Ostseekai Terminal 27
PrimaryCity-centre cruise terminal building at Ostseekai berth 27. PORT OF KIEL lists ~300 m to the city centre, shore power, and a cruise passenger capacity of 6,500 for this berth facility.
Kiel, Germany Cruise Port Guide
Baltic · Germany
Port day snapshot
Kiel shore-day moodGermanyBalticSeaDays guide
Baltic Sea port city at the western end of the Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee-Kanal), with city-centre cruise terminals on the Kiel Fjord and a larger Ostuferhafen berth farther from downtown.
Bookable Experiences
SeaDays may earn a commission from qualifying bookings made through partner links. Checkout, payment, and support are handled by the partner.
Weather & best season
Oceanic climate with mild summers and cool winters Average temperature: 9°C (48°F).
Best season: May, June, July, August, September
Port information
- Location
- Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany (Kiel Fjord / Baltic Sea)
- Timezone
- CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2)
- Language
- German
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Population
- State capital of Schleswig-Holstein; municipal population on the order of ~250,000 (confirm current census figures from official city statistics)
Cruise terminals
Ostseekai Terminal 28
Second city-centre Ostseekai cruise terminal at berth 28 (paired with Terminal 27). PORT OF KIEL lists cruise passenger capacity of 4,500 for this facility and quay length of 285 m.
Ostuferhafen Berth No. 1
Cruise berth on the east bank designed for large ships. PORT OF KIEL lists ~8 km to the city centre, 395 m quay length, and capacity of 6,000 passengers—plan transport into town.
Norwegenkai (berth 22)
City-centre terminal (~300 m to downtown per PORT OF KIEL) primarily known for Color Line Kiel–Oslo ferry service; also listed in the port’s cruise-terminal overview with berth 22.
Getting there
- From the terminal
- Ostseekai and Norwegenkai sit about 300 m from the city centre per PORT OF KIEL; Ostuferhafen berth no. 1 is about 8 km from the city centre and typically needs a shuttle, taxi, or public transport.
- Distance to city
- Ostseekai / Norwegenkai ~300 m; Ostuferhafen ~8 km (PORT OF KIEL)
- Walking
- City-centre terminals: short walk to downtown and Hauptbahnhof; Ostuferhafen is not a practical walk to the centre
- Taxi
- Taxis are available at the cruise terminals; allow extra time from Ostuferhafen
- Public transport
- City buses and the main railway station are convenient from Ostseekai/Norwegenkai; plan a transfer if assigned to Ostuferhafen
Transportation options
- Walking (Ostseekai / Norwegenkai)
- Taxi
- Local bus
- Cruise shuttle (especially Ostuferhafen)
- Train station near city-centre terminals
Overview
Kiel, Germany, Germany is a cruise port profile in the SeaDays directory for travelers comparing itinerary stops and shore-day logistics. Cruise visitors planning Kiel, Germany should confirm berth location, transport time, local conditions, and all-aboard timing before leaving the ship.
Things to do
Kiel, Germany, Germany is a cruise port profile in the SeaDays directory for travelers comparing itinerary stops and shore-day logistics. Cruise visitors planning Kiel, Germany should confirm berth location, transport time, local conditions, and all-aboard timing before leaving the ship. For a shore day in Kiel, choose one main activity first, then keep time for meals, walking, and the return to the pier. SeaDays helps travelers compare Kiel with nearby ports so the itinerary feels organized before the ship arrives.
- Screenshot ship departure time and pier map before you lose signal.
- Pair a light breakfast on the ship with a local lunch ashore to maximize exploration time.
- Check whether your line offers shuttle pricing before you commit to taxis at Kiel.
- Confirm your assigned pier and all-aboard time before leaving the ship at Kiel.
- Start with one anchor sight, then leave room for spontaneity around Kiel.
Climate
Oceanic climate with mild summers and cool winters
- Climate type
- Oceanic
- Average temperature
- 9°C (48°F)
- Humidity
- Moderate
- Best months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Rainy season
- Year-round with higher precipitation in autumn
Politics & entry requirements
- Government
- Federal parliamentary republic
- Stability
- Highly stable
- Visa requirements
- Entry and visa rules depend on nationality. Many visitors use Schengen short-stay rules, but requirements change—confirm with official government sources and your cruise line before travel.
- Entry requirements
- Carry a valid passport (or a national ID where your cruise line and destination authorities accept it). Cruise transit formalities can differ from a normal airport entry—follow your ship’s document list.
Facts
- Established
- Long-standing Baltic harbour city; the Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee-Kanal) opened in 1895 and remains a defining maritime landmark.
- Significance
- Major German Baltic cruise and ferry port; city-centre Ostseekai cruise terminals and Ostuferhafen berth serve cruise traffic, while Scandinavian ferry links also shape the harbour.
Notable features
- Ostseekai cruise terminals (berths 27 and 28) in the city centre
- Ostuferhafen cruise berth no. 1 (~8 km from city centre per PORT OF KIEL)
- Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee-Kanal)
- Kiel Fjord waterfront and Kiel Week sailing events
Cultural context
- City-centre waterfront within walking distance of Ostseekai/Norwegenkai
- Maritime heritage tied to the Kiel Canal and Baltic ferry links
Size & capacity
- Port capacity
- Ostseekai cruise terminals handle up to 11,000 passengers per day; PORT OF KIEL reports nearly 1 million cruise passengers begin or end sailings there annually (portofkiel.com).
- Terminals
- 3
- Berths
- 4
- Annual visitors
- Nearly 1 million cruise passengers begin or end sailings at Ostseekai annually (PORT OF KIEL public terminal pages; confirm current-year totals with the port authority).
- City size
- State capital of Schleswig-Holstein on the Kiel Fjord; municipal population on the order of ~250,000 (confirm current official statistics).
Traveler questions
How far is Kiel cruise terminal from the city center?
Ostseekai / Norwegenkai ~300 m; Ostuferhafen ~8 km (PORT OF KIEL)
What transport options are available from the Kiel cruise port?
City buses and the main railway station are convenient from Ostseekai/Norwegenkai; plan a transfer if assigned to Ostuferhafen
What are the entry or visa requirements for Kiel?
Entry and visa rules depend on nationality. Many visitors use Schengen short-stay rules, but requirements change—confirm with official government sources and your cruise line before travel. Carry a valid passport (or a national ID where your cruise line and destination authorities accept it). Cruise transit formalities can differ from a normal airport entry—follow your ship’s document list.
When is the best time to visit Kiel on a cruise?
Best months: May, June, July, August, September. Oceanic climate with mild summers and cool winters
Reviews
Public community reviews for Kiel live in the SeaDays app.
Cruise relevance
Kiel matters to cruise planning because port time, transport distance, and all-aboard timing shape how much of the destination you can realistically enjoy. Embarkation from Kiel can simplify flight planning when airports and hotels align; compare total trip cost versus other homeports.
Best time to visit
May, June, July, August, September
Tips for travelers
Before leaving the ship in Kiel, save the pier location, ship time, and any shuttle details offline. Book independent tours with verified reviews and clear meeting points; screenshot confirmations in case connectivity fails.
Related ports
Ships to explore
- A-ROSA Flora (A-ROSA Cruises)
- A-ROSA Sena (A-ROSA Cruises)
- AIDAbella (AIDA Cruises)
- AIDAblu (AIDA Cruises)
What if you miss the ship? · Cruise packing list · Ships directory
More reading
Port guideCruise Port Days: How to Make the Most of Your Time AshorePort days can be the highlight of a cruise, but they go fast. With the right plan, you can see
Port guideBest Mediterranean Cruise Ports: What to Do in Each StopThe Mediterranean rewards travelers who mix iconic sights with local rhythm. From Barcelona’s architecture to Santorini’s caldera, Dubrovnik’s walls, and
Port guideRome (Civitavecchia) Cruise Port: How to Explore the Eternal CityCivitavecchia is Rome’s cruise gateway—not Rome itself. Success means respecting distance, train schedules, and realistic sightseeing. This guide explains transfers,
Port guideIs the Port of Miami the Best Cruise Hub? Full ReviewMiami moves more cruise passengers than almost any port worldwide—but “best” depends on flights, traffic, terminal experience, and which lines
Port guideThe Most Overrated Cruise Destinations (And Better Alternatives)Some ports earn their fame; others earn their crowds. If you have ever docked somewhere because “everyone goes,” then wondered
Port guideThe Hidden Stress of Cruise Travel (And How to Avoid It)Cruise planning is not optional decoration—it is the difference between a calm vacation and a week of avoidable fees, missed