Yes, Captain Ted, all canal-ferries (incl. the Rendsburg Transporter Bridge) are free of charge since the time the Kaiser opened the Canal in 1895. @ Trygve Eriksen: Have checked the traffic. In 2014 32.589 registered commercial ships passed the canal plus a high amount of pleasure crafts: http://www.wsv.de/wsa-bb/info/pdf/engl.__Merkbl_Sportbootfahrer_NOK_11_01_2015pdf.pdf
Regards Peter

Thanks for your knowledgeable comments.
The most picturesque part of the canal, i.e. the last 20 kilometres west of the waterway's Baltic end at Kiel, is soon to be modernised. Good for shipping (number of ships, size of ships), sad for those who like scenic shots.

@PHa,, all the ferries are free to use ? never knew that

Thank You PHa for Kiel Canal details. There must be quite a traffic there. 110 ships in 24 hrs (sailing day and night), gives 4,6 ship pr hour, or a new ship every 13 minutes. With camera and big memory sticks, I think I must make a visit.

Ever happy - by cycling along the Kiel Canal: The Kiel Canal Route takes you on a 325-kilometre journey along the Kiel Canal, through the attractive hinterland of Schleswig-Holstein. Every day, 110 ships make their way from Brunsbüttel, by the North Sea, to Kiel, by the Baltic Sea. This makes the canal world's busiest route for seagoing vessels. Side by side with luxury liners and other ocean giants, on the trail of technology, culture and nature, you will experience this attractive and meditative region from close quarters.
Staying in direct proximity to the waterway, you ride through field and forest landscapes, past the region’s lakes and rivers. The route gets its special charm from the imposing locks, tunnels and a total of 10 bridges and 14 ferries. In the idyllically-situated canal municipalities there are stately homes and country residences to discover. You can take the canal ferries free of charge and - you are welcome! Regards Peter

Nice mixed geared
GP

Note the cyclists to the right.