Taking the ferry from Norway to Denmark: 5 options to consider.
On this page, you'll find more information about these routes and guidance on how to get from Norway to Denmark by ferry.
Furthermore, you can find a handy ferry map overview and alternative routes you could consider.
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Map with routes from Norway to Denmark.
In this map, you can find the ferry crossings from Norway to Denmark and vice versa in the blink of an eye and figure out the best route for your trip. You can zoom in and out on the map. Hirtshals is the most Northern port and, therefore the closest to Norway.
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In just 2 hours from Norway to Denmark: Kristiansand Hirtshals
The shortest crossing from Norway to Denmark is the fast ferry from Kristiansand to Hirtshals. Fjordline operates this faster ferry that takes you in 2 hours and 15 mins from Norway to Denmark. Color Line also sails on this route with a somewhat slower connection.Don't care to be somewhat longer on the ferry? Then you have more options to look for.
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Five ferries from Norway to Denmark
Traveling from Norway to Denmark by ferry is possible via several routes. Some of the most important things to consider when taking the ferry to Denmark is where you depart.
Are you departing from the Western coast of Norway? Then Bergen or Stavanger probably is your go-to port for destination Denmark. Are you departing from the capital? Then the route Olso-Copenhagen or Oslo-Frederikshavn makes sense.
Don't want to spend too much time on the ferry? Then Larvik and Kristiansand are the best options; both are located more to the south with the shortest connections from Kristiansand to Denmark.
Ferry crossings from Norway to Denmark
When traveling from Norway to Denmark, five popular routes are operated by different ferry companies: Fjordline, Color Line, and DFDS have crossings running on these routes.
- Hirtshals-Bergen
- Stavanger-Hirtshals
- Copenhagen-Oslo
- Hirtshals-Larvik
- Hirtshals-Kristiansand
- Frederikshavn-Oslo
Hirtshals is Denmark's most Northern port of arrival, and Copenhagen is the most Southern.
Depending on where you depart in Norway, you can look into the best options to travel to Denmark. Ferries are leaving Norway to Denmark from Bergen, Stavanger, Kristiansand, Larvik, and Oslo.
Generally, it depends highly on where you depart from Norway and where you need to be in Denmark to determine the quickest / easiest or most comfortable crossing to Denmark.
Denmark ⇔ Norway
Alternatives for a ferry from Norway to Denmark
If you're traveling to the UK, Belgium, France, or the Netherlands from Norway, there first was a ferry from Norway to the Netherlands, this ferry has moved to just over the border to Germany though. You could take a look at our ferry to Germany page for more info about these routes. When you're looking to travel to the Netherlands you can take the ferry to Emden and from there travel to The Netherlands.From Norway to the Netherlands via Germany.
Emden-Kristiansand
This ferry started in June 2023, but the ferry company HNL went bankrupt in September 2023. This route connected Northwestern Germany with Kristiansand directly. A good alternative is the ferry to Kiel and Oslo.
From there, you can drive to the location of your choice.
Next to the ferry from Norway to Emden, near the Dutch border, you can also take a direct ferry from Oslo to Kiel if you don't mind spending a bit more time on the ferry and enjoying the start of your vacation at the beginning of this Color Line vessel.
Germany ⇔ Norway
The further you are prepared to drive from Norway to the South, the shorter and cheaper the crossing to Denmark will probably be. The fastest and quickest connections to Norway are those running from Kristiansand to Hirtshals (Color Line & Fjord Line). Hirtshals is in Denmark, but you can drive there pretty quickly from Germany. Alternatives are the ferries to Oslo from Kiel and the ferry from Emden directly to Kristiansand.
Kiel-Oslo
The ferry from Kiel to Oslo connects Germany with Norway. The crossing is operated by Color Line and takes about 20 hours. The ferry offers a range of facilities and activities for a comfortable and enjoyable journey. The price of a ticket may vary depending on the season and the type of package.
Hirtshals-Kristiansand
On the Hirtshals-Kristiansand route, two shipping companies operate with fairly fast boats. Colorline sails in 3 hours and 15 minutes and Fjordline in 2 hours and 15 minutes. Which one can you choose best?
Emden-Kristiansand
This ferry started in June 2023, but the ferry company HNL went bankrupt in September 2023. This route connected Northwestern Germany with Kristiansand directly. A good alternative is the ferry to Kiel and Oslo.
Frequently asked questions ferry Norway to Denmark
On all the ferries departing from Norway to Denmark it is possible to bring you car, at least when you are in time to do so. The parking deck can fill up pretty quickly in peak season so be sure to book well in adnvace.
On the crossings from Norway to Denmark DFDS, Color Line and Fjord Line are the active shipping companies.
You can be in just 2 hours and 15 mins from Denmark to Norway by the fast-ferry on the route from Hirtshals to Kristiansand.
If you're travelling from Norway and travelling for other countries then Denmark it could also make sense to look into the connections to the Netherlands from Norway or the ferry from Germany to Norway.
This is highly depending on the route you're sailing. The cheapest route from Denmark to Norway is around €35,- these are most of the crossings from Hirtshals. Departing from Copenhagen? Then the trip will be a bit more expensive as this is a 19-hour crossing and you will need to book a cabin as well, if you bring a car as well then prices will be more in the range of €500,- for a return.
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How long does it approximately take to travel from Norway to Denmark (Kristiansand, Hirtshals)? Thank you for your response!
Hi G. Hallos,
From Kristiansand you can get to Hirtshals in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. However, this is when everything goes as smooth as possible. You also have to check-in and depart the vessel for which you also have to plan accordingly.