Norway Ferry
Hirtshals – Kristiansand
The fastest ferry link from Denmark to southern Norway, crossing the Skagerrak in under 3 hours
- Up to 5 daily departures with Fjord Line and Color Line
- Fastest crossing in just 2h 25m on the Fjord FSTR catamaran
- Bring your car, motorhome or caravan with ease, pets welcome
Denmark to southern Norway
The fastest route to southern Norway
The Hirtshals - Kristiansand route is the fastest ferry link between Denmark and southern Norway – crossing the Skagerrak takes between 2 hours 25 minutes and just under 4 hours, depending on the ship. Two operators serve the route. Fjord Line runs the fast catamaran Fjord FSTR from March to October and operates the cruise ferries MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord year-round, while Color Line runs the fast ferry SuperSpeed 1 all year.
On the catamaran you travel without a cabin, with a café, bar and a large children's play area on board; the cruise ferries offer cabins, restaurants and a large tax-free shop. Both terminals in Hirtshals sit right at the harbour, and in Kristiansand the ferry docks just a few minutes' walk from the city centre – a convenient start to a trip through southern Norway.
- Crossing time
- from 2h 25m
- Operator
- Fjord Line & Color Line
- Frequency
- up to 5x daily
- Price from
- €26
- Fjord Line
- Color Line
Next departures
Route guide
Hirtshals - Kristiansand ferry at a glance
Everything about the Hirtshals - Kristiansand route with Fjord Line and Color Line – getting to the terminals in Hirtshals, check-in times, what's on board, vehicle and pet rules, and onward travel from Kristiansand.
Getting to the Hirtshals terminal
Both operators depart from the port of Hirtshals on Denmark's northern tip, around 50 kilometres north of Aalborg. If you're driving in from elsewhere in Europe, the E39 motorway runs directly to check-in, and the port connects well into Denmark's road network. Fjord Line and Color Line run separate terminals within the same port area, so watch for the signage for your operator on arrival.
For sat nav, use Fergeterminalen Norgeskajen 2, 9850 Hirtshals for Color Line, or Hirtshals Havn for Fjord Line check-in. Travelling as a foot passenger, Hirtshals train station is within walking distance of the port.
Check-in and departure
Check-in opens with both operators around two hours before departure, but the closing times differ noticeably: with Color Line, check-in stays open until 15 minutes before departure, while with Fjord Line you need to be checked in by 60 minutes beforehand, with boarding closing 20 minutes before departure. Build in extra buffer time, particularly on the Fjord Line crossing.
Carry a valid form of ID – a national ID card or passport is fine. Norway carries out border checks on all ferries arriving from Denmark, so operators recommend travelling with a passport. Unaccompanied travel requires a minimum age of 16.
On board
What's available on board depends on the ship. Fjord Line's catamaran Fjord FSTR sails without cabins and offers a café, bar, a tax-free shop, a large children's play area, and the Bow Lounge at the front for an extra charge. The cruise ferries MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord have cabins, restaurants ranging from a brasserie to a buffet, and a large tax-free shop. On Color Line's SuperSpeed 1 you'll find a buffet restaurant, business lounge, duty-free shop and reclining seats that can be pre-booked; there are no cabins, given the short crossing. Wi-Fi is available on Color Line as a paid network and is included for Business Class.
Card payment is the easy option on board. Color Line accepts euros, Danish kroner and Norwegian kroner, so you won't need cash or Norwegian currency in advance for the crossing.
Vehicles, bikes and pets
You can bring cars, motorcycles, motorhomes, caravans and bicycles. Color Line's standard car fare covers vehicles up to 5 metres long and 1.95 metres high; taller vehicles and campers are booked as a vehicle package. Enter your vehicle's dimensions accurately when booking so the right fare applies. Details for motorhomes are in our guide Motorhome.
Dogs and other pets are welcome with both operators and must be registered at the time of booking. On the catamaran Fjord FSTR, dogs stay on the aft deck for the whole crossing – there are no cabins or kennels on board – while the cruise ferries MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord do offer them. Our guide Travelling to Norway with a dog sums up what Norway requires on entry.
Arriving in Kristiansand and onward travel
In Kristiansand, the ferry docks right at the harbour, just a few minutes' walk from the city centre. Color Line arrives at Havnegata 47, 4611 Kristiansand S. From there, the E18 takes you on towards Oslo, and the E39 runs along the south coast towards Stavanger. Foot passengers can reach Kristiansand train station on foot in a few minutes, with Sørlandsbanen train connections to Oslo and Stavanger.
Tickets and fares
Both operators use dynamic pricing, and the best-value allotments sell out early. Fjord Line offers free membership in the Fjord Club with discounted member rates, vehicle packages, and a flexible ticket option that allows rebooking. Color Line offers a standard fare and a cheaper Color Club rate, plus a 10 percent discount on the return leg when you book a round trip together.
You'll get the best price by booking early and choosing weekday or off-season departures. The booking window shows current prices for your travel date, and the price overview gives you a general sense of costs.
FAQ Hirtshals - Kristiansand
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Hirtshals - Kristiansand ferry route
Which operators sail from Hirtshals to Kristiansand?+
Two operators serve the route. Fjord Line runs the catamaran Fjord FSTR (March to October) as well as the year-round cruise ferries MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord. Color Line operates the fast ferry SuperSpeed 1 all year.
How long does the Hirtshals to Kristiansand crossing take?+
It depends on the ship. The fastest option is the Fjord Line catamaran Fjord FSTR, taking just 2 hours 25 minutes, though it only runs from March to October. The Color Line SuperSpeed 1 takes 3 hours 15 minutes and sails year-round. Fjord Line''s cruise ferries take around 3 hours 55 minutes.
How often does the Hirtshals - Kristiansand ferry run?+
Between the two operators, there are up to 5 departures a day, more in summer than in the off-season. The catamaran Fjord FSTR only runs from March to October, while Color Line and Fjord Line''s cruise ferries operate year-round. Check the timetable for the exact times on your travel date.
How much does the Hirtshals to Kristiansand ferry cost?+
Both operators use dynamic pricing, which varies by season, day of the week and how full the sailing is. Foot passengers pay considerably less than those bringing a car, and summer is more expensive than spring and autumn. You can save with the free Fjord Club and Color Club loyalty programmes, as well as return-trip packages. The booking window shows the current price for your date, and the price overview gives you a general sense of costs.
When do I need to be at the port in Hirtshals?+
Check-in opens around 2 hours before departure with both operators. With Color Line it closes 15 minutes before departure, while with Fjord Line you need to be checked in 60 minutes beforehand (boarding closes 20 minutes before departure). Build in extra time, especially for Fjord Line sailings. All travellers need a valid ID card or passport, as Norway carries out border checks on ferries arriving from Denmark.
Can I bring my vehicle on the ferry?+
Yes, you can bring a car, motorhome, caravan, motorcycle or bicycle with either operator. Color Line''s standard car fare covers vehicles up to 5 m long and 1.95 m high; taller vehicles and campers are booked as a vehicle package. Details for motorhomes are in our guide Motorhome.
Can I bring my pet on board?+
Yes, dogs and other pets can travel with both operators and must be registered when you book. On the catamaran Fjord FSTR, dogs stay on the aft deck for the whole crossing – there are no cabins or kennels on board – while the cruise ferries MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord do offer them. Our guide Travelling to Norway with a dog sums up what Norway requires on entry.