Getting to Texel: by car, train or without a car?

Getting to Texel: Should I bring my car or leave it in Den Helder?

Whether you take your car on the ferry or leave it in Den Helder often determines your stay on Texel more than the short crossing itself. Traveling to Texel by ferry between Den Helder and Texel is straightforward. The more difficult decision comes afterward: Where is your accommodation? How much luggage do you have? Are you staying for just two nights or a week? And do you primarily want to cycle on the island, or would you prefer to be flexible and easily reach different places, beaches, and restaurants?

For two or three nights in Den Burg or De Koog, you often don't need your own car. Those who travel light, rent bikes on Texel, and keep their journeys short can usually manage without one. The situation is different if you're staying outside the towns, traveling with children, have a lot of luggage, or want to visit several parts of the island in a short time. In those cases, a car saves you time on journeys that would otherwise quickly dominate your day.

We've traveled to Texel several times, sometimes by car, sometimes by train and bus. It quickly becomes clear that the real decision isn't made at the port, but during the trip planning. If you first figure out how you want to stay and get around the island, the journey there becomes much easier.

If you're still undecided about what kind of holiday on Texel suits you best, our overview will help you first: Experience Texel – how to plan your holiday on the island.

When is the best time to travel to Texel by car?

Traveling to Texel by car is usually more relaxing if your accommodation is located outside the larger towns. This is especially true for holiday homes, quiet locations in the countryside, or accommodations where you have to drive a bit across the island after the ferry. Luggage, provisions, beach gear, or your own bicycles also quickly make a car a worthwhile option.

Especially for short stays, a car can be very useful. If you're only staying two or three nights and still want to reach several beaches, nature reserves, and restaurants, a car will save you time. Texel may seem small, but the roads are spread out. And in changeable weather, it's also nice not to have to adjust your plans to bus schedules or long bike rides.

Having multiple accommodations during a trip also makes a car a better option. However, as soon as you move between locations, transport luggage, and don't have a fixed base, the car-free option becomes more complicated. Then the ferry isn't the main issue, but rather the final leg of the journey on the island.

When is Texel often the better choice without a car?

Traveling to Texel without a car is often more pleasant if you're staying centrally and planning to explore by bike anyway. In Den Burg or De Koog, you're close to restaurants, shops, and all the routes you'll need for a weekend getaway. In that case, a car on the island often ends up sitting idle more than it's actually useful.

Traveling light makes this decision easier. Those traveling with a backpack or small suitcase can continue their journey more quickly after the ferry crossing. For a short stay on the island, this saves you the hassle of taking your luggage on the ferry and often also unnecessary organization on site.

Arriving without a car is also a good option if you want to experience Texel at a more leisurely pace. The island works so well for many travelers precisely because you're not constantly on the move. If you focus on one part of the island, a bicycle, bus, and a bit of relaxation are often all you need.

The most important question: How do you want to live on Texel?

Staying in the town itself makes traveling without a car much easier. From Den Burg or De Koog, you can reach many places on foot, by bike, or by bus line 28. If you want to eat out in the evening and don't want a long walk back, a central location is often the best option. If you're still unsure which location suits your trip best, our overview will help: Where to stay on Texel? A comparison of locations and sites..

A quiet, secluded spot on the outskirts of town, a holiday home outside of town, or a trip with a lot of luggage tends to favor traveling by car. In these cases, the ferry's comfort becomes less important. What matters more is how you get to your accommodation after arrival and how independent you want to be while you're there.

The length of your stay also plays a role. For a weekend trip, you want to minimize time spent changing trains, waiting, and organizing. If you're staying longer, you can take a more relaxed approach to Texel and don't need to reach every destination immediately. This often makes traveling without a car more attractive.

Driving to Texel

Arriving by car, you'll need to drive to the TESO ferry terminal in Den Helder. The crossing to Texel takes approximately 20 minutes. You don't need to reserve a specific date or time. The ticket is valid for a round trip and can be purchased online or directly at the terminal.

Buying online is especially convenient because license plate recognition allows for faster access to the port. If you're traveling with a campervan, trailer, bike rack, or a longer vehicle, you should check the vehicle categories beforehand. The price can vary depending on the length.

Timetables and tickets at TESO

Leave your car in Den Helder

You can also park your car in Den Helder and cross over on foot or by bicycle. This solution is particularly suitable for short stays, centrally located accommodations, and travel with light luggage.

After the ferry, getting around Texel by bus and bicycle is usually quite easy. However, if your accommodation is located in a remote area or you want to cover a lot of ground in just a few days, the last connection on the island becomes crucial. In such cases, a car feels less like a convenience and more like a practical aid.

Texel Arrival without a car: Train, bus 28 and Texelhopper

Those traveling without their own vehicle can take the train to Den Helder and from there continue to the ferry port. After the crossing, the regular bus route 28 connects the port with Den Burg Centrum and De Koog. For other destinations on the island, the Texelhopper bus service supplements the route.

The important difference is this: You don't need a reservation for line 28. However, you must book the smaller Texelhopper buses for other locations and stops in advance. Therefore, check before your trip whether your accommodation is directly on line 28 or whether you need to plan on taking a Texelhopper after the ferry.

This method of travel works particularly well if your accommodation is located near these routes. For centrally located accommodations, this is often straightforward. It becomes more difficult if you are staying in a remote area, arrive late, or don't want to carry your luggage far.

Here you can check suitable train connections to Den Helder: Check train connections to Den Helder*

For connections within the Netherlands, these pages may also be helpful: Dutch railways and 9292.nl.

Traveling to Texel by bicycle

Once bicycles become part of your trip, the decision changes again. If you have your own bikes and really want to use them on the island, that often makes bringing a car the better option. Not everyone travels comfortably with luggage, bicycles, and transfers.

If you rent bikes on Texel and stay in a central location, getting there without a car is usually easier. Then you can start cycling on the island, without the bikes complicating the journey. So the crucial question isn't just whether you want to cycle on Texel. More important is whether you're bringing your own bikes or only getting on after you arrive.

Which mode of transport is best suited to which Texel holiday?

For a weekend in Den Burg or De Koog, traveling without a car is often sufficient. You'll primarily need good transport links from the ferry port, centrally located accommodation, and as little luggage as possible. Renting bicycles on Texel makes the journey much more manageable.

For a week in a holiday home, the decision looks different. Shopping, luggage, excursions, and quieter locations make having your own car a better option. This is especially true if you don't want to plan every day anew or if you want to visit several beaches and places.

For a leisurely or slow-travel holiday, the decision depends more on your pace. Those focusing on one place need less mobility. Those who want to connect restaurants, farm shops, nature reserves, and villages will find traveling by car more flexible.

Is an overnight stay in Den Helder worthwhile?

If you have a long journey ahead of you or want to catch the ferry the next morning without any stress, a night in Den Helder can help you get off to a relaxed start. This is especially convenient if you're only arriving in North Holland in the afternoon or don't want to begin your first day of vacation with driving and transfers.

You can find accommodation in the immediate vicinity of the terminal here: Hotel Lands End in Den Helder*

Questions about traveling to Texel

Is a car useful or rather unnecessary on Texel?

It's particularly useful if you're staying outside of towns, have more luggage, are transporting your own bicycles, or want to flexibly reach several parts of the island within a few days. It becomes rather unnecessary for a short stay in a central location, if you're traveling light and primarily want to explore Texel by bike.

Can you get around Texel without a car?

Yes, if the location of your accommodation is suitable. If you're staying in Den Burg or De Koog, traveling light, and planning your days around the town, the beach, and bike rides, it usually works well. It becomes more difficult with remote accommodations, late arrivals, or frequent changes of location.

Do you need to reserve the ferry to Texel?

No. You don't need to reserve a date or time for the ferry between Den Helder and Texel. You can buy your ticket online or at the terminal in Den Helder. However, it's still a good idea to check the current departure times on the TESO website before you leave.

How long does the crossing to Texel take?

The ferry crossing between Den Helder and Texel takes about 20 minutes. For your planning, it's usually more important how you'll get around the island and whether your accommodation is more suitable for arriving by car or not.

For whom is a trip to Texel without a car particularly worthwhile?

This is especially true for travelers staying only two or three nights on Texel, who want to stay centrally, travel light, and explore the island by bike. In this case, traveling without a car often saves on organization and journeys you won't need once you're there.

When should you plan your trip to the Texelhopper?

You should plan to use the Texelhopper bus if your accommodation isn't directly on bus route 28. These small buses serve other locations and stops on Texel, but require advance booking. Therefore, check before your arrival whether your accommodation is easily accessible and how much time you should allow after the ferry.

Further planning after arrival on Texel

Once your travel arrangements are sorted, the location of your accommodation usually determines the rest of your trip. These articles will help you find a holiday home, a special place to stay, or plan your first excursions on the island:

• Where to stay on Texel? De Koog, Den Burg, De Cocksdorp, Oudeschild or in a quieter location outside the town.
• Texel holiday home: When is a house on the island worthwhile?
• Unique accommodation on Texel for a short break
• Texel attractions for your first island holiday
• Texel Tips for connoisseurs

Source for the article "Getting to Texel": On-site research. We have also checked current information on ferries and public transport on Texel against the official websites of TESO, Texelhopper, and VVV Texel. We would also like to thank... VVV Texel and at forvision for supporting this trip. However, our opinion remains our own.

Text Texel Arrival: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos of Texel arrival © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Video Texel Arrival © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline