Is there a ferry from the Netherlands to Norway?
Why the Dutch route stopped, the options via Germany and Denmark, and plans for 2027.
Short answer
As of October 2026 there is no direct passenger ferry from the Netherlands to Norway, since Holland Norway Lines, which sailed from Eemshaven to Kristiansand, went bankrupt in 2023. Ferries to Norway sail from Denmark, Sweden and Germany, such as Color Line from Kiel to Oslo. Njordic Ferry Lines plans daily sailings from Eemshaven to Arendal from 2027.
Why
- Visit Norway lists regular ferry routes to Norway from Denmark, Sweden and Germany, and none from the Netherlands.
- A Dutch court declared Holland Norway Lines bankrupt on 4 September 2023, after its ferry service to Kristiansand had been shut down.
- Color Line sails daily at 14:00 from both Kiel and Oslo and arrives at 10:00 the next morning.
Details
From the Netherlands you can drive through Germany to Kiel, or carry on to Denmark, where car ferries sail daily to several Norwegian ports. Go Nordic Cruiseline also sails overnight between Copenhagen and Oslo. DFDS runs daily overnight crossings from IJmuiden near Amsterdam, but to Newcastle in England, not to Norway.
Tip
If you drive from the Netherlands, decide first whether you want to arrive in Oslo or on the south or west coast, and then pick the German or Danish crossing that fits.
What may differ
Njordic Ferry Lines said in September 2025 that it aims to sail daily to Arendal from early 2027, but a fixed berth in Eemshaven was still being studied. Check the company's news before you plan around it.
Common misconception
There is a ferry from Amsterdam to Oslo.
What actually happens
The ferry from IJmuiden near Amsterdam goes to Newcastle in England. To reach Oslo by ferry from the Netherlands you first drive to Germany or Denmark.
People also ask
- Is there a ferry from Amsterdam to Oslo?
Sources
- Visit Norway: Getting to NorwayChecked at:
- NL Times: Holland Norway Lines declared bankruptChecked at:
- Hart van Nederland: Ferry from Eemshaven to ArendalChecked at:
- Color Line: Kiel to OsloChecked at:
- DFDS: Gateway to ScandinaviaChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Ferry routes can change, so check the ferry companies before you travel.
The most convenient routes to NorwayRelated questions
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How long does it take to drive from Bergen to Trondheim?
The fastest drive between Bergen and Trondheim, on the E16 and E6 via Voss and Dovrefjell, takes about 10 hours, according to Visit Bergen.
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Where does the airport bus (Flybussen) stop in Bergen, and how much does it cost?
Flybussen leaves Bergen Airport from stop A3 and has six city centre stops, including Festplassen, and an adult ticket costs NOK 189 online or NOK 220 on board.
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Is there an express boat from Bodø to Svolvær?
Yes, the NEX 2 express boat, route 23-755, sails between Bodø and Svolvær and takes about three hours each way.
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Is there a free shopping bus from Oslo to Sweden (Nordby, Svinesund)?
Nordby Shoppingcenter's own travel page lists no free bus from Oslo and suggests the train from Oslo S to Halden, then bus line 111 to the centre.