Crossing the fjords quickly and easily - Tips for your ferry trips in Norway
Norway is an elongated country with an extensive coastline and numerous fjords. Ferries are an important part of the Norwegian transport system. There are over 100 ferry connections in Norway, and in western Norway (Vestlandet) in particular, many travellers rely on ferries or express boats to get around.
Foto: VisitNorway.com/Harald Valderhaug
Costs for ferry transport
Many ferry connections can now be used free of charge. Here you can find out which ferry connections are free of charge. For other ferry connections, the general rule is that you can use them free of charge without a car, whereas a toll is charged for crossing with your own vehicle. This means that the vehicle is recorded in the AutoPASS system and its ferry crossing is then automatically billed within the system.
This also means that it is worth taking out a separate contract to pay for ferry tickets before you travel. You can do this here, to conclude a corresponding agreement with which you can benefit from a discount of up to 50% on ferry crossings, and here if you have not concluded an AutoPASS contract and do not wish to receive invoices by post.
The price of a ferry ticket varies depending on the distance travelled, the type of vehicle and the type of contract. On this page you can enter the information required to calculate the fare and thus determine the price for your planned route.
Before your journey
Please note that in the high season, and especially in July, there may be long queues at the ferry terminals on some busy ferry routes. For some ferry connections, it may therefore be advisable to reserve a seat for the crossing in advance. It is not possible to make advance bookings for all routes, but it is advisable to find out about the relevant options when planning your route before travelling.
Process and procedure
Ferry journeys in Norway are uncomplicated. At the ferry terminal, you queue up and board the boat when it's your turn. Most, if not all, ferry services are now equipped with an automatic payment system, so there is no need to have cash or debit card ready, but to benefit from the most favourable fares, it is advisable to register your vehicle in the AutoPASS system or opt for one of the aforementioned payment solutions for ferry crossings.
You also have the option of paying for your ferry crossing before you board. However, this option is not available everywhere and also varies depending on the chosen time of travel. In any case, it is advisable to find out which regulations apply to the ferries you want to use for your tour before you start your journey. You can find a list of all ferry connections in Norway here: https://autopassferje.no/en/ferry-connections/