Booking, check-in and on-board questions

It depends on the fare: Low Price cannot be changed, Standard can be moved to another day for a fee, and Flex can be rebooked and refunded free of charge. Whatever your fare, you have the right to cancel within 24 hours of booking. The conditions for each fare are on the Prices & Fares page, and you can make changes or cancel in your booking on the Scandlines website or through customer service.

When you book 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)
• German EC card (debit card) with PIN
• Credit and debit cards

On the Rostock-Gedser route you pay per vehicle, not per person: the driver and passengers are included in the car ticket, and the same goes for the motorcycle ticket. That is why there is no separate discount for pupils, students or seniors.

Savings come from the ticket type rather than who is travelling: the Low Price fare can only be booked online and is the cheapest car fare, while the day ticket is good value if you go out and back on the same day. All options are on the Prices & Fares page. Scandlines has separate terms for groups and coaches; ask customer service about them directly.

Yes, you can still buy tickets at the port on the day of departure if you have not booked online in advance. There is usually space on the next departure, but individual ferries can be fully booked at peak times (especially in the summer months). Arrive at the terminal in good time and book in advance where possible, because the crossing is considerably cheaper online than at the port. The Prices & Fares page shows the comparison.

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

Yes. Scandlines combines the Rostock-Gedser ferry and the Øresund Bridge toll in one booking, and also offers a combination with the Helsingør-Helsingborg crossing. The Combined Ticket with the Øresund Bridge page explains how the journey works and who the package suits.

Check-in at the port opens 2 hours before departure. With a vehicle you must be checked in at least 15 minutes beforehand; on foot or by bike in Rostock, 30 minutes beforehand. Allow at least 30 minutes at the port before departure. The process for each way of travelling is on the check-in page.

Citizens of Germany and other EU countries do not need a passport: a valid national identity card is enough to enter Denmark. Both countries are part of the Schengen area, so there are usually no passport checks.

Even so, always carry a valid identity document, as random checks are possible. Non-EU citizens may need a visa (e.g. a valid Schengen visa), depending on the entry requirements.

No. There is no online or number plate check-in on the Rostock-Gedser route; you always check in at the port. Cars up to 6 metres use the blue lane with self-service machines, while longer vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles use the staffed yellow lane. The whole process is on the check-in page.

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

Whether that is possible depends on your fare: with Standard you can take a later ferry on the same travel day at no extra cost, and Flex can be rebooked free of charge. Low Price is only valid for the booked departure and cannot be rebooked. If you know you are going to be late, let Scandlines customer service know in advance where possible.

There is no strict luggage limit on the ferry. Everything that travels in your vehicle is included in the ticket price, and there is no limit on how much you bring.

As a foot passenger, you take your luggage (suitcases, bags, etc.) on board with you, but only as much as you can carry yourself, as there is no luggage transport service. Let Scandlines know in advance about particularly large or bulky items.

No, staying 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 take their luggage with them into the passenger areas of the ferry. The ferries have lifts, so you can easily get suitcases and bags up to the decks.

If you are travelling by car, your luggage stays in the vehicle during the crossing. Remember to take valuables and anything you need for the two-hour crossing upstairs with you, as the vehicle deck is closed while the ferry is at sea.

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

On board, pets must be supervised at all times: your pet must be kept on a lead or in a carrier for the entire crossing and should not disturb other travellers. All the rules and entry documents are on the Travelling with Pets page.

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

Always carry the pet passport during the trip, as random checks may take place. All the details are on the Travelling with Pets page.

No. For safety reasons, you are not allowed onto the vehicle deck during the crossing.

If your pet stays in the car, you cannot visit it during the crossing of around two hours. So make sure your pet is well looked after before departure (fresh water, ventilation in the vehicle, etc.). The ferry crew ensures adequate ventilation and safety on the vehicle 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 have free Wi-Fi (in the waiting area before boarding).

There are several places to eat and drink on board the Rostock-Gedser ferries. 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 meals. You will also find the Scandlines Coffee Café on board, with coffee, tea and pastries. So you are well catered for during the two-hour crossing.

No, there are no passenger cabins on the Rostock-Gedser route. The crossing only takes about 2 hours, so there are comfortable seats and lounges, but no sleeping or rest cabins.

Up to 10 times a day in each direction. The timetable shows how many departures there are on your travel date and when the first and last ferries leave.

In storms, ice or other bad conditions, Scandlines may move or cancel departures. If your crossing is delayed or cancelled, EU passenger rights for sea travel set out what you are entitled to. The timetable page explains what to do and where to check the latest status.

Yes, the timetable shows both directions. The return trip works differently at the terminal, though: in Gedser a passenger bridge leads on board, so unlike in Rostock you do not need a shuttle bus. Getting to the terminal, check-in and onward travel from Rostock are covered on the Gedser-Rostock Ferry page.

Yes. With the train, bus 45 or 49 and the foot passenger day ticket, you can travel from Rostock to Gedser and back on the same day without a car, and you can take a bicycle for a small surcharge.