Port information & tips for Oudeschild
Oudeschild is the maritime gateway to the idyllic North Sea island of Texel and welcomes travelers with the authentic charm of a traditional fishing village. The harbor is picturesquely situated directly on the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea and impresses with a relaxed atmosphere between historic shrimp cutters and modern sailing yachts. Directly on the quay, the award-winning Museum Kaap Skil with its fascinating maritime history and the famous Texel beer brewery invite you to explore, while the island's vast dune landscape offers pure relaxation. Cruise ships dock directly at the quay in the Vissershaven of Oudeschild, meaning the cozy restaurants and maritime boutiques of the village center are easily accessible in just a few steps, while simultaneously guaranteeing a perfect starting point for island tours.
Oudeschild, the charming harbor on the island of Texel, is a unique destination for cruise guests from the DACH region, with arrival always involving a short ferry crossing from Den Helder. The terminal in Oudeschild is clear and easily accessible.
Car
Arrival by car first takes you to Den Helder, Netherlands. Via the A7 and N9, you reach the Den Helder ferry port directly. There, you take the TESO ferry to Texel, which reaches the island in about 20 minutes. On Texel, follow the N250 and then the signs to Oudeschild. For long-term parkers, we recommend parking at the Den Helder ferry port (TESO parking lot) to explore Texel as a pedestrian. Alternatively, you can take your car onto the island; parking is available in Oudeschild, often directly at the harbor area or nearby.
Train
The nearest train station is Den Helder Centraal. From there, you can easily reach the TESO ferry terminal with bus lines 33 and 250 in about 10-15 minutes. After the approximately 20-minute ferry crossing to Texel (arriving in 't Horntje), buses (line 28) are available to take you directly to Oudeschild in around 15-20 minutes. The entire journey by train is thus comfortably organized with public transport to the ferry pier and further onto the island.
Airplane
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the nearest international airport and is located about 100 kilometers from Den Helder. From Schiphol, take a direct train connection to Amsterdam Central Station and change there to an Intercity to Den Helder Centraal, which takes a total of about 1.5 to 2 hours. From Den Helder Centraal, proceed as described by bus to the ferry terminal and then by ferry and another bus to Oudeschild. For a relaxed start to your journey, we recommend arriving the day before to make the ferry crossing stress-free.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the journey: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
