Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you can cancel or rebook your ferry booking depends on the ticket type you chose. Low Price tickets cannot be cancelled or changed. Standard tickets can usually be rebooked for a fee (cancellation is generally excluded). Flex tickets allow free rebooking and cancellation up to shortly before departure.

Regardless of the ticket type, a 24-hour right of withdrawal applies after booking, during which you can cancel your ticket free of charge. To rebook, contact Scandlines customer service or use the "My Booking" online portal on the Scandlines website.

When booking online, the following payment methods are available:

• Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
• PayPal
• Instant bank transfer (Klarna)
• SEPA direct debit
• Swish (for customers from Sweden)

At the port, you can buy your ticket with the usual payment methods:

• Cash (euros or Danish kroner)
• EC card (debit card) with PIN
• Credit and debit cards

Yes, discounts are offered for certain groups of travellers:

• Pupils/students: approx. 15 % discount (with valid ID)
• Seniors (65 and over): approx. 10 % discount (on selected departures)
• Children (3–15 years): approx. 50 % reduction
• Infants (0–2 years): free of charge
• Groups (10 or more people): ~20 % group discount when booking together

Exact conditions may vary. You will find current offers and discount details on the Scandlines website.

Yes, you can also buy tickets directly at the port on the day of departure if you have not booked online in advance. There is usually space on the next sailing, but individual ferries can be fully booked at peak times (especially during the summer months). It is advisable to arrive at the terminal in good time and, where possible, to book in advance, as online prices are often cheaper than port prices.

Yes. You can easily show your ferry ticket digitally on your smartphone, no printout is required. At check-in, the scanner reads the QR code or the booking number of your e-ticket, whether from a printout or directly from your phone.

Check-in at the port usually opens 2 hours before departure. All passengers must be checked in at the latest around 15 minutes before departure (in Rostock, 30 minutes beforehand for foot passengers and cyclists).

We recommend arriving at the port at least 30 minutes before departure. During peak travel periods (holidays, weekends), allowing 45–60 minutes is sensible so you can check in without stress.

For German citizens (and other EU citizens), no passport is required, a valid identity card is sufficient to enter Denmark. Both countries belong to the Schengen area, so passport checks generally do not take place.

Even so, you should always carry a valid identity document, as random checks are possible. Non-EU citizens may require a visa (for example, a valid Schengen visa) in line with the entry requirements.

No, checking in online in advance is not necessary. Scandlines does not have a separate online check-in as with air travel.

With your booking confirmation, you can check in directly at the port. Vehicles drive into the automatic check-in lane and scan the number plate or booking code there; foot passengers go to the check-in desk or machine and show their booking confirmation. The main thing is that you are at the terminal in good time before departure.

If you arrive at the port late and miss your booked departure, contact the port staff immediately. In many cases you can (subject to availability) rebook onto the next departure.

Whether this is possible depends on the ticket type: Flex tickets allow you to use a later ferry at no extra cost, Standard tickets can usually be changed to a later departure for a rebooking fee. Low Price tickets, on the other hand, are valid only for the booked time and are forfeited if you fail to show up. If you expect to be delayed, inform Scandlines customer service in advance where possible.

There is no strict luggage limit on the ferry. Everything carried in your vehicle is included in the ticket price and is not subject to any quantity restriction.

As a foot passenger, you can bring your travel luggage (suitcases, bags, etc.) on board, but you should only carry as much as you can manage yourself, as there is no luggage transport service. Particularly large or bulky items should be registered with Scandlines in advance.

No, remaining in your vehicle during the crossing is not permitted. For safety reasons, all passengers must leave the vehicle deck before departure and spend the crossing in the passenger areas.

Yes. Foot passengers can take their luggage into the passenger areas of the ferry. The ferries have lifts, so you can bring suitcases and bags up to the decks comfortably.

If you are travelling by car, your luggage stays in the vehicle during the crossing. Remember to take personal valuables or anything you need during the 2-hour crossing up with you, as the car deck is not accessible during the trip.

Yes, pets such as dogs or cats are allowed on the Rostock–Gedser ferry. You can either leave your pet in your own vehicle or take it into the passenger areas on a lead (on the outer decks or in areas without carpet).

On board, pets must be kept on a lead and under supervision: your animal must be on a lead or secured in a carrier for the entire crossing and should not disturb other travellers. The on-board staff are happy to help (for example, with a water bowl for your dog).

Yes. For travel from Germany to Denmark, a valid EU pet passport is required for dogs and cats. It must record the animal's microchip identification and a valid rabies vaccination (given at least 21 days before entry).

You should always carry the pet passport during your trip, as random checks may occur.

No. For safety reasons, it is not permitted to enter the vehicle deck during the crossing.

If your pet stays in the car, you unfortunately cannot visit it during the roughly 2-hour crossing. You should therefore look after your animal well before departure (fresh water, ventilation in the vehicle, etc.). The ferry crew ensures appropriate ventilation and safety on the car deck.

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available on the Rostock–Gedser ferries. On board, simply connect to the 'Scandlines' network and accept the terms of use in your browser to go online.

The terminals in Rostock and Gedser also offer free Wi-Fi (in the waiting area before boarding).

On board the Rostock–Gedser ferries, passengers have several catering options available. The Scandlines Kitchen Buffet offers an extensive buffet (breakfast, lunch or dinner depending on the time of day).

For a quick bite, the Scandlines Food Express self-service restaurant serves snacks and hot dishes. There is also the Scandlines Coffee Café on board, where you can get coffee, tea and pastries. So you are well catered for during the 2-hour crossing.

No, cabins are not offered for passengers on the Rostock–Gedser route. The crossing takes only about 2 hours, so there are comfortable seats and lounges, but no sleeping or rest cabins.

The Rostock–Gedser ferry runs several times a day in both directions. There is usually a departure roughly every 2 hours, which corresponds to around 8–10 departures per day and direction.

In the high season (summer months), additional departures are sometimes offered. The exact sailing times may vary depending on the day of the week and season, you will find the current timetable on the Scandlines website.

In the event of major delays, Scandlines informs travellers via announcements at the port and (if you provided your mobile number when booking) by SMS or email. In this case, you need do nothing but wait; the departure takes place as soon as the ferry is ready.

If a ferry departure is cancelled (for example, due to bad weather or a technical problem), you can either use the next available departure or switch to the alternative Puttgarden–Rødby route. Scandlines will help you with the rebooking in this case. If you cannot make the trip at all, the ticket will be refunded on request. You can get up-to-date information on any cancellations online or from Scandlines customer service.