Ferries from Hirtshals to Kristiansand
Select departure from Denmark to compare the crossings to Kristiansand
Ferries to Kristiansand
Kristiansand sits at the southern tip of Norway and is the country’s busiest ferry gateway after Oslo. Every ferry into Kristiansand now comes from Hirtshals in Denmark; the direct ship from the Netherlands, Eemshaven to Kristiansand, stopped when its operator went bankrupt in 2023. This page covers the Hirtshals crossings, how Fjord Line and Color Line compare, and the alternatives if Kristiansand is one stop on a longer Norway trip.
Map: ferries to Norway and the Kristiansand routes
The map shows the crossings and the companies that sail them. Hirtshals is at the very top of Denmark, Kristiansand at the very bottom of Norway; the ferry bridges the Skagerrak between them in a little over two hours.
All ferries and routes to Kristiansand
There is no ferry from the UK. The ferries into Kristiansand sail from Hirtshals; the alternative is Kiel to Oslo from Germany followed by a four to five hour drive down the coast. Both are compared below.
Direct sailings: Hirtshals to Kristiansand
With a car, camper or caravan, Hirtshals is the direct way in. Two companies sail the route: Fjord Line with a fast catamaran and a conventional ship, Color Line with the SuperSpeed.
| Operator | Route | Vessel type | Crossing time | Sailings per day | Vehicles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fjord Line, Fjord FSTR | Hirtshals to Kristiansand | High-speed catamaran | 2h 25m (approx.), March to September | Up to 2 to 3 (seasonal) | Cars, campers, caravans | Fastest option to Kristiansand |
| Color Line, SuperSpeed | Hirtshals to Kristiansand | Fast ferry | 3h 15m (approx.) | Up to 2, all year | Cars, campers, caravans | Bigger ship, steadier ride |
In peak summer there are often four or more departures a day between the two operators.
Alternative: the Kiel to Oslo cruise ferry
Prefer a longer, lazier crossing? The Kiel to Oslo ship is not Kristiansand, but for many drivers from the continent it is the logical way into Norway: an overnight sailing with a cabin, restaurants and plenty on board, then roughly four and a half to five hours from Oslo to Kristiansand along the coast. We have not sailed it ourselves yet; my brother has, many times, and keeps going back. It works well as the outbound leg with Kristiansand to Hirtshals as the way home.
Other ways into Norway
If Kristiansand is not your only destination, Norway has other ferry gateways:
- Ferries to Oslo: daily from Kiel and from Copenhagen.
- Hirtshals to Larvik, Stavanger or Bergen: the same Danish port, different Norwegian landings.
- From the UK: sail to the Netherlands, then drive through Germany and Denmark to Hirtshals; the UK to Norway guide has the whole journey with prices.
In short
Hirtshals to Kristiansand is the simplest and fastest way into southern Norway. Fjord Line’s catamaran is the quickest, Color Line’s SuperSpeed the roomiest, and both land you in the centre of Kristiansand with the E39 and E18 on the doorstep.
On board and ferry route maps
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- Kiel to Oslo route
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- Color Line ferry to Norway
Planning tips for Kristiansand
- Driving from the UK: Hull to Rotterdam or Harwich to Hook of Holland, then about ten hours through Germany and Denmark to Hirtshals. Most people break the drive in northern Germany.
- Book early: summer sailings sell fast; three to six months ahead is sensible for July and August with a car.
- Cabins or seats: the crossing is short, so a reserved seat or no seat at all is fine; save the cabin money for Norway.
Prices and availability
Enter Hirtshals to Kristiansand and your dates below for live fares, sailing times and the alternatives.
Fjord Line or Color Line?
Both run comfortable ships on the route. The fast ferry costs a little more and cuts the crossing by about an hour, which makes it the quickest way to southern Norway; the conventional ships give you more space and a proper meal. On a short hop with children the hour saved usually wins.
Useful for travellers to Norway
Tips for ferry travellers
