Travelling to Norway without a car? As a foot passenger, the ferry from Hirtshals to Kristiansand is the cheapest way to cross, and on the Norwegian side you arrive right next to the train and bus station. On this page you will find how to get to the terminals, how check-in works and how much luggage you can bring.
Quick overview
- Operators: Fjord Line and Color Line both carry foot passengers.
- Check-in: no later than 60 minutes before departure, in the terminal.
- Luggage: with Fjord Line you bring no more than you can carry yourself in one go.
- In Kristiansand: the train and bus station is about 50 to 200 metres from the terminals.
- In Hirtshals: the Color Line terminal is closer to the station than the Fjord Line terminal.
Which ferry to choose without a car?
| Ship | Operator | Crossing time | Sails |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fjord FSTR (catamaran) | Fjord Line | approx. 2 hrs 25 min | 2026: 27 March to 20 September |
| SuperSpeed 1 | Color Line | approx. 3 hrs 15 min | all year |
| MS Stavangerfjord / MS Bergensfjord | Fjord Line | approx. 3 hrs 45 min to 3 hrs 55 min | all year |
As a foot passenger, it’s not just the crossing time that counts, but also how easily you can reach the terminal. In Hirtshals the bus station is about 10 minutes’ walk from the Color Line terminal. The Fjord Line terminal is further out, 35 to 40 minutes’ walk from the town centre. You will find current departure times in the Hirtshals Kristiansand timetable.
Our tip: travelling as a foot passenger is often the cheapest option, but on some ships a seat or lounge has to be booked separately. So compare the total price per sailing, including the extras you want. Compare sailings without a car →
Getting to the terminal in Hirtshals
- Color Line: the terminal is on Norgeskajen. Hirtshals Banegård bus station is about 10 minutes’ walk away.
- Fjord Line: the North Sea Terminal (Containerkajen 4) is 35 to 40 minutes’ walk from the town centre. The nearest station is Lilleheden. On the Lilleheden-Hjørring line, tickets can only be bought by credit card. Fjord Line also runs a bus between Hirtshals station and the port.
- Taxi: for very early or late sailings, plan for a taxi if public transport doesn’t connect.
More about the terminals: Color Line Terminal Hirtshals and Fjord Line Terminal Hirtshals.
Check-in and boarding
With both operators you check in at the terminal no later than 60 minutes before departure. Bring a valid passport or ID card, as there is an ID check on arrival in Norway.
- Fjord FSTR in Hirtshals: after check-in you wait in the waiting lounge. After an announcement, a bus takes you to the ship’s gangway. You can leave your luggage on a luggage trolley outside the terminal; Fjord Line takes it to the gangway, where you collect it again.
- MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord: you check in at the desk or a machine, scan your boarding card at the gates and walk on board via the gangway.
- Color Line SuperSpeed 1: you check in at the terminal and board when boarding is announced.
Luggage on board
With Fjord Line, foot passengers bring no more luggage than they can carry in one go. On the FSTR there are free luggage shelves midship, where your belongings are at your own risk. On MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord there is a free luggage room next to the reception on deck 7. On the Color Line SuperSpeed 1 there are luggage lockers on board.
Arriving in Kristiansand
In Kristiansand, foot passengers are on their way quickly. With Fjord Line the bus and train station is about 50 metres from the terminal. With Color Line, trains, buses and the taxi rank are 50 to 200 metres from the port. From Kristiansand you continue by train on the Sørlandsbanen line towards Oslo or Stavanger. Read more about the port on our page Kristiansand Port.
Leaving your car in Hirtshals
Driving to Hirtshals and crossing without your car? Parking near the Fjord Line terminal is limited and cannot be booked in advance. Fjord Line mentions Hotel Skagas’ car park as an alternative, at DKK 75 per day or DKK 300 per week; ask at the reception. Parking rates may change.
Our tip: arriving by train for an early morning sailing? Stay the night at a hotel in Hirtshals, so you don’t depend on the first train and can check in without stress.
Frequently asked questions about travelling without a car
Which terminal is closest to the station in Hirtshals?
The Color Line terminal. Hirtshals Banegård bus station is about 10 minutes’ walk away. For the Fjord Line terminal, Lilleheden is the nearest station.
How much luggage can I bring as a foot passenger?
With Fjord Line, as much as you can carry yourself in one go. Anything more counts as freight and has to be booked separately.
Do I need to book a seat?
You don’t have to, but on some ships you can add a reserved seat or lounge access. That can be nice in high season.
Where can I see the current price as a foot passenger?
Enter your date and number of passengers when booking, without a vehicle. That shows the real price for your sailing. Check the price without a car →
Rules and timetables can change. Always check the latest information on the websites of Color Line and Fjord Line before you travel.