Take the direct ferry shortcut between Germany and Denmark on the 45-minute Puttgarden–Rødby crossing or the two-hour Rostock–Gedser route.
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Scandlines operates two important ferry corridors between Germany and Denmark. Puttgarden–Rødby crosses the Fehmarn Belt in about 45 minutes, while Rostock–Gedser takes about two hours across the Baltic Sea.
Both routes are designed around road travel. Cars, motorcycles, motorhomes, caravans, trailers and bicycles can move directly between Germany and Denmark without the much longer road detour through Jutland.
Puttgarden–Rødby is particularly useful when travelling between Hamburg and Copenhagen or southern Sweden. Rostock–Gedser can make more sense from Berlin, eastern Germany or destinations further east, placing travellers on Falster with convenient onward roads towards Copenhagen.
FerryEU planning note: compare the road journey to Puttgarden and Rostock before choosing the crossing. The longer ferry can still produce the faster door-to-door trip.
Scandlines has two core passenger corridors. The third card below shows the reverse Puttgarden–Rødby direction because southbound road planning can be just as important as the journey north.
The 20-kilometre Puttgarden–Rødby crossing takes about 45 minutes and is the fastest Scandlines route between Germany and Denmark.
The approximately 52-kilometre Rostock–Gedser crossing takes around two hours and is particularly useful for road trips starting in Berlin, eastern Germany and central Europe.
The southbound crossing places travellers on Fehmarn with straightforward road access towards Lübeck, Hamburg and the wider German motorway network.
The FerryEU map shows Scandlines' two Germany–Denmark ferry links. Puttgarden–Rødby is the shorter western corridor; Rostock–Gedser provides a useful eastern alternative.
Use the route map for orientation and the live booking result for exact departure times, ticket conditions and any combined Denmark–Sweden product.
After choosing the most practical route, compare the live Scandlines sailing for departure time, calling pattern, passenger requirements and the facilities or accommodation shown for that service. The complete itinerary and arrival location can matter more than a small difference in the headline fare.
Scandlines also sells combination tickets for onward travel to Sweden, including options involving the Øresund Bridge or Helsingør–Helsingborg connection.
Puttgarden and Rostock serve different parts of Germany, while Rødby is the principal Danish arrival point on the shortest route.
Puttgarden sits on the German island of Fehmarn and is the closest mainland-European gateway to Rødby. Road links lead south towards Lübeck and Hamburg.
Explore German ferry destinations
Rødby is the Danish end of the 45-minute Fehmarn Belt crossing and provides road access across Lolland and Zealand towards Copenhagen and Sweden.
Explore Denmark travel ideas
Rostock is well placed for Berlin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and travellers approaching Scandinavia from central or eastern Europe.
Explore Baltic ferry destinationsFor Hamburg and western Germany, Puttgarden is usually the natural choice. From Berlin or further east, compare Rostock–Gedser before adding the drive west to Fehmarn.
Scandlines routes do not require overnight cabins. The experience is instead built around lounges, restaurants, cafés, family spaces and open decks.
Public lounges provide the main passenger accommodation and are ideal for a 45-minute or two-hour crossing.
Best considered for All ordinary passenger journeysScandlines Coffee and Food Express areas let passengers combine the crossing with a drink, snack or quick meal.
Best considered for Road-trip rest stops and quick mealsRostock–Gedser provides enough time for a fuller meal, including the Scandlines Kitchen Buffet on applicable ferries.
Best considered for Two-hour Baltic crossingsChildren's playgrounds and Tumle-themed family facilities give younger travellers somewhere to use energy before the next driving stage.
Best considered for Families travelling by carPets can accompany passengers in non-carpeted areas while controlled on a lead or in a closed carrier.
Best considered for Passengers who do not want to leave a pet in the vehicleScandlines can arrange vehicle parking close to lifts and other accessibility facilities when assistance is declared and passengers use the staffed yellow lane.
Best considered for Passengers with reduced mobilityOn Puttgarden–Rødby, decide quickly whether food, shopping or simply a coffee matters most—the 45-minute crossing passes quickly. Rostock–Gedser gives much more time onboard.
Scandlines uses the crossing as a service stop as well as transport, with food, coffee, shopping and children's areas available across its passenger ferries.
Quick cafeteria meals, sandwiches, hotdogs, snacks and drinks are available on both routes.
Rostock–Gedser offers a fuller buffet experience, with the two-hour crossing giving passengers time for a relaxed meal.
Coffee, snacks and Starbucks products are available for passengers wanting something lighter during the journey.
Travel Shops sell fragrances, skincare, cosmetics, sweets, beer, wine, spirits and other purchases on both routes.
Free Wi-Fi is available onboard Rostock–Gedser. Puttgarden–Rødby does not currently offer onboard Wi-Fi, although port waiting areas have free access.
Family facilities and play spaces give children a chance to move around before returning to the car for the next road stage.
This section combines genuine operator imagery with selected images from FerryEU's general ferry-travel library. Facilities and layouts vary by ship and sailing.
Scandlines is designed around road traffic, but pedestrians, cyclists and pet owners are also supported with route-specific check-in and onboard arrangements.
Cars and motorcycles are central to both services. Tickets and check-in lanes depend on vehicle type, ticket and whether the registration has been added to the booking.
Touring vehicles and trailers can be booked subject to their length. Bicycles are also accepted using port-specific cyclist check-in procedures.
Dogs, cats and other small pets are welcome in non-carpeted passenger areas. They must remain on a lead or in a closed carrier and stay away from buffet food.
Passengers with reduced mobility should declare their needs when booking and use the staffed yellow lane, where Scandlines can arrange suitable boarding and parking close to lifts.
The crossings may be short, but missing check-in can still cost substantial time. Aim to reach the port before the minimum cut-off and follow the instructions for your vehicle or passenger type.
Accurate booking information makes automated check-in faster and helps ensure the correct fare and vehicle space.
Scandlines recommends reaching the harbour in good time; around 30 minutes before departure provides a more comfortable buffer for ordinary journeys.
This applies to ordinary vehicles, cyclists and foot passengers under the current port guidance.
Pedestrians and cyclists use the passenger-building arrangements before boarding.
Foot passengers and cyclists check in at the ferry-centre building before transfer to the boarding bridge.
Puttgarden–Rødby is one of Europe's classic road-trip shortcuts. The 45-minute ferry replaces a long drive around Jutland and is especially convenient between Hamburg, Copenhagen and southern Sweden.
Rostock–Gedser is longer at sea but can save driving for travellers approaching from Berlin, Saxony, Poland, Czechia and other eastern or central European starting points.
Scandlines also sells combination products for continuing to Sweden. When comparing options, include the full road distance, bridge or second-ferry costs, fuel or charging stops and the value of having a proper break from driving.
Scandlines operates two passenger and vehicle ferry routes between Germany and Denmark: Puttgarden–Rødby and Rostock–Gedser.
The Puttgarden–Rødby crossing takes about 45 minutes and covers the Fehmarn Belt between Germany and Denmark.
The Rostock–Gedser crossing takes about two hours across the Baltic Sea.
Check-in generally closes 15 minutes before departure at Puttgarden, Rødby and Gedser. At Rostock, check-in closes 30 minutes before departure. Scandlines recommends arriving in good time rather than aiming for the cut-off.
Yes. Cars, motorcycles, motorhomes, caravans and trailers can travel on both routes subject to the correct ticket type, vehicle dimensions and available capacity.
Yes. Foot passengers can travel on both routes. Puttgarden, Rødby and Gedser use passenger boarding facilities with a 15-minute latest check-in, while Rostock requires foot passengers to check in 30 minutes before departure.
Yes. Bicycles are accepted on both routes. Cyclists should follow the port-specific check-in process; Rostock requires bicycle check-in 30 minutes before departure while the other ports use a 15-minute cut-off.
Yes. Small pets including dogs and cats are welcome. Pets may use non-carpeted passenger areas but must remain on a lead or in a closed carrier. Dogs can also remain in the vehicle, but passengers cannot visit the vehicle deck while the ferry is at sea.
Free Wi-Fi is available on all ferries between Rostock and Gedser and in the waiting areas at all four Scandlines ports. Wi-Fi is not currently available onboard the 45-minute Puttgarden–Rødby crossing.
Yes. Passengers with reduced mobility should declare assistance needs when booking, arrive preferably 30 minutes before departure and use the staffed yellow check-in lane so Scandlines can arrange suitable parking and boarding assistance.
Check current Puttgarden–Rødby and Rostock–Gedser departures, vehicle space and ticket options for your travel date.
Two core routes
Cars & touring vehicles
Bicycles & foot passengers
