Scandinavian ferry routes: which countries are linked by ferries?

The Scandinavian countries are connected by a number of ferry routes. So it’s definitely worth considering the waterways when you travel around Scandinavia.

Color Line ferry in Kristiansand by Arsenikk (CC)

Taking the ferry is a unique travel experience which might well save you long hours on the road – and you can still bring your car along.

The busiest routes are between Denmark and Norway and between Denmark and the west coast of Sweden, even though the latter is also connected by the mighty Øresund Bridge, which connects Copenhagen with Malmö.

Sweden and Finland are linked by ferries across the Baltic Sea, and although the Stockholm to Helsinki journey is rather long, it’s more memorable than the short flight between these capitals.

As well as simply getting you from A to B, several of these Scandinavian ferry routes are popular for day trips and mini cruises. It’s a pleasant way to enjoy the open sea, some good food and drink, and do a bit of onboard shopping.

Here’s an overview of the routes, their frequencies, journey times and fares. Our guide includes the daily international routes only.

Scandinavian ferry fares

The fares for individual routes vary a lot depending on the season, how far in advance you book, how many people you travel with and what kind of vehicle you have.

Check each company’s website for seasonal and special offers plus savings on return tickets. Note that some routes are serviced by more than one company.

All the prices quoted here are for the cheapest single adult ticket (walk-on), plus a single ticket for a car including up to four adults. To make it easier, we’ve listed all prices in Euros.

Ferries between Denmark and Norway
Ferries between Denmark and Sweden
Ferries between Sweden and Norway
Ferries between Sweden and Finland

Ferry routes between Denmark and Norway

There are several routes between Northern Denmark and the southern and western parts of Norway. The Danish town of Hirtshals is a busy hub for several ferries linking Denmark to a handful of cities on the Norwegian coast.

Some of these ferries travel overnight where booking a cabin can be optional or mandatory. Also be aware that in rough weather conditions, these routes are vulnerable to cancellations.

Frederikshavn to Oslo

Company: Stena Line

Frequency: 1 daily

Journey time: 9–12 hours (overnight)

Price: adult from €20; car from €82

Notes: Cabins can be booked, but are not compulsory

Tickets: www.stenalinetravel.com/ferry-to-scandinavia

Hirtshals to Larvik

Company: Color Line

Frequency: 2 daily

Journey time: Approx. 3hr 45min

Price level: adult from €28; car from €132

Notes: Seats can be booked individually.

Tickets: www.colorline.com

Color Line ferry from Denmark to Norway / Olof Lagerkvist (CC)

Hirtshals to Kristiansand

Company: Color Line

Frequency: 2 daily

Journey time: Approx. 3hr 15min

Price level: adult from €28; car from €132

Notes: Seats can be booked individually.

Tickets: www.colorline.com

Hirtshals to Kristiansand

Company: Fjord Line

Frequency: 1 daily

Journey time: Approx. 2hr 15min

Price level: adult from €21; car from €131

Notes: Seats can be booked individually.

Tickets: www.fjordline.com/en

Hirtshals – Stavager – Bergen

Company: Fjord Line

Frequency: 1 daily

Journey time: Approx. 11hr 30min between Hirtshals and Stavanger (overnight), plus 7hr 45min between Stavanger and Bergen.

Price level: Hirtshals to Stavangeradult from €36; car from €162 (seats or cabin extra). Stavanger to Bergenadult from €36; car from €162 (seats or cabin extra).

Notes: Booking a seat or a cabin is compulsory (packages available).

Tickets: www.fjordline.com/en

Hirtshals to Langesund

Company: Fjord Line

Frequency: 1 daily

Journey time: Approx. 4hr 30min

Price level: adult from €21; car from €131

Notes: Seats or a cabin can be added on but are not compulsory for this journey.

Tickets: www.fjordline.com/en

Copenhagen to Oslo

Company: DFDS Seaways

Frequency: 1 daily

Journey time: Approx. 17hr 45min (overnight)

Price level: adult from €105 (including cabin); car from €133.

Notes: Booking a cabin is mandatory. This route can also be done as a mini cruise.

Tickets: www.dfds.com/en

Ferry routes between Denmark and Sweden

The number of ferries between Denmark and Sweden decreased dramatically when the Øresund Bridge was built linking the two countries.

Still, the northern routes between Jutland and Gothenburg are going strong, as is the short 20-minute crossing between Helsingør (Elsinore) and Helsingborg.

Ferry links also run between the isolated Danish island of Bornholm and Southern Sweden.

Frederikshavn to Göteborg

Company: Stena Line

Frequency: Up to 6 daily

Journey time: Approx. 3hr 30min

Price level: adult from €17; car from €60

Notes: Reclining seats and cabins can also be booked depending on the ferry.

Tickets: www.stenalinetravel.com/ferry-to-scandinavia

Grenå to Varberg

Company: Stena Line

Frequency: 2 daily

Journey time: 4–5hr

Price level: adult from €15; car from €61

Notes: Reclining seats and cabins can be added on.

Tickets: www.stenalinetravel.com/ferry-to-scandinavia

Helsingør to Helsingborg

Helsingborg from the ferry, Denmark — Helsingborg from the ferry / Guillaume Baviere (CC)

Company: ForSea

Frequency: Several times an hour 24hr a day (less frequent at night)

Journey time: 20min

Price level: adult from €6; car from €46

Notes: The car fare is only available for online bookings.

Tickets: www.forsea.dk

Rønne to Ystad

Company: Bornholmslinjen

Frequency: Up to 4 daily

Journey time: 1hr 20min

Price level: adult from €7; car from €27

Notes: Electric cars can be charged for €14

Tickets: www.bornholmslinjen.com

Ferry routes between Sweden and Norway

There’s only one major ferry connection between Sweden and Norway. It’s a relatively short journey linking the cities of Strömstad and Sandefjord.

Two companies operate on this route, which is a popular day trip for both Swedes and Norwegians.

Strömstad to Sandefjord

Company: Fjord Line

Frequency: 2 daily

Journey time: 2hr 30min

Price level: adult from €5; car from €25

Tickets: www.fjordline.com/en

Strömstad to Sandefjord

Company: Color Line

Frequency: 4 daily

Journey time: 2hr 30min

Price level: adult from €4; car from €30

Tickets: www.colorline.com/

Ferry routes between Sweden and Finland

Crossing the Baltic Sea, the overnight ferries between Sweden and Finland make a good alternative to flying. In addition, Sweden to Helsinki (and vice versa) is a popular mini cruise route.

Ferries on this route stopover at the semi-autonomous Åland Islands, which are Swedish-speaking but belong to Finland.

Much further north, the cities of Umeå and Vaasa are linked across the Gulf of Bothnia by one daily ferry from each side.