Ferries to Bergen

Hirtshals - Stavanger

Another option from Hirtshals is the route to Stavanger. This route is also served by Fjord Line. Depending on the timetable, the crossing takes between 10 and 12 hours. Stavanger lies south of Bergen and can be reached via the E39 in around 5 hours. The stretch between Stavanger and Bergen is very scenic, running along the fjords and using several ferries or tunnels. If you'd rather drive part of the way through Norway yourself while also spending time in Stavanger, this is a good alternative.

Hirtshals - Kristiansand

Color Line and Fjord Line both offer crossings from Hirtshals to Kristiansand. The crossing is relatively short, usually taking between 2 and 3 hours. From Kristiansand, you drive north-west on the E39 to Bergen. Here, though, you should plan for a longer drive (around 7-8 hours), sometimes including further short ferry crossings along the coast. This route is popular if you want to explore southern Norway rather than focus only on Bergen.

Hirtshals - Larvik

Color Line also sails from Hirtshals to Larvik. The crossing takes around 3.5 hours. From Larvik, the E18 leads north-west to Oslo and on to Bergen (via the E16 or E134). The drive from Larvik to Bergen takes around 7-9 hours. If you'd like to visit Oslo, this is a good place for a stopover before continuing at leisure through the spectacular fjord landscape towards Bergen.

Ferry from Kiel

From Kiel on Germany's Baltic coast there are two convenient ferry connections that don't go directly to Bergen but do carry you much further north overnight.

Kiel - Oslo

The well-known Kiel - Oslo ferry (Color Line) takes around 20 hours. The ships are cruise-standard: on board you'll find restaurants, shops, a theatre, a swimming pool and very comfortable cabins. After arriving in Oslo, you reach Bergen via the E16 (around 460 km), which runs through Norway's mountains. Along the way you pass Flåm on the Aurlandsfjord, among other places, and can take plenty of time for stops. The drive itself is a scenic highlight and takes around 7 to 8 hours, depending on traffic and weather.

Kiel - Gothenburg

Stena Line operates the Kiel - Gothenburg route, with a crossing of around 14 to 15 hours. Gothenburg is in southern Sweden and only around 3 hours from Oslo via the E6. This route is usually significantly cheaper than the one to Oslo.

Ferry to southern Sweden

A good alternative for anyone travelling in stages via Sweden, with possibly several stopovers, is the ferry to southern Sweden (Malmö and Trelleborg). Along Sweden's west coast, the E6 leads first to Gothenburg and then on to Oslo and Bergen.

Travemünde - Malmö

Finnlines runs several sailings a day from Travemünde to Malmö. The crossing takes between 9 and 10 hours and is available both during the day and overnight. The onward journey via Gothenburg and Oslo to Bergen takes around 13 hours.

Travemünde - Trelleborg

The shipping company TT-Line connects Travemünde with Trelleborg, mostly overnight or during the day in around 7 to 9 hours. Trelleborg lies at the southern tip of Sweden, near Malmö. The onward journey to Bergen via Gothenburg and Oslo takes 13.5 hours, only slightly longer than from Malmö.

Rostock - Trelleborg

If you're travelling from eastern Germany, you can sail from Rostock to Trelleborg with Stena Line and TT-Line. With a crossing time of 6-8 hours, this is the shortest direct connection from Germany to Sweden.

Via Copenhagen and the Öresund Bridge

If you'd like to experience as much Scandinavian scenery as possible by car, or if you're travelling at times when the ferry connections don't suit, the route via Denmark and Sweden is a good option.

Ferry + Öresund Bridge

To reach Copenhagen, you can sail either from Rostock to Gedser (Scandlines) or from Puttgarden to Rødby (Scandlines). From there, take the E47/E55 to Copenhagen and continue over the Öresund Bridge to Malmö.

To Bergen without a ferry

You can also reach Bergen entirely without a ferry! Here you enter Denmark via Flensburg and follow the E45 motorway north. Just past Kolding, you cross the Little Belt onto the island of Funen and continue over the Great Belt Bridge to Copenhagen. From there, the route continues via Malmö and Gothenburg to Oslo and on to Bergen.