Ferry to Iceland

The Norröna sails year-round once a week, more often in the peak season from mid-June to the end of August. The through crossing takes around two days: about 30 hours from Hirtshals to Tórshavn and another 15 hours or so on to Seyðisfjörður. In summer there are two departure patterns from Hirtshals: a fast connection with a short stop in the Faroe Islands, and one with a multi-day stopover where you can explore the islands before continuing. In heavy North Atlantic weather, Smyril Line occasionally diverts to other ports, such as Kollafjørður instead of Tórshavn.

On board the Norröna

Because of the length of the crossing, Smyril Line strongly recommends booking a cabin - the journey takes almost three days in total, and a cabin makes it considerably more comfortable. On board there are inside and outside cabins in various categories, restaurants, bars and observation decks.

Payment on board is in Danish kroner (DKK). All major credit cards are accepted; euro, US dollar and Icelandic krona notes are also taken by the crew (no coins), with change given in kroner. Because onboard internet can be unreliable, it's best to bring a card and some cash. Important: the car deck stays closed during the crossing. Anything you need en route should come out of the vehicle and into the cabin before boarding.

Vehicles, motorhomes and bicycles

The Norröna is a dedicated car ferry: cars, motorhomes, caravans, motorbikes and bicycles all travel along. Standard cars up to about 1.9 metres in height and 5 metres in length, and motorhomes up to around 7 metres in length and 3.5 metres in height, can be booked online; larger vehicles and trailer combinations need to be registered directly with Smyril Line. You provide the dimensions at booking, since they determine the parking space assigned.

To import your vehicle into Iceland you complete the customs form E-9 in advance (temporary import on a foreign registration plate). Temporary import for personal use is duty-free, and the vehicle may stay in the country for up to twelve months. Everything on vehicle dimensions, gas bottles, electric cars and the distance-based road charge in effect since 2026 is covered in the guide Travelling to Iceland by motorhome.

Arrival in Seyðisfjörður and onward travel

The Norröna docks in Seyðisfjörður, a small town in the East Fjords. From there, road 93 crosses the Fjarðarheiði pass for around 27 kilometres to Egilsstaðir and the Ring Road, the route that circles the island - about 30 minutes by car. From Egilsstaðir you can reach both the north and south of Iceland. The pass can be closed in winter due to weather, so plan onward travel with a bit of buffer.

Travelling with a dog

For a holiday in Iceland with a dog, the ferry is practically not an option. Iceland does not allow tourist entry for dogs and cats: every animal counts as an import, needs approval from the authority MAST, several vaccinations plus a titre test, and at least 14 days of quarantine. Smyril Line therefore does not carry pets to Iceland. All the rules, and why this is the case, are explained in the guide Travelling to Iceland with a dog.

Ferries within Iceland

Alongside the North Atlantic route, there are also small ferries within the country itself. The car ferry Baldur connects Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, via the island of Flatey, with Brjánslækur in the Westfjords, saving a long detour by road on the way northwest. The ferry Herjólfur takes you from Landeyjahöfn to the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar), departing from Þorlákshöfn in bad weather. Further connections run to Grímsey on the Arctic Circle (from Dalvík), to Hrísey in Eyjafjörður, and to the car-free island of Viðey in Reykjavík Bay. These ferries are booked with the respective Icelandic operators; in the summer season, booking ahead is worthwhile.