Onward from Stavanger: distances, tolls and fuel
Where you can reach from Risavika, what the roads cost, and the two Norwegian charges that start at the terminal gate.
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From the gate at Risavika you are already in Rogaland. Stavanger is 12 km, Preikestolen about 45 km, and the fjords of the southwest start within the hour.
Two costs apply on the Norwegian side. Road tolls are charged automatically by number plate, with no barriers, and the registration options differ substantially in price. Fuel costs more than in Denmark, so filling up in Hirtshals before boarding is usually cheaper.
Distances from Risavika
| Destination | Distance | By road |
|---|---|---|
| Stavanger centre | 12 km | approx. 20 min |
| Sola airport | 8 km | approx. 12 min |
| Preikestolen car park | approx. 45 km | approx. 1 hr, including the tunnel |
| Haugesund | approx. 80 km | approx. 1 hr 15 min |
| Bergen | approx. 210 km | Considerably longer than the distance suggests |
| Kristiansand | approx. 240 km | approx. 3 hrs 30 min on the E39 |
| Oslo | approx. 550 km | A full day |
Distances are approximate, for the shortest road route, checked in August 2026.
Preikestolen and the Lysefjord
The best known destination in the region, and the reason many travellers choose this crossing.
The Ryfylke tunnel links the Stavanger side to Ryfylke and shortens the approach considerably compared with the old ferry route. It is tolled, like most of the main road network here.
| Distance from Risavika | approx. 45 km, around 1 hr including the Ryfylke tunnel |
| The hike | 8 km return, roughly 4 hrs |
| Elevation gain | approx. 500 m, steep in places rather than technical |
| Parking | NOK 250, paid as you leave the car park |
| At the trailhead | Toilets, and Preikestolen Basecamp with a cafe, restaurant, equipment hire and beds |
| Visitor numbers | Over 300,000 a year, concentrated in July and August |
Arriving on the 07:00 ferry means you can be at the trailhead well before the day visitors from Stavanger, which on a July morning is the difference between a queue on the narrow sections and an empty path. Figures checked in August 2026.
Road tolls for a foreign vehicle
You will pass a toll point within minutes of leaving the terminal. There is nothing to stop for and nothing to pay at the time, so the charge is easy to miss until the invoice arrives.
| Option | How it works | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Do nothing | An invoice follows by post to the registered keeper | A number-plate lookup fee is added per charge, and the default rate applies |
| Register with Epass24 | Link the plate and a payment card in advance, free of charge | No lookup fee, and the correct rate for your vehicle’s emissions class |
| AutoPASS visitor chip | Ordered before the trip and fitted to the windscreen | Around 20 percent off each passage for ordinary cars, on top of the Epass24 benefits |
Two rules limit what you can run up in a day:
- The hourly rule. Within any 60 minute window you are charged once per toll ring, however many points you pass. Driving in and out of Stavanger twice in an hour costs one passage, not two.
- The monthly cap. A single vehicle pays no more than a set amount per toll ring in a calendar month.
The rates, the discount levels and the exact terms are set by the Norwegian authorities and change. Check the current position before travelling rather than relying on a figure published here.
Fuel
Fuel costs more in Norway than in Denmark. The practical consequence is simple:
- Fill up in Hirtshals before boarding the outbound sailing
- On the return leg, fill up in Denmark after arriving rather than in Norway before departure
Filling stations are on the approach into Hirtshals rather than at the terminal itself.
The coast road north
The E39 runs north from Stavanger towards Haugesund and eventually Bergen, crossing fjords by bridge, tunnel and ferry. It is the main route, and the fjord crossings are what make the time longer than the distance.
Somewhere to stay
An 07:00 arrival gives a full day, but a bed in the region is worth booking ahead in summer.
Places to stay in Rogaland
Accommodation in and around Tananger, close to the terminal and to Sola airport.
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Planning the return
The return sailing leaves Risavika in the evening and reaches Hirtshals at 08:00. Two practical notes: fuel is cheaper in Denmark, and the number of departures varies by season, so check the timetable for your return date rather than assuming it mirrors the outbound.
Book the return leg
Booking both legs together is worth doing once the return date is known, since frequency varies by season.
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Questions people ask
How far is Preikestolen from the ferry terminal?
About 45 km from Risavika to the Preikestolen car park, allowing roughly an hour including the Ryfylke tunnel. The hike itself is a further 4 hrs return.
How do Norwegian road tolls work for a foreign car?
Automatically, by number plate, with no barriers. You either wait for an invoice with a lookup fee, register the plate with Epass24, or order an AutoPASS visitor chip in advance.
Is fuel more expensive in Norway?
Yes, noticeably more than in Denmark, so filling up in Hirtshals before boarding is usually cheaper. Fill up in Denmark again on the return leg.
How far is Bergen from Stavanger by road?
Roughly 210 km, but the drive takes far longer than the distance suggests because of the fjord crossings. If Bergen is the destination, staying on the ferry is usually faster.
How far is Oslo from Risavika?
Around 550 km, a full day of driving. For Oslo, the crossing to Larvik is the sensible one; it lands you 135 km away.