The ferry from Gedser to Rostock
The journey home from Denmark starts at the country's southernmost point. What you need for the trip from Gedser: getting to the terminal, check-in, choosing a fare and travelling on from Rostock.
- Crossing around 2 hours
- Check-in until 15 minutes before departure
- Direct link to the A19 and A20
Planning the return crossing Gedser–Rostock
Gedser sits at the southernmost point of Denmark, and for many travellers the village is exactly that: the last stop before heading home. The return direction works differently from the outbound one - shorter distances at the terminal, a different boarding route for foot passengers, and a motorway rather than a holiday destination waiting at the other end. This page walks through the trip back in order.
The departure times themselves are in the timetable and the fares on the Prices & Fares page. Both change more often than a guide page could keep up with.
Getting to Gedser ferry port
The terminal is at Jernbanevejen 1, 4874 Gedser, at the end of the road through the village. From Copenhagen and Zealand you come down the E55 - about 150 kilometres, a good two hours. From Nykøbing Falster it is another 25 kilometres on the same road. From Sweden the way runs across the Øresund Bridge and through Copenhagen onto the same axis.
The final kilometres are clearly signposted; in Gedser you follow the signs towards "Rostock" to the harbour. Without a car you board Movia bus 740 at Nykøbing Falster station, and its terminus Gedser Færgehavn is right at the terminal. The bus runs less often in the evening and at weekends, so check the connection for your travel day. More on getting there is on the Gedser Port & Ferry Terminal page.
Check-in and boarding in Gedser
Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure. In peak season, still allow 30 to 45 minutes, because the lanes can back up ahead of the desks.
- With a vehicle: in the blue lane a camera reads your number plate, or you enter your booking number at the machine. The yellow lane is staffed - for motorhomes, car-and-trailer combinations, travellers with reduced mobility and anyone arriving without a booking.
- On foot: check in at the passenger terminal, then board across the passenger bridge. Unlike Rostock, no shuttle bus is involved, which is why 15 minutes is enough here.
- By bike: scan or buy your ticket at the gangway building, wait at the bicycle entrance and roll on board across the vehicle ramp.
Keep your booking confirmation and a valid ID to hand. Details are on the check-in page.
Ticket and fare for the return
If your return date is fixed, the cheapest online fare is the right pick - it is tied to the booked departure. If the date is still moving, the flexible fare pays for itself because rebooking is free. In between sits the standard fare, valid for every departure on your travel day: miss the sailing you planned and you take the next one.
If you already booked the outbound trip, the return may well be covered - return and day tickets include both directions. Which ticket types exist and what they allow is on the Prices & Fares page; buying at the port is possible but noticeably more expensive than online.
The crossing to Rostock
The route is served by the hybrid ferries M/S Berlin and M/S Copenhagen, both with a restaurant, a cafeteria, a coffee bar, a Travel Shop and free Wi-Fi. Two hours is enough for a meal without rushing; there are no cabins on this route. Payment on board is cashless, which is convenient on the way back - no leftover Danish kroner to spend.
Travelling with a dog or cat means separate rules on board, set out on the Travelling with Pets page. The technology, decks and facilities of both ships are described on Scandlines and the Ships on the Route.
Arrival and onward travel from Rostock
After berthing, disembarking takes a few minutes depending on your deck and how full the ship is. From the terminal in the Überseehafen a four-lane access road leads straight onto the A19; at the Rostock interchange you join the A20 towards Lübeck or Stralsund. Berlin is around 250 kilometres away, Hamburg about 200.
Without a car, a free shuttle bus takes you from the ship to the passenger terminal. From there a bus connects to the S-Bahn and on to the main station - roughly 40 minutes for the whole trip. The details are on the Rostock Port & Ferry Terminal page.
Checklist for the return
- Check the departure in the timetable the day before, especially off season
- Booking number and ID within reach
- A full tank or charge for the drive on from Rostock
- 30 to 45 minutes of slack at the terminal in peak season
- Pet documents if a dog or cat is travelling with you
- An eye on traffic on the A19 and A20 for the onward journey
FAQ
How long does the Gedser–Rostock ferry take?+
Around two hours for the 52 kilometres at sea. Strong winds can make it slightly longer.
How often does it sail?+
Several times through the day in both directions. The times for your travel day are in the timetable, which also covers the direction from Gedser.
How early do I need to be in Gedser?+
With a vehicle, at the check-in 15 minutes before departure at the latest, and in peak season better 30 to 45 minutes. On foot, 15 minutes is enough because you board across the passenger bridge. The process is described on the check-in page.
Can I travel back without a car?+
Yes. Movia bus 740 from Nykøbing Falster terminates at Gedser Færgehavn right by the terminal, and in Rostock a shuttle bus takes you from the ship to the terminal building.
Can I buy a ticket at the port?+
Yes, in the staffed yellow lane or at the desk while space is left. The port price is well above the online fare though, see Prices & Fares.
How do I travel on after arriving in Rostock?+
From the Überseehafen the access road leads straight onto the A19, and the Rostock interchange takes you to the A20 towards Lübeck or Stralsund. Without a car, a bus and the S-Bahn take you to the main station, see Rostock Port & Ferry Terminal.
Book the return to Rostock
Compare the departures from Gedser and book your return crossing.