The Faroe Islands sit alone in the North Atlantic, roughly halfway between Norway and Iceland, and there is only one ferry service that takes you there: the Smyril Line Norröna, sailing from Hirtshals in northern Denmark. It is one of Europe's most dramatic deep-sea ferry voyages — and for slow travellers, cyclists and anyone who wants to understand the scale of the North Atlantic, it is far more rewarding than flying.
The Norröna and the Smyril Line
The Norröna is the only regular passenger and vehicle ferry to the Faroe Islands. Smyril Line, the Faroese shipping company, has operated this North Atlantic lifeline for decades. The ship is large by ferry standards — it carries passengers, cars, lorries, motorcycles and freight, and is equipped for the open ocean rather than sheltered coastal waters.
The sailing departs from Hirtshals, a small port town at the tip of the Jutland peninsula in Denmark, conveniently connected by rail and road to Copenhagen and Hamburg. The Norröna calls at Tórshavn, the Faroese capital, and continues onward to Seyðisfjörður in eastern Iceland on some sailings, making it possible to combine all three destinations on a single continuous voyage.
The route and sailing times
The passage from Hirtshals to Tórshavn takes approximately 34–36 hours, depending on conditions. The Norröna does not dawdle — it is crossing open Atlantic rather than a sheltered strait — so this is a proper ocean voyage, not a channel hop.
The ship generally departs Hirtshals once a week, with a schedule that typically runs something like:
- Hirtshals → Tórshavn: around 34 hours
- Tórshavn → Seyðisfjörður (Iceland): a further 16–18 hours (when the Iceland extension is operated)
Return departures follow a similar pattern. Because the schedule operates on a roughly weekly cycle, you need to plan your stay in the Faroe Islands around the ship's rhythm — a few days minimum between outbound and inbound crossings.
The Iceland extension does not run year-round and schedules vary by season. Check the Smyril Line website for the current season's timetable well before you book.
Cabins and on-board accommodation
With a crossing of more than 30 hours, accommodation matters. The Norröna offers several tiers:
- Inside and outside cabins: the most comfortable option for a long crossing, with proper berths, a bathroom, and somewhere to retreat if the weather deteriorates.
- Reclining seats: cheaper than a cabin and fine for those who can sleep sitting up; many budget travellers manage perfectly well.
- Sleeping bags and floor space: the lowest-cost option, popular with backpackers and cyclists. Not glamorous but functional.
On-board there are restaurants, a cafeteria, a bar with some of the best North Atlantic views you will ever drink against, a small pool and sauna, and duty-free shopping (the Faroe Islands are outside the EU and EEA for tax purposes). For a true deep-sea passenger ship, the Norröna is well equipped.
Seasickness: the North Atlantic can be rough, particularly in autumn and winter. Waves of several metres are not unusual. Come prepared with seasickness medication and take it before you feel ill — it works far better as prevention than cure. If you are susceptible, an inside cabin is worth the extra cost.
Taking a car or motorcycle
One of the Norröna's strongest selling points is that it carries vehicles, making it possible to explore the Faroe Islands — and potentially Iceland — entirely on your own terms. Car-carrying capacity is significant and the logistics are straightforward, though vehicle spaces fill up earlier than passenger berths in summer and you should book well in advance.
Cycling is popular on this route too. Cyclists pay a lower vehicle supplement than cars and can explore the Faroes' dramatic valleys and coastal roads independently. The islands are small enough that a week with a bicycle is genuinely viable.
If you are thinking about the logistics of shipping a car across the North Atlantic, the Viamo guide to taking a car on a ferry walks through what to expect at check-in and on the car deck.
Fares and when to book
Fares depend heavily on whether you take a cabin, which grade, and whether you have a vehicle. Foot-passenger fares with a reclining seat are the cheapest entry point; a private outside cabin for two with a car represents the full-price experience. Summer crossings cost more than shoulder or off-season sailings.
Book early. The Norröna is a single ship on a weekly schedule, and summer crossings — particularly June, July and August — can sell out months in advance, especially for vehicles and the better cabin categories. If you are building a Faroe Islands holiday around this voyage, locking in the crossing first and planning everything else around it is the sensible approach.
Getting to Hirtshals
Hirtshals is in the far north of Jutland and feels like the edge of the world, which is appropriate. It is reachable by train from Aalborg (roughly an hour), and Aalborg is about 3 hours from Copenhagen by rail. By road, the E45 motorway runs the length of Jutland from the German border to near Hirtshals. If you are coming from Germany or further south through Europe, the drive is manageable in a day or two.
The port itself is a short walk from Hirtshals town and the nearby station. Check-in opens several hours before departure for vehicles — follow the instructions in your booking confirmation exactly, as the ship does not wait.
The Faroe Islands: what you are heading for
Tórshavn is one of the world's smallest capitals, with a population of around 20,000 and a turf-roofed old town (Tinganes) that feels genuinely medieval. The islands themselves — 18 of them, 17 inhabited — offer some of the most dramatic North Atlantic scenery imaginable: sea cliffs dropping hundreds of metres, waterfalls that blow sideways in the wind, and villages accessible only by mountain tunnel or helicopter.
The Faroe Islands are an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark but outside the EU and the Schengen Area, so a passport is required. Confirm entry requirements for your nationality with your own government's travel advice — rules can vary.
Combining with Iceland
The Norröna is one of only a handful of ways to travel between the Faroe Islands and Iceland without flying, and it makes the combination genuinely tempting. You can sail from Denmark to the Faroes, spend a few days exploring, reboard the ship to Iceland, tour by car, and then choose between a return crossing or a flight home. For a slow-travel approach to the North Atlantic, it is hard to beat.
The Iceland leg is seasonal and not always available, so check the Smyril Line's current published schedule before building an itinerary around it.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Hirtshals to Faroe Islands ferry take?
The crossing from Hirtshals to Tórshavn takes approximately 34–36 hours. This is an open ocean voyage and times can vary slightly with conditions.
How often does the ferry to the Faroe Islands run?
The Norröna operates on roughly a weekly cycle, meaning departures from Hirtshals are typically once per week. The exact schedule varies by season and year — check the Smyril Line website for the current timetable.
Do I need a passport for the Faroe Islands?
Yes. The Faroe Islands are outside the EU and Schengen Area, so a passport check applies on arrival. Requirements vary by nationality — check with your own government's travel advice before you travel.
Can I take my car on the ferry to the Faroes?
Yes. The Norröna carries cars, motorcycles and campervans. Book vehicle spaces well in advance, especially for summer sailings, as they fill up months ahead.
Sources and further reading:
- Timetables, cabins and fares: Smyril Line (smyrilline.com).
- Entry requirements: the Faroese government and your own government's travel advice.
- Vehicle ferry logistics: Viamo guide to taking a car on a ferry.
- General ferry booking advice: booking ferries explained.