Rostock ⇄ Gedser · 2 hours · 52 km
Rostock Gedser Ferry Timetable
Departures for the Scandlines ferry between Rostock and Gedser, for today, tomorrow or a later date, in both directions. The crossing takes about 2 hours. Further down you find when to be at the port, what is on board and what happens when the weather turns.
Rostock Gedser ferry: today’s departures
Today, Thursday 1 October
From Rostock
9 departures · first 04:15 · last 22:30
04:15 · 06:00 · 09:00 · 11:15 · 13:30 · 15:45 · 18:00 · 20:15 · 22:30
From Gedser
9 departures · first 01:45 · last 22:30
01:45 · 06:45 · 09:00 · 11:15 · 13:30 · 15:45 · 18:00 · 20:15 · 22:30
First sailings tomorrow: from Rostock 04:15 · from Gedser 01:45. These are the scheduled times. For delays and the status of a sailing, see the Scandlines departure monitor. Where is the ferry right now?
The two tables above show today’s departures, sailings that have already left are marked, and you can switch to tomorrow or another date. Delays and cancellations are not shown here; the Scandlines departure board shows the status of each sailing. Cancellations are rare on this route and almost always down to the weather: whether a storm is forecast for today or tomorrow is on our page weather and sea conditions. More on that further down under weather and disruptions.
Fares per departure today and tomorrow
Price indication per departure, checked about once a week: car up to 6 m with up to 9 people, one way, per departure. The booking also lists an ETS surcharge of €5 per crossing. Low Price is limited per departure and shows as sold out once it is gone.
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Where is the ferry right now?
The Berlin and the Copenhagen broadcast their position via AIS. The map shows where the ship is at this moment: still in port, halfway across the Baltic or already in the river Warnow. Handy when you are picking someone up or want to know whether your ferry will come in on time.
The map opens centred on the Berlin, with the line of its recent track. Switch to the Copenhagen or to the whole route with the buttons. Other ships in the area stay visible, the two Scandlines ferries are labelled BERLIN and COPENHAGEN.
Live map: Rostock to Gedser
The map comes from VesselFinder and shows ship positions sent by the ships themselves (AIS). It loads after you click, because VesselFinder then receives your IP address and may set cookies.
The two ferries on the route
More, including the second ship, on the page live ferry positions.
Sailing times and departures on the route
Rostock Gedser is a Scandlines route between Germany and Denmark. The crossing takes about 2 hours and departure times shift a little by day, season and direction.
We sailed it ourselves: in February 2025 we took the car from Gedser to Rostock on the ferry Berlin, the last leg of a test trip through Germany, Denmark and Sweden. The photos on this page are from that crossing.
On weekdays there are 9 departures per direction, on Sundays 8 (counted in September 2026). That can change with the next timetable, so always trust the table for your own date.
Check-in: when to be at the port
Scandlines asks vehicles on Rostock Gedser to check in at least 15 minutes before departure. In practice, leave more room: with a motorhome, a trailer or in the holidays, aim for 30 to 45 minutes. If you miss the sailing you booked, a Low Price ticket gives you little to fall back on.
How it works in Gedser
You drive under a display gantry to the check-in booths and are then sent to a numbered waiting lane with a traffic light. When we were there only a few cars were queuing and boarding was quick. The ramp up to the ferry has a 4.2 metre height limit and inside the car deck there is a 4.0 metre sign. With a tall motorhome or a roof box, check your height before you book.
How it works in Rostock
In Rostock the ferry berths in the Überseehafen (the overseas port), not in Warnemünde. Follow the signs for Seehafen and then Gedser. Address and directions are on our page about Rostock ferry port.
On foot or with a bike
Yes, you can take this ferry without a car. Scandlines sells a 1-day ticket for foot passengers on Rostock Gedser, listed on its website at 15.50 euros return (checked 28 September 2026). A bike add-on starts at 3 euros.
Foot passengers have their own check-in times: at least 30 minutes before departure at the ferry centre in Rostock, and at least 15 minutes before departure at the gangway building in Gedser. In Gedser you go through turnstiles with a QR scanner and then take the stairs or the lift up to the gangway.
Two notices on the ticket machine in Gedser are worth knowing about. Foot passenger tickets bought at the port are only valid on the day of purchase, and bike tickets only for the first departure after purchase. One of the machines took cards only, with a 2.8 percent fee for private cards issued outside the EU and for company cards.
Two hours on board: what you get
Two hours is enough for a meal, a coffee on deck and a walk through the shop. This is what we found on the ferry Berlin, prices and photos are on the page On board: food, shop, decks:
- Food Express: self service with hot snacks, drinks and coffee machines
- Coffee counter serving Starbucks coffee
- Buffet: the sign at the door said cards only
- Travel Shop with perfume, sweets, drinks and souvenirs
- Lounge with big windows and a view of the sea
- Children’s play area with a pirate theme
- Outer deck with seating, the best spot in calm weather
- Currency exchange according to the deck 8 signpost (euro, kroner, pounds)
- Gaming machines in a separate area
Our own crossing took a little longer than the scheduled two hours because of a headwind, and there was a police training exercise on board that we had not expected. Neither was a problem, but it is why we would not plan a tight connection straight after arrival.
Scandlines advertises free wifi on board. In the waiting lane in Gedser our phone did connect to the Scandlines network but got no internet, so download tickets and maps beforehand. You cannot go back to your car during the crossing, so take what you need upstairs with you.
Arrival: Rostock and Gedser
Arriving in Rostock
Towards the end of the crossing the ferry passes the breakwater at Warnemünde and then heads up the river Warnow to the overseas port. That takes a while, so there is no need to queue in the stairwell early. From the port you are quickly on the A19 motorway towards Berlin. A Scandlines BorderShop is signposted in the port and a city bus stops at the Seehafen stop.
Arriving in Gedser
Gedser is a small town at the southern tip of Falster. From the ferry you drive straight onto the E55 towards Nykøbing Falster and Copenhagen. Without a car, buses leave from the Gedser Færgehavn stop to Nykøbing Falster (route 740) and Marielyst (route 743). The old station building at the port has a quiet waiting room, toilets and a small exhibition on the history of the harbour. More on our page about Gedser ferry port. Driving on to Sweden? A combination ticket covers the ferry and the Øresund crossing in one booking.
Weather, disruptions and what to do
- Always check the right direction: Rostock to Gedser or Gedser to Rostock.
- The crossing normally takes about 2 hours. In strong wind it can take longer or a sailing can be cancelled.
- Before you set off, look at the Scandlines departure board. Delays and cancellations are shown there.
- For the drive in Germany the ADAC traffic service helps, for Denmark Trafikinfo from the Danish Road Directorate.
- In doubtful weather, have a look at our page on weather and sea state on the route.
- If sailings are cancelled for the day, Puttgarden Rødby can be a fallback; your ticket is not automatically valid there, so check with Scandlines first. That crossing takes only 45 minutes.
Rostock Gedser timetable FAQ
How up to date is the Rostock Gedser ferry timetable?
The timetable above shows the planned departures for the date you pick; delays and cancellations are not included. Check it again shortly before you leave, especially in strong wind, holiday traffic or when you need to make a specific sailing. You can also check the official Scandlines departure board.
How long is the Rostock Gedser ferry crossing?
The crossing between Rostock and Gedser normally takes about 2 hours. Scandlines gives the route distance as about 52 km. Weather, port traffic or a busy sailing can affect the actual time.
How many ferries sail between Rostock and Gedser?
In September 2026 the timetable showed 9 departures per direction on weekdays and 8 on Sundays, so 16 to 18 a day in total. The exact number depends on the day and the season, so always check the table for your direction and date.
Which ferries operate the Rostock Gedser route?
The route is operated by the Scandlines hybrid ferries Berlin and Copenhagen. Both carry a rotor sail, the tall white cylinder you see on deck. Scandlines lists a maximum capacity of 1,464 passengers per ferry.
Is a ticket at the port more expensive than online?
Often, yes. Low Price tickets are only sold online and are tied to the sailing you book. Standard and Flex tickets cost more but give you more room to change plans. On 28 September 2026 Scandlines listed one-way car fares from 65.30 euros (Low Price), 82.70 euros (Standard) and 157 euros (Flex).
What happens if I miss my ferry?
That depends on your ticket type. A Low Price ticket is tied to the booked departure. Standard and Flex tickets give more flexibility but cost more. With a long drive, a risk of traffic jams, children in the car, a motorhome or a trailer, a more flexible ticket is often the better choice. What rebooking costs is on the page Cancel or change a ticket.
Is the Gedser Rostock timetable different from Rostock Gedser?
Yes. It is the same route, but each direction has its own departure times. Choose Rostock to Gedser when travelling from Germany to Denmark and Gedser to Rostock for the way back.
Found your sailing? Current fares are shown directly in the Scandlines booking.
Check ticket price