Ferry company
Smyril Line
The company behind the Norröna - history, ship, check-in and rules for vehicles and pets at a glance.
- Founded in 1982 by ship's officers in the Faroe Islands, headquartered in Tórshavn
- One ship, one line: the M/S Norröna between Hirtshals, Tórshavn and Seyðisfjörður
- Check-in in Hirtshals: one hour before departure for foot passengers, 90 minutes with a vehicle
About Smyril Line
Table of Contents
About Smyril Line
Smyril Line is a Faroese ferry company headquartered in Tórshavn. It was founded in 1982 by ship's officers who had worked on the ferry M/F Smyril; they bought the ferry Gustav Vasa, built in 1973, renamed her Norröna and launched services between the Faroe Islands and Denmark in 1983. The largest shareholder today is the company P/F 12.11.11, with the Faroese government also holding a stake. Alongside passenger services, the company runs its own freight division, Smyril Line Cargo, with three cargo vessels.
The company specialises in a single route: the North Atlantic crossing linking Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Iceland. That makes it the only way to bring your own vehicle to Iceland by sea.
The ship: M/S Norröna
The current Norröna was built at the Flender shipyard in Lübeck and made her maiden voyage to the Faroe Islands in 2003. She is around 166 metres long and 30 metres wide, measuring 36,976 GT, and offers 366 cabins plus 30 couchette compartments - from a bunk in a shared, single-sex compartment up to a suite. Over winter 2020/21 the ship was refitted at the Fayard yard in Munkebo and has been back in service since March 2021.
On board there are three restaurants - the buffet Skansagarður, Munkastova and the cafeteria Nóatún - plus two cafés, a duty-free shop, a small cinema, a gym, sauna and pool, and three heated whirlpools on deck warmed by the engine's waste heat. Children have a playroom and games consoles, and internet access can be bought at reception.
Routes on this page
Smyril Line sails from March to November, usually once a week and twice a week in summer. The through crossing Hirtshals - Seyðisfjörður is booked as a single ticket and takes around two days depending on season. If you're planning a Faroese stopover, combine the legs Hirtshals - Tórshavn and Tórshavn - Seyðisfjörður. All departures are listed in the timetable.
Check-in, vehicles and pets
In Hirtshals the Norröna docks at the ferry terminal on the container quay. Foot passengers must have checked in by one hour before departure, and with a vehicle you should be at the terminal at least 90 minutes beforehand: at peak season the ship loads up to 800 vehicles, and queuing at the quay can take up to an hour. You'll need a passport or national ID card for Iceland.
Cars, motorbikes, motorhomes and caravans are carried; the fare depends on length and height. Electric cars must be declared at booking, and charging on board isn't permitted. Camping gas is limited to three cylinders totalling 47 kilograms and must be declared at check-in. Pets can't enter Iceland; on the Faroese legs they travel in numbered cages on deck, booked along with the ticket. The guides Taking a motorhome to Iceland and Taking a dog to Iceland go into detail.
Tickets and currency on board
On the multi-day crossing Smyril Line doesn't sell plain seats - every traveller books a berth, from a couchette bunk up to a suite. Payment on board is in Danish kroner; major credit cards are accepted, and cash only in euro, US dollar and Icelandic krona notes. What the crossing costs depends on season, cabin category, vehicle size and number of passengers; the booking window shows the amount for your travel date, and the fare overview explains how it's worked out.
FAQ Smyril Line
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about Smyril Line and the ferry to Iceland
Which routes does Smyril Line run to Iceland?+
Just one, bookable in three legs. The Norröna sails from Hirtshals in Denmark via Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands to Seyðisfjörður in eastern Iceland. This page covers the through crossing Hirtshals - Seyðisfjörður as well as the legs Hirtshals - Tórshavn and Tórshavn - Seyðisfjörður.
Which ship does Smyril Line use?+
The M/S Norröna, built in 2003 at the Flender shipyard in Lübeck and refitted in Denmark over winter 2020/21. It's about 166 metres long with 366 cabins and 30 couchette compartments; restaurants, cafés, whirlpools on deck, a gym, a cinema and a duty-free shop are on board.
When do I need to check in?+
Foot passengers must have checked in by one hour before departure, and with a vehicle you should be at the terminal at least 90 minutes beforehand. At peak season the Norröna loads up to 800 vehicles, and queuing at the quay can take up to an hour.
Can I travel with a car or motorhome?+
Yes, the Norröna is a car ferry and carries cars, motorbikes, motorhomes and caravans. Electric cars must be declared at booking, and charging on board isn't allowed; camping gas is limited to three cylinders totalling 47 kilograms and must be declared at check-in. More in the guide Taking a motorhome to Iceland.
Does Smyril Line carry pets?+
Not to Iceland - Iceland doesn't allow tourist entry with dogs or cats. On the Faroese legs, animals travel in numbered cages on deck, booked along with the ticket. Entry rules are summarised in the guide Taking a dog to Iceland.
Where do I find the timetable and prices?+
Departures are listed in the timetable; the Norröna sails from March to November, weekly and twice a week in summer. The price depends on season, cabin category, vehicle and number of passengers - the fare overview explains what makes up the price, and the booking window shows the amount for your travel date.