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Helgoland (HGL): the airfield is on the Duene, and the flights are suspended

Landing at Helgoland means landing on the neighbouring islet and taking a taxi and a ferry to the town. And OFD, the operator, currently shows all flights to Helgoland suspended on both route pages.

  • OFD states on both Helgoland route pages that all flights to Helgoland are currently suspended. Both Heide/Buesum and Nordholz/Spieka.
  • The airfield's own site says the opposite, that OFD serves Helgoland several times daily all year round. Both are official pages. Phone before you travel.
  • The airfield is not on Helgoland. It is on the Duene, the neighbouring islet.
  • A taxi covers the roughly 900 m from the airfield to the Duene ferry jetty.
  • The Duene ferry runs every half hour and the crossing is 5 minutes.
  • It berths at the Landungsbruecken on the main island, 150 m from the centre.
  • Depending on the weather the ferry leaves from the Landungsbruecke or the small northeast harbour. Check the notices on the day.
  • The ferry is run by the municipality of Helgoland, on the boat Witte Kliff, with a crew of three.
  • The flight is about 20 minutes from either Nordholz/Spieka or Heide/Buesum.
  • The aircraft is a nine-seat Britten-Norman Islander.
  • The published one way fare is 155 euro, and 60 euro for a child up to 2.
  • Sightseeing flights over the island and the Duene run from Helgoland itself, bookable on 04725 411.

Two official pages that disagree

  • OFD's route pages for Heide/Buesum to Helgoland and Nordholz/Spieka to Helgoland both carry the banner "Aktuell sind alle Fluege nach Helgoland ausgesetzt": all flights to Helgoland are currently suspended.
  • Flugplatz Helgoland's own site says OFD serves the island several times daily all year round.
  • Both are official sources and they cannot both be current. Ring OFD on 04921 8992-0 before you build a trip on either.

Landing on the wrong island

  • The airfield is on the Duene, the neighbouring islet, not on Helgoland itself. This is the thing to know before you land.
  • From the airfield to the Duene ferry jetty is roughly 900 m, and a taxi is provided for it.
  • The Duene ferry runs every half hour, and the crossing takes 5 minutes.
  • The boats are roomy, with steps and a handrail, and berth at the Landungsbruecken on the main island.
  • From there it is 150 m to the centre.
  • Depending on the weather the ferry uses either the Landungsbruecke or the small northeast harbour, so read the notices rather than assuming.
  • The ferry is operated by the municipality of Helgoland, currently with the Witte Kliff, a 1996 SEL-Tender with a crew of three.

The flight

Helgoland (HGL): the airfield is on the Duene, and the flights are suspended
FromTimeOne way
Heide/Buesumabout 20 min155 EUR
Nordholz/Spiekaabout 20 min155 EUR
  • Children up to 2 pay 60 euro.
  • The aircraft is a Britten-Norman Islander 2, twin-engined, nine passenger seats plus baggage.
  • FLN at Norddeich also runs day trips to Helgoland, separately from OFD's scheduled service.

While you are there

  • OFD runs sightseeing flights over Helgoland and the Duene, a 15 minute circuit past the Lange Anna and the red cliffs. Bookable on 04725 411 or helgoland@fliegofd.de.

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Sources (3)

What this guide was checked against. Rules and prices change — follow the official link before you rely on a detail.