Check-in & Boarding

Deadlines by ferry company

First things first, because they differ:

Fjord Line: check-in is possible up to 60 minutes before departure, not after. It opens two hours before departure, boarding starts 60 minutes before departure, and all passengers must be on board 30 minutes before departure. This applies to the catamaran Fjord FSTR just as it does to MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord.

Color Line: check-in opens two hours before departure and closes 15 minutes before departure. Even so, the ferry company recommends being at the terminal at least 60 minutes beforehand, and with a vehicle you'll want to anyway, because vehicles are assigned to lanes in the order they arrive.

If you use both ferry companies, the simplest thing is one rule for both: be at the terminal an hour before departure. With Fjord Line that's required; with Color Line it's recommended.

What to bring

Norway is part of the Schengen area but not the EU. Both ferry companies require a physical photo ID: a national ID card or passport, for children too. Photos on your phone or copies aren't enough. Fjord Line accepts a driving licence as ID only from Nordic citizens. With Color Line, your booking number is also part of your travel documents; the minimum age for travelling without an adult is 16, and 20 for the day trip.

With a vehicle, you don't need anything at the terminal except your booking; you gave the vehicle dimensions when you booked. Fjord Line checks the length including trailer and roof box and charges extra if the measurements were wrong. With Fjord Line, you can leave up to 50 kg or half a cubic metre of luggage in your vehicle free of charge.

By car

In Hirtshals, the two ferry companies' terminals are separate: Color Line at the Fergeterminalen, Norgeskajen 2, and Fjord Line at the Nordsøterminalen, Containerkajen 4. Both are signposted from the port entrance. Drive up to your ferry company's check-in barrier, give your booking number and ID, get your lane number and join the lane. From then on, stay with your vehicle until boarding starts. On the car deck, staff show you where to park; switch off the engine, apply the handbrake and take your valuables with you. The car deck is closed during the crossing.

In Kristiansand it works the same way: Color Line at Havnegata 47, Fjord Line at Vestre Strandgate 31. Both terminals are in town, and at rush hour getting through the centre takes time, so allow for it. Getting to both ports is described on the Hirtshals Ferry Port and Kristiansand Ferry Port pages.

On foot and by bike

Foot passengers check in at the desk in the terminal building and board via the passenger gangway. Hirtshals railway station is about a ten-minute walk from the Color Line terminal; the Fjord Line terminal is considerably further, a good half hour, so a taxi is worth it. In Kristiansand, the railway station and bus station are a few minutes from both terminals. Cyclists register their bike when booking and ride up the ramp with the vehicles. The whole journey without a car is described on the On Foot & by Bicycle page.

Customs and entry

On arrival in Norway, Norwegian customs carry out spot checks. The allowances for alcohol, tobacco and food are well below those within the EU single market; if you're carrying more, go through the red channel and pay duty. Dogs and cats must always go through the red channel, with their pet passport and proof of tapeworm treatment. The rules for animals are on the Dog & Pets page, and those for motorhomes with gas and spare fuel cans on the Motorhome & Caravan page.

If you're late

Fjord Line closes check-in 60 minutes before departure without exception, because the catamaran and the cruise ferries load vehicles during that time. With Color Line, you have a chance up to 15 minutes before departure if your space is still free. Whether your ticket can be moved to the next departure depends on your fare; the Contact page lists both ferry companies' customer service.