Ferry operator
Scandlines
The German-Danish ferry operator across the Fehmarn Belt and Mecklenburg Bay, on the Baltic since 1903
- Two routes from Germany to Denmark - Puttgarden - Rødby and Rostock - Gedser
- Six hybrid ferries and, since 2026, one of the world's largest battery ferries
- Checked in with your vehicle at least 15 minutes before departure, on both routes
About Scandlines
Table of Contents
About Scandlines
Scandlines is the German-Danish ferry operator on the two shortest sea crossings between Germany and Denmark. Its history begins in 1903, when the first railway ferry steamed across the Baltic between Warnemünde and Gedser, run jointly by the German and Danish state railways. In 1963 came the Vogelfluglinie between Puttgarden and Rødby, which had already carried its hundred-millionth passenger by 1988. After German reunification, the two German ferry companies merged into DFO in 1993; in 1995 the eastern route moved from Warnemünde to Rostock's overseas port, and in 1997 the Danish DSB Rederi was renamed Scandlines. In 1998 DFO and Scandlines A/S merged to form Scandlines AG, owned by Deutsche Bahn and the Danish Ministry of Transport; the company was privatised in 2007. Today Scandlines belongs to a consortium of three infrastructure funds: Igneo Infrastructure Partners, 3i Group and Federated Hermes. The German company is based in Hamburg.
Ships and fleet
Scandlines says it operates the world's largest hybrid fleet. On Puttgarden - Rødby, the four double-ended ferries Deutschland, Schleswig-Holstein, Prins Richard and Prinsesse Benedikte run, built in 1997 as a joint German-Danish investment and converted to hybrid ferries in 2013/14; they sail in both directions without turning, two under German and two under Danish flag. On Rostock - Gedser, the Berlin and the Copenhagen have been in service since 2016, the largest hybrid ferries in the world at their launch, with hulls purpose-built for the shallow route; they were fitted with a rotor sail in 2020 and 2022 respectively. In 2026 Scandlines put one of the world's largest battery-powered ferries into service on Rødby - Puttgarden, a step towards its goal of sailing without direct emissions by 2040. The ports of Puttgarden, Rødby and Gedser belong to the ferry operator itself; in Rostock it leases the terminal. It also runs its own BorderShops in Puttgarden and Rostock.
Routes on this page
For your trip to Denmark, both Scandlines routes are relevant. The Vogelfluglinie Puttgarden - Rødby is the fastest crossing at 45 minutes, running around the clock at high frequency from Fehmarn to the island of Lolland, from where the E47 leads on to Copenhagen. Rostock - Gedser takes around two hours across Mecklenburg Bay and brings you to the island of Falster, the shortest way in for anyone travelling from Berlin and eastern Germany. Both ports lie on the E55. Anyone continuing on to Sweden can combine the crossing with the Öresund ferry Helsingør - Helsingborg: Scandlines sells a combined ticket covering both crossings.
Check-in, vehicle and pets
With a vehicle you need to be checked in on both routes at least 15 minutes before departure; check-in opens two hours beforehand. As a foot passenger, the deadline is 30 minutes in Rostock and 15 minutes in Gedser. If you give your number plate at booking, it's recognised automatically at the entrance and directed to the right lane. The car ticket covers a vehicle up to six metres long, including up to nine people; longer vehicles and combinations pay a length surcharge, and the details for motorhomes are in our guide Motorhome. Dogs and cats can go on a lead or in a carrier anywhere except carpeted areas, keeping two metres from the buffet; staying in the car is allowed, but visiting the car deck during the crossing is not. At FoodXpress the crew can lend a water bowl, though there's no dog toilet on board. For entry you'll need the EU pet passport with rabies vaccination, see Dogs and pets.
Tickets
Scandlines offers three fares: Low Price is the cheapest, valid only for the booked departure, and neither changeable nor refundable. Standard covers any free departure on the booked day and can be changed for a fee; with the optional refund service it becomes refundable. Flex offers free changes and refunds, guaranteed space and priority boarding. Booking early secures the early-bird fare; booking online up to two hours before departure also avoids the surcharge charged at the port counter. Departures for both routes are in the timetable, and the price overview compares all Denmark routes.
FAQ Scandlines
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Scandlines and the ferries to Denmark
Which routes does Scandlines run to Denmark?+
Scandlines operates two direct routes from Germany to Denmark: Puttgarden - Rødby across the Fehmarn Belt in 45 minutes, and Rostock - Gedser across Mecklenburg Bay in around two hours. Both routes run year-round, around the clock.
Which ships does Scandlines operate?+
On Puttgarden - Rødby, the four double-ended ferries Deutschland, Schleswig-Holstein, Prins Richard and Prinsesse Benedikte are in service, built in 1997 and converted to hybrid ferries in 2013/14. On Rostock - Gedser, the hybrid ferries Berlin and Copenhagen have run since 2016, fitted with a rotor sail in 2020 and 2022 respectively. In 2026, one of the world's largest battery ferries joined the Rødby - Puttgarden route.
When do I need to be at the port for Scandlines?+
With a vehicle, you need to be checked in on both routes at least 15 minutes before departure; check-in opens two hours beforehand. As a foot passenger, the deadline is 30 minutes in Rostock and 15 minutes in Gedser. If you give your number plate at booking, it's recognised automatically at the entrance.
Can I bring a car, motorhome or bicycle?+
Yes. The car ticket covers a vehicle up to six metres long, including up to nine people; longer vehicles and combinations pay a length surcharge. Motorbikes have their own ticket, and bicycles travel as an add-on to the foot-passenger ticket. Everything about travelling by motorhome is in our guide Motorhome.
Can my dog travel on the Scandlines ferry?+
Yes, dogs and cats are welcome. On a lead or in a carrier, they can go anywhere except carpeted areas, but must keep two metres from the buffet. Your dog can also stay in the car, though visiting the car deck during the crossing isn't possible. For entry you'll need the EU pet passport with rabies vaccination, details in our guide Dogs and pets.
What tickets are available, and where do I find the timetable and prices?+
Scandlines offers the fares Low Price (valid only for the booked departure, non-refundable), Standard (any free departure on the booked day, changeable for a fee) and Flex (free changes and refunds, guaranteed space). Find the current timetable here, and compare prices for all Denmark routes in the price overview.