Getting to Hirtshals for the Stavanger ferry
Distances, driving times and the rail and air options, worked back from an evening departure.
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Hirtshals is at the northern tip of Jutland. The E45 runs the length of the peninsula as far as Aalborg, where the E39 continues north to the port for the last 58 km. Fjord Line sails from Nordsøterminalen, Containerkajen 4, which is signposted separately from the Color Line terminal on the same harbour.
An evening departure changes the arithmetic. On the short crossings to Larvik and Kristiansand you are often chasing a morning sailing; here you have the day to get there.
Distances and driving times
| From | Distance | By road |
|---|---|---|
| Aalborg | 58 km | approx. 45 min |
| Aarhus | 185 km | approx. 1 hr 45 min |
| Flensburg, German border | 380 km | approx. 3 hrs 30 min |
| Hamburg | 518 km | approx. 5 hrs 15 min |
| Copenhagen | 480 km | approx. 5 hrs, plus the Storebaelt toll |
| Amsterdam | 967 km | approx. 9 hrs |
Distances are approximate, for the shortest road route, checked in August 2026.
By road
The route is straightforward: A7 to Flensburg, then the E45 through Jutland to Aalborg, then the E39 to Hirtshals. Dual carriageway throughout, moderate traffic outside the summer peak, and no tolls on the Danish motorway network.
The one toll on this journey is the Storebaelt bridge, which applies only when approaching from Zealand and Copenhagen rather than through Jutland. Current rates are published by Sund og Baelt.
By air
Aalborg Airport is the nearest, 58 km and about 45 min from the port by road, with connections to several European hubs. Hire cars are available in the terminal.
Without a car it is two legs: the airport shuttle or bus into Aalborg, then the train north via Hjørring to Lilleheden. Allow around 2 hrs for the whole thing rather than the 45 min a car takes, and check the last connection of the day against an evening sailing.
Copenhagen has more connections but is about 480 km away, roughly 5 hrs by road or a long rail journey on top of the flight.
Check that a hire car agreement permits taking the vehicle out of Denmark before travelling; Norway is outside the EU.
By train
Take a train to Hjørring on the main Jutland line, then the Hirtshalsbanen branch for the last 13 km.
| Hjørring to Hirtshals | approx. 22 min |
| Frequency | Roughly hourly, around eight direct services a day |
| Get off at | Lilleheden, the stop before Hirtshals and the closest to Nordsøterminalen |
| Fare | From around DKK 14 for the branch line leg |
| Timetables | rejseplanen.dk covers both the train and the Aalborg buses |
This works as a foot passenger, and on this route arriving without a car is more practical than on most: Kolumbus bus 2 meets you at the other end, every 15 min on weekdays, and runs into Stavanger in about 40 min. See Stavanger port.
Your journey, end to end
From your starting point to Rogaland
By roadBy sea
Aalborg Airport
Direct flights from several European hubs
Hire car or bus northHirtshals
Ferry port, North Jutland
Fjord Line, overnightRisavika
Arrival terminal, Tananger
E39 into the cityStavanger
Or west into Rogaland
Where to break the drive
On journeys over about 6 hrs an overnight stop splits the drive, although the evening departure makes it less necessary than on a morning sailing.
- Aalborg, 58 km from the port. A city with a wide choice of hotels and restaurants, and a 45 min drive north.
- Hirtshals itself. Walking distance from the terminal, but limited rooms in summer.
See Hirtshals port for what to do with the hours before boarding.
Timing the arrival
Work back from the departure time, not forward from home:
- Be at the terminal 60 min before departure, Fjord Line’s stated minimum
- In July and August, allow 90 min, since queues build at check-in
- Allow extra time for the last 58 km on the E39; traffic into Hirtshals can build in the summer peak
Check the departure on your date
Departure times shift with the season, so confirm the sailing before planning the drive.
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Questions people ask
How far is Hirtshals from Hamburg?
About 518 km, roughly 5 hrs 15 min. Take the A7 to Flensburg, then the E45 north through Jutland to Aalborg, then the E39 for the last 58 km.
Are there tolls on the way to Hirtshals?
Not on the Danish motorway network, which is toll free. Approaching from Zealand instead of through Jutland means paying the Storebaelt bridge toll.
What is the nearest airport to Hirtshals?
Aalborg Airport, 58 km and about 45 min from the port by road, with connections to several European hubs. Hire cars are available at the airport.
Can I reach Hirtshals by train?
Yes. Take a train to Hjørring on the main Jutland line, then the Hirtshalsbanen local line, which ends close to the port.
What time do I need to arrive?
For a 20:00 sailing, be at the terminal by 19:00. Check-in opens at 18:00 and boarding closes about 30 min before departure.