In short
Kiel is a Baltic port for week-long cruises to the Norwegian fjords. The season runs from April to October, with most sailings from May to September and almost none in winter. From the Netherlands, it is about 6 to 7 hours by train via Hamburg, or a flight to Hamburg and about 1¼ hours more.
Port at a glance
Kiel
- Where ships go
- Norwegian fjords
- Usual length
- 6–9 nights
- Terminal
- Ostseekai in the centre or Ostuferhafen on the east bank
- Getting there
- Train via Hamburg, 6–7 hours; or fly to Hamburg
Good to know: you can walk to Ostseekai from the station, but Ostuferhafen is on the other side of the fjord, 8 km from the centre — your boarding documents say which terminal is yours.
Pick a month in the cruise finder →Why Kiel
- A week in the fjords. Kiel's main format is a 7-night cruise to Norway, sometimes with a call in Copenhagen. Handy if your holiday is exactly a week.
- Quick to the north. Ships sail straight into the Baltic, and the next day you can be ashore in Denmark or Norway.
- No need to fly. Take the train via Hamburg to Kiel Hbf; from there it is about 15 minutes on foot to the Ostseekai terminal. No luggage limits.
- A beautiful sail-away. For the first hour the ship follows the Kiel Fjord past the waterfront, the marinas and the memorial at Laboe — be on deck.
What sails from Kiel
Schedules change every year, but the overall picture is fairly stable. The main options:
| Route | Typical length | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwegian fjords | 7 nights | April to October, most often May to September | Kiel's main route: the fjords of western Norway, sometimes with a call in Copenhagen or Oslo |
| The Baltic | About a week | A few sailings in spring, summer and October | Baltic capitals; there is more choice from Copenhagen |
| Heading south | 10 to 14 nights | September and October | To the Mediterranean or the Canary Islands as ships move south for the winter; usually one way |
Based on cruise line schedules for 2026–2027. Ships, ports and dates change; always check the specific sailing.
Which language is spoken on board?
Many ships sailing from Kiel — AIDA and TUI Cruises (Mein Schiff) — are designed for German-speaking guests and are not available through the club. MSC and Costa are international lines, with announcements and entertainment in several languages.
Which season to choose
The first fjords
The season opens in April, and by May there are plenty of sailings. Waterfalls are full of meltwater, there is still snow on the peaks and fewer crowds than in summer.
Cruises in May →Light nights
The longest days and the warmest weather in the fjords, around 20 °C. School holidays and Kiel Week in late June — book early.
Cruises in July →Autumn fjords
The last fjord sailings of the year in autumn colours, and the first long one-way voyages to the Mediterranean.
Cruises in September →The Baltic and the road south
Fewer sailings: the Baltic, the last fjords and voyages to the Canaries. From November to March almost nothing leaves Kiel.
Cruises in October →Two terminals — check which one
Cruise ships in Kiel mostly use two terminals on opposite sides of the fjord. Your boarding documents say which one is yours.
- Ostseekai (terminals 27 and 28). In the city centre on the west bank, where the Kiellinie promenade begins. About 15 minutes on foot from Kiel Hbf through the centre, or a few minutes by taxi; city buses such as the 41 and 42 also run there. AIDA, TUI Cruises and many international lines usually berth here.
- Ostuferhafen. A port on the east bank, about 8 km from the centre. Too far to walk: a taxi from the station is easiest, or bus 11 towards Dietrichsdorf to the Grenzstraße stop and then about 15 minutes on foot. MSC and Costa usually berth here.
- Norwegenkai. The pier for the Color Line ferry to Oslo, across a footbridge from the station. Small cruise ships sometimes berth here too.
Getting to Kiel
- By train from the Netherlands. There are no direct trains: you travel via Hamburg, about 6 to 7 hours in total. Regional trains from Hamburg Hbf to Kiel Hbf run often and take about 1¼ hours.
- From Belgium. The train takes longer — via Cologne and Hamburg, about 8 to 9 hours — so many people fly.
- By plane. The nearest major airport is Hamburg, about an hour's flight from Amsterdam. The Kielius coach runs direct from Hamburg Airport to Kiel station in about 1¼ hours; by train you change at Hamburg Hbf.
- By car. About 6 to 7 hours from the central Netherlands. Ostseekai and Ostuferhafen both have port car parks, booked online in advance; the Ostseekai car park is not open to every cruise line, so check the terms for your sailing.
Closer to home?
If 6 to 7 hours of travel feels like a lot, look at Rotterdam, which also has week-long fjord cruises. And Hamburg, just over an hour from Kiel, has sailings all year round.
The night before: where to stay
After a long journey, a night in Kiel takes the stress out of changes and delays. Note that Kiel Week, one of the world's biggest sailing festivals, takes over the city in the last full week of June, and hotels fill up early.
The centre and the station
Hotels around Kiel Hbf and the pedestrian Holstenstraße. In the morning it is about 15 minutes on foot to the Ostseekai terminal, or a couple of minutes by taxi.
Düsternbrook and the Kiellinie
A quiet area along the waterfront north of Ostseekai. In the evening you can watch ferries and cruise ships glide past.
Holtenau
A former village at the locks of the Kiel Canal, with restaurants by the water. Take a taxi to the terminals.
A night in Hamburg
Handy if your flight lands late: take the train or the Kielius coach to Kiel in the morning, about 1¼ hours. Leave a margin — boarding will not wait.
If you have half a day in Kiel
Kiel's centre was badly damaged in the Second World War and is mostly rebuilt, but the city lives by the sea. Everything below is close to the station and the Ostseekai terminal:
- The Kiellinie promenade. A walk north along the fjord from Ostseekai: yachts, parks, the marine research institute, and ferries and cruise ships passing by.
- Aquarium GEOMAR. The marine research institute's small aquarium right on the Kiellinie, with Baltic and North Sea fish and a seal pool.
- The ferry to Laboe. City ferries cross the fjord from the pier by the station and reach Laboe in about an hour. There you will find the naval memorial with its viewing platform and the U-995 submarine, which you can walk through.
- The Kiel Canal locks. At Holtenau the canal meets the Baltic. It is one of the busiest artificial waterways in the world, and from the locks you can watch ships being raised and lowered.
Coming home
Ships usually arrive early in the morning, and guests disembark in groups until about 9 or 10 am. Trains from Kiel to Hamburg run often, but there are only a few direct trains from Hamburg to the Netherlands each day, so do not book the earliest one: leave a couple of hours to spare. If you are flying home from Hamburg, an afternoon or evening flight is the most relaxed option.
Practical tips
- Check your boarding time. Cruise lines give each guest a time slot; arriving much earlier usually means waiting.
- Check your Hamburg station. In 2026, because of engineering work, the direct ICE trains from Amsterdam stop at Hamburg-Harburg, while trains to Kiel leave from Hamburg Hbf — about 15 minutes apart by S-Bahn.
- Pack something warm. Even in summer the fjords can be around 15 °C and rainy, so bring a jacket and waterproof shoes.
- ID for everyone. Germany, Denmark and Norway are all in Schengen, but Norway has its own customs rules. If you do not hold a European passport, check the entry rules for every country on the route.
Common questions
Which cruises leave from Kiel?
Mostly week-long cruises to the Norwegian fjords, sometimes with a call in Copenhagen. There are a few Baltic sailings, and in September and October voyages to the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, usually one way.
Which terminal in Kiel does my ship leave from?
Usually either Ostseekai in the city centre, about 15 minutes on foot from the station, or Ostuferhafen on the east bank of the fjord, which you reach by taxi. Your boarding documents name the exact terminal.
How do I get from the Netherlands to Kiel?
By train via Hamburg, about 6 to 7 hours with changes. Or fly to Hamburg, about an hour from Amsterdam, then take the Kielius coach or a train for roughly another 1¼ hours. Many travellers arrive the day before and spend a night in Kiel.
Where should I stay before a cruise from Kiel?
For the Ostseekai terminal, the centre near the station or Düsternbrook by the waterfront are easiest, as you can walk to the ship. If you sail from Ostuferhafen, any area will do, since you will take a taxi there anyway.
Are there cruises from Kiel in winter?
Hardly any: the season runs from April to October. In winter, look at Hamburg, which has week-long cruises around Northern European ports all year round.
Are cruises from Kiel in German only?
No. German-language lines such as AIDA and TUI Cruises are very visible here, but they are not available through the club. MSC and Costa are international lines with English and other languages on board.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Kiel that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which dates from Kiel are available in your month.
How booking with points works →
Seasons and destinations are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change; check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.