Major city · Germany
SyltSöl
Give Sylt 3 nights if you want beach and dunes, 2 if you just want to see it. Skip if you want cheap seaside or city sightseeing.
Sylt is Germany's most expensive island: a 40 km west-facing beach with dunes, red cliffs and heath, backed by mudflats on the east. It is a beach-and-walking destination, not a sightseeing one. Cars reach it only by train shuttle or ferry, and a beach fee applies in season.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (wind, closures, few buses)
- Airport
- GWT
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Germany ↗Germany is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Germany ↗Nazi symbols and gestures are criminal offences, including as jokes or souvenirs.
- Germany ↗Many city centres are low-emission zones: a car needs the right sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Sylt112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sylt, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Germany-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelekom, Vodafone and O2 are the networks; Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect and congstar resell them cheaply in supermarkets and electronics shops.Germany-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.Germany-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or add 5–10%; say the total you want to pay as you hand over money or card.Germany-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Germany-wide
- SafetySylt is a safe, low-crime island; the real risks are cold water, rip currents and groynes, windburn and sunburn…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation toilets cost €0.50–1.50 (≈ US$1–2) (Rail&Fresh WC); restaurant toilets are for customers…Germany-wide
- Emergency numbers112 fire and ambulance · 110 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close on Sundays and public holidays nearly everywhere except stations and airports.Germany-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGWT Sylt Airport, Westerland (Mostly seasonal flights from German, Austrian and Swiss cities…
- Getting aroundBuses run island-wide and all except line 5 meet at Westerland station; an island day ticket costs €11.70 (≈ US$14) and a 3-day ticket €31.10 (≈ US$40)…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and cake€5–9 (≈ US$6–11)
- Beer0.5 l€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
- Budget bedHostel or campsite bed, a night, per person€35 (≈ US$45)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€190 (≈ US$250)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€380 (≈ US$450)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €80 (≈ US$95) · Mid €150 (≈ US$180) · High €300 (≈ US$350)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GWT Sylt Airport, Westerland (Mostly seasonal flights from German, Austrian and Swiss cities; the terminal is a short taxi ride from Westerland centre.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Oct (13 rain days), driest Apr (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sylt: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
12 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses run island-wide and all except line 5 meet at Westerland station; an island day ticket costs €11.70 and a 3-day ticket €31.10, and the Deutschlandticket is accepted. Bikes suit the flat terrain and rent widely. Bring a car only if you must: high-season traffic and parking are hard, and the car train costs €40–54 one way.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Amrum
goDoor to door: 1.5–2.5 h
Ferry from Dagebüll or Hörnum (check the seasonal timetable)
Wide beach and dunes; a full day, or sleep over.
Föhr
goDoor to door: 2–3 h
Ferry from Dagebüll, then bus on the island
Greener and cheaper than Sylt; doable as a long day.
Pellworm
overnightDoor to door: 3 h+
Ferry from Nordstrand, then bus
Too far for a comfortable return day from Sylt.
Heligoland
skipDoor to door: A full day from the mainland
Ferry or seasonal flight from the mainland, not from Sylt
Treat it as its own trip, not a Sylt day out.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Westerland
Island hub: train station, most buses, shops, restaurants and the widest bed choice. Best for a first visit without a car.
Keitum
Old Frisian village of thatched houses, museums and the mudflat side; quieter, 2 stops by train from Westerland.
Kampen
Dunes, red cliffs and the Strönwai bar strip; the expensive end of the island.
Hörnum
Southern tip, youth hostel and camping; cheapest beds, but 30–40 min by bus from Westerland.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €80–120 (≈ US$95–140) excl. bed
- Mid
- €130–200 (≈ US$160–250) excl. bed
- High
- €250 (≈ US$300)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 3 nights × €190 | €570 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × €150 | €900 |
| Island bus day ticket2 × €12 | €23 |
| Beach fee, one adult, one day in season2 × €4 | €8 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €152 |
| Trip total≈ €279 per person per day, bed included | €1,673≈ US$2,000 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to the island excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and cake | €5–9 (≈ US$6–11) |
| Fish burger takeaway | €8–14 (≈ US$10–17) |
| Restaurant main, seafood | €20–35 (≈ US$25–45) |
| Beer, 0.5 l | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Strandkorb rental, one day | €15–25 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Bike rental, one day | €10–18 (≈ US$12–25) |
| Train Westerland → Niebüll, one way | about €7 (≈ US$9) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Beach access is charged: about €4 (≈ US$5) per adult per day May–Oct, €2 (≈ US$3) Nov–Apr, less if prepaid at your hotel.
- Concrete groynes sit under the water at high tide and are marked with cross signs; do not swim between the signs.
- Stay on the marked paths in the dunes and heath; straying is forbidden and enforced.
- Water rarely passes 20 °C (68 °F) even in summer, and wind hides strong UV: sunburn is common.Water rarely passes 68 °F (20 °C) even in summer, and wind hides strong UV: sunburn is common.
- Book beds and the car train weeks ahead for July–August and school holidays.
Emergency numbers
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
- Police
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SyltSöl
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Fire and ambulance112
- Police110
Embassy
No embassies on the island; the nearest consulates-general are in Hamburg. US and UK citizens: check your Hamburg consulate before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Island bus day ticket: €11.70 (≈ US$14); 3-day €31.10 (≈ US$40); Deutschlandticket accepted
- Car train Niebüll → Westerland, one way: €40–54 (≈ US$50–65) per car, more at peak
- Ferry List → Havneby (Rømø): about €8 (≈ US$10) per adult, €48 (≈ US$60) per car
Say or show
- Moin — Hello (moyn)
- Dankeschön — Thank you (danke-shern)
- Bitte — Please (bitte)
- Die Rechnung, bitte — The bill, please (dee rekh-noong, bitte)
- Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? — Can I pay by card? (kan ikh mit karte tsah-len)
- Wo ist der Strandzugang? — Where is the beach access? (voh ist dair shtrant-tsoo-gang)
Beach fees and bus tickets can be paid at machines or at your accommodation; keep some cash for small kiosks.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sylt. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (wind, closures, few buses) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for GWT: seasonal flight windows, taxi fallback and the Westerland walk-in rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Westerland, Keitum and Munkmarsch, Kampen and the red cliffs, Hörnum and the south.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Denghoog, Sylter Heimatmuseum, Altfriesisches Haus, Uwe Düne) and eat pages with last orders.
- Beach-fee and groyne-safety fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialGemeinde Sylt (island authority)
- officialSylt Airport
- officialSylt Shuttle (car train)
- officialAutozug Sylt
- officialSylt Ferry
- officialWesterland (Sylt) station
- secondaryWikivoyage: Sylt, revision 5243492 (CC BY-SA 4.0)