Ferry to Norway from Sweden
One direct crossing, and two ways round through Denmark
Getting to Norway from Sweden by ferry
Sweden and Norway share a long land border, so most people simply drive. The one ferry that makes sense is the Strömstad to Sandefjord crossing on the west coast, sailed by both Color Line and Fjord Line, which cuts across the Oslofjord and lands you an hour and a half south of Oslo.
Map: ferries from Sweden to Norway
About this crossing
Direct ferry: Strömstad to Sandefjord
- Duration: about 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Operators: Color Line and Fjord Line, several departures a day between them.
- Why take it: it saves the drive round the head of the Oslofjord and the Oslo traffic, carries cars, campers and freight, and is a pleasant two hours on the water. It is also used by Norwegians for the cheaper Swedish shopping in Strömstad, which is why it is so frequent.
Alternative routes
- Via Denmark: take the Gothenburg to Frederikshavn ferry, drive the hour to Hirtshals and sail to Kristiansand or another Norwegian port. Only logical if southern Norway or the west coast is your destination.
- Gothenburg to Oslo: this route was suspended in the pandemic and has not come back.
In short
For a direct crossing, Strömstad to Sandefjord is the one. If you want Denmark in the trip, or you are heading for Kristiansand, Stavanger or Bergen, Gothenburg to Frederikshavn followed by Hirtshals to Kristiansand works, and the fares on the second leg are low.
Travelling to Norway from Sweden via Denmark
Going via Denmark sounds like a detour until you look at the map: Hirtshals is a short ferry and an hour’s drive from Gothenburg, and from there four Norwegian ports are within reach.
Route options
- Gothenburg to Frederikshavn, then Hirtshals: ferry across, drive to Hirtshals, sail to Kristiansand, Larvik, Stavanger or Bergen.
- Via the Öresund Bridge: from southern Sweden drive across the bridge to Copenhagen, then north to Hirtshals, or take the Copenhagen to Oslo ship directly.
The two maps below show how Sweden, Denmark and Norway link up by ferry.
On board and ferry route maps
Strömstad is a small seaside town on Sweden’s west coast with a harbour full of leisure boats in summer, an archipelago to explore by kayak or tour boat, and more fish restaurants than its size suggests. Sandefjord, on the Norwegian side, is a former whaling port; the Whaling Museum tells that story well, and the town centre is a compact mix of shops and cafés a short walk from the ferry.
Prices and availability
Enter the crossing and your dates below for live fares and sailing times, for Strömstad to Sandefjord and for the Danish alternatives.
Useful for travellers to Norway
Tips for ferry travellers
