Fjord Line

Fjord Line is based in Bergen and sails from Hirtshals to Kristiansand, Stavanger and Bergen, as well as between Sandefjord and Strömstad. On the Kristiansand route, the ferry company runs two very different products: the catamaran Fjord FSTR in summer and the cruise ferries MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord all year round. For a direct comparison with Color Line, see Ferry Companies Compared.

Fjord FSTR at a glance

The Fjord FSTR is a catamaran built in 2020 for up to 1,200 passengers and more than 400 vehicles. She crosses the Skagerrak in 2 h 25 min, making her the fastest ferry between Denmark and Norway, an hour and a half faster than the ferry company's own cruise ferries. She sails from March to September and during that time takes most of Fjord Line's departures on the route.

On board there's a bistro, a café serving Starbucks, a bar, a lounge, a tax-free shop and a children's play area. There are no cabins, and for two and a half hours nobody needs one. Dogs have an outdoor area at the stern. The catamaran is more affected by the sea than the large ships: when a storm warning is issued, a FSTR departure is more likely to be cancelled than a cruise ferry one, and if you get seasick, sit amidships on the lower passenger deck.

MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord at a glance

The two sister ships, MS Stavangerfjord (2013) and MS Bergensfjord (2014), are Fjord Line's flagships and run on liquefied natural gas, which made them pioneers in ferry shipping when they entered service. They are designed for around 600 vehicles and have cabins in 20 categories, from standard inside cabins to suites, plus a buffet restaurant, the à la carte restaurant Grieg, bars and a 500-square-metre tax-free shop. For dogs there are exercise areas on the rear deck of deck 10 and dog boxes in three sizes.

On the Kristiansand route they take approx. 3 h 55 min, because as large cruise ferries they sail more slowly than the catamaran and serve the route in rotation with the Stavanger and Bergen routes. In winter they are Fjord Line's only ships on the route.

Season and departures

In the winter timetable, Fjord Line sails from Hirtshals at 09:30 and 19:15, and from Kristiansand at 14:30. In summer the catamaran departures are added, bringing up to four departures a day from each port in high season. If the ship matters to you, check each departure in the timetable to see whether it's the Fjord FSTR or one of the cruise ferries.

Car, motorhome and luggage

Fjord Line charges for the vehicle and passengers separately. Give your vehicle length including trailer and roof box; if the measurements are wrong, you'll be charged the difference at the terminal. You can carry no more than two 11 kg gas cylinders and/or five litres of fuel in a spare can on board, and for gas systems in motorhomes the ferry company requires a gas inspection certificate. You can change the registration number up to 24 hours before departure for a small fee. Luggage up to 50 kg or half a cubic metre travels free in your vehicle; foot passengers carry their own luggage on board. Details for motorhome travellers are on the Motorhome & Caravan page.

Dogs on board

Dogs are not allowed in the public indoor areas. On the cruise ferries they can stretch their legs on the rear deck of deck 10; on the Fjord FSTR, in the outdoor area at the stern. Dog boxes in three sizes can be booked in advance; they are unsupervised. Alternatively, your dog stays in the vehicle and you visit at set times on the car deck. Pet cabins are only available on the Bergen and Stavanger routes. Norway's entry rules are on the Dog & Pets page.

Check-in and terminals

Check-in opens two hours before departure and is possible up to 60 minutes before departure, not after. Boarding starts 60 minutes before departure, and all passengers must be on board 30 minutes before departure. Fjord Line requires a physical photo ID and accepts a driving licence only from Nordic citizens.

In Hirtshals, Fjord Line uses the Nordsøterminalen at Containerkajen 4 in the west harbour, the terminal for all Fjord Line routes; it's a long walk from Hirtshals railway station, so a taxi is worth it. In Kristiansand the terminal is at Vestre Strandgate 31, a few minutes from the railway station. Both terminals are described on the Hirtshals Ferry Port and Kristiansand Ferry Port pages, and the process on the Check-in page.

Fjord Club and customer service

The Fjord Club is free, credits five per cent of the booking value as points and offers a premium tier with further benefits for an annual fee. Customer service is available by phone on weekday mornings; the number and help page are on the Contact page.