Taking the car to Texel: should you or shouldn’t you?
Samengevat: Whether you take your car to Texel depends on three things: how many people you’re taking with you, how long you’re staying, and what you’re going to do on the island. In 2026, the cost of the car will quickly amount to €48 return on peak days (vrij/za/zo/ma) of €32 op daldagen (Tue/Wed/Thu), including all passengers. On Texel itself, you can pay almost anywhere parkeergeld (€5 per hour or a vignette from €10 per day). For an active cycling or beach holiday, it’s often much better to leave the car at home and hire a bike at Texel. For families with lots of luggage or those planning short day trips, however, taking the car with you is actually quite handy. We’ve listed all the pros and cons below.
The facts at a glance: how much does it cost to drive to Texel?
The ferry service TESO has a transparent system of peak and off-peak fares:
| Type ticket | Daltarief (di/wo/do) | Piektarief (vrij/za/zo/ma) |
|---|---|---|
| Auto retour (max 9 personen, ≤6,5 m) | €32 | €48 |
| Voetganger retour | €3 | €3 |
| Fiets + rijder retour | €6 | €6 |
| Kinderen t/m 3 jaar | gratis | gratis |
Important to know: the price depends on the day of your heenreis, not your return journey. A return ticket is therefore always included; on the way back, you can simply walk or drive straight on board.
How much does it cost to park at Texel?
Sinds 2026 hanteert Texel €5 per uur Parking charges in villages and at beach access points, daily from 8.00 to 20.00. A Texelvignet It works out much cheaper if you stay for several days:
| Texelvignet | Prijs |
|---|---|
| Dagkaart | €20 |
| Weekkaart (8 dagen) | €30 |
| Jaarkaart | €40 |
You can buy the vignette online at texelvignet.nl. Tip: You can find blue zones where you can park for free with a blue disc at Den Burg and De Koog.
When is it actually a good idea to take the car?
There are clear situations in which a car really does offer added value:
1. You’re travelling with a large family or a lot of luggage
A return ticket costing €48 for 5 people works out at €9,60 per persoon. Plus: all the suitcases, cycle helmets, surfboards and groceries for the week included.
2. You spend a long time on Texel (a week or more)
With a weekly vignette costing €30 plus €48 for the crossing, your total car costs come to €78. For a week spent travelling all over the island, that’s quite good value, especially if you’re visiting different villages and beaches every day.
3. You are travelling with disabled or elderly companions
For those with mobility difficulties, the car offers flexibility and door-to-door convenience that neither the bicycle nor the bus can provide.
4. You’re heading out in bad winter weather
A bleak November afternoon isn’t really the best time for long bike rides. A car offers practical comfort in such circumstances.
When is it better to leave the car at home?
1. You’re coming for a day trip or a weekend
For a day or a weekend, the €48 ferry crossing plus parking can easily add up to €60 or more. For four people, a return journey as pedestrians costs 4 × €3 = €12, and hiring a bike together works out cheaper.
2. You’re coming for an active cycling holiday
Texel has 140 km of signposted cycle paths. The island is literally made for cycling. All the villages, beaches, museums, restaurants and places of interest are within cycling distance.
3. You’ll be staying in one central location
If you have a holiday cottage or a campsite on the island, you’ll often find that you experience Texel more fully without a car. You can smell the dunes, hear the seagulls and discover back roads that you’d miss if you were travelling by car.
4. You want to save money
A family of four staying for five days will soon find themselves paying:
- Met auto: €48 (overtocht) + €30 (weekvignet) = €78
- Zonder auto: 4 × €3 (overtocht) = €12
Verschil: €66. You can hire bikes for two days for that price.
5. It’s the peak season
In July and August, waiting times at the ferry terminal can be between 1 and 3 hours. Pedestrians and cyclists are always allowed to board straight away and never have to wait.
Alternatives to the car on Texel
Many people think they’re stuck on Texel without a car. Nothing could be further from the truth. The island has three excellent alternatives:
Lijnbus 28
Runs from the ‘t Horntje ferry terminal via Den Burg to De Koog. No booking required; fixed route and timetable. Connects with almost every ferry.
Texelhopper
A dial-a-bus service that takes you to almost every location on the island, from holiday parks to beach access points. Book via the Texelhopper app or by telephone. Many tourists are surprised at how well this system works.
De fiets
The most enjoyable – and most Texel-like – way to get around. For us, as a bike hire company, a ‘day of cycling’ or ‘week of cycling’ often becomes one of the fondest memories our guests take home with them.
The maths: car vs. bike for a week’s holiday
| Kostenpost | Met auto | Zonder auto (met fietshuur) |
|---|---|---|
| Overtocht (4 pers., piek heen) | €48 | €12 (4 × €3) |
| Parkeren (weekvignet) | €30 | €0 |
| Fietshuur (4 fietsen, 1 week) | €0 | €100–€140 (depending on the model) |
| Fuel on the island | €15-€25 | €0 |
| Totaal | €83-€93 | €112-€152 |
At first glance, the car is slightly cheaper. But do the maths: a week’s cycling = unlimited cycling, virtually no waiting time at the ferry, and that ‘ Texel ’ feeling that you really miss when travelling by car.
Voor kortere verblijven (1–3 days) cycling is almost always cheaper and more enjoyable.
Frequently asked questions about taking your car to Texel
Can I book my car on the TESO ferry?
No, the ‘ TESO ’ operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you arrive, the sooner you’ll sail. During the high season, it’s best to travel early in the morning or outside peak times (Tue/Wed/Thu). A Priority Pass (€168 per year) is available, but is only worthwhile for frequent travellers.
How long does the crossing to Texel take?
The crossing itself takes 20 minuten. Allow an extra 30–60 minutes on top of that time for check-in, entering and leaving the car park. In peak season, queues can be as long as 1–3 hours, particularly on Saturdays and during the summer holidays.
Is there free parking at the ferry terminal in Den Helder?
Yes, next to the ferry terminal at TESO there is a free and unlimited car park. Follow the signs for ‘P Texel ’ or ‘Afhalen + Wegbrengen’. Address: Havenplein 3, 1781 AB Den Helder. It can get busy during the high season — so arrive early or use the Willemsoord-Noord or -Zuid car parks instead.
Can you get by without a car in Texel?
Absolutely. The island has an excellent public transport network (bus route 28 + Texelhopper) and over 140 km of cycle paths. Many visitors to Texel leave their cars at home and hire a bike when they arrive. For families with children, children’s bikes, child seats and cargo bikes are available.
When are the off-peak fares for the ‘ TESO ’?
Op Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday The off-peak fare applies: €32 return for a car, instead of €48 on peak days. That’s a saving of €16 per crossing. Off-peak days are also noticeably quieter at the ferry terminal.
Can I take my motorhome or caravan on the ferry?
Yes, but motorhomes and cars with a trailer or caravan are subject to a different rate: €8.15 per linear metre. Motorhomes shorter than 6.50 m are charged at the passenger car rate.
How much does it cost to park at Texel ’s beach?
At almost all beach access points, you’ll find paid parking spaces at €5 per uur. With a Texel parking pass (from €10 per day), you can park for as long as you like in all paid parking spaces.
Can I take my bike on the boat?
Yes, a return ticket for a bike (including the rider) costs €6. Please note, however, that during the high season the ferry can be packed with bikes. Many people therefore choose to hire a bike on Texel, so you don’t have to lug your own bike along.
Our conclusion as a local bike hire company
Wij bij Fietsen op Texel We’ve been seeing both sides of the story for years. Our honest summary:
- Kort verblijf (1-3 dagen): leave the car at home. Walking + cycling = cheaper, quicker and more fun.
- Long stay (4+ days) with a large family and lots of luggage: A car can come in handy, especially on off-peak days.
- An active holiday focusing on nature, the beach and villages: leave the car at home. The island is perfect for cycling.
- People with disabilities or very bad weather: A car remains the most practical option.
Many guests also go on a tussenoplossing: they do take the car with them, but leave it parked at their holiday accommodation and use a hire bike for all their daily outings. The best of both worlds.
Travelling without a car? We’re here to help
Bee Fietsen op Texel you can easily hire the bike that suits your day, from city bikes to e-bikes, children’s bikes, bike trailers or cargo bikes. With 25 depots spread across the island You can hop on the bike straight away, wherever you are. If you’d like, we’ll deliver the bike free of charge to your holiday address, so you can soak up the Texel atmosphere from day one.
Book your bike here straight away and discover Texel just as it was meant to be enjoyed: on two wheels. 🚲
Rates checked against publicly available information from TESO and the municipality of Texel. For the most up-to-date prices, please check the official websites in advance.
EN 
NL 
DE 