Scandlines and the route's ships
Scandlines runs the Vogelfluglinie with four hybrid double-ended ferries shuttling every half hour. Here you'll find the operator, the four ships and what's on board.
The operator and its ships
Table of Contents
The Vogelfluglinie belongs to Scandlines. The company operates two routes between Germany and Denmark, Puttgarden-Rødby across the Fehmarn Belt and Rostock-Gedser across the Baltic, using six hybrid ferries, four of them here on the Belt. It was formed in 1998 from the merger of the German Deutsche Fährgesellschaft Ostsee with the Danish DSB Rederi; the port facilities in Puttgarden, Rødby and Gedser belong to Scandlines itself.
For you as a traveller, this mainly means one thing: there is only one operator on this route. The question is never which ferry company, only which departure and which fare.
The four hybrid ferries of the Vogelfluglinie
All four ships were built in 1997 for exactly this crossing: as double-ended ferries that can sail in either direction and don't need to turn round at the berth. In 2013/14 Scandlines converted them into hybrid ferries; since then, a battery system has smoothed out the peak loads on the diesel generators and reduced fuel consumption. They operate as two pairs of sister ships that differ in the details:
The Deutschland and the Schleswig-Holstein were launched in the Netherlands and are registered in Puttgarden, while the Prinsesse Benedikte and the Prins Richard were built in Frederikshavn, Denmark, and belong to Rødbyhavn. In practice you won't notice the difference: the four ships share the half-hourly service, and the rotation plan decides which one operates your departure.
From train deck to car ferry
The four ships were built as combined rail and car ferries, and each still has a 118-metre track on its main deck. Until the end of 2019, trains on the Hamburg-Copenhagen line rolled on board in Puttgarden; since then they have run via the Great Belt, and the track is no longer used in scheduled service. Today the ships are purely vehicle and passenger ferries, with room for 364 cars per departure.
The Baltic Whale: freight travels separately
Since 2026, a seventh vessel has reinforced the route: The Baltic Whale, one of the largest battery-powered ferries in the world. It handles freight and dangerous goods, taking pressure off the four passenger ferries; it makes no difference to your travel plans, as passenger bookings are only on the hybrid ferries. For Scandlines, the ship is a step towards its stated goal of zero direct emissions by 2040.
On board
A 45-minute crossing means no buffet restaurant and no cabins, but everything is close at hand.
- Scandlines Food Express - cafeteria with hot meals, sandwiches and snacks.
- Scandlines Coffee - coffee bar with pastries and Starbucks products.
- On-board shop - sweets, drinks and travel essentials; for bigger shopping, head to the BorderShop at the Puttgarden terminal.
- Sun deck - the best spot in good weather, with views of Fehmarn, the Fehmarn Belt tunnel construction site and the shipping traffic.
There is no Wi-Fi on board, but it is free in the waiting areas at both ports. You can pay in euros or Danish kroner (DKK), most easily by card. Dogs are allowed in the areas without carpet; the rules are on the Dogs & pets page.
Ports and procedure
Both ports belong to Scandlines, so the handling runs like clockwork: blue lane for cars, yellow lane for anything bigger, boarding bridge for foot passengers. How to get there is on the Port of Puttgarden and Port of Rødby pages; the procedure at the terminal is described on the Check-in page.
For an overview of the crossing, the next departures and booking, see the Puttgarden-Rødby ferry page.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the operator and the ships
Which ships sail on the Puttgarden-Rødby route? +
The four hybrid ferries Deutschland, Schleswig-Holstein, Prinsesse Benedikte and Prins Richard. All four are double-ended ferries built in 1997 and converted to hybrid propulsion in 2013/14. The timetable shows which ship operates your departure.
Do trains still travel on the ferry? +
No. The ships still have a railway track from their days as train ferries, but since the end of 2019 trains between Hamburg and Copenhagen have run via the Great Belt. The ferries carry cars, motorhomes, coaches and lorries.
What is a double-ended ferry? +
A ship with an identically shaped bow and stern that can sail in either direction. It doesn't have to turn round at the berth, which is one reason why the 30-minute frequency works on this short route.
What is The Baltic Whale? +
A battery-powered freight ferry that Scandlines put into service on the route in 2026, one of the largest in the world. It carries freight and dangerous goods and is not intended for passenger bookings.
Is there Wi-Fi on board? +
Not on the ferries on this route; Wi-Fi is free in the waiting areas at both ports. For the 45 minutes on board, you can use the mobile network, which is usually available on the Belt.
How much does the crossing cost? +
That depends on your vehicle, ticket type and when you book. All fares are on the Tickets & prices page.
Book your crossing with Scandlines
Book your ticket for the Puttgarden-Rødby ferry now.