Faroe Islands ferry
Hirtshals - Tórshavn
Sail with Smyril Line across the North Sea and North Atlantic to the Faroe Islands - one night aboard the Norröna included
- The only ferry link from mainland Europe - the M/S Norröna sails from Hirtshals to the Faroe Islands
- Twice weekly from Hirtshals in high season, crossing takes around 31 hours
- Car, motorhome and motorbike on board - a cabin or couchette is compulsory
Route guide
Hirtshals - Tórshavn ferry at a glance
Table of Contents
Everything about the Hirtshals - Tórshavn route with Smyril Line: getting to the terminal in Hirtshals, check-in times, life on board the Norröna, plus vehicle, pet and onward-travel information for the Faroe Islands.
Getting to the terminal in Hirtshals
The Norröna departs from the ferry terminal in Hirtshals, at Containerkajen 4, 9850 Hirtshals; it's about a 30-minute walk from the town centre. If you're driving, follow the E39 to the last junction before Hirtshals and turn off towards the harbour, following the signposted "Smyril Line" ferry symbol. With a vehicle, head straight to the signposted vehicle check-in at the end of Sigurd Espersens Vej.
Without a car, you can reach Hirtshals easily by train: services run from Aalborg via Hjørring to Hirtshals, taking around 22 minutes from Hjørring. A bus shuttles between the station and the terminal around departure and arrival times, with tickets paid on board. For long-stay parking near the harbour, options include the Hotel Montra Skaga.
Check-in and departure
All passengers must be checked in no later than one hour before departure; boarding usually opens around the same time. Anyone who misses the deadline is treated as a no-show and won't be refunded. In high season, up to 800 vehicles board the ferry, so allow up to an hour's waiting time when loading. Travellers who need assistance should be at check-in two hours before departure.
Since the Faroe Islands are outside the Schengen area, it's best to carry a valid passport. The check-in time that applies to your booking is also printed on your ticket.
On board the Norröna
This is an overnight crossing, so a berth is compulsory: a cabin or couchette must be booked for each leg, and there are no seat-only fares. The Norröna offers several cabin categories, from single cabins to family cabins and suites; the budget option is a six-berth couchette with a shared bathroom, with bed linen available as an optional extra. Five dining venues on board cater for everyone, from a buffet to an à la carte restaurant. To unwind, there are three heated outdoor hot tubs, a sauna, a swimming pool and a gym, plus a small cinema on Deck 5; Wi-Fi is chargeable.
On board, payment is in Danish kroner, though you can also pay with euro, US dollar and Icelandic króna notes (no coins) as well as all major credit cards. You can't exchange currency or withdraw cash on board, so it's worth carrying a second card and a little cash as a backup.
Vehicle, motorhome and pet
Cars, motorbikes and motorhomes travel on the vehicle deck; apply the handbrake before the crossing, as the vehicle deck stays locked while under way. Electric vehicles must be registered at booking, and there's no charging on board. Gas bottles are allowed only in limited numbers and must be switched off, along with their appliances, at sea. For more on travelling by motorhome, see our guide to motorhomes.
Pets travel in a kennel, which must be booked in advance; animals aren't permitted in the cabins. Deck 5 has a designated dog and pet area, where you walk your pet on a lead and are expected to clean up after it. Note that the Faroe Islands have strict import rules - dogs and cats need prior approval from the Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority, and imports are only permitted under limited conditions. Our guide to dogs and pets sums up what applies when travelling with an animal.
Arrival in Tórshavn and onward travel
The Norröna docks in the centrally located harbour of Tórshavn, right in the heart of the Faroese capital. The islands are connected by a well-developed network of roads and tunnels, including several subsea tunnels, and hiring a car locally is straightforward. From Tórshavn you can easily explore much of the archipelago in your own car or a hire car.
If you're not staying in the Faroe Islands but continuing on to Iceland, simply stay on board: the Norröna sails on from Tórshavn to Seyðisfjörður. Our page on the through crossing Hirtshals - Seyðisfjörður covers that route.
Tickets and fares
Smyril Line doesn't publish fixed fares; what your crossing costs is shown in the booking window for your travel date. The price depends on the season, the cabin or couchette category, and your vehicle - and because a berth is compulsory, accommodation is always included in the ticket. You'll generally pay less by booking early and travelling outside high season.
In high season the Norröna sails twice a week from Hirtshals, and once a week in the shoulder and winter seasons; exact departures are listed in the timetable.
Hirtshals - Tórshavn
The only ferry route from Denmark to the Faroe Islands
The Hirtshals - Tórshavn route is the only ferry link from mainland Europe to the Faroe Islands. The M/S Norröna, operated by Smyril Line, crosses the North Sea and North Atlantic from northern Jutland to the Faroese capital: in high season it sails twice a week, and once a week in the shoulder and winter seasons. Depending on season and rotation, the crossing itself takes around 31 to 40 hours, so at least one night on board is unavoidable - which is why a cabin or couchette is compulsory.
On board the Norröna you will find several restaurants, heated outdoor hot tubs, a sauna, a swimming pool and a cinema. Cars, motorhomes and motorbikes travel on the vehicle deck. In Tórshavn the ferry docks in the town-centre harbour, from where a network of roads and subsea tunnels connects the rest of the islands. If you are continuing on to Iceland, simply stay on board until Seyðisfjörður.
- Crossing time
- approx. 31-40 hrs
- Operator
- Smyril Line
- Frequency
- up to 2× per week
Next departures
Hirtshals - Tórshavn
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Smyril Line Hirtshals - Tórshavn ferry
How long does the crossing from Hirtshals to Tórshavn take? +
Depending on season and rotation, the crossing from Hirtshals to Tórshavn takes around 31 to 40 hours. In high season (June to early September) the Norröna is at its fastest, reaching the Faroe Islands in about 31 hours; in the shoulder and winter seasons, when the ferry sails only once a week, the passage takes longer.
Because there is at least one night between departure and arrival, a cabin or couchette must be booked for each leg. If you are travelling all the way through to Iceland, budget around two days in total from Hirtshals.
How often does the ferry sail, and on which days? Where can I find the timetable? +
In high season, from June to early September, the Norröna sails twice a week from Hirtshals; in the shoulder and winter seasons it sails once a week. The exact departure days and times shift with the season, so it's worth checking the current timetable before booking.
Since this is the only link to the Faroe Islands and space for vehicles and cabins is limited, it's best to book early in high season.
How much does the Hirtshals - Tórshavn ferry cost? +
Smyril Line doesn't publish fixed fares. What your crossing costs is shown in the booking window for your specific travel date. The price depends on the season, the cabin or couchette category you choose, and your vehicle.
Because a berth is compulsory on this overnight crossing, accommodation is always included in the ticket - there are no seat-only fares. You'll generally pay less by booking early and travelling outside high season. What makes up the price is explained under Prices for the Ferry to Iceland.
Do I need a cabin, or are there seats? +
Yes, you need a berth. On the Norröna, a cabin or couchette must be booked for each leg of the journey - there are no seat-only tickets. Several categories are available, from single cabins to family cabins and suites.
The cheapest option is a six-berth couchette with a shared bathroom; bed linen can be added for an extra fee. For the overnight crossing, a private cabin is the most comfortable way to arrive rested in the Faroe Islands.
Can I bring my car or motorhome? +
Yes, cars, motorbikes and motorhomes travel on the vehicle deck. Apply the handbrake before the crossing, as the vehicle deck is locked and inaccessible while under way. Electric vehicles must be registered at booking; there is no charging on board, and gas bottles are permitted only in limited numbers and must be switched off.
For details on travelling by motorhome - from the parking spot on board to onward travel - see our guide to motorhomes.
Can I bring my pet on board? +
Pets travel in a kennel, which must be booked in advance; animals are not allowed in the cabins. Deck 5 has a designated dog and pet area where you can walk your pet on a lead and are expected to clean up after it.
Note that the Faroe Islands have strict import rules. Dogs and cats need prior approval from the Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority, and imports are only permitted under limited conditions. Our guide to dogs and pets sums up what applies when travelling with an animal.