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Fehmarnbelt · Germany ↔ Denmark · Scandlines

Puttgarden – Rodby ferry: Denmark in 45 minutes

The fastest ferry link between Germany and Denmark: 45 minutes across the Fehmarnbelt, sailings every 30 minutes around the clock – the most direct road route from Hamburg to Copenhagen.

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Timetable Puttgarden – Rodby

7-day price overviewLowest fare per person for each departure day
Loading timetable …
Departure Arrival Duration Operator Ship
00:40 01:25 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
01:20 02:05 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
02:00 02:45 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
02:40 03:25 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
03:20 04:05 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
04:00 04:45 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
04:40 05:25 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
05:20 06:05 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
06:00 06:45 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
06:40 07:25 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
07:20 08:05 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
08:00 08:45 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
08:40 09:25 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
09:20 10:05 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
10:00 10:45 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
10:40 11:25 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
11:20 12:05 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
12:00 12:45 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
12:40 13:25 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
13:20 14:05 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
14:00 14:45 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
14:40 15:25 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
15:20 16:05 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
16:00 16:45 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
16:40 17:25 45 min Scandlines Scandlines vessel
17:20 18:05 45 min Scandlines Prins Richard
18:00 18:45 45 min Scandlines Prins Richard
18:40 19:25 45 min Scandlines Prins Richard
19:20 20:05 45 min Scandlines Prins Richard
20:00 20:45 45 min Scandlines Prins Richard
20:40 21:25 45 min Scandlines Prins Richard
21:20 22:05 45 min Scandlines Prins Richard
22:00 22:45 45 min Scandlines Prins Richard
22:40 23:25 45 min Scandlines Prins Richard
23:20 00:05 (+1) 45 min Scandlines Prins Richard
Live data · subject to change Check availability →

The route in numbers

45 mincrossing time
every 30 mindepartures, 24/7
from ~€40car incl. up to 9 passengers (saver fare)
up to 47sailings per day each way

The route on the map

From Puttgarden on the island of Fehmarn straight across the Fehmarnbelt to Rødbyhavn on Lolland – just 18.5 km of sea on the busiest short ferry corridor in Northern Europe.

  • Sea distanceapprox. 18.5 km across the Fehmarnbelt
  • DeparturePuttgarden ferry port on Fehmarn, right on the B207/E47
  • ArrivalRødbyhavn on Lolland – the E47 motorway starts at the ramp
  • Onwards from RodbyCopenhagen approx. 1h40, Öresund Bridge to Sweden approx. 2h

How much does the crossing cost?

Build your trip below – we calculate with the live daily fares of each departure. Scandlines charges per vehicle: the car fare covers up to 9 people, which makes this crossing unbeatable for families.

Live price calculator – configure your crossing
Adults
2
Children
0
Vehicle
Pick a date – we calculate with live daily prices.

What costs what – every item explained

How the total price adds up

Passengers
Adultlive daily price
Child (4–15 yrs)approx. 50% of the adult fare
Child under 4free
Vehicles
Car (up to 9 people) included
Car + trailer/caravan +45 €
Motorhome +40 €
Motorcycle included
surcharge on top of the passenger fare
Typical low-season prices at a glance
Car up to 6 m incl. up to 9 passengers (saver)from ~€40
Car standard (flexible)from ~€52–80
Motorhome / car with caravanfrom ~€80
Motorcycle incl. riderfrom ~€40
Foot passengers & bicyclescurrently not carried – vehicles only

Puttgarden–Rodby or Rostock–Gedser?

Both Scandlines routes cross to Denmark – the better one depends mostly on where you start.

Puttgarden–Rodby

Fehmarnbelt route

  • Crossing45 minutes
  • Frequencyevery 30 minutes, 24/7
  • Best fromHamburg, western Germany, the Netherlands
  • To Copenhagenapprox. 1h40 from Rodby
  • Foot passengerscurrently not possible

Rostock–Gedser

Scandlines · from Mecklenburg

  • Crossingapprox. 2 hours
  • Frequencyup to 9 sailings daily
  • Best fromBerlin, eastern Germany, Poland
  • To Copenhagenapprox. 1h45 from Gedser
  • Foot passengerspossible

Rule of thumb: west of Lübeck take Puttgarden, east of Berlin take Rostock. Both routes combine with the Öresund crossing into Sweden via a single combo ticket.

Why the Puttgarden–Rodby route?

No other crossing gets you from Germany to Denmark with less fuss: short, extremely frequent – and a welcome 45-minute break on the long drive to Scandinavia.

Cars boarding the ferry

The fastest road route Hamburg → Copenhagen

Follow the A1 to its end, then the B207 to the ramp – about 90 minutes from Hamburg. On the Danish side the E47 starts at the port: Copenhagen is roughly 1h40 away.

Ferry at the berth

Every 30 minutes, around the clock

Up to 47 sailings a day each way means virtually no waiting. Missed one? The next ferry leaves in half an hour. This is the one route where you never need to plan around a timetable.

On deck of the Scandlines ferry

Double-ended hybrid ferries

Scandlines' four hybrid ferries load at both ends – drive on forwards, drive off forwards. 45 minutes is just right for a coffee, the duty-free BorderShop haul or a few minutes of sea air on deck.

Insider tips for this route

What the live fare data and experience actually teach you.

Book online – never pay the terminal price

The same crossing bought at the port regularly costs far more, and cash payers pay the most. Saver fares are online-only with a fixed departure – the timetable above shows today's prices.

Evening and night sailings are cheapest

The limited low-price tickets from about €40 are mostly on evening and night departures. With only 45 minutes at sea there is no reason to avoid a 10 pm crossing – you are still in Denmark before midnight.

Avoid Friday and Sunday peaks

Holiday getaways, Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings are the busiest and priciest windows. Tuesday to Thursday is cheaper and the check-in lanes are empty.

Pets travel free

Dogs and cats sail at no extra charge – in your own vehicle or on a lead on the carpet-free decks, up to 5 animals per person. EU pet passport, microchip and valid rabies vaccination are mandatory.

Declare your true vehicle length

Fares depend on total length including towbar, bike rack and roof box. Under-declare and you will pay a much steeper correction at the terminal.

Plan time for the BorderShop

One of Northern Europe's biggest border shops sits right at Puttgarden harbour – for many Danes and Swedes it is the actual reason for the trip. Shop before you board, not in a rush after arrival.

Impressions from the crossing

Ferry wake on the Fehmarnbelt
45 minutes on the Fehmarnbelt – the shortest sea road to Scandinavia.
Child at the ferry railing
The first highlight of any Denmark trip – and the car fare covers the whole family.
Dunes and beach in Denmark
From Rodby, the beaches of Lolland and Falster are minutes away.

Travelling with a dog

Pets sail free on this route

Denmark is one of Europe's most dog-friendly destinations – and on the Fehmarnbelt route your four-legged friend travels at no extra cost. With just 45 minutes at sea, most dogs simply stay relaxed in the car.

  • No fee, no advance registration, up to 5 pets per person
  • Stay in your own vehicle or on a lead on carpet-free decks
  • EU pet passport, microchip & valid rabies vaccination required
  • Denmark additionally requires third-party dog liability insurance
Book with your dog →
Dog on board the ferry

Getting to the terminal

  1. A1 to its end, then B207 to Puttgarden – Beyond the Fehmarnsund bridge the motorway becomes the B207 and ends practically at the ferry ramp – about 90 minutes from Hamburg.
  2. Check in at Puttgarden port – Self-service lanes with number-plate recognition; arriving 30 minutes before departure is plenty. Early? Just take the earlier ferry.
  3. Board and cast off – Park on the car deck and head upstairs: shop, café and open deck – 45 minutes later the ferry is already docking in Rødbyhavn.
  4. Arrive in Rodby – straight onto the E47: Copenhagen approx. 1h40, the Öresund Bridge to Malmö about 2h.
Vehicles queuing at the ferry terminal

The ports on this route

Location, getting there and other connections from both ports.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Puttgarden–Rodby ferry crossing?

Exactly 45 minutes across the Fehmarnbelt. Including check-in and unloading, allow about 1.5 hours for the whole passage.

How much does the crossing cost?

A car including up to 9 passengers starts at about €40 on limited evening/night saver fares, typically €52–80 one way otherwise. The timetable above shows today's live prices.

How often does the ferry run – do I need to book?

Every 30 minutes around the clock, up to 47 sailings a day each way. A ticket with a fixed departure is cheaper; if your plans shift, you simply roll onto the next available ferry.

Can I cross as a foot passenger or with a bicycle?

Currently not – the route carries vehicles only (cars, motorcycles, motorhomes, coaches). Foot passengers can use Rostock–Gedser or the rail route via the Great Belt instead.

Can my dog come on the ferry?

Yes, free of charge and without registration – in your own vehicle or on a lead on the carpet-free decks. EU pet passport, microchip and rabies vaccination are mandatory; Denmark also requires dog liability insurance.

What about the Fehmarnbelt tunnel?

The immersed tunnel is under construction and due to open towards the end of the decade. Until then the ferry is the only direct link – and Scandlines plans to keep sailing afterwards too.

Is the Sweden combo ticket worth it?

If you are continuing to Sweden, booking ferry + Öresund crossing (bridge or Helsingør–Helsingborg ferry) as one combo ticket is usually cheaper than booking both legs separately.

Book your Fehmarnbelt crossing now

All Scandlines sailings Puttgarden–Rodby with live daily prices – booked directly with the operator, no markup.

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