Helgoland, since cycling isn't permitted on the island; a limited number travel between the Elbe ports. Pets are generally allowed, for a fee and subject to the operator's conditions. On board you can pay by credit card, debit card or cash.
Tickets and fares
Tickets are available online, at the counters in the departure ports, and through the booking window on the route pages. The price depends on the departure port, season and seat category; on family days up to three children travel free, and the newsletter brings a discount. You can rebook or cancel up to seven days before travel for a handling fee; after that the tiered fees in the conditions of carriage apply, up to the full fare for late cancellations. To see which operator runs which service to Helgoland, check the overview of Helgoland ferry operators.
FAQ FRS Helgoline
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about FRS Helgoline and the Halunder Jet
Which routes does FRS Helgoline run to Helgoland?+
A single line with three departure ports. The Halunder Jet sets off from Hamburg in the morning, calls at Cuxhaven and, three to four days a week, at Brunsbüttel, reaching Helgoland in the early afternoon. The route pages Hamburg – Helgoland, Cuxhaven – Helgoland and Brunsbüttel – Helgoland cover getting there, check-in and timings for each port.
Which ship does the operator use?+
The high-speed catamaran Halunder Jet, built in 2018 at the Austal shipyard in Cebu, 56.40 metres long, carrying around 680 passengers at up to 36 knots. It has four seat categories, free Wi-Fi, at-seat service, a lift and a sun deck; a stabiliser system smooths out the ship's motion.
When do I need to be at the ship?+
Day visitors should be at the gangway at least 20 minutes before departure; online check-in is available. If you're checking in luggage, arrive earlier: in Brunsbüttel and Cuxhaven the ticket counter accepts suitcases, while in Hamburg and on Helgoland you check them in directly at the ship, within a window before departure.
Can I bring a car or bicycle?+
No. Helgoland is car-free, and FRS Helgoline doesn't carry bicycles to Helgoland either, since cycling isn't permitted on the island. On the Elbe-only legs between Hamburg, Brunsbüttel and Cuxhaven, a limited number of bicycles are carried.
Does FRS Helgoline carry pets?+
Pets are generally welcome, for a fee and subject to the operator's conditions. Register your dog when booking and keep it on a lead on board.
Where can I find the timetable and prices?+
Departures from all three ports are listed in the timetable; the season runs from late March to early November. The price depends on the departure port, season and seat category, with family days and the newsletter discount bringing it down; the exact fare for your date is shown in the booking window on the relevant route page.