The Europe CruiseFor the American voyager

Kiel

Photo: Virtual-Pano, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

Kiel is mostly an boarding port. As a port of call, the town is walkable from the central quays. Lübeck is a popular day trip by regional train.

Getting ashoreShip docks
Distance to townOstseekai: about 300 m to the center; about 1.6 km (15 minutes' walk) to Kiel Hbf. Norwegenkai: about 10 minutes' walk to Kiel Hbf via the Hörnbrücke footbridge. Ostuferhafen: about 8 km, bus or taxi.
Gateway forKiel city, Laboe Naval Memorial and U-995, Lübeck and Hamburg by train (unverified).
Walk to Kiel centerCenter about 300 m; Kiel Hbf about 15 minutes (1.6 km) from Ostseekai, about 10 minutes from Norwegenkai · Free
On the chart

Where Kiel lies

Antique-style chart of The Baltic Capitals with ports markedKielCopenhagenHamburgOsloStockholmWarnemündeAarhusGdańskGothenburgHelsinkiKlaipėdaRigaSkagenTallinnVisby

Where your ship docks

Port of Kiel has five cruise berths. Ostseekai (terminals 27 and 28) and Norwegenkai are in the city harbor, about 300 m from the center. Ostuferhafen is on the east bank of the fjord, about 8 km from the center. Schwedenkai is mainly a ferry terminal.

Shuttle. Check your planner.

From the gangway

Getting to the sights

The wayTimeCost
Walk to Kiel centerCenter about 300 m; Kiel Hbf about 15 minutes (1.6 km) from Ostseekai, about 10 minutes from NorwegenkaiFree
Regional train to Lübecknot confirmednot confirmed
Bus 11 or taxi to Kiel Hbf from OstuferhafenBus ride (time not confirmed) plus about 15 minutes' walknot confirmed

Walk to Kiel center

Time Center about 300 m; Kiel Hbf about 15 minutes (1.6 km) from Ostseekai, about 10 minutes from NorwegenkaiCost Free
  1. Walk from Ostseekai through the center (buses 41, 42, 61 and 62 also stop at 'Seegarten Ostseekai').
  2. From Norwegenkai, cross the Hörnbrücke footbridge to the station.

Regional train to Lübeck

Time not confirmedCost not confirmed
  1. Walk to Kiel Hbf.
  2. Train to Lübeck Hbf.

Times and fares not confirmed: Deutsche Bahn and NAH.SH fare tools need a live search. Check the NAH.SH or DB app.

Bus 11 or taxi to Kiel Hbf from Ostuferhafen

Time Bus ride (time not confirmed) plus about 15 minutes' walkCost not confirmed
  1. Walk about 15 minutes from the terminal to the Grenzstraße stop.
  2. Take bus 11 to the center/Hbf.

Port advises against walking all the way. Taxis wait at the station 24/7. Bus fare not confirmed.

Worth the trip

What to see

Lübeck Old Town

Holstentor gate and Hanseatic old town (UNESCO).

How
Train.
Time
Half day+
Tickets
Free to walk

Laboe Naval Memorial and U-995

WWII submarine museum.

How
SFK harbor ferry or bus, route to Laboe not confirmed.
Time
3 hours
Tickets
Unverified

Kiellinie waterfront

Harbor promenade.

How
Walk.
Time
1 hour
Tickets
Free
A day ashore

Your day, hour by hour

Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.

  1. Walk to Kiel Hbf; train to Lübeck.
  2. Holstentor and old town.
  3. Train back mid-afternoon; aboard 60 minutes early.
Wise counsel

What goes wrong, and how to avoid it

Beware

  • Rail delays.

Do this

  • SFK harbor ferries: adult single EUR 4.00-5.40 depending on distance (from 1 April 2026, on-board surcharge included); whether a line serves Laboe was not confirmed.
Practical matters

Fees, money and access

Accessibility

Central quays near flat city center.

Money

Euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted. Carry a little cash for small cafes, toilets, and markets.

Onward

More of the The Baltic Capitals

TallinnEstonia Ship docksHelsinkiFinland Ship docksStockholmSweden Dock or tenderRigaLatvia Ship docksGdańskPoland Ship docksKlaipėdaLithuania Ship docksVisbySweden Dock or tenderCopenhagenDenmark Ship docks
Sources & what we could not confirm · 4 sources · checked 2026-11
Still being confirmed
  • Lübeck train time and fare
  • Laboe ferry route
  • Bus 11 fare and time
  • Attraction prices