Taking the Vehicle Ferry from Denmark to Norway.

Norway is one of those bucket-list destinations to travel to in Europe with a campervan. But the first planning question that arises is of how to get there. Should we drive across the bridge to Sweden? Or should we take a ferry from Denmark to Norway with a campervan?

We chose the shorter route and travelled by ferry from Hirtshals to Kristiansand.  

But even taking the ferry from Denmark to Norway there are choices to make! 

There are regular routes for the ferry from Denmark to Norway, and from Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Most operators offer package deals for cars with passengers and discounts for seniors, students, and children.  And it is (surprisingly) easy to book online and be on that ferry and traveling north to Norway before you know it. 

You might have seen our posts about traveling in Europe by motorhome? (We hope it’s helpful.  And especially if you are traveling or buying a motorhome in Europe as a New Zealander or Australian).  If you aren’t from this side of the world, to give you a bit of an idea of the time to travel in Europe by campervan, it took us two days from the Netherlands to the ferry.  That meant we stopped the first night near Hamburg and stayed one night south of Billund in Denmark.  The next day we drove to Hirtshals where we took the ferry from Denmark to Norway. 

So here you go, fellow traveler.  This is everything you need to know about where to travel from, how to book and how to get the ferry from Denmark to Norway with a motorhome.  

Where does the vehicle ferry from Denmark to Norway depart from? 

Catching a ferry from Denmark to Norway you have options.  Ferries sail daily to multiple destinations in Norway.

In Denmark, the ferries go from Copenhagen, Frederikshavn and Hirtshals.

You can take a vehicle ferry from Denmark to Norway from:

• Copenhagen–Oslo
• Frederikshavn – Oslo
• Hirtshals – Kristiansand
• Hirtshals – Larvik
• Hirtshals – Stavanger
• Hirtshals – Bergen

We took the vehicle ferry from Hirsthals, Denmark to Kristiansand, Norway with our motorhome. 

So which ferry line are the tickets for? And where does it depart from? 

We took the ferry from Denmark to Norway departing from Hirtshals on the Fjord Line FSTR ferry. 

But there are several companies that operate the Hirtshals to Kristiansand ferry route:

• Color Line
• Fjord Line 
• DFDS

The companies each have different ferries that vary in size and facilities. 

To give you an idea the Fjord FSTR catamaran is pretty magnificent.  It is quoted as a ‘state-of-the-art high-tech vessel that operates the route between Hirtshals and Kristiansand’. The capacity of Fjord FSTR is 1,200 passengers and more than 400 vehicles!  That’s seriously massive.  

How to buy your ticket for the ferry from Denmark to Norway 

It is easy to buy your tickets online ahead of time for the ferry.  But do make sure if you are traveling in summer that you book your ferry ticket well in advance as they do fill up.  

We booked directly online from the Fjord Line website. 

You need your vehicle registration number and the dimensions of your vehicle. 

There are options available to select the height of your vehicle: 

• Less than 1.95m
• Less than 2.35m (sometimes available)
• Less than 4.5m

And the length (which makes a difference to the price of your ticket): 

• Up to 5m
• Up to 6m
• More than 6m
• With trailer

Cabins and seats on board the ferry from Denmark to Norway

Aside from entering the height, length and number of passengers traveling in your motorhome you will also need to input details for where you want to sit (or sleep) during the crossing. 

There are several options. 

• Fjord Lounge: 20 EUR p/p (hot and cold drinks included).
• Air Seat: 13 EUR (Air seats (sleeperettes) are located on Deck 10). 
• No Seat or Cabin: 0 EUR 

We opted for the free seating area.  (The crossing is only 2.5 hours after all).  And contrary to the booking option (which says ‘No Seat or Cabin’) there is plenty of comfortable seating available. 

Is the ticket for the ferry from Denmark to Norway return?  

No.  We purchased a one-way ticket online for a ferry from Hirtshals to Kristiansand. 

How often are the ferries from Denmark to Norway?  

There are regular ferry routes to Norway from Denmark with DFDS, Fjord Line and Color Line. 

• Copenhagen–Oslo: Operated by DFDS,  daily departures.
• Frederikshavn – Oslo: Operated by DFDS, 7 departures a week.
• Hirtshals – Kristiansand: Operated by Fjord Line, 4 departures a day; Operated by Color Line, two daily departures.
• Hirtshals – Larvik: Operated by Color Line, two daily departures.
• Hirtshals – Stavanger: Operated by Fjord Line, daily departures.
• Hirtshals – Bergen: Operated by Fjord Line, daily departures.

The ferry from Hirtshals to Kristiansand departs 4 times daily at 9.35 + 10.00 + 16.30 + 23.30h. 

How long does the ferry crossing take? 

As above, there are many options for a ferry from Denmark to Norway.  We opted for a midnight crossing (departing Hirtshals at 23:30h as it was a much cheaper option; and available in summer while many ferries are booked early).  This is one of the shorter ferry crossings.  

• Copenhagen – Oslo: 17 hours 15 minutes. 
• Frederikshavn – Oslo: 9 hours 15 minutes. 
• Hirtshals – Kristiansand: 2 hours 30 minutes. 
• Hirtshals – Larvik: 3 hours 45 minutes. 
• Hirtshals – Stavanger: 10 hours 30 minutes. 
• Hirtshals – Bergen: 16 hours 30 minutes. 

For the ferry from Denmark to Norway departing from Hirtshals to Kristiansand it takes around 2.5 hours for the crossing.  And if you are looking for an economical way to travel from Denmark to Norway this seemed like the best fit for us as we were heading next to Stavanger.  The longer the ferry the more it will cost, but the more it will also save you on fuel once in Norway.  So, it does take some weighing up options… 

Checking in for the ferry Denmark to Norway 

It’s easy to check in for the ferry.  The tickets bought online request you are there 60 minutes prior to departure.  (Boarding closes 30 minutes before departure).  

All you need to do is follow the signs for your ferry company and drive towards the large ticket booths. 

For us, we were looking out for signs for Fjord Line.  And as we had arrived early, we parked up before the ferry just by the shore.  When it 90 minutes before our ferry departure (our ferry departed 11:30pm) we drove through the ticket line and checked in for our ferry. 

What documents and identification do I need traveling by ferry from Denmark to Norway? 

So, here’s the thing.  Traveling in Europe by ferry is very easy.  (Yes, even for us from the other side of the world).  And because you aren’t exiting Europe (Norway isn’t part of the EU but it doesn’t require a visa either) you don’t technically even process immigration. 

Drive your motorhome up alongside the ticket booth.  

You need valid travel documents and ID. 

All passengers over 18 years of age must bring valid identification.  Citizens from countries outside the EU/EEA need to show passport identification and must meet the requirements of the destination country on passports and visas. 

Show your ferry ticket (on your phone).  The name on the ID must correspond with the name on the ticket. 

Vehicles should bear the international vehicle registration code. And you should have your vehicle travel insurance documentation with you.

And that’s it as far as immigration for the ferry from Denmark to Norway. 

Do I need to process customs before boarding the ferry? 

There is no customs check before boarding the ferry from Denmark to Norway.  (I mean, in theory you can drive across the bridge in the other direction and enter Norway that way if you wanted).  

On the Norway side, once you arrive in Kristiansand there is one exit lane labelled if you have anything to declare.  

Parking your motorhome on the ferry from Denmark to Norway

These ferries are huge! (Well, especially so if you come from little old New Zealand and aren’t used to traveling by ferry around Europe!).  So don’t worry about parking your motorhome on the ferry. 

There are options when purchasing your ticket for the ferry from Denmark to Norway to choose which height and length your vehicle is. 

• < 1.9 metres
• < 2.35 metres
• < 4.5 metres

And these heights correspond with the two levels for parking on board the ferry from Denmark to Norway.  

When the vehicles are all lined up and ready to load you will be parked with other motorhomes.  The cars and motorbikes (and vehicles less than 2.35m high) load first onto the upper deck (it looks low!) via a high road ramp. 

Next, they usher forward trucks and motorhomes. Just follow directions on board the ferry and staff will point out where to park.  In our motorhome we had to drive straight on and then make a U-turn at the end of the parking area and reverse back into our spot. (It is rather tight for turning space but listen to the staff and remember they direct hundreds of vehicles every day). 

You cannot stay in your vehicle while the ferry is sailing so lock everything up and grab your passports and head up to the passenger decks. 

What are the facilities like on board Fjord Line ferry from Denmark to Norway? 

The facilities on board are very nice! I would almost call it luxurious. (Albeit we are comparing ferry journeys to Morocco and in Bangladesh).  But to give you an idea…

The seating area is spotlessly clean.  There are duty free shops (plural) on board.  There is a restaurant and bar. And a decently sized children’s area with a few toys and a large TV screen with kids’ movies or cartoons playing. 

There is free WIFI available, but the internet quality does vary as you cross.  

And on board the Fjord FSTR, you have access to the deck at the full stern of deck 3 and on deck 4.  I hope you are lucky like us and have a beautiful crossing!

What about toilets on board?

There are bathrooms on board the Fjord FSTR on Deck 3 and 4.  And when we crossed the bathrooms were in immaculate condition. 

Farewell Denmark.  And hello Norway! 

We had a great crossing on the ferry from Denmark to Norway. As New Zealanders I admit we sometimes go into these European ferry crossings (I can add plural to these now) not knowing quite what to expect.  But these ferries are amazing.  So modern and such a smooth ride.  Everything works like clockwork, and you can just enjoy the ride. 

And PS. In case you are wondering where to stay for your first night in Norway? 

We arrived off the ferry from Denmark to Norway at around 02:00am (because that saved us over 150 EUR!).  But arriving in a new country in the middle of the night can feel daunting.  In Norway it’s a smooth arrival and we found a great park up about 20 minutes from the Kristiansand Ferry Terminal.  Check out the Park4Night #101807.  It is a well-maintained rest area on the side of the highway.  And it was a pretty place to wake up (after a sleep in) the next morning.  Welcome to Norway!

More about travel planning for Europe and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

• Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally. 
• Hostelworld– The largest inventory of hostel accommodation in the world. 
• Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.  
• GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
• SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country. 
• World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). 

Read more about traveling in and buying a campervan in Europe

• Finding free campsites in France: And being woken by the police!
• Taking your motorhome on the ferry from Spain to Morocco.
• Imsouane: Camping, parking and the famous Imsouane surf wave.
• Getting a SIM card in Morocco: And how to get unlimited data!
• Morocco motorhome services: What are motorhome services really like?
• Getting LPG in Morocco for your motorhome.
• Finding free campsites in Germany.