Norway boasts over 100 ferry connections, with many travelers in western Norway (Vestlandet) relying on ferries or express boats to navigate the region. Experience Norway’s stunning fjords and coastline by ferry.
Several ferry routes connect different parts of the country, and some offer stunning views of the fjords. We have selected some of the most charming crossings in Western Norway.
The ferry MF Hornelen connection Måløy – Husevågøy – Oldeide links Måløy with the island of Husevåg and Bremanger to the south.
Experience the Lysefjord with Kolumbus’ passenger boat and car ferry between Lysebotn, Flørli, Songesand, and Forsand and Lauvvik in Ryfylke. A boat trip through the Lysefjord is an experience that gives long-lasting memories. Glide through the fjord while looking at the steep mountain walls. Pass waterfalls, flocks of copper – also called fjord seals, domesticated goats, and beautiful secluded farms.
By using ferries, you can combine fjord sightseeing with an extra night in Songesand, Flørli, or Lysebotn. Wind down, go hiking, and explore the fjord. Several local tour operators offer organized activities, including hiking, kayaking, sailing, RIB boat trips, and more.
The world’s largest gas-powered ferry, MF Boknafjord, was ordered by Norwegian ferry operator Fjord1 to serve the growing demand to move passengers and cars on the Arsvagen-Mortavika route, which crosses the Boknafjord in Rogaland County, Norway.
Fjord1 has been considered a leader in the gas-powered ferry market since the first LNG-powered ferry, Glutra, which Fjord1 operates, was put into service in 2000. In 2006 and 2007, Fjord1 added five LNG-powered car and passenger ferries to its fleet, and the addition of the MF Boknafjord marks the sixth such ferry for the company. Today, the company’s ferry fleet comprises 63 double-ended car ferries, 13 fast ferries, and other passenger vessels. The carrying capacities of the ships range from 10 to 200, and most journeys are short ferry crossings of 15-60 minutes.
Fjord1 operates the Lavik-Oppedal ferry route and crosses Sognefjorden on European route 39. The crossing takes approximately 20 minutes and is 5.6 kilometers long. Plans are in place for this route to be served by autonomous ferries starting in 2027.
MF Solavågen is a double-ended ferry for Norled delivered by Remontowa Shipyard as B619/2 in 2020. The ferry is a diesel-electric hybrid and is operating at the Festøya-Solavågen connection.
The classic car ferries between Gudvangen and Kaupanger will take you on a journey through some of the most beautiful fjord landscapes in Norway.
You will sail through UNESCO’s World Heritage-listed fjords featuring majestic mountains, wild nature, and idyllic villages.
The ferry from Gudvangen to Kaupanger sails through the narrow, majestic Nærøyfjord. When the snow melts in June, you can see up to 25 waterfalls, including Kjelfossen waterfall in Gudvangen, which has a free fall of 840 meters.
Further on, you will enter the Aurlandsfjord, which is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the end of this fjord, the ferry will sail past the small village of Frønningen. The town has no road connection. The only access is via boat.
This is where people have lived for centuries, and the trip affords the sight of small homesteads clinging to the sides of the steep mountains that plunge into the fjord. The spectacular fjord landscapes are surrounded by mountains, such as Bleia, which reaches up to 1775 meters.
Duration: 2,5 hours one way
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Related: Cruising the Fjord in Norway
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Ferry ride from Sæbø to Leknes. The trip takes about 13 minutes, and it’s free (except for vehicles). The mountain range you can see is known as the Sunnmøre Alps. There are a ton of white-tailed eagles in the area!
Time-lapse Ferry ride from Sæbø to Leknes. The trips takes about 13 minutes, and it's free (except for vehicles). The mountain range you can see is known as the Sunnmøre alps. There are a ton of white-tailed eagles in the area! 🦅
byu/HyperactiveGardener inNorway
The fast boat between Stavanger and Ryfylke is a good option if you want to explore the northern part of Ryfylke without a car.
Arsvågen – Mortavika is the ferry connection between Haugesund and Stavanger, located on the European route E39. It is the company Fjord 1 that normally operates two ferries across the Boknafjorden. The ferry trip takes about 25 minutes. If you miss the ferry, you have 20 minutes to spare. Both in Arsvågen and Mortavika, there is a cafeteria where you can buy some snacks, food, and drinks.
Kvanndal is a nice place to stop between Granvin and Norheimsund. Here, you will find a toilet building and a rest area located near the Hardangerfjord.
From Kvanndal, you can take a ferry to Utne, where you can continue by ferry to Kinsarvik if you want to enjoy a scenic boat trip through the beautiful fjordscape.
The toilet building features a unique roof structure with lights, which lends the building a distinctive appearance in the evening. The building is open year-round.
Take a ferry ride on the Geirangerfjord, one of the most famous fjords in the world! During the comfortable and relaxing boat ride, you will experience cascading waterfalls and mighty mountain cliffs in one of the world’s most famous fjord regions! The ferry ride takes about 1 hour, and you can start from either Geiranger or Hellesylt.
The ferry between Stranda ferjekai and Liabygda ferjekai takes 13 minutes. There is an hourly ferry service from Stranda ferjekai to Liabygda ferjekai. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays.
From Stalheim Hotel to Vik, via the Glacier Museum in Fjærland and back to Stalheim, is a nice day trip. Along the way, you will experience several scenic viewpoints, drive over the beautiful Vikafjellet mountain, and have the opportunity to visit the village of Sogndal.
You take two ferries that allow you to experience the Sognefjord up close. If the weather is clear, you can see parts of the Jostedalsbreen glacier.
The 1034 ferry (Sydnes Via Via Fjelberg-Borgundøy) has four stations departing from Utbjoa Ferjekai and ending at Sydnes Ferjekai.
The crossing between Gjermundshamn and Årsnes takes 20 minutes directly and 40 minutes if the ferry stops at Varaldsøy en route. The Gjermundshamn–Varaldsøy section takes 15 minutes, and the Varaldsøy–Årsnes section takes 25 minutes.
Crossing over the Hardangerfjord offers scenic surroundings. As you travel around the relatively wide fjord, the surrounding mountains extend to around 1500 meters. In the distance, you can see Folgefonna, located behind the hills on the Kvinnherad side of the fjord, on fine days.
Relax on the deck or enjoy some refreshments as you sail past a variety of impressive waterfalls and mighty mountains on the crossing between Hardanger and Hellesylt. If you look up at the mountainsides, you will see small mountain farms clinging onto the cliffs, a place where it is hard to believe that someone would even think of living!
One of the highlights of the trip is the Seven Sisters waterfall. This waterfall got its name because the seven streams of water cascading down the mountainside resemble the hair of seven women.
The local legends in the area are numerous, and their history is on display for you to see and hear, as the tour is guided in several languages. Be sure to have your camera ready, there are several ideal conditions for snapping that perfect holiday picture on the spacious outside deck.
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 a debit card ready, but to benefit from the most favorable 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 varies depending on the chosen travel time. 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/
Experience Norway’s Stunning Fjords and Coastline by Ferry, compiled by Tor Kjolberg