Employees of Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten (Wagenborg Passenger Services) do their best each day to make the crossing of the passengers from the quay to the island of Schiermonnikoog as fast and comfortable as possible. This Internet site contains the most essential information concerning the transportation facilities and applicable conditions. It is possible that after reading through the same, you may have specific questions. If so, please contact us over the telephone during office hours. We would be happy to provide you with further information.
Passenger traffic
Our modern ferryboats have adequate capacity to handle passenger traffic. It is therefore neither possible nor necessary for you to book the passage of individual passengers. You will be able to take any of the trips except on rare occasions due to seasonal rush. In any case, when there is a rush of passengers, we always make arrangements for extra trips. We announce extra trips in the harbour offices and on board via Wagenborg TV. You may also obtain further information from the VVV (Tourist (Information) Office) on the island. Tickets for the trip are only sold in Lauwersoog. You can pay for the trip in cash or you may also pay via switch card, smartcard or Eurocard or Visa. There is an ATM machine in the wharf office in Lauwersoog.
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Extremely busy days
On extremely busy days, we often employ additional ferries so that we can transport all of our passengers. This happens mainly during the months of July and August. When this is the case, an announcement will always be made during the trip to the island in regard to when the trip back to the mainland will be made in the evening.
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View your trip
Wagenborg TV is a passenger information system on board our ships and in the harbour offices. The channel brings you information about the weather, the tides, position of the ships, safety measures on board and the expected time of arrival. Current information concerning events on the island is also featured.
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Children
The trip for children under 4 years is free. You may also acquire a pram or stroller free of cost if used for transporting the child (so, not for transporting extra baggage). You may also look after your child in the baby room: you can collect the key for the same from the buffet.
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Handicapped persons
All the ships and waiting rooms have special facilities to ensure a comfortable trip for handicapped persons.
We have lifts on our ships and specially modified toilets. If your legs are affected, we can provide you with a wheel chair. For more information, please contact the ticket window at the harbour office.
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Senior citizen's discount
If a valid identity card can be shown, all EU-citizens can get a discount at the normal passenger’s rate. You should show your identity card when you buy your ticket: restitution afterwards is not possible.
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Combination cards
If you use public transport, you may use the Combikaart (bus and boat). For more information, please contact OV Travel Information Service, tel. +31900 - 9292.
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Group traffic
If you travel with a group of at least 15 persons, it is possible and financially advantageous to notify us in advance. Groups can avail of a 10% discount on the rate (this reduction shall not apply to the tourist tax that is levied on the ferry ticket). In order to avail of the discount, you should notify the group at least 7 days before the journey, at our office. The entire group must present itself for inspection and they must make the trip simultaneously. If you intend to take along bicycles, you should mention this when reporting the group. Group discounts shall not be available on some trips between May and October; more information shall be provided to you at the time of reporting the group. You are given the privilege to take along a light trailer at a reduced rate (- 40%). This privilege is valid from 01 April through 30 September. The group as well as the trailer have to be notified at least 7 days before the yourney at our office and the to trip from the group and the trailer have to take place at the same day.
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Dogs
Tickets will have to be purchased for dogs, no matter how small. Dogs must always be on a leash on our premises and on the ferryboats.
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Your baggage
You may take along a maximum of 30 kg either as an individual passenger or as a cyclist. In practice: as much as you can carry through the ticket checkpoint. Other handbags shall only include suitcases, handbags, duffel bags and rucksacks. Boxes/coffins, tools and similar items are not included. You may place your hand baggage in the baggage cars after passing through the ticket checkpoint. You may collect the same from the baggage car on arrival near the exit point from the premises. This baggage service is free of cost. Attention: the baggage space is limited and cannot be reserved.
Do you want to take along more than 30 kg of baggage?
Or do you want to transport material other than hand baggage? If so, you may engage the services of a transport company, for example: Visser Transport (tel.+31519 - 349999) or Transportbedrijf Ridder (Ridder Transport) (tel. +31519 - 531851).
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Your car
One of the charms of Schiermonnikoog is that the use of cars, motors and motorbikes is subject to stringent limitations. You can only take along cars, motors and motorbikes after obtaining the permission of the municipal authorities. If you have obtained permission as above, we recommend that you book the ferry trip in advance over the telephone. The following information will be required in this connection:
- the license number of the car (reservations are done according to number plate)
- date and time of the to- and fro trip
- your name and address
Attention: Your reservation shall only be valid if you report at least half an hour before the time of departure of the boat. Cars will only be transported if the driver is also making the journey. A separate tariff applies to passenger cars of up to 5 metres length and an additional per-metre charge shall be levied for every extra metre.
The final rate-relevant check is carried out at the time of departure. Have you taken into account that you will have to pay extra for a bicycle carrier at the back of your car? However, you do not have to pay extra for bicycles that are placed on the tops of cars.
It is possible to transport light trailers to Schiermonnikoog without a car.
You will be required to manually load and unload the trailer from the boat. In order to make this easier, we have provided special dollies; you may enquire about the same at the ticket window. If you want to take along a trailer, you shall have to book in advance over the telephone and specify the registration number of the car towing the trailer.
Caravans are not allowed in Schiermonnikoog, except collapsible caravans with a linen top. You will be required to book a space for the same on board.
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Parking
You may park your car close to the harbour in Lauwersoog. For more information, please contact Scheepspark, tel. +31519 - 349139.
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Trucks
Trucks are transported with the normal ferry service, provided they are not more than 4.00 metres in height. The maximum permissible weight is 45 tons, the maximum axle load is 10 tons. Trucks that are loaded with heavier material than is legally permissible may be refused. Double rate shall be charged for trucks, trailers, etc. with a width of more than 2.60 metres.
Do you want to transport material of a greater height or weight than the above? Contact us within the required time: we shall offer you a suitable solution for such trips as well. For vehicles that transport hazardous materials, special trips can be arranged for, in which only these vehicles and their drivers will be transported together.
Please contact us in case you want to transport hazardous materials. Other rules and regulations concerning road transport may also apply.
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Restaurants
There is a restaurant at the ferry causeway in Lauwersoog. You may also obtain coffee, etc. at our waiting room. There is a self-service buffet on the ferryboat itself.
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Transport conditions
The latest version of the General Ferry Boat and Barge Services Terms and Conditions, deposited by the Stichting Vervoeradres (Transport Foundation) with the Clerk of the District Court of Amsterdam and Rotterdam shall be applicable to the presence of persons on the goods yards, stations and during the transportation itself. A copy of the said General Terms and Conditions shall be made available to you free of cost on request. Under these Conditions, Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten B.V. and its employees shall not be liable for any damage caused to any vehicles, goods transported, baggage, etc.
Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten B.V. is registered in the Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Groningen under the Registration number 02300456.
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Remarks? Suggestions?
We do our best to transport you as quickly and comfortably as possible. Do you have any remarks, suggestions, or complaints? If so, please contact the management of Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten B.V., PO Box 70, 9163 ZM Nes/Ameland. You can be sure of a quick response to your complaints, remarks and suggestions.
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Addresses and telephone numbers
Information line:
tel. +31900 - 4554455
24 hours a day.
Car reservations and group bookings:
Lauwersoog office, tel. +31519 - 349050 from Monday to Friday between 9.30 and 11.30 and from 14.00 to 17.00 hours.
Address:Zeedijk 9, 9976 VM Lauwersoog.
Postal address:
Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten B.V., PO Box 70, 9163 ZM Nes/Ameland.
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