Guide 2026
Travelling to Denmark by Motorhome
All ferry connections for motorhomes compared - prices, vehicle sizes, bridge tolls & crossing tips
- Shortest crossing: Puttgarden-Rødby in just 45 minutes with Scandlines
- Vehicle sizes, prices, gas cylinder rules & parking tips for Denmark
- Direct ferry to Bornholm - 3.5 hours from Sassnitz on Rügen
Vehicle sizes & rules
What you need to know about your motorhome
When booking, the total length including all attachments (bike rack, tow bar) determines the price. Even a few extra centimetres can cause problems at check-in.
Maximum length
Maximum height
Gas cylinders
Bridge tolls
Price comparison
Motorhome ferries to Denmark compared
Motorhome routes to Denmark compared: operator, crossing time, price level and cabin. The price level is relative (€ low, €€ medium); the binding price depends on your vehicle length and appears in the booking window.
Motorhome routes & cabin comparison
| Route | Operator | Crossing time | Price level | Cabin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puttgarden → Rødby | Scandlines | 45 min | € | No cabins |
| Rostock → Gedser | Scandlines | approx. 2 hrs | € | No cabins |
| Sassnitz → Rønne (Bornholm) | Bornholmslinjen | approx. 3.5 hrs | €€ | Optional |
| Overland via Flensburg | no ferry | continuous | toll-free | – |
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Travelling to Denmark by motorhome is possible either by ferry across the Baltic Sea or toll-free overland via the Flensburg border. The fastest crossing is Puttgarden-Rødby with Scandlines: you cross the Fehmarn Belt in just 45 minutes. Vehicle length is the key factor for the ferry price - most operators add a length surcharge from 6 metres, which also applies to the bridge tolls within Denmark. This page compares all the routes for campers, the operators' size rules, and practical tips on gas cylinders, pitches and tolls in Denmark.
Routes for motorhomes
Several routes are available for getting to Denmark:
- Scandlines Puttgarden → Rødby: The legendary "Vogelfluglinie" (bird flight line). Departures every 30 minutes during the day, hourly at night - ideal for spontaneous trips towards Copenhagen.
- Scandlines Rostock → Gedser: The best choice from eastern Germany. Crossing takes around 2 hours, then continue on the E55 towards Zealand.
- Bornholmslinjen Sassnitz → Rønne: The direct ferry to Bornholm in around 3.5 hours from Rügen.
- Overland via Flensburg: If you'd rather skip the crossing, the A7 takes you toll-free into Jutland - though the drive takes considerably longer.
Booking and costs
Booking is done online via the relevant operator's website. You'll need to provide the exact vehicle dimensions, since these largely determine the price.
Getting your vehicle dimensions right
On the short ferry crossings to Denmark there's barely any restriction on height. What matters is the length:
- Maximum length: usually bookable online up to 10 metres (longer vehicles by phone)
- Length tiers: Scandlines prices by vehicle category - it gets more expensive above 6 m
- Total length: always include bike racks, rear boxes and tow bars
Prices and fare options
The motorhome fare depends mainly on vehicle length and the route. The short Scandlines routes (Puttgarden-Rødby, Rostock-Gedser) are the cheapest, while the longer direct ferry to Bornholm costs more. Prices also vary by season, day of the week and booking time, with weekdays cheaper than weekends. Alongside standard one-way tickets, Scandlines also offers day return tickets and flexible fares with rebooking options. The binding price for your vehicle size and date is shown in the operator's booking window.
Preparing your motorhome
Even though the crossings to Denmark are short, there's usually no access to the vehicle deck during the crossing. Take valuables, documents and anything important with you upstairs.
Gas supply and safety
For safety reasons, gas cylinders must be turned off before boarding, while the gas locker is left unlocked. On the short crossings this is little hassle - the fridge keeps food cold without any trouble even without gas.
Travelling around Denmark by motorhome
Wild camping and pitches
Wild camping is banned in Denmark. Sleeping in your motorhome outside campsites or designated pitches is not allowed, including in ordinary car parks. Fortunately, Denmark has a dense network of well-equipped campsites and official autocamperpladser (motorhome pitches), found in almost every larger town and at many beaches.
Tolls and traffic rules
Denmark has no general motorway toll. Only the Great Belt Bridge and the Øresund Bridge to Sweden are tolled. Vehicles over 6 metres in length pay a higher rate, so motorhomes cost more than cars. Denmark has no general winter tyre requirement, though winter tyres are strongly recommended in snow and ice; snow chains are banned on cleared roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ - Travelling to Denmark by Motorhome
The most important questions about the motorhome ferry to Denmark - answered clearly.
What's the best way to get to Denmark by motorhome?+
You have two options: by ferry or overland. The Puttgarden-Rødby ferry (Scandlines) crosses the Fehmarn Belt in just 45 minutes and is the fastest sea route. From eastern Germany, Rostock-Gedser (around 2 hours) is a good option. If you'd rather skip the crossing, you can drive toll-free over the land border near Flensburg - though the journey takes considerably longer. Bornholm is reached by a direct ferry from Sassnitz on Rügen.
Do I need to book a cabin on the ferry?+
On the short Scandlines routes (Puttgarden-Rødby, Rostock-Gedser), no cabin is needed - the crossing is too short. You'll usually stay near your vehicle or in the public areas. A cabin is only worthwhile on longer overnight connections, such as to Bornholm (Køge-Rønne).
What's the maximum size for my motorhome?+
On the short ferry crossings to Denmark, there's barely any restriction on height. What matters is the length: Scandlines tiers its price by length category, and vehicles up to 10 metres can usually be booked online. Longer motorhomes or combinations must be registered by phone. Always state the total length including all attachments when booking (bike rack, rear box, trailer).
What do I need to know about gas cylinders?+
Gas cylinders must be turned off and the gas locker left unlocked. Since the crossings to Denmark are short, this is little hassle - the fridge keeps food cold without any trouble. On the short Scandlines crossings, though, you can't return to the vehicle deck during the journey, so keep valuables handy.
Can I camp freely in Denmark with my motorhome?+
Yes - wild camping is banned in Denmark. Sleeping in your motorhome outside campsites or designated pitches is not allowed, including in ordinary car parks. Instead, use the many campsites or official autocamperpladser (motorhome pitches) found in almost every larger town. Breaking the rules can result in fines.
Are there toll charges in Denmark?+
Denmark has no general motorway toll. Only two major bridges are tolled: the Great Belt Bridge (between Funen and Zealand) and the Øresund Bridge to Sweden. Vehicles over 6 metres in length pay a higher rate, so motorhomes cost more than cars. The toll stations accept card payment and BroBizz transponders.
Do I need winter tyres in Denmark?+
No, there is no general winter tyre requirement in Denmark. In winter conditions, however, winter tyres are strongly recommended, and snow chains are banned on cleared roads. Stricter rules apply if you're driving on through Sweden or continuing to Norway, where winter tyres are required in certain conditions.
Do I need a special driving licence for my motorhome?+
For motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes, a standard category B licence is sufficient. Between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes you need category C1. For combinations there are tiers too: category B up to 3,500 kg, B96 up to 4,250 kg and BE up to 7,000 kg. Holders of the old category 3 licence (issued before 1999) may drive combinations up to 7,500 kg - this applies across the EU, including Denmark.
What do I need to know about entering with a dog?+
To bring your dog into Denmark you'll need a valid EU pet passport, a rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old) and a microchip. One quirk in Denmark: third-party liability insurance for dogs is mandatory. A list of banned dog breeds also applies. On the short Scandlines ferries, dogs can usually stay in the vehicle or be leashed on the uncarpeted decks.
Ready for your motorhome trip to Denmark?
Compare current motorhome fares directly with the operators and book at the best price.