Kristiansand ferry port
Ferries to Kristiansand
Both operators from Hirtshals, the crossing, the terminal and how to get into the city centre.
- Color Line and Fjord Line from Hirtshals
- Crossing from 2 h 25 min to around 3 h 55 min
- Terminal within walking distance of the centre
Ferry tickets
Tickets to Kristiansand
Prices for a car incl. driver, one way
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Route map
Ferry routes from Kristiansand
- Fjord Line
- Color Line
Fjord Line 22 hours 30 minutes
Check prices Color Line 3 hours 15 minutes
Check prices Fjord Line 3 hours 45 minutes
Check prices Fjord Line 7 hours 45 minutes
Check prices Arriving in Kristiansand
Table of Contents
Hirtshals - Kristiansand
Color Line and Fjord Line both sail between Hirtshals and Kristiansand. Color Line operates SuperSpeed 1, with a crossing of around 3 h 15 min. In season Fjord Line runs the Fjord FSTR catamaran, which takes 2 h 25 min. All year round the cruise ferries MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord sail the route in around 3 h 45 min to 3 h 55 min. In peak season Fjord Line offers up to four departures a day. The ship for your crossing is shown with the departure you choose.
For the two terminals and parking in Hirtshals, see Hirtshals Ferry Port on hirtshalskristiansand.com.
Terminal and check-in
In Kristiansand, Color Line and Fjord Line use the ferry terminal at Havnegata 47. Each operator sets its own opening hours, arrival times and parking rules:
| Operator | Terminal open | Be at the terminal | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color Line | 06:00-08:00 and 14:00-16:30 | at least 60 minutes before departure | no parking at the terminal, Parko multi-storey car park around 400 m away |
| Fjord Line | daily 12:30-15:00 and 21:45-22:45 | at least 60 minutes before departure, on board at least 30 minutes before | 30 minutes right at the terminal, paid short-stay parking opposite |
Color Line states that this deadline applies to all passengers, with or without a car. For longer parking, Fjord Line refers you to the multi-storey car parks in the centre. By car you reach the terminal via the E39, following the signs for Denmark.
ID: Color Line requires ID and recommends a passport, because Norway carries out border checks on ferries from Denmark. On Color Line, passengers travelling without a parent or guardian must be at least 16 for a single journey and at least 20 for a day return.
At the terminal: Fjord Line lists no luggage lockers at the terminal. There are toilets on floors 1 and 2, vending machines on floor 2 and a lift. At the counter you can pay in NOK, DKK or EUR, with coins in NOK only; Vipps and MobilePay also work. The nearest cash machine is on Markens gate, around 15 minutes' walk away.
From the terminal into town
The terminal is central, so you can walk into the city centre. The railway station and bus station are also within walking distance; trains to Oslo and Stavanger and long-distance coaches leave from there. There is a taxi rank near the terminal.
If you are driving on, the terminal is close to the E18, E39 and Rv9. Ferde collects tolls at 14 points around Kristiansand. How this works with a foreign number plate, and how the train, coach and airport connect, is explained on the Getting there page.
For your first walk around town, see the pages on Kvadraturen, the grid-plan city centre, and Fiskebrygga on the harbour.
Domestic route to Stavanger and Bergen
Outside the summer, Fjord Line's evening sailing from Hirtshals continues via Kristiansand to Stavanger and Bergen. It leaves Kristiansand at 23:15. This leg is a domestic route, so you do not need a passport. For the full journey it is best to book a cabin.
In the opposite direction the ship does not call at Kristiansand directly. From Bergen and Stavanger it sails to Hirtshals first and only then on to Kristiansand.
Cruise quay
Cruise ships usually berth at Quay 10, the cruise quay on Lagmansholmen. It opened in 2017, and shops open at Pier 10 during the season. The tourist information and taxi booking point are in a covered area right in front of the gate at Pier 10. Ships call all year round, most of them from May to September. The centre, the fish market and the old town are all within walking distance of the quay.
Frequently asked questions
Which ferries sail to Kristiansand and how long is the crossing? +
Color Line and Fjord Line sail from Hirtshals. Color Line's SuperSpeed 1 takes around 3 h 15 min. In season Fjord Line runs the Fjord FSTR catamaran in 2 h 25 min, and all year round MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord, which take around 3 h 45 min to 3 h 55 min.
Can I walk from the ferry terminal into the city centre? +
Yes. The terminal at Havnegata 47 is central, and you can walk to the city centre, the railway station and the bus station. There is a taxi rank near the terminal.
Can I park at the Kristiansand ferry terminal? +
Only briefly. Color Line has no parking at the terminal and points you to the Parko multi-storey car park around 400 metres away. With Fjord Line you may stop right at the terminal for 30 minutes, and there is paid short-stay parking opposite. For longer stays, use one of the multi-storey car parks in the centre.
What ID do I need for the ferry to Kristiansand? +
Color Line requires ID and recommends a passport, because Norway carries out border checks on ferries from Denmark. No passport is needed for Fjord Line's domestic route between Kristiansand, Stavanger and Bergen.
Is there a ferry to Kristiansand from the UK or elsewhere in Europe? +
The only ferries to Kristiansand sail from Hirtshals in Denmark. The Holland Norway Lines route from Eemshaven ended in 2023 when the company went bankrupt. From the UK or the Continent, you therefore reach Kristiansand by ferry via Hirtshals.