Schleswig-Holstein is Germany's northernmost federal state, a narrow peninsula wedged between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, bordering Denmark. It combines windswept Wadden Sea islands like Sylt and Amrum, the historic Hanseatic port of Lubeck, the sailing capital Kiel, and the tranquil lake district of Holstein Switzerland. The state is defined by water on nearly every side, a mix of German, Danish, and North Frisian culture, and a laid-back maritime pace of life.
- Public
- NAH.SH coordinates a dense regional-rail and bus network across the state; Deutsche Bahn regional trains (RE/RB) link Hamburg, Kiel, Lübeck, Flensburg, and Husum, while local buses fill in the rural mainland and island bus loops
- Taxi
- Available in Kiel, Lübeck, Flensburg, and the resort towns, but sparse in rural North Frisia; ride-hailing apps have limited coverage outside the larger cities
- Rental
- Very useful on the mainland for reaching Holstein Switzerland's lakes, the Baltic coast resorts, and rural North Frisia, though cars cannot be driven directly onto Sylt without using the car train from Niebuell
- Walking
- Compact old towns like Luebeck, Flensburg, and Husum are very walkable, but the state is spread across a large, mostly flat rural area better covered by bike or car
Transport at a glance
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Schleswig-Holstein stretches between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea at the base of the Jutland peninsula, and getting around blends fast regional trains, an extensive rural bus network, and ferries to its North Frisian islands. Deutsche Bahn regional trains link Hamburg with Luebeck, Kiel, Flensburg, Husum, and Niebuell, while NAH.SH coordinates ticketing and bus connections into the countryside. Sylt is reached from the mainland by the Autozug/Sylt Shuttle car train from Niebuell (no public road links the island) or by passenger ferry to the smaller islands of Foehr and Amrum from Dagebuell. Kiel is a major ferry hub with overnight services to Oslo and Gothenburg. A rental car is the most flexible way to explore Holstein Switzerland's lakes and the rural coastline, though it is unnecessary in compact old towns like Luebeck and Flensburg.
Airports
Hamburg Airport (Helmut Schmidt)
Westerland/Sylt Airport
Luebeck Airport (Blankensee)
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy the Schleswig-Holstein-Ticket (Deutschland-Ticket, EUR 58/month) for unlimited regional trains and buses across the state and into Hamburg
Cars cannot drive onto Sylt directly - use the DB Sylt Shuttle or blue RDC Autozug car train from Niebuell, or take the ferry from Dagebuell for a car-free visit
Book Sylt Shuttle or Autozug car-train tickets online in advance (from about EUR 19.90-19.99 one way) rather than paying the much higher walk-up terminal fare (EUR 74-75)
Ferry departures from Dagebuell to Foehr and Amrum are tide-dependent and change daily - check faehre.de the morning of travel
Hamburg Airport (HAM) is the main international gateway; NAH.SH and Kielius coaches run directly from the airport to Kiel, Luebeck, and Neumuenster
Reserve Kiel-Oslo (Color Line) or Kiel-Gothenburg (Stena Line) overnight ferries well ahead in summer, especially for cabins and vehicle spaces
Bicycles are welcome on most NAH.SH regional trains and island ferries for a supplementary ticket, and cycling is one of the best ways to explore the flat Baltic and North Sea coasts