Ferry to Norway from The Netherlands
How to Get to Norway from the Netherlands
There was a ferry service from the Netherlands to Norway between 2021 and 2023, but it was short-lived and later moved to Emden. However, this route has also been cancelled.
The best alternatives are the ferries from Kiel to Oslo and Hirtshals to Kristiansand amongst others.
Ferry to the Netherlands First
To use these routes, you must first travel to the Netherlands. Three ferries operate from the UK to the Netherlands:
We’ll include these crossings in this guide for easy planning.
Map: ferry routes to Norway from the Netherlands - via Germany and/or Denmarkj
The only direct ferry crossing from the Netherlands to Norway no longer exists. It was moved to Germany but has since been cancelled.
Your best option is to travel to Norway from Germany via the Kiel-Oslo ferry, depending on where you need to go in Norway. Alternatively, you can sail to Norway using the Hirtshals-Kristiansand ferry, drive north to Oslo, and, for example, return by ferry on the Oslo-Kiel connection before driving back to your point of departure.
About these crossings
The only direct ferry crossing from the Netherlands to Norway no longer exists. It was moved to Germany but has since been cancelled.
Your best option is to travel to Norway from Germany via the Kiel-Oslo ferry, depending on where you need to go in Norway. Alternatively, you can sail to Norway using the Hirtshals-Kristiansand ferry, drive north to Oslo, and, for example, return by ferry on the Oslo-Kiel connection before driving back to your point of departure.
Ferry to Norway from the Netherlands
Norway is a popular holiday destination, but direct ferry routes like the Newcastle-Bergen-Stavanger ferry no longer exist. As a result, many UK travellers now first travel to the Netherlands and then continue via Germany or Denmark to reach Norway.
The best routes are:
- The Kiel-Oslo ferry, which takes you from Germany to Norway in just 20 hours, offering a comfortable start to your trip.
- The Hirtshals-Kristiansand ferry, which provides another great option for travelling to Norway.
Earlier in this guide, you can find a ferry map and more detailed information about routes from the Netherlands to Norway.
Step 1: The Ferries to Holland / The Netherlands
Whether you take the ferry from Hull, Harwich, or Newcastle to the Netherlands doesn’t make much difference. Your choice can depend on the price and the travel distance to the departure port from your starting point.
While the arrival of the Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry is slightly further north, it doesn’t significantly affect the travel time to the ports of Kiel or Hirtshals.
Comparing Your Options
Comparing your travel options can often save you a lot of money.
If you’re travelling from the UK, check out our UK to Norway ferry guide to explore all available routes. You’ll first need to get to the Netherlands before boarding a ferry.
Travelling to Norway from the Netherlands
Kiel, Germany, to Oslo, Norway
- Driving to Kiel and taking the ferry to Oslo is the most logical route.
Hirtshals, Denmark, to Norway
- Drive to Hirtshals and take a ferry to several destinations in Norway, including Larvik, Bergen, Stavanger, and more.
- You can return via a different route if desired.
Frederikshavn, Denmark, to Norway
- Drive to Frederikshavn and take a ferry to Oslo. This route offers a shorter ferry crossing and more options for arrival cities.
Kiel, Germany, to Gothenburg, Sweden
- If you want to visit Sweden and Norway, sail to Gothenburg. From there, drive to Oslo and take the ferry back to Kiel.
In Summary:
- Kiel (Germany): Ferry to Oslo, Norway, or Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Hirtshals (Denmark): Ferry to multiple Norwegian locations, including Bergen and Kristiansand.
- Frederikshavn (Denmark): Ferry to Oslo.
- Kiel to Gothenburg: Ideal for combining trips to Sweden and Norway, with the option to drive to Oslo and return by ferry.
On board and route maps
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- Map with routes to Norway from the UK
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- Restaurant
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- Docking of the Color Fantasy © FerryGoGo
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- Playground for the little ones on the Color Fantasy © FerryGoGo
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- Restaurant on Color Fantasy © FerryGoGo
Travel Time by Car After the First Crossing
- From Rotterdam or Amsterdam to Kiel: ± 6 hours
- From Rotterdam or Amsterdam to Frederikshavn: ± 10 hours
- From Rotterdam or Amsterdam to Hirtshals: ± 10 hours
- To the Swedish/Norwegian border via the Øresund Toll Bridge: ± 15 hours
The further you are willing to drive yourself, the shorter and cheaper your next ferry crossing will be.
Driving to Germany./Denmark for the Ferry to Norway
Routes to consider:
Kiel to Oslo Ferry:
- A 20-hour night crossing on a beautiful ship operated by Color Line.
- A great option for getting some rest during your trip.
Hirtshals to Norway Crossings:
- Multiple destinations, such as Kristiansand, offer flexibility.
- You could combine the Kiel-Oslo ferry for one leg of the journey and a Hirtshals ferry for the return, especially handy for road trips or camper van holidays through Norway.
Additional Considerations
Driving Time:
Depending on the ferry you take from the UK to the continent, the drive to Kiel is between 6 and 9 hours by car.Ferry to Gothenburg, Sweden:
Consider the ferry to Gothenburg, which is just a 3.5-hour drive from Norway. This option allows you to combine visits to both Sweden and Norway.
Driving to Denmark and Taking the Ferry to Norway
The departure ports in northern Denmark are not exactly close by, but for anyone planning a road trip to Scandinavia, these crossings are highly beneficial. You can also combine these routes with the ones mentioned earlier.
Ferry Destinations from Denmark to Norway
You can choose from several destinations depending on your travel plans:
- Larvik
- Kristiansand
- Oslo
- Bergen
Ferry & Drive via Germany, Denmark, Copenhagen
The route with the least amount of miles on the ferry from the Netherlands to Norway, takes you via Puttgarden in Germany to Rodby in Denmark. This is a short 45-minute ferry that will bring you close to Copenhagen, from where you drive via the Oresund Bridge to Malmö and up north to Norway.
Prices and availability for this crossing
You can use the booking module and select the country of departure to find the crossings to Norway. The most logical place of departure (on the ferry) would be Germany or Denmark.
Additional Information
All ferries to Norway listed above are car ferries as well. Norway can be strict with bringing pets. Other useful information that can be handy especially on longer sailings:
- Bring your passport: Since Brexit, a driver's licence or ID card is no longer sufficient for travel.
- Download entertainment in advance: On longer night crossings, it’s a good idea to download series or movies beforehand, as Wi-Fi on board can be expensive, and roaming in international waters is costly.
- Foot passengers: Not all ferries accept foot passengers, so check ahead.
- Travelling with young kids on a night ferry? We’ve got some helpful tips for travelling with kids here.
- Remember to drive on the right-hand side of the road after disembarking. It can be confusing for the first 10 minutes, but you'll adjust quickly.
- Worried about getting seasick? In this article, you’ll find some tips to help prevent it.
Luggage & Pets
On most ferries, there are no restrictions on the amount of luggage you can reasonably bring. Pets are allowed, but additional fees apply, and they must stay in designated kennels on board. For some destinations, like Norway, pets must meet specific requirements, such as certain vaccinations and a pet passport. You can find country-specific regulations and company policies in this post.
I am planning to drive to Norway from France and wish to take the ferry from Netherland to stravanger or thereabouts what can you offer?