Ferry from Kristiansand to Hirtshals

Take advantage of the available discounts and travel by ferry from Kristiansand to Hirtshals with lower-cost ferry tickets. Both Color Line and Fjord Line offer special discounts for specific passenger categories, including:

• Children (4-15 years old): travel with a 50% discount
• Infants and toddlers (up to 3 years old): travel free of charge

The Kristiansand - Hirtshals ferry route is served by both conventional cruise ferries and high-speed vessels, which offer a range of amenities and services.

Conventional ferries

The conventional vessels operating on the route, such as Fjord Line's MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord, are designed for a more relaxed onboard experience and come with a wide selection of facilities. On board, you can typically expect to find:

• Air-conditioned lounges and outer decks with sea views
• Restaurants, cafés, bars and buffet options for meals, snacks and drinks
• Duty-free shopping with a wide selection of products
• Entertainment and social areas for a more enjoyable crossing
• Children's play areas and family-friendly spaces
• Free Wi-Fi and charging points in selected areas

High-speed ferries

The high-speed ferries, including Color Line's SuperSpeed 1 and Fjord Line's Fjord FSTR, are built for a faster crossing and offer a more basic range of amenities:

• Comfortable indoor lounges and seating areas, as well as access to open decks
• Cafés, bars, bistros and buffet-style dining, with options for snacks, coffee and hot meals
• Duty-free shops and onboard shopping facilities
• Play areas for children and family-friendly seating zones
• Wi-Fi throughout most areas of the ship

Accessibility

The ferries from Kristiansand to Hirtshals are generally accessible to travelers with disabilities. The vessels are typically equipped with features such as elevators, access to common areas, and adapted facilities for passengers with reduced mobility, 

If you require special assistance, it is recommended to contact the ferry company in advance, ideally at the time of booking. If you are traveling with medical equipment, need additional support during boarding, or may require assistance in an emergency, prior notice may be necessary.

Passengers traveling with guide dogs or assistance dogs can usually bring them on board, provided they carry the required documentation. Accessibility features and onboard arrangements may vary depending on the vessel, so it is always best to confirm the details directly with the operator before departure.

Cabins & accommodation

What seats can I book?

Each operator offers different seat options on the Kristiansand - Hirtshals ferry route:

On Color Line ferries, you can book a standard deck/loung seat, as well as numbered reclining seat in the Voyager Class lounge, or a premium seat in the Business Class lounge. 

Business-class seats are in a quiet lounge and include perks, such as complimentary Wi-Fi, access to a streaming platform and luggage lockers.

When traveling with Fjord Line, you can book standard lounge seats, which are unreserved, or numbered lounge seats.

How much do seats cost?

• Color Line: standard seats are priced from €24, Voyager Class seats from €36 and Business Class start from around €49.
• Fjord Line: standard seats start from around €43, while numbered seats cost from €56.

Can I book a cabin on the ferry from Kristiansand to Hirtshals?

Yes, cabins are available on the conventional ferries operated by Fjord Line. You can usually choose from:

• Standard inside cabins
• Outside cabins with a sea view
• Deluxe cabins and suites, with more space, a double bed, additional amenities and extra perks
• Accessible cabins for passengers with disabilities
• Pet-friendly cabins

All cabins have Wi-Fi and a private bathroom with a shower and toilet, while deluxe cabins and suites may also include a seating area, TV, mini bar and panoramic views. Some cabins are above the nightclub, so noise might be audible.

Cabin prices start at around €99.

Note: the high-speed ferries do not have cabins, as the crossing is relatively short and takes place during the day.

How much luggage can I bring on board?

Each ferry company operating on the Kristiansand - Hirtshals route has its own luggage policy, so allowances and conditions may vary depending on the operator and type of ticket.

• On Fjord Line ferries, you can bring as many bags as you can carry onboard yourself, in one go. There are storage areas beside reception on deck 7, with access around departure and arrival. 
• When traveling with Color Line, you can bring up to 50 kg of luggage.

Traveling with pets

Pets are allowed on ferries from Kristiansand to Hirtshals, provided you include them in your booking.

Make sure you bring along your pet’s health and travel documents, as well as tickets and pet supplies you may need for the trip.

Where can pets stay during the crossing?

The available pet accommodation options depend on the operator and vessel:

• Color Line: you can keep your pets in your vehicle, while dogs can also stay in the onboard kennels, or with you on the outdoor deck.
• Fjord Line: on the cruise ferries, you can keep your pet in your vehicle, the dog kennel, or a pet-friendly cabin. When traveling on the high-speed ferry, your pet can stay in your vehicle or the designated outdoor pet area.

Pets are generally not allowed in indoor public areas such as lounges, restaurants or shops, with the exception of guide and assistance dogs.

Important: the option of keeping your pet with you on the outdoor deck is generally recommended for April to September, when the weather is warmer. If you opt to keep your pet in your vehicle, make sure you leave a window slightly open for ventilation. 

Can I visit my pet during the journey?

Each operator has its own policy regarding pet visits during the trip:

• Color Line: you can usually arrange a visit to the car deck or kennels with the reception.
• Fjord Line: on conventional ferries, you will receive a key for the kennels, while vehicle visits are scheduled and crew-accompanied. On the high-speed ferries, vehicle access is not guaranteed.

Take a look at some useful tips for your ferry trip from Kristiansand to Hirtshals:

• We recommend arriving at the port of Kristiansand at least 1 hr before departure, or up to 1.5 hr in advance if you are traveling with a vehicle, especially in summer.
• Although the crossing is relatively short, the Skagerrak Strait can sometimes be windy or choppy. If you are prone to seasickness, consider choosing a seat in a central indoor area for a smoother ride.
• As access to the car deck is restricted during the crossing, it's a good idea to bring a small carry-on bag with essentials (snacks, charger, etc.).
• For your return trip, you can also check the Hirtshals - Kristiansand ferry route and book your tickets in advance, especially during peak season.
• From Kristiansand, you can also sail to Bergen and Stavanger in Norway. For more details on routes, operators and ticket prices, check out the Kristiansand ferry schedules.
• Hirtshals is a major ferry hub in northern Denmark (Jutland), with connections to several destinations in Norway. You can also travel from:
  • Southwestern Norway: Stavanger - Hirtshals
  • Western Norway: Bergen - Hirtshals
  • Southeastern Norway, near Oslo: Larvik - Hirtshals

Where to take the ferry from Kristiansand to Hirtshals

You can catch the ferry to Hirtshals from from the port of Kristiansand, on the waterfront beside the city center, which is approximately 16 km from Kristiansand Airport Kjevik. Both operators use this port, with Color Line at Havnegata 47 and Fjord Line at Vestre Strandgate 31. Check your booking confirmation and follow your operator’s signs to the correct check-in area.

The ferry terminals are within walking distance of Kristiansand’s railway station, central bus station, hotels, cafés, and shops. Color Line offers free Wi-Fi inside its terminal and at vehicle check-in. Fjord Line’s departure hall has a ticket office, restrooms, an elevator, and snack and drink machines, but no luggage lockers.

How to get to the port of Kristiansand

• On foot: the terminals are beside the western edge of the city center, within walking distance of central hotels and shopping streets. From the railway or bus station, allow a few minutes to reach your operator’s entrance.
• By car: follow the E18/E39 toward Kristiansand, then signs for the ferry port and Denmark/Danmark. There is short-term parking nearby, but for longer stays, use the city-center parking.
• By train or bus: travel to Kristiansand station or Kristiansand rutebilstasjon, the central bus station, then walk to the ferry terminal.
• From the airport: take AKT bus 35, or one of the selected line 36 departures that serves Kjevik, from stop B outside the domestic terminal to Kristiansand rutebilstasjon. The journey takes approximately 30 min, followed by a short walk.
• By taxi: taxi ranks are available throughout town and near the railway and bus stations, with the ride from the airport taking 20-25 min.

Check in and boarding at Kristiansand

The check-in process takes place at the port of Kristiansand. Have your booking confirmation and travel documents ready, and follow the signs for your ferry operator.

• Color Line: if you are traveling on foot, check in inside the terminal, while drivers follow the signs to vehicle check-in and the boarding lanes. With or without a vehicle, you must be ready for check-in at least 1 hr before departure.
• Fjord Line: foot passengers check in at the terminal counter, while drivers use the signposted vehicle check-in area. Check-in closes 1 hr before departure, and boarding closes 20 min before departure. Boarding generally starts around 1 hr before sailing. 

Tip: allow extra time for summer queues, especially when traveling with a vehicle.

Where does the ferry arrive in Hirtshals?

Ferries from Kristiansand arrive at the port of Hirtshals, but the terminal depends on your operator.

• Color Line docks at Norgeskajen 2, close to the town center and approximately a 10-min walk from Hirtshals railway station. You can walk into town for cafés, restaurants, shops, and hotels, while trains provide onward connections via Hjørring.
• Fjord Line docks at the North Sea Terminal (Nordsøterminalen), Containerkajen 4, approximately 2-3 km from the town center. The terminal has a ticket office, restrooms, and an elevator, but no luggage lockers or ATM. For onward travel, check the shuttle-bus timetable to Hirtshals station or arrange a taxi. If you are traveling with a vehicle, follow the port signs toward the E39 for onward journeys across Denmark.

Onward travel from the port of Hirtshals

From the port, you can continue by car or take the train from Hirtshals station to destinations across Denmark:

• Hjørring: around 15-20 min by car via the E39, or 20-25 min by direct train.
• Aalborg: approximately 40-50 min by car along the E39, or 1-1.5 hr by train via Hjørring, depending on the service.
• Skagen: around 45-50 min by car via roads 597 and 40, or approximately 2-3 hr by train, changing at Hjørring and traveling via Frederikshavn.
• Aarhus: approximately 2 hr by car via the E39 and E45, or 3-3.5 hr by train, with connections typically in Aalborg.
• Copenhagen: around 4.5-5 hr by car via the E39, E45, and E20, crossing the Great Belt Bridge, or approximately 6-7 hr by train, depending on connections.