The company and its route
Behind the ferry to Wangerooge stands no conventional shipping company but Schifffahrt und Inselbahn Wangerooge, SIW for short - a unit of Deutsche Bahn. It runs both legs of the journey, the ship from Harlesiel and the train on the island, making it the only operator in the group where ferry and island railway come from one hand.
The route
From Harlesiel near Carolinensiel the ferry takes about an hour through the Wadden Sea. The timetable is tide-dependent: the ships sail mostly around high water, and departure times shift by roughly 50 minutes each day.
What that means for getting there, parking and checking in luggage is on the Wangerooge page.
The island railway
The jetty lies at the western end of the island, several kilometres from the main village. The island railway covers the rest: opened in 1897, metre gauge, today 5.9 kilometres of track on three single-track sections and running at 20 km/h. It is the only narrow-gauge railway operated by Deutsche Bahn and carries around 200,000 passengers a year. The trains are matched to the ships and wait for arriving ferries, and the ticket covers both legs.
Ships
The scheduled service is worked by the Wangerooge and the Harlingerland. Both ships belong to Reederei Warrings and are chartered from it. Because the island is car-free they carry passengers, luggage and freight, but no guest vehicles.
FAQ
Who operates the ferry to Wangerooge?+
Schifffahrt und Inselbahn Wangerooge, a unit of Deutsche Bahn. It sails from Harlesiel and also runs the island railway.
Do I need a separate ticket for the island railway?+
No. Ferry and island railway form one journey, so the ticket always covers both legs.
How long does the whole journey to Wangerooge take?+
Around 90 minutes - roughly an hour on the ferry from Harlesiel and 15 to 20 minutes on the island railway from the jetty into the village. More on the Wangerooge page.
Why do departure times change every day?+
The ferries sail tide-dependently, mostly around high water. Times shift by about 50 minutes a day, so the timetable is what counts.
Can I take suitcases on board?+
Only limited hand luggage. Larger suitcases are checked in at the harbour before departure and carried as freight, then collected at the island station.