Gdansk to Hel peninsula by ferry, train or car

Ever wanted to see Hell on the earth? Well, it’s actually Hel, not Hell. The long, narrow peninsula derives its name from the small town located at the very end of it. This small town, however, turns into the alternative capital of Poland in the summer. People from the whole Poland, including Polish celebrities, come here to spend their summer holidays – hence it’s sometimes difficult to find a little space for yourself. If you want to go on a day trip to Hel, Gdansk is a good starting point. It might be difficult to get there in high season, as there is only one road going through the whole peninsula. Therefore, Gdansk to Hel ferry or Gdynia to Hel train are recommended ways to get to the peninsula.

Things to do in Hel

You’re not going there to take a picture with Polish celebrities, are you? What everyone goes there for, is the Baltic Sea. In the narrowest places, the width of the Hel Peninsula is as little as 200 meters. That’s the distance between the open Baltic Sea to the north, and the bay to the south. In the bay, the water is a bit warmer, and there are almost no waves. In the open sea just the opposite, so that’s the best place to practise water sports. The waves might not be big enough for traditional surfing,, but it’s OK for windsurfing or kitesurfing.

Hel town

Hel is the most important town on the Peninsula. It was an important resistance point during the first month of the Second World War. It surrendered to Germany on the 2nd of October, 4 days after Warsaw. Now it’s an important holiday destination, although except for the sea Hel hasn’t much to offer.

Hel Maritime Station

What’s well worth visiting is a Maritime Station, where seals are healed before being reintroduced to the sea. The opening hours vary, but in the peak summer months (July and August) it is open from 10:00 to 18:00. The regular entrance fee is now 25 PLN, and a reduced ticket costs 20 PLN. In July and August, you can take part in the popular seal feeding sessions at 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, and 15:30. During the rest of the year, feedings usually take place at 11:00 and 14:00

Hel Military Museum

The other place worth visiting in Hel is the Military Museum. Its buildings are spread across the cape, so be prepared for some walking. The tickets to all objects cost 55 PLN (reduced 45 PLN), and the museum is open from 10 to 16/19, depending on the month.

Hel Fisheries Museum

Hel Fisheries Museum stands out in the Hel landscape, as this is the main building overlooking the Promenade. It presents the history of the fishermen of Hel, their equipment and customs. The ticket costs 26 PLN (20 PLN reduced) and includes the viewpoint located on the tower. In front of the museum, there is a monument of Neptuno, which is a copy of Jean de Boulogne’s monument standing in Bologne, Italy. It was first meant to be placed in another Polish city, Plock, but it turned out that the authorities didn’t allow it to stand there.

Chalupy

Chalupy is a small village located not far from the beginning of the Peninsula. It is famous for its beach. Not that its sand comes from the moon or anything like that. It is just the oldest, and the most famous nudist beach in Poland (entrance 26, then to the left).

Water sports in Hel peninsula

As Hel peninsula has access both to the open sea and the Bay of Gdansk, it is the perfect place to practise water sports. There are many kitesurfing and surfing schools along the peninsula.

How to get from Gdynia to Hel (2026 Timetable & Prices)

Gdynia to Hel by train

There are trains to Hel leaving from Gdynia Glowna train station. The trip lasts about 1,5 hours and the ticket price start from 17 PLN. It is possible to take a bike on the train (for a fee), but the number of bikes allowed on the train is limited, so it’s best to buy the ticket on the internet or at the cash desk at least one day before the journey.

Gdynia Hel ferry

The Gdynia to Hel ferry runs every day during the summer season. It leaves Gdynia for Hel at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 4:30 pm. The trip lasts about 1 hour. The return ferries leave Hel to Gdynia at 11:30 am, 3:00 pm, and 7:00 pm. The ticket for the Gdynia – Hel ferry costs 105 PLN for a regular one-way ticket (160 PLN return). If you want to take your bike, it costs an additional 45 PLN one way (or 65 PLN return). You can only buy tickets at the cash desk.

The bike path from Wladyslawowo has good quality (except for a few hundred meters) and for a long time goes in the shadow.

How to get from Gdansk to Hel

Gdansk to Hel ferry

In summer, you can take a direct ferry from Gdansk to Hel. The departures from Gdansk are scheduled at 8:20 am, 1:00 pm, and 6:00 pm. The trip lasts about 2 hours. A one-way regular ticket costs 120 PLN (return ticket: 180 PLN). You can also take a bike on board for 45 PLN (return 65 PLN) and ride it back for at least some distance. There is a good bike path through the Hel peninsula and as you will be going along the train route, you can switch to the train at any time. If you prefer to go back by boat, ferries leave Hel to Gdansk at 10:20 am, 3:20 pm, and 8:00 pm. Tickets may be obtained from the cash desks at Dlugie Pobrzeze or Targ Rybny

Gdansk to Hel train

There are some direct trains going from Gdansk to Hel, and the regular ticket price starts from 19 PLN but you should ask or look for special offers. The trip lasts 2-2,5 hours. You may also get to Gdynia first as there are more options from there.

How to get from Sopot to Hel

Sopot to Hel ferry

Skip the traffic jams and choose the maritime highway! The Sopot to Hel ferry is now operated by a fast catamaran, the Amber Express, which gets you to the peninsula in a record 45 minutes. Departures from Sopot are at 10:10 am, 12:10 pm, and 5:15 pm. Returns from Hel are at 11:10 am, 4:00 pm, and 6:30 pm. A regular ticket costs 105 PLN (160 PLN return), and bringing a bike costs 45 PLN (65 PLN return). Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office in front of the Sopot Pier.

Going from Gdansk to Hel by car

It is not a good idea to go to Hel by car at all. There’s only one road on the Hel peninsula which is totally jammed with cars during summer. You will waste your time in a traffic jam, we don’t recommend that. If you, however, decide to go to Hel by car, consider going to Leba to see the moving sand dunes.