How to travel from Rostock in Germany to Gedser in Denmark by ferry with a dog

If you are looking to travel to Denmark with your pup, taking the ferry from Rostock in Germany to Gedser in Denmark can be a good option.

I took a trip with my dog to Denmark in the fall of 2022, and we chose to take a Scandlines ferry across the Baltic sea as it fit better with our planned route than going via the mainland connection.

So that you can make the best decision for your own journey, here is a summary of my ferry experience.

THE RESERVATION

I reserved my ferry crossing with Scandlines. It cost 104 EUR for one regular car one way. The price does not change with the number of people, but it does vary depending on your date and time of travel as well as how early you book. There is no surcharge for the dog and you don’t need to declare the pet when making the booking.

REQUIREMENTS TO TRAVEL ON THE FERRY WITH A DOG

In order to bring my dog with me on the ferry, I just had to carry her EU pet passport. That’s it, no extra requirements. It’s easy because you are traveling from one EU country (Germany) to another (Denmark).

Be aware: Information was correct for my own journey to the best of my knowledge, but of course requirements and regulations can and do change. Therefore, please double check the most current rules prior to traveling.

THE CHECK-IN PROCESS

When taking the ferry from Rostock to Gedser, make sure to check-in to the ferry at least 15 minutes prior to departure. We arrived around 90 minutes ahead of time.

At the port, there is a shop and some toilet facilities and you can easily see where to check-in based on the signs above each booth.

We ended up boarding around 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. The process is super easy and you will be directed to the correct lane for your ferry.

THE CROSSING ITSELF

The crossing from Rostock to Gedser with Scandlines took roughly 2 hours. Your dog can either remain in the car for this time, or you can take your pup on board with you. If you choose to take your dog on board, they must be leashed at all times and are not allowed in the buffet area or in carpeted areas.

I chose to leave my pup in the car because I thought it would be more relaxed for her that way. Do beware that you can’t visit your dog in the car during the crossing.

THE ARRIVAL

After arriving in the Denmark, we just drove off the ferry and that was it. The whole experience was therefore extremely smooth.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Overall, the Scandlines ferry from Rostock to Gedser was a good choice. The journey was very relaxed overall. The check-in process was smooth. On balance, I’d rate this ferry trip a solid 4/5 and would certainly choose this mode of travel again.