Fjord Line on the Bergen route
The operator, the two ships that run the crossing, and what a night and a morning on board involve.
Checked
We are an independent guide to the Hirtshals to Bergen crossing, not the operator. For an existing booking, a cancellation or a refund, contact Fjord Line’s customer service. This page describes the service as Fjord Line publishes it.
Fjord Line is the only operator on Hirtshals to Bergen and runs MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord. The crossing takes about 17 hrs 30 min, overnight to Stavanger and then up the coast in daylight. On board there are cabins in several categories, an Air Seat lounge, four places to eat, a tax-free shop and a kennel.
With one operator on the route there is no line to choose between. The choice is which Norwegian port fits your destination, and the route comparison covers that.
The two ships
| MS Stavangerfjord | MS Bergensfjord | |
|---|---|---|
| In service since | July 2013 | 2014 |
| Length | 170 m | 170 m |
| Width | 27.5 m | 27.5 m |
| Passengers | approx. 1,500 | approx. 1,500 |
| Cars | approx. 600 | approx. 600 |
| Decks | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 370 berths across 20 categories | Same layout |
| Service speed | up to 21.5 knots | up to 21.5 knots |
| Fuel | LNG, dual-fuel since 2023 | LNG, dual-fuel since 2023 |
Both were the first cruise ferries built to run exclusively on liquefied natural gas. Since the 2023 conversion the engines run on either LNG or marine gas oil, with roughly three percent MGO used as pilot fuel for ignition whichever is burning.
They alternate on the route, so which one you sail on depends on the date rather than the direction. The cabin layouts are the same on both, which matters when you book a category rather than a name.
Specifications published by Fjord Line, checked in August 2026.
Where you sleep on board
This is where the Bergen crossing differs from the short routes to Kristiansand and Larvik: there is a bed, and you are meant to use it for a night and part of a morning.
- Air Seat, a reclining seat in a quiet lounge, from €106 per person
- Inside cabin, a bed and a private bathroom, from €183
- Outside cabin with a sea view, the same with a window
- Suite, more space, usually with a separate sitting area
Every cabin category has a private bathroom. All of it on cabins and Air Seats.
Eating on board
Fjord Line lists an à la carte brasserie, a buffet restaurant, a cafeteria and a cafe. All are paid separately from the ticket. On an evening departure the buffet is busiest straight after leaving.
Breakfast is served before the Stavanger call, which on this route is the middle of the journey rather than the end of it. Lunch on the coastal leg is the meal most people forget to plan for.
The tax-free shop
The tax-free shop is well used on this route, because alcohol prices differ substantially between Denmark and Norway. Allowances are set by Norwegian customs and are enforced; Norway is outside the EU customs union and spot checks take place on arrival.
Two free services on board
- Internet. Fjord Line provides free internet access for the whole crossing, which over seventeen and a half hours is more useful than on a short hop.
- The luggage room on deck 7. Free to use. Relevant if you are a foot passenger who does not want to carry everything up to an Air Seat, or if you have booked a cabin and want the bags out of an 8 m² room.
Practical rules before you book
- Identification. A passport or national photo ID for everyone travelling.
- Berth. Booked with the crossing, not added at the terminal.
- Vehicle dimensions. Measured as loaded, at check-in.
- Pets. Pet-friendly cabins and a kennel, limited numbers, booked in advance.
- Gas bottles. Closed for the crossing.
Getting off at Stavanger instead
The same sailing calls at Risavika at 07:00, about 11 hrs after leaving Hirtshals. If Rogaland rather than the western fjords is the destination, that is where you leave the ferry: Stavanger is 12 km from the terminal. Our sister guide covers that leg at hirtshals-stavanger.com.
Fjord Club
Fjord Line’s loyalty programme. Joining is free and gives access to member fares and points offers, including car packages on this route. As on any route, a cheaper date usually saves more than a member discount. See prices.
See sailings and berths
With one operator on the route, the fare depends on the date and the berth rather than the booking channel. Compare several dates.
You book through our partner. We may receive a commission for this, at no extra cost to you.
Questions people ask
Who operates the ferry from Hirtshals to Bergen?
Fjord Line, and only Fjord Line. It runs MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord on the route, calling at Stavanger on the way north.
Is there internet on board?
Yes, Fjord Line provides free internet access for the whole crossing, which on a 17 hr 30 min sailing out of sight of land is more useful than on a short hop.
Can I leave luggage somewhere?
There is a free luggage room on deck 7. Useful for foot passengers who would rather not carry everything up to an Air Seat.
How long does the ferry stay in Stavanger?
Long enough to unload and load, then it continues north. Cabins stay yours until Bergen, so nothing has to be cleared at the 07:00 call.