What is the best way to get to Föhr?

The North Frisian island of Föhr is a popular travel destination in Germany. But what is the best way to get to Föhr and how does the journey to Föhr work?

Tips for traveling to Föhr

Föhr is an island. It is therefore necessary to travel there by boat, there is no bridge. Regardless of whether you arrive by car or train, you first arrive on the mainland in Dagebüll. The ferries run several times a day, even in bad weather, as Föhr is well protected by its location in the Wadden Sea.

Arriving by car

The route first leads to Dagebüll, a small town on the North Frisian coast that serves as a ferry port for Föhr. Dagebüll is easily accessible via the A7 (from Hamburg) or A23 (from Heide) highways and the main roads.

Once you arrive in Dagebüll, you have two options:

• Take your car:
  The Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei (W.D.R.) ferry also transports vehicles. This is particularly practical if you want to stay mobile on Föhr.
• Leave your car behind:
  Alternatively, you can leave your car in one of the parking lots in Dagebüll and use the ferry as a pedestrian. There is a well-developed bus network on Föhr, as well as bicycle rentals, which enable environmentally friendly transportation.

Travel to Föhr by train

The train is an excellent option for environmentally conscious travelers. Deutsche Bahn offers connections from all over Germany, often with changes in Hamburg or Husum. The destination station is Niebüll.

When you arrive by train in Niebüll, you first have to leave the station. It is best to follow the signs for the regional train to Dagebüll. This is operated by the Norddeutsche Eisenbahngesellschaft, neg for short, and departs from a small track just a few steps away. The journey from Niebüll to Dagebüll takes around 20 minutes.

My tip: get on board quickly! The train is really small and even in April it was so crowded on the platform that not all passengers could find a seat. There are also no large luggage racks, so the aisle was quite cramped. Fortunately, the journey doesn’t take very long, although the train really does travel at a very leisurely speed.

Of course, this tip also applies to the return journey!

Dagebüll Mole station is right next to the ferry terminal, so you only have to walk a few steps to the ferry after the train journey.

There are various ticket options for the train journey to Föhr, which you can choose depending on the starting point and travel time:

• Germany ticket:
  If you are traveling within Germany, you can use the Deutschland-Ticket. It is valid for regional trains, including the route from Niebüll to Dagebüll Mole. Please note, however, that it is not valid for IC or ICE trains.
• Combined train + ferry tickets:
  The Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei (W.D.R.) offers combination tickets that include both the train journey to Dagebüll and the ferry crossing to Föhr. These tickets are particularly practical as you can book everything in one go.

Arriving by plane

For travelers who are in a particular hurry or are coming from more distant regions, there is the option of reaching Föhr by plane. The small airport at Wyk on Föhr is served by several regional airlines, for example from Sylt or Hamburg. This route to Föhr is mainly used by business travelers or island residents.

How do I book the ferry?

If you want to travel to Föhr by car, you should book a ticket for the Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei (W.D.R.) ferry well in advance. Especially in the high season (summer, public holidays) and at weekends, places for vehicles are quickly booked up. The ferries run quite frequently, but there are more popular sailing times, if necessary you have to switch to very early sailing times, which are often less frequented. Important: The ferries run several times a day, but they are dependent on the weather. The current timetable for traveling to Föhr can be found on the W.D.R. website.

Online booking:
The most convenient option is to book on the W.D.R. website (www.faehre.de). There you enter the travel date, the desired time and the vehicle category (e.g. car, motorhome, trailer). The booking takes just a few clicks and you will receive an e-ticket by e-mail.

By telephone or on site:
Alternatively, you can buy tickets by phone or directly at the port in Dagebüll. However, without prior booking there is a risk that the vehicle will no longer have a place on the ferry.

Various types of tickets are available:

• Car ticket: Price depends on vehicle size and type.
• Passenger tickets: Separate tickets must be purchased for the driver and passengers.
• Outward and return journey: It is advisable to book both journeys directly to ensure that you also have a seat for the return journey.

Arrived at the ferry port – and now?

Those arriving by car should allow sufficient time and arrive about 30 minutes before departure. Train passengers can reach the ferry very easily. The train and ferry times are coordinated. It is also only a few meters on foot from the train station.

Check-in at the ferry port

There is a well-organized check-in for car drivers at the port in Dagebüll. The procedure is as follows:

1. Show your tickets: You show your booked ticket (digital or printed) at the check-in desk. Here you will be allocated a lane where you have to queue with your vehicle.
2. Waiting until loading: Once you are in your assigned lane, you can relax a little. The staff organize the loading of the vehicles and give each driver a hand signal when they are allowed to drive onto the ferry. The vehicle deck offers space for cars, motorhomes, motorcycles and bicycles.

Train passengers board the ferry at the port directly through the entrance area. If you don’t have a ferry ticket yet, you can still buy one there.

The crossing to Föhr

The crossing takes about 50 minutes and is an experience in itself – especially when the weather is nice, it is wonderful to stand on the ferry and enjoy the view.

Once the car has been parked on the vehicle deck, you proceed to the passenger areas of the ferry. There are:

• Indoor and outdoor seating.
• An on-board restaurant with snacks, coffee and drinks.
• Clean and easily accessible sanitary facilities.
• There is often a small play area for families with children.
• The ferries are designed to be barrier-free so that people with reduced mobility can also travel without any problems. There are elevators to move between decks.

For those traveling by train, there is plenty of space on the ferry for suitcases and bags. Once you have stowed your luggage, you can enjoy the crossing.

Our crossing really was a pleasure! Although it was quite chilly (which is not surprising in April), it was a wonderful experience. The casting off maneuver and later the docking in the harbour captivated me. Just as the last cars were maneuvering into their parking positions, the access road closed, the engines got a little louder and the ferry moved away from the pier.

As the shore became smaller and smaller, a fantastic view of the Wadden Sea opened up. Small waves rippled on the sandbanks. Our ferry sailed slowly between the buoys in the channel towards Föhr.

While the seagulls circled us, I searched the sea for seals and I think I saw some far away. Or it was just a reflection on the water…

What a pleasant and relaxing way to reach your vacation destination.

Arrival on Föhr

After around 50 minutes, the ferry docks in the port of Wyk auf Föhr, the island’s largest town.

For car drivers, this means back to the vehicle. As soon as the ferry has docked, you are waved off the vehicle deck and enter the port of Wyk.

Pedestrians walked down a bridge. Some got into waiting cabs or the public bus. We were able to walk to our apartment.