Kiel is a major departure port for Northern European and Baltic cruises, located on the Kiel Fjord in northern Germany. Known for its maritime heritage and the famous Kiel Week sailing regatta, it offers a pleasant introduction to Scandinavian cruising.
What to Do in a Day in Kiel
Visit the German Naval Memorial at Laboe and the U-995 submarine museum for maritime history. Stroll along the Kiellinie waterfront promenade with fjord views. Explore the Holstenstraße shopping district and the lively Alter Markt square. Sample fresh fish from the Fischmarkt or enjoy traditional German fare at a harbourside restaurant.
The tours below are not organised by the cruise lines. Bookings are made directly with GetYourGuide and you are responsible for getting back to the ship on time. If you prefer the cruise line's guarantee, contact our travel advisors after booking.
Cruise Port Address
Hamburg Airport (HAM)
HAM ~95 km south of Kiel — 70–90 min by road. The Kielius airport coach runs ~19 times daily between HAM and Kiel ZOB / main station (~1 hr 30 min, ~€21 one-way). Trains via Hamburg Hbf take ~1 hr 45 min with one change. Taxis/private transfers ~€180–250. Kiel itself has no commercial airport.
Kiel City Centre (Hauptbahnhof)
Ostseekai is right in central Kiel — the main station is ~1.5 km / ~15 min walk along the fjord, and Holstenstraße shopping street is ~10 min walking. On cruise days, shuttle buses connect Hauptbahnhof and the cruise terminals (~10 min). City buses also stop at Ostseekai.
Kiel Weather by Month
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. High °C | 3° | 3° | 7° | 12° | 17° | 20° | 22° | 22° | 18° | 13° | 8° | 4° |
| Rainfall mm | 🌦️ 65 mm | 🌤️ 40 mm | 🌤️ 50 mm | 🌤️ 40 mm | 🌤️ 50 mm | 🌦️ 65 mm | 🌦️ 80 mm | 🌦️ 75 mm | 🌦️ 65 mm | 🌦️ 70 mm | 🌦️ 70 mm | 🌦️ 70 mm |
Available cruises
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line offer excursions from Kiel, including Hamburg day trips, Lübeck Old Town visits and canal boat tours.
Kiel is primarily an embarkation port, so passengers typically arrive the day of sailing. For port calls, ships stay 8–10 hours.
Yes, central Kiel is easily walkable from the cruise terminal. The waterfront, shopping streets and fish market are all within a 15-minute walk.