Bergen is one of Norway’s principal international passenger ferry ports and the main ferry gateway on the country’s west coast. Fjord Line connects Bergen with Stavanger and Hirtshals in Denmark, carrying foot passengers, vehicles and freight throughout the year.
Port overview: International passenger ferries use Jekteviksterminalen close to central Bergen. Fjord Line operates daily on the Bergen-Stavanger-Hirtshals corridor with MS Bergensfjord and MS Stavangerfjord.
Last checked: 7 September 2026.
Current Bergen ferry network
Bergen’s regular passenger ferry network is centred on Fjord Line’s service along the Norwegian west coast and across the North Sea to Denmark. The international route links Bergen with Hirtshals via Stavanger.
Passengers can also book the domestic section between Bergen and Stavanger. This gives the same vessels both an international and domestic passenger transport role.
The Bergen-Hirtshals route operates throughout the year and provides western Norway with a direct vehicle ferry connection to Denmark and continental Europe.
Main passenger ferry routes from Bergen
| Destination | Country | Route type |
|---|---|---|
| Stavanger | Norway | Domestic passenger and vehicle ferry |
| Hirtshals | Denmark | International passenger, vehicle and freight ferry via Stavanger |
Fjord Line also publishes through itineraries involving Kristiansand as part of its wider operating pattern. For the core Bergen passenger network, however, Stavanger and Hirtshals are the principal direct journey markets.
Bergen-Hirtshals ferry
The Bergen-Hirtshals ferry provides a direct maritime connection between western Norway and northern Denmark. The southbound service leaves Bergen, calls at Stavanger and continues overnight across the North Sea to Hirtshals.
In the current timetable, the ferry departs Bergen at 14:00 and arrives in Hirtshals at 08:00 the following morning, giving a scheduled journey time of around 18 hours.
The route operates year-round and carries passengers, cars, motorcycles, motorhomes, caravans and freight.
See also the Hirtshals ferry port guide for the Danish side of the network.
Bergen-Stavanger ferry
Bergen and Stavanger are also connected by the domestic section of Fjord Line’s international route. This allows passengers to use the ferry for travel entirely within Norway.
The current southbound timetable has a 14:00 departure from Bergen and arrival in Stavanger at 19:30. Northbound services leave Stavanger in the morning and arrive in Bergen around 13:00.
The route carries vehicles as well as foot passengers and provides an alternative to driving or flying between the two west coast cities.
Bergen ferry terminal
Fjord Line uses Jekteviksterminalen in Bergen. The terminal is centrally located and can be reached by car, public transport or on foot.
Its location is unusually convenient for a major vehicle ferry terminal, with much of central Bergen within walking distance. Passengers travelling without a car can therefore continue into the city without requiring a long transfer from an outlying port.
The ferry facilities form part of Bergen’s wider Jekteviken and Dokken port area, which also handles substantial freight traffic.
Foot passengers
Foot passengers can travel on Fjord Line’s services from Bergen. Passengers first check in at the terminal counter or self-service machines and then enter the passenger waiting area before boarding via the gangway.
This makes Bergen-Hirtshals accessible without a vehicle as well as to road travellers.
Passengers should check the current check-in deadline and boarding instructions for their individual departure.
Taking a car from Bergen
Cars can be carried on the international and domestic Fjord Line services from Bergen. Motorhomes and caravans can also be booked.
Vehicle transport is particularly important on the Bergen-Hirtshals route because it allows travellers from western Norway to reach Denmark without driving east through Norway and Sweden.
Passengers should enter vehicle dimensions accurately when booking, especially when travelling with motorhomes, caravans, trailers or unusually high vehicles.
MS Bergensfjord and MS Stavangerfjord
Fjord Line operates the Bergen-Stavanger-Hirtshals corridor with the sister ships MS Bergensfjord and MS Stavangerfjord.
The vessels are large cruise ferries designed for overnight passenger journeys as well as vehicle and freight transport. They alternate across Fjord Line’s western Norway network.
Both ships provide cabins, restaurants and other passenger facilities suitable for the long overnight crossing between Norway and Denmark.
Cabins and overnight accommodation
The Bergen-Hirtshals journey is an overnight crossing. Fjord Line requires passengers on the overnight route to reserve either a cabin or an Airseat reclining seat.
Different cabin categories are available, including inside and sea-view accommodation as well as larger premium options.
Passengers should book accommodation together with the crossing, particularly during busy summer and holiday periods.
Onboard facilities
MS Bergensfjord and MS Stavangerfjord provide several food and drink options, including a restaurant, buffet and café. Passenger facilities are designed around the relatively long journey between western Norway and Denmark.
Other facilities include cabins, passenger seating and shopping. The exact availability and opening times of facilities can vary between sailings.
Travelling with pets
Pets can travel on the Bergen-Stavanger-Hirtshals route subject to Fjord Line’s current conditions. Kennel facilities are available on board.
Passengers travelling internationally with animals should check both the ferry company’s requirements and the relevant entry rules for Norway and Denmark before travelling.
Getting to Bergen ferry port
Jekteviksterminalen is close to central Bergen and can be reached by car, bus or on foot. Fjord Line recommends city-centre parking facilities such as Klostergarasjen and City Park for passengers who need parking in Bergen.
Passengers travelling with a vehicle should follow signs and operator instructions for ferry check-in rather than entering the wider commercial port area.
Because the terminal is close to the city centre, foot passengers can combine the ferry with local public transport or reach many central destinations on foot.
Bergen as a gateway to western Norway
Bergen’s ferry role is particularly important because of its location on Norway’s west coast. The Hirtshals connection provides direct access from Denmark for travellers heading towards Bergen, the fjord region and other parts of western Norway.
For road travellers from continental Europe, the route can replace a long drive through Denmark, Sweden and across southern Norway.
Passengers heading towards southern Norway have several alternative ferry gateways, including Kristiansand and Larvik.
Alternative ferries to Norway
Hirtshals has several ferry connections with Norway. In addition to Bergen and Stavanger, direct routes connect the Danish port with Kristiansand and Larvik.
The shorter Hirtshals-Kristiansand and Hirtshals-Larvik crossings can be more suitable for travellers whose destination is in southern or eastern Norway, while Bergen-Hirtshals provides direct access to the west coast.
See the Hirtshals-Kristiansand ferry and Hirtshals-Larvik ferry.
Passenger and freight role
Fjord Line’s Bergen service has an important freight role alongside passenger travel. Bergen Port describes the daily services between Bergen, Stavanger and Hirtshals as an important freight connection between western Norway, Denmark and continental Europe.
The ferries therefore function as year-round transport infrastructure rather than purely seasonal tourist services.
Seasonality and reliability
The Bergen-Stavanger-Hirtshals route operates throughout the year. Passenger demand is generally higher during the main summer travel season, but the route’s passenger, vehicle and freight roles support regular year-round operation.
North Sea weather, maintenance and other operational conditions can affect individual departures. Infrastructure work around Bergen can occasionally result in temporary timetable adjustments.
Passengers should check the current Fjord Line timetable shortly before travelling.
How the Bergen ferry network fits together
Bergen sits at the northern end of Fjord Line’s principal western Norway passenger corridor. From Bergen, the ferry travels south to Stavanger before crossing to Hirtshals in Denmark.
Hirtshals then connects the route with Denmark’s road network and onward travel through Germany and continental Europe. Stavanger provides both an intermediate international port and a domestic connection within Norway.
This makes Bergen one of the key international gateways within the Norwegian ferry network.
Explore ferries from Bergen
- Norway ferries
- Denmark ferries
- Hirtshals ferry port
- Hirtshals-Kristiansand ferry
- Hirtshals-Larvik ferry
- Kristiansand ferry port
- Fjord Line
- Browse ferry routes
- Browse ferry ports
- Browse ferry operators
Sources and verification
Current route status, timetable, passenger access, terminal information and vessel deployment were checked against official Fjord Line and Bergen Port information.
Departure times, crossing times, operating patterns and vessel deployment can change. FerryLines distinguishes active passenger services from seasonal, freight-only, proposed, suspended and discontinued routes.