By train to Sylt

The most frequently used ticket to Sylt is the Schleswig-Holstein ticket. This allows you to travel to the island for just 32 euros for 1 person and 6 euros more per passenger. Up to 5 people can use this card all day long on all local trains in 2nd class in Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, as well as on Hamburg's public transport (HVV Ringe A + B, excluding express buses). The ticket is not valid on buses, and therefore does not include bus services on Sylt. With the maximum number of passengers, each person only pays EUR 11,20The Schleswig-Holstein Ticket is valid Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. the following day, and on weekends and public holidays from midnight to 0 a.m. the next day. Please note that tickets must be purchased before departure and cannot be purchased on the train. If you have any questions, please call +3 030 2970.
>> all information about the Schleswig-Holstein Ticket*

Yes, the Deutschlandticket is valid on the regional train between Hamburg and Sylt . It is also accepted on the island's buses . However, the Deutschlandticket is not valid on InterCity trains to Sylt; long-distance fares apply there.

The Regional Express from Hamburg to Sylt departs from Altona station and does not stop at the other Hamburg stations, Dammtor, Hauptbahnhof, or Harburg. Ticket machines are located directly at the beginning of the tracks.

The regional express train operated by Deutsche Bahn serves the towns of Keitum and Morsum on Sylt, in addition to its final stop in Westerland.

If you want to travel by train to Hamburg Central Station and then by regional train from Hamburg Altona to Sylt, you have two options:

By S-Bahn from Hamburg Central Station to Hamburg Altona

Several S-Bahn lines (S1, S2, S3) run between Hamburg Central Station and Altona. An S-Bahn to Altona departs approximately every 5 minutes and takes about 12 minutes. At the main station, follow the signs to S-Bahn platforms 1 and 2. If you already have a Schleswig-Holstein Ticket, travel on the S-Bahn is included. >> HVV timetable information

With Deutsche Bahn from Hamburg Hbf via Elmshorn to Sylt

Alternatively, you can take the hourly regional express train to Kiel from Hamburg Central Station and change in Elmshorn to the train to Westerland/Sylt. The scheduled transfer time is 15 minutes. This route also works for the return journey to Hamburg, although the transfer time in Elmshorn is then reduced to 13 minutes. >> Deutsche Bahn timetable information

From Monday to Friday, the regional trains towards Westerland are very busy between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m., as well as between 11:00 a.m. and 13:00 p.m.

On the way from Westerland to Niebüll you should avoid the times between 14:00 p.m. and 18:00 p.m.

No, seat reservations are generally not possible on the regional train between Hamburg and Sylt. During peak travel times (e.g., Easter, Pentecost, Christmas), it is therefore advisable to arrive at the station early. The train will be waiting at the platform a few minutes before departure. Another option is to purchase a first-class ticket, as this section tends to be emptier.

Groups of 21 or more people, or groups with more than six bicycles or a wheelchair, should register with DB Regio SH no later than ten days before departure. This allows the group to plan with certainty and confirms whether the planned train has sufficient capacity. If not, an alternative will be suggested. Free group registration is available by calling 030 2970 and mentioning "Group" in the caller ID.

The regional train between Hamburg and Sylt does not have its own onboard bistro. Please purchase snacks and drinks for the journey at Hamburg-Altona and Westerland stations.

A child's single ticket is generally required to travel with a dog. Small dogs up to the size of a domestic cat that are safe and in suitable transport containers (cage, carrier, travel bag) like hand luggage can travel free of charge. With the Schleswig-Holstein Ticket, the dog counts as one person.

Bicycles can generally be taken on trains to Sylt, subject to space availability. Passenger volumes regularly increase during the summer months. We therefore recommend avoiding trains from Westerland/Sylt during rush hour between 14 p.m. and 18 p.m. with your bicycle and opting for the trains before and after. Strollers and wheelchairs generally have priority. To take your bicycle, you will need a bicycle day ticket in addition to your ticket.
>> Further information on taking bicycles on Deutsche Bahn

Alternatives for taking your bike with you:

Book a discounted rental bike
DB Regio cooperates with the bicycle rental company mietrad. Upon presentation of a valid DB ticket for the Schleswig-Holstein tariff or a valid DB Schleswig-Holstein ticket, mietrad grants you a €1 discount on the rental price for premium bikes and a €2 discount on the rental price for e-bikes. The mietrad station is located opposite Westerland train station. Further information and booking options can be found here. here.

luggage service
Alternatively, you can also ship your bike using the aforementioned luggage service. The Hermes door-to-door service also offers convenient transport for bicycles. The bike will be picked up and delivered directly to Sylt. Further information is available at bahn.de/gepaeck

SyltShuttle Plus
Bicycle spaces are available on the Sylt Shuttle Plus trains from/to Bredstedt or Husum. The ticket “Island special” includes the journey for one person and the carriage of one bicycle.

The trains operating on the Hamburg-Altona – Westerland (Sylt) route offer barrier-free boarding. Most regional stations in Schleswig-Holstein offer barrier-free boarding for local trains. Deutsche Bahn recommends contacting the Mobility Center before your journey so that they can arrange boarding or disembarkation assistance if necessary. Passengers requiring transfer assistance must register their travel request by 20 p.m. the day before their journey.

Mobility Center

• Tel: 030 65212888 (free of charge or subject to the provider's normal terms and conditions)
• E-Mail: msz@deutschebahn.com

All Sylt train stations (Westerland, Keitum and Morsum) have barrier-free access to the platforms. 

The S1 suburban train line provides a quick, easy, and direct connection from Hamburg Airport to Altona station. The station is located directly within the airport and is easily accessible via elevators and escalators. Trains run every 10 minutes and will take you to Altona in just 37 minutes . For comparison, a taxi would only be about 5 minutes faster and, at approximately €30 per trip, significantly more expensive than the S1 ticket, which costs €3,80 per person. Ticket machines are located directly in the arrivals area near the baggage carousels or between the arrivals level and the platform.