Ferry to Spiekeroog

Timetable and the tides

The ferry timetable follows the North Sea tides. The ships sail tide-dependently, which means departures are only possible around high water and shift accordingly from day to day. As a rule there are at least two crossings a day (typically around the morning and afternoon high water). In high season and on busy days the sailings are more frequent - then there are up to four crossings a day at varying times.

Since the WattnExpress was introduced, the timetable has been extended further. The express boat makes between three and eight departures a day depending on the day of the week and the season, and thanks to its shallow draught it can also serve the fringe times when the large ferries would have to pause because of the water level. In principle the ships sail all year round, but in the winter months the service is limited to a few connections a day, depending on weather and demand.

Tickets and fares

Tickets for the ferry to Spiekeroog can be bought online in advance or on the spot at the harbour in Neuharlingersiel. Booking online through the operator's website often gives a discount (around 10 per cent) and guarantees a place on board. Alternatively there are ticket desks and machines at the jetty (the machines take card payment only). In high season it is worth reserving early, as the ferries are often fully booked.

Fares depend on the season and the passenger category (adults, children). There are single and return tickets, children aged 4 to 14 travel at a reduced rate, and groups of 20 or more get better terms. You will see the current prices at the point of booking.

The standard fare usually includes one piece of luggage per passenger. Additional or bulky items (bicycles, pushchairs or a surfboard, for instance) can be carried for a supplement. Pets - dogs in particular - may also travel on the ferry, but need their own ticket (pet fare) and must be kept on a lead, with a muzzle for larger dogs. Overnight guests also pay the local visitor's tax, which is normally settled together with the return ferry ticket.

Getting to the ferry port

The jetty at Neuharlingersiel is at Am Hafen Ost 20, 26427 Neuharlingersiel. By car: Neuharlingersiel is in the Wittmund district of East Frisia and is easy to reach via the A29 motorway (Wilhelmshavener Kreuz exit, then via Jever and Wittmund) or the A31 (Leer-Ost exit, then via Aurich and Esens). The way to the harbour is clearly signposted in the village. Because Spiekeroog is car-free the car has to stay on the mainland - generous day car parks are available right at the harbour in Neuharlingersiel. No advance payment is needed there: the parking time is recorded automatically by number-plate recognition, and charges can be paid at the machine (by debit or credit card) or through a parking app.

For stays of several days, the Spiekeroog garages at the edge of the village (Cliener Straat 16) are the better choice. These are supervised long-stay car parks, partly under cover; the walk from the garages to the jetty takes about 10 to 15 minutes. A shuttle bus often runs from the car parks to the harbour, particularly in high season. It is sensible to drive to the ferry terminal first and load your luggage into the containers waiting there (see Luggage transport below) before parking the car in the garage - that saves carrying bags any further than necessary.

By public transport: Neuharlingersiel has no railway station of its own. The nearest stations are Esens (about 15 km away) as well as Norden and Norddeich-Mole. From there, bus routes or on-demand buses run directly to the jetty at Neuharlingersiel (the bus timetables are matched to the sailings). In the main travel season there are also long-distance coaches - for example the private "Ostfriesland-Express" - which bring visitors to Neuharlingersiel without changing, from cities such as those in the Ruhr area or from Bremen.

Luggage transport and getting around the island

At the harbour in Neuharlingersiel you can load your luggage into special transport containers before departure. Numbered containers are put out about an hour before the sailing, and cases and bags can be loaded into them. Shortly before casting off, an on-board crane lifts the containers onto the ferry, where the luggage is stowed safely for the crossing. It helps to remember the number of the container you used, so that you can find your own luggage quickly in the island harbour on Spiekeroog. Alternatively you can use a luggage service that delivers to your accommodation: labels are available at the ticket desk, on which you write the destination address. The labelled luggage is taken by a local haulier straight from Spiekeroog harbour to the address given - a chargeable service that is a real relief for guests travelling with a lot of luggage.

Spiekeroog itself is explored mainly on foot. The new island harbour is not far from the village, so guests can usually reach their accommodation within a few minutes' walk. There is no car traffic on Spiekeroog - the island is entirely car-free and has no bus service either, since all the important points are close together. Only a few electric and utility vehicles (for luggage, supplies and the emergency services) operate on certain paths.

Visitors can bring bicycles to the island if they wish (carriage on the ferry is possible for a fee), but there is no bicycle hire on site. Many holidaymakers do without, as the distances are short and cycling is not permitted in the village centre or on the direct path to the beach. As a special attraction, a historic horse-drawn railway runs in the summer months: a horse-drawn carriage shuttles from the former island station in the village centre to the western end of the island. Occasional carriage rides are also offered - both as an experience for visitors and for luggage transport on request. For carrying beach gear or shopping, guests can hire handcarts locally. This unhurried, car-free mobility is a large part of what makes Spiekeroog so quiet and restful.