Taking a vehicle on the Hirtshals to Stavanger ferry
What each vehicle class covers, how the fare is worked out, and what to sort before you reach check-in.
Checked
Fjord Line carries cars, motorhomes, caravans, motorcycles and bicycles on this route. The vehicle is charged on top of the per-person fare and is priced by its dimensions as it arrives at check-in.
One rule shapes everything else on an overnight crossing: the vehicle decks are closed at sea. You do not sleep in the motorhome, which is why every passenger books an Airseat or a cabin.
What each type of vehicle costs
| Vehicle | Charged by | Book ahead |
|---|---|---|
| Car | Length and height | Normal lead time outside summer |
| Motorhome | Length and height, quoted separately | Well ahead, spaces are limited |
| Caravan or trailer | Combined length with the towing vehicle | Well ahead |
| Motorcycle | Flat vehicle class, the cheapest | Short lead time is usually fine |
| Bicycle | Cheapest class after foot passage | Short lead time is usually fine |
Maximum height and length on the vehicle deck
| Vehicle | Maximum height | Maximum length |
|---|---|---|
| Car | Within the standard fare class; taller vehicles move up a class | Measured with anything towed |
| Motorhome or caravan | 4.5 m | 6 m, combination included |
| Larger than that | Quoted individually, subject to space | Contact Fjord Line before booking |
Figures published by Fjord Line for the Hirtshals crossings, checked in August 2026. The same two ships run this route and the Kristiansand one, so the deck limits are the same.
With a car
An ordinary saloon, hatchback or estate is straightforward. The points worth knowing:
- The vehicle fare is per car, the crossing fare per person, so a full car costs less per traveller.
- A roof box moves you up a height class. Check before booking rather than at the terminal.
- Fuel is cheaper in Denmark than in Norway, so fill up before boarding. See onward from Stavanger.
With a motorhome or caravan
This route carries a lot of motorhomes, and for good reason: Rogaland and the western fjords are a long drive from any other arrival port.
Measure length and height before you book
Including the bike rack, the roof box and anything on the A-frame. Fjord Line quotes oversized vehicles individually.
Declare the caravan when booking
A caravan arriving on a car booking is charged at the applicable fare at check-in. Declaring it in advance settles the price.
Book the berth at the same time
Cabins and vehicle spaces are separate pools. Both sell out on peak sailings, and you need one of each.
Empty and close the gas
Gas bottles must be closed for the crossing. Check the current rule with Fjord Line before travelling; it is enforced during loading.
With a motorcycle
Motorcycles are the cheapest vehicle class on the route and are not affected by the height limits. They are loaded as a group and secured by the deck crew. On an overnight crossing you also book an Airseat or a cabin, so factor that into the total.
Bring waterproofs for the boarding lanes: the vehicle deck is enclosed but the lanes are not.
Without a vehicle
Foot passengers are carried, and this is one of the few crossings where arriving without a car still works. Bus route 2 stops outside the Risavika terminal and runs into Stavanger city centre. See Stavanger port.
Reaching Hirtshals without a car takes a train to Hjørring and the Hirtshalsbanen local line to the port. See getting to Hirtshals.
Electric vehicles
Norway has one of the densest charging networks in Europe, so range planning on this trip matters more on the Danish and German legs than after you land. Charging is not available on the vehicle decks during the crossing.
Pets
Fjord Line operates pet-friendly cabins and an onboard kennel. Numbers are limited, so add the pet when you book rather than at check-in. Norway’s import rules for animals apply separately from the ferry booking and are stricter, so check both.
What to have ready before you book
Confirm the height, the length, the number of passengers and the berth, in that order. Ferry prices explains what affects the fare and cabins covers the berth.
Quote your vehicle and berth together
Enter your vehicle's actual dimensions and the berth you want, so the quoted fare matches what you are charged at check-in.
You book through our partner. We may receive a commission for this, at no extra cost to you.
Questions people ask
Can I take a motorhome on the Hirtshals to Stavanger ferry?
Yes. Motorhomes and caravans are carried and are quoted separately from cars, by length and height. Oversized vehicle spaces are a smaller pool, so book earlier than you would for a car.
How is the vehicle fare calculated?
By the dimensions of the vehicle as it arrives at check-in, fully loaded. A roof box or a roof-mounted bike rack counts towards the height.
Can I stay in my motorhome during the crossing?
No. The vehicle decks are closed while the ferry is at sea, so everyone books a berth. That is why the fare covers an Airseat or a cabin.
Can I take a bicycle?
Yes. Bicycles are carried and are the cheapest vehicle class after foot passage. They are loaded separately from cars.
Can I bring a dog?
Yes. Fjord Line operates pet-friendly cabins and an onboard kennel. Numbers are limited, so add the pet when you book the crossing.