Take the camper or caravan to the Wadden Islands

Can you take a camper or caravan to the Dutch Wadden Islands? Yes, but only to the right islands. Texel, Ameland and Terschelling are the realistic choices if you want to bring a camper, car or caravan. Vlieland and Schiermonnikoog are mainly car-free, so those are better for tent camping, glamping, hotels or bike-based holidays.

This guide helps you choose the right island before you book the ferry. That matters, because a camper or caravan changes the trip completely: you need to measure your vehicle properly, check whether you need a reservation, and decide whether the extra ferry cost is worth it once you are on the island.

Last checked by FerryGoGo: 7 July 2026. Ferry prices, vehicle rules and booking conditions can change, so always check the operator before booking.

Which Wadden Islands can you visit with a camper or caravan?

Start with the island, not the ferry. The Wadden Islands may look similar on a map, but they are very different for vehicle travel.

Island	Camper or caravan?	Ferry route	FerryGoGo verdict
Texel	Yes	Den Helder-Texel	Easiest and most flexible choice for campers and caravans
Ameland	Yes	Holwert-Ameland	Good option, but reserve your vehicle space early
Terschelling	Yes	Harlingen-Terschelling	Beautiful camping island, but vehicle space and cost need planning
Vlieland	No, not for normal visitor traffic	Harlingen-Vlieland	Better as a foot passenger with bike rental or luggage service
Schiermonnikoog	No, not for normal visitor traffic	Lauwersoog-Schiermonnikoog	Best without a vehicle: walk, bike or use the island bus

For a full route overview, use our main guide to ferries to the Dutch Wadden Islands. This camper and caravan guide focuses only on the vehicle side of the trip.

Measure your camper or caravan before you book

For Wadden ferry bookings, the vehicle dimensions matter. Do not guess. Measure the full travel setup, including everything that sticks out.

• Car plus caravan: measure the full combined length, including tow bar and anything mounted at the back.
• Camper or motorhome: measure the full length and height, including roof boxes, solar panels, satellite dishes or bike racks.
• Bike rack: include it if it extends the length of the vehicle or caravan.
• Width: check this too, especially for wider campers or caravan combinations.
• Unusual vehicle? If your setup is long, high, wide or modified, contact the ferry operator before booking.

Texel with a camper or caravan

Texel is the simplest Wadden Island for campers and caravans. The ferry from Den Helder to Texel is short, frequent and designed for a high volume of vehicle traffic. If you want the easiest Wadden camping trip with your own vehicle, start here.

The Texel ferry is operated by TESO. You buy a return ticket, so you only pay once for the crossing from Den Helder to Texel. On the way back, there is no separate ticket check from Texel to the mainland. Buying online saves time because you can avoid the ticket desk queue.

For campers and caravans, the key thing is the length category. When you buy the ticket, enter the correct vehicle or combination length and your registration details. In practice, Texel feels more flexible than the other Wadden islands because you are not booking the same limited vehicle reservation system you see on Ameland or Terschelling.

• Route: Den Helder-Texel
• Operator: TESO
• Crossing style: short, frequent and vehicle-friendly
• Best for: first Wadden trip with a camper, families, short breaks and flexible arrival times
• Booking tip: buy online and measure your total vehicle length properly

If you are coming from Amsterdam, see our practical guide to getting from Amsterdam to Texel. Most travellers drive or take the train to Den Helder first, then cross to Texel by ferry.

Ameland with a camper or caravan

Ameland is possible with a camper or caravan, but you should plan earlier than you would for Texel. The ferry sails from Holwert to Ameland and is operated by Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten.

Wagenborg says a vehicle reservation is not compulsory, but making one secures your place on board. Their own advice is to arrange the vehicle crossing when you book your accommodation. That is sensible advice, especially in school holidays, on Friday/Saturday travel days and around popular campsite arrival times.

For a car and caravan, you need to provide the dimensions of both the car and the caravan, including the drawbar. Trailers and caravans are carried together with a towing vehicle, so do not treat the caravan as a separate loose item.

• Route: Holwert-Ameland
• Operator: Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten
• Vehicle rule: reserve early if you want certainty
• Good to know: car and caravan dimensions need to be entered carefully
• Best for: longer stays, family camping and travellers who want their own vehicle on the island

The fast service is useful for foot passengers, but camper and caravan travellers should focus on the regular ferry. Check the current ferry options before booking, because the rules and available space are route-specific.

Terschelling with a camper or caravan

Terschelling is a fantastic camping island, but bringing a camper or caravan needs more planning. The ferry sails from Harlingen to Terschelling and is operated by Rederij Doeksen. The regular ferry takes about two hours. The fast ferry is much quicker, but vehicles are carried only on the regular ferry, not the fast ferry.

This is the island where you should be most careful with dimensions. Rederij Doeksen says some larger or unusual vehicle categories must be booked by telephone, including car combinations over 12 metres, campers over 8 metres and wider vehicles. If your camper or caravan setup is close to these limits, do not just click through the booking process and hope for the best.

• Route: Harlingen-Terschelling
• Operator: Rederij Doeksen
• Regular ferry: about 2 hours
• Fast ferry: foot passengers only for this purpose, not cars or campers
• Best for: longer camping holidays, cycling, beaches and nature
• Booking tip: check dimensions carefully and reserve early

Because the crossing is longer and vehicle space is more limited, Terschelling is not as casual as Texel. It can be absolutely worth it if you are staying for a week or more, but for a short visit you may prefer to leave the vehicle on the mainland and travel lighter.

Why Vlieland and Schiermonnikoog are different

Vlieland and Schiermonnikoog are not normal camper or caravan destinations. Both are known for their car-free or car-light character, and visitors generally cannot take a car, camper or caravan onto the island.

That does not mean you cannot camp there. It just means the trip works differently. Think tent, luggage service, bike rental, hotel, holiday home or glamping instead of bringing your own caravan.

• Vlieland: travel as a foot passenger from Harlingen. Rent a bike or use luggage services on arrival.
• Schiermonnikoog: travel from Lauwersoog and move around by bike, bus or on foot.

For many travellers, that is actually the charm. These islands feel quieter partly because most visitor cars stay on the mainland.

How much does it cost to take a camper or caravan?

We would not build your planning around old price examples. Wadden ferry fares change by year, season, vehicle length, travel day and operator. For campers and caravans, the price difference between the islands can be significant.

As a general rule:

• Texel is usually the most straightforward and cost-friendly option for vehicle-based Wadden trips.
• Ameland costs more planning because vehicle space should be reserved if you want certainty.
• Terschelling can become expensive with a car and caravan, especially for longer combinations and peak summer dates.
• Vlieland and Schiermonnikoog are not camper/caravan ferry choices for normal visitor traffic.

Always check the live operator fare for your exact vehicle length and travel date. A small difference in length can push a camper or car-caravan combination into another fare category.

Island	Price pattern	What to check before booking
Texel	Usually the easiest and most flexible for vehicles	Total vehicle length, off-peak travel days, online ticket
Ameland	Vehicle space can be limited, especially at popular times	Reservation, car + caravan dimensions, passenger tickets
Terschelling	Often a more expensive vehicle crossing	Regular ferry only, length limits, whether telephone booking is needed
Vlieland	Not a normal camper/caravan option	Foot passenger luggage, bike rental, accommodation
Schiermonnikoog	Not a normal camper/caravan option	Parking at Lauwersoog, bus/bike on the island

Should you take the camper or leave it on the mainland?

Taking your own camper or caravan is not always the best Wadden choice. It depends on how long you stay and what kind of holiday you want.

Bring the camper or caravan if you are staying several nights, have already booked a campsite pitch, and want your own setup on the island. Leave it behind if you are visiting for a day, planning to cycle most of the time, or going to an island where cars are not part of the visitor experience.

Booking checklist for campers and caravans

• Choose the island first: Texel, Ameland and Terschelling are the vehicle options.
• Measure the full length of your camper or car plus caravan.
• Include tow bar, bike rack, roof box and anything else that changes the dimensions.
• Check whether passengers are included or charged separately.
• Reserve early for Ameland and Terschelling, especially in school holidays.
• Check whether your vehicle category needs telephone booking.
• Book your campsite before or at the same time as the ferry.
• Pack so you can access what you need before the ferry crossing.
• Check live fares and timetables on the operator website before travelling.

Useful Wadden ferry links

• Ferries to the Dutch Wadden Islands
• How to get to Texel from Amsterdam
• Ferries to the Netherlands from the UK
• Harwich-Hook of Holland ferry
• Hull-Rotterdam ferry
• Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry

Sources checked

• TESO: ferry tickets to Texel
• TESO: Texel ticket is a return ticket
• Wagenborg: travelling with a vehicle to Ameland
• Rederij Doeksen: vehicle fares and rules
• Rederij Doeksen: crossing times to Terschelling and Vlieland
• VVV Schiermonnikoog: visitors and cars