Guide
Parking at the ferry port
Where to leave your car when the island allows no vehicles - the seven feeder ports compared
The seven feeder ports
What parking there is and how you get from the car park to the jetty. Daily rates are on the fares page, because they change with the season.
Parking, shuttle and long stay
| Port | Insel | Flächen | Weg zum Anleger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emden | Borkum | multi-storey car park at the Borkumkai, plus open areas a little further out | car park right at the terminal |
| Eemshaven (NL) | Borkum | large car park and parking hall at the jetty | walking distance |
| Norddeich | Norderney, Juist | P1 and P2 behind the dyke, P3 towards Badestraße | shuttle bus every 15 minutes in season |
| Neßmersiel | Baltrum | parking areas at the harbour | walking distance |
| Bensersiel | Langeoog | supervised car parks right at the ferry jetty | walking distance |
| Neuharlingersiel | Spiekeroog | day car parks at the harbour, Spiekeroog garages at the edge of the village | garages 10 to 15 min on foot, shuttle bus in season |
| Harlesiel | Wangerooge | paid parking areas at the harbour | walking distance |
Port by port
Five of the seven East Frisian Islands allow no vehicles, and on Norderney a seasonal traffic ban keeps visitors' cars out of the village centre. For most travellers the drive therefore ends at the mainland port. Each of the seven feeder harbours handles that differently - here are the differences that matter for planning.
Emden and Eemshaven for Borkum
Borkum is the exception: the AG EMS ships are car ferries, so the vehicle can come along. If you would rather leave it on the mainland, Emden has the multi-storey car park at the Borkumkai right by the jetty as well as open areas a little further out. On the Dutch side, Eemshaven has a large car park with around 2,000 spaces and a parking hall immediately at the ferry jetty; both are open during operating hours and a reservation is not normally needed.
Norddeich for Norderney and Juist
The largest and best-served feeder port of the group. The main areas P1 and P2 lie behind the dyke close to the jetty and together offer several thousand spaces, with P3 a little further out towards Badestraße. In season a free shuttle bus runs between the parking areas and the terminal every 15 minutes. The car parks are fenced and in places monitored by camera or night watch.
Norddeich is also the only harbour where booking a space ahead really pays: through the Inselparker system you reserve a parking ticket, and on arrival the number plate is recognised automatically. On changeover days in high season that saves noticeable time. More about the port itself on ferries from Norddeich.
Neßmersiel for Baltrum
The ferry port lies about 25 kilometres north of Norden. Because Baltrum is car-free and allows no vehicles, the parking areas are generously sized. If you arrive without a car, buses run from Norden and Norddeich.
Bensersiel for Langeoog
The distances here are short: the supervised car parks are right at the ferry jetty, only a few metres between space, ticket desk and ship. For Langeoog travellers that makes for the most straightforward arrival of the group, because the island railway takes over on the other side.
Neuharlingersiel for Spiekeroog
Two options, depending on how long you stay. Generous day car parks sit right at the harbour; no advance payment is needed, the parking time is recorded on exit by number-plate recognition and paid at the machine or by app. For stays of several days the Spiekeroog garages at the edge of the village are the better choice - supervised long-stay parking, partly under cover, about 10 to 15 minutes on foot from the jetty; in high season a shuttle bus runs.
One practical tip: drive to the ferry terminal first, load your luggage into the containers waiting there, and only then park the car in the garage. That saves carrying bags any further.
Harlesiel for Wangerooge
The harbour lies near Carolinensiel. Since Wangerooge is closed to private vehicles, the car stays here in any case. Paid parking areas are available right at the harbour. Allow a little time before departure: besides buying tickets, Wangerooge also means checking in luggage, because only two small bags per person are permitted on board.
What to allow for before departure
As a foot passenger, about 30 minutes is enough at all seven harbours. With a vehicle on the ferry, or with luggage to check in, that becomes 45 to 60 minutes, and rather more in high season. At the harbours with a shuttle or long-stay garages - Norddeich and Neuharlingersiel - the walk from the car park to the jetty comes on top.
FAQ
For which islands do I even need a car park on the mainland?+
Do I have to reserve a space in advance?+
It is not necessary at any of the ports, but it helps on changeover days in high season. At Norddeich you can book ahead through Inselparker and the number plate is read on entry. At the smaller harbours the parking time is usually billed by number-plate recognition anyway.
What does parking cost?+
Daily rates differ by port and season and are on the fares page. Broadly, the large day areas cost less than the short-stay spaces right at the jetty.
Are the car parks supervised?+
In part. At Norddeich the areas are fenced and partly monitored by camera or night watch, at Bensersiel there are supervised spaces right at the jetty, and at Neuharlingersiel the supervised Spiekeroog garages serve longer stays. At the other harbours they are ordinary open areas.
Can I get there without a car?+
Norddeich is the easiest - the station Norddeich Mole is right at the ferry terminal. Emden also has a rail connection. Neßmersiel, Bensersiel, Neuharlingersiel and Harlesiel are served by bus from Norden, Norddeich or Esens; in high season long-distance coaches run to the coast as well.