Ferry life hacks: how to cross fjords and not overpay
Why take a ferry?
Norway is a country where roads often end at the water's edge. Ferries are floating bridges. They can be used for short trips within the province, tourist cruises in fjords and international ferries. According to statistics from Statens Vegvesen, 20 million passengers and 8 million cars use them every year. But flights are expensive, and tickets for popular routes in summer sell out weeks in advance. Here are some tips to help you save money for brown cheese and souvenirs.
🚢 A brief guide to operators
| Segment | Main lines | Special feature | When to book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car ferry | Fjord1, Norled, Torghatten Nord | Part of national roads, trips 10–60 min | 0–3 days (except Geiranger) |
| Express boats (hurtigbåt) | Norled, Brim Explorer | Passengers only, speed 30–35 knots | In advance, limited seats |
| Coastal express | Hurtigruten, Havila | 34 ports Bergen → Kirkenes | 3–6 months (cabins are sold out by tour groups) |
| International cruise ferries | Color Line (Oslo – Kiel), DFDS (Oslo – Copenhagen), Fjord Line (Bergen – Hirtshals) | Cabin, duty-free, shows | 1–2 months – cheaper with "Early Bird" |
Ticket systems — where to find the best prices
1 Fjord1 & Norled
● Online: fjord1.no / norled.no — you can see the price for each type of transport straight away.
● Walk-in: payment at the terminal before boarding (card or Vipps).
● AutoPASS for Ferry: 10% discount on your entire basket and fast lane without a ticket office. Works even on rental cars if the number is linked to your bank card.
2 Hurtigruten & Havila
● The port-to-port fare (without a cabin) is often cheaper if you are travelling 1-2 hours between neighbouring ports.
● Seating lounge instead of a cabin — a life hack for budget travellers: pay ~300 NOK for a reclining chair and the same views.
3 Color Line / DFDS / Fjord Line
● EARLY20 and Blue Deals are seasonal promo codes (subscription to the newsletter).
● Cars up to 5 m long and less than 2 m high are the cheapest category. Campers over 6 m pay +20-40%.
● A windowless "Low Noise cabin" reduces the price by approximately 20%, but you will still be able to sleep at night.
💡 12 Life Hacks to Save Money and Enjoy Yourself
| № | Life hack | Savings / Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Book only popular routes. 80% of crossings operate on a first-come, first-served basis. | Avoid booking fees (20–40 NOK). |
| 2 | Arrive 15–20 minutes early, no sooner. Locals arrive at the last minute and always leave — queues scare newcomers. | Save half an hour of your life and a cup of coffee. |
| 3 | Sit on the left side when travelling from Bergen to Flåm. The best views of the Nærøyfjord and waterfalls are on this side. | Take photos without other passengers' heads in the frame. |
| 4 | Collect the Hurtigruten coupon book. Port-to-port prices are fixed, but the coupon gives you a 15% discount on food and excursions. | ~75 NOK/lunch. |
| 5 | EV discounts: electric cars pay 50% or 0% (Nordland). | Up to 400 NOK on long crossings. |
| 6 | Deck vs cabin in winter. Step outside for 5–7 minutes, then it's -20°C and your camera lens will freeze. | Equipment intact, fingers too. |
| 7 | Beware of "Peak Friday". In July and August, Fjord Line prices increase by 25% on Fridays. | Moving your trip to Thursday can save you up to €40. |
| 8 | Buy AutoPASS for Ferry for NOK 3,000. 10% will be deducted from your balance and the rest will be refunded. | Pays for itself in just 6–7 trips. |
| 9 | Norled + Bus combo ticket (Stavanger ↔ Preikestolen). | Win 75 NOK with one QR code. |
| 10 | Towel/gloves for your camera lens. Salt water splashes can damage the glass, so a lens cloth is a must. | Save on cleaning your lenses. |
| 11 | Duty-free last hour. On Color Line, discounts of 30% one hour before departure. | Sweet salvation for 125 NOK with 0.5 litres of Aquavit. |
| 12 | B2B ticket for cyclists. Bicycles are free on most fjord ferries. | Save 50–120 NOK per trip. |
🌅 Where to Catch the Best Views
| Ferry | Golden Deck | Time of day | Dream shot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geiranger ↔ Hellesylt (Fjord1) | Right aft | 09:00–10:00 (morning light on the Seven Sisters) | Waterfalls + reflection in the water |
| Gudvangen ↔ Kaupanger (Norled) | Port bow | 17:00–19:00 (sunbeam along Nærøyfjord) | Narrow fjord "corridor" |
| Lysebotn ↔ Forsand (Kolumbus) | Upper deck, left | 12:00–14:00 | Kjerag rock from above |
| Color Line Oslo → Kiel | Right side gallery | One hour before departure from Oslo Fjord | Opera House, Dyna Lighthouse |
| Hurtigruten Tromsø → Svolvær | 360° panorama Bridge Deck | Polar day (00:00) | Midnight sun over Lofoten |
Practical "quick plan" for a day with the ferry
Scenario: you are driving from Ålesund to Geiranger and want to "see everything".
06:45 — departure from Alesund, coffee to go.
08:15 — arrival in Hellesylt, 15 minutes before boarding.
08:30–09:40 — ferry from Hellesylt to Geiranger, right-hand side deck, photo stop at the Seven Sisters.
10:00–14:00 — climb up Ørnevegen, picnic lunch, descent down the "Eagle Road" to Valldal.
15:05 — short ferry Linge → Eidsdal (no reservation, AutoPASS).
16:30 — you are already at Trollstigen while the buses are still climbing.
A couple of life hacks saved you ~45 minutes on reservations and queues, and the views are 100% adrenaline.
Checklist before loading
- I checked to see if the ferry is included in AutoPASS for Ferry.
- Download the QR tickets and offline schedule to your phone (connection in the fjords is poor).
- My camera is protected from splashes and the battery is charged.
- I always keep a windbreaker and a hat ready, even in summer. It's very cold on deck, even when there's no wind.
- I know where to go to get the best views.
- The car is in park and in gear. This means the ferry can rock suddenly.
Ferries in Norway are so much more than just a means of transport – they're part of the adventure! Figure out the Fjord1 and Norled fares, get an AutoPASS-for-Ferry, choose the right side of the ship for photos, and you'll save hundreds of kroner, avoid the hustle and bustle, and get shots that people fly halfway across the world to see. Let the majestic fjords part before your ship, and your wallet remain heavy enough to buy a couple more delicious brown cheeses as souvenirs! God tur og god seilas!