Texel is an island in the Dutch Wadden Sea. If you want to spend your holiday on Texel, you should inform yourself well in advance about how to get there.
We arrived very relaxed by train, but it is also possible to drive to the island by car. The ferry port is in the harbour town of Den Helder and is well signposted. If you don’t want to take your car to the island, you will find free parking there. To get to this car park, follow the signs “P Texel”, “Afhalen + Wegbrengen”. If there is no parking space left at the ferry terminal, you can park for free in the vicinity of the ferry terminal at Willemsoord P3, about 10 minutes’ walk from the entrance.
Texel Arrival by train
Our train journey started from Amsterdam Central Station with a regional train to Den Helder. The journey took about 1.5 hours and we were able to get off directly at the terminus in Den Helder.
You can only leave the station through a turnstile and by scanning the QR code on your train ticket. If you have a Deutsche Bahn ticket, you cannot leave the platform without the QR code. However, there is a bell / call button for the staff who will then help you and open the turnstile.
Texel Arrival: By bus in Den Helder from the train station to the ferry.
The ferry terminal is a good 1.5 kilometres from the station. Directly in front of the station is the bus station, from where a bus runs directly to the ferry terminal.
Bus 33 runs to coincide with the ferry’s departure times, so you can be sure of reaching the ship on time.
Very important! Bus tickets can be purchased at the Connexxion counter in Den Helder or from the bus driver. On the bus you can only pay by debit card or credit card – no cash is taken! If you have an OV chip card, you can have the fare debited there.
The ticket costs €3 per person (adults).
The bus ride itself only takes a few minutes, then you reach the bus stop directly at the ferry.
Ferry to Texel
Travelling to Texel by ferry is not dependent on tides and you do not have to choose a specific departure time in advance. The ship departs daily from Den Helder on the half hour. From Monday to Saturday already from 6:30 and until 21:30. On Sunday, the first trip departs a little later. From 1 April to 1 October at 7:30 am and in the other months only at 8:30 am. During peak times, the ferry departs twice an hour.
The ferries can accommodate more than 300 vehicles and 1750 passengers. The crossing takes 20 minutes.
Ferry fares
The prices for a crossing – return tickets are always sold – are quite reasonable.
When we visited the island (autumn 2021) the prices were
- Car (6.5 metres long, incl. bicycle rack and up to 9 persons) 37,-€.
- Motorbike 11,-€
- Bicycle and moped 5,- €
- Pedestrian 2,50 €
A tip: If you plan to travel to Texel by car from Den Helder on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, you only pay €25, regardless of the return day! If you travel more often, you can save money with a 5-trip or 15-trip ticket.
If you don’t want to queue at the counter, you can book and pay for a faster process with number plate recognition online in advance. The number plate is registered, at the ferry port the self-service machine scans the number plate and you don’t have to queue at the counter. This only works at the three self-service machines for ferries up to 6.5 metres. Follow the instructions on the illuminated sign: “Ik heb al een ticket”. (I already have a ticket).
It is very convenient to buy tickets online in advance.
Taking the ferry to Texel as a pedestrian
When we arrived by bus at the ferry port, the ship had just arrived. The cars were already rolling off the ship, so we didn’t have to dawdle and look around, but boarded the ship. We went through a terminal to the ticket control and over a long gangway onto the ship. If you don’t have a ticket yet, you can also buy one at the counter or the ticket machine.
Actually, it’s almost too bad that the crossing is so short. There is so much to discover and observe that the time just flies by.
First we calmly watched the departure manoeuvre in Den Helder. It is quite exciting to see how the hull of the ship closes and the ferry slowly leaves the harbour.
Afterwards, we made our way through the large interior area of the ship. In addition to numerous seating areas, there is the possibility to buy something to eat or drink or to shop for souvenirs at a kiosk. On our crossing, the ship was very empty and so everyone found a seat well. However, I can imagine that it can get quite crowded at peak times, especially in the high season. If you are looking for a nice place a bit off the beaten track, you should go up the spiral staircase into the gallery. I liked it best there.
We were quickly drawn back outside, because we didn’t want to miss the arrival on the island. Texel loomed ever larger in our field of vision and made the feeling of “holiday, well-being, time out” more and more intense. I was really looking forward to the time out on the island.
As soon as the ferry docked, cars and pedestrians poured off the boat. If you want to continue on the island with the Texelhopper bus, you have to choose the right pedestrian exit. On this side of the ship, the bus is already waiting and leaves quite quickly. So here, too, it was a case of – don’t dawdle!
Bus number 28 goes directly to Den Burg (Elemert stop) and De Koog. The fare is €3 per person and here too you can only pay on the bus with a debit or credit card.
If you don’t want to take the bus, or if you have a destination on the island that is not served by line 28, you can rent bicycles directly at the harbour, request the “order bus” or a taxi. More detailed information is available on the Texelhopper website.
Return trip from Texel
From Texel, the ferry always leaves for Den Helder on the hour. From Monday to Saturday already at 6:00 and until 21:00. On Sunday, the first trip departs a little later. From 1 April to 1 October at 7:00 and in the other months at 8:00. During peak hours, the ferry departs twice an hour. It may happen that you should allow some time for departure. Especially shortly after the usual check-out times in the accommodation, there may be waiting times.
The ticket for the outward journey is also valid for the return journey.
We had a taxi take us to the ferry port for our return journey and were thus able to drive right up to the departure terminal. This time we had planned some time and could watch the arrival of the ship in peace and quiet.
Unfortunately, the return journey was just as quick as the outward journey and so the wonderful time on Texel ended far too quickly. Arriving in Den Helder, we left the ship again on the right side and got on the already waiting bus number 33. The return journey to the station is free of charge! Arriving at the station, the regional train to Amsterdam was also already waiting – what an excellent connection!
Adress TESO Ferry ports
Den Helder: Havenplein 3, 1781 AB Den Helder
Texel: Pontweg 1, 1797 SN Den Hoorn
The ferry crossing took place as part of a press trip organised by VVV Texel.
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