We have done this journey twice now — once on our way to the Faroe Islands and once heading all the way to Iceland. Both times we flew into Copenhagen, spent a night or two exploring the city, and then had to figure out how to reach Hirtshals in time for the Smyril Line departure. It is not complicated, but it is far enough from Copenhagen to require a proper plan.

Hirtshals is a small fishing port at the very top of the Jutland Peninsula — about 475 km by road from Copenhagen. The Smyril Line, the only regular car ferry connecting Denmark to the Faroe Islands and Iceland, departs from here every week. Getting there from the Danish capital means crossing the whole country by land, and there are several ways to do it. This guide covers all of them.

How far is Hirtshals from Copenhagen — and why it matters

Hirtshals sits at the northern tip of Jutland, Denmark’s mainland peninsula. Copenhagen, by contrast, is on the island of Zealand in the east. To get between them you cross the Great Belt Bridge from Zealand to Funen, then drive or take the train up through Jutland. The journey is roughly 475 km depending on your route.

Why the distance trips people up

Many travellers book the Smyril Line, look at a map, and assume Hirtshals is a short hop from Copenhagen. It is not. The common mistake is arriving in Denmark a day before the ferry and assuming a quick morning transfer will do it. Add a missed train, a delayed connection, or a traffic jam on the E45, and the maths get uncomfortable. We recommend treating this leg as a half-day journey and building in at least two to three hours of buffer before check-in closes.

Key numbers to remember

• Distance: approximately 475 km (295 miles) from central Copenhagen to Hirtshals harbour
• Driving time: 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours, depending on traffic and the Great Belt crossing
• Train journey time: 6 to 6.5 hours (with the Hjørring connection)
• Smyril Line check-in: typically closes 2–3 hours before departure — confirm exact time on your ticket

Getting from Copenhagen to Hirtshals by train

The train is our preferred option if we are not travelling with a car. DSB (Danish State Railways) runs regular intercity services from Copenhagen Central Station (København H) north towards Aalborg and Hjørring. From Hjørring you take a very short regional connection — either a local train or a bus — into Hirtshals itself.

The train route step by step

Total train journey: allow 6.5 hours from departure to arriving at the ferry terminal, including the Hjørring connection. If your ferry departs at 18:00 and check-in closes at 15:30, a 08:00 departure from Copenhagen puts you comfortably in position by 14:30–15:00.

Getting from Copenhagen to Hirtshals by car

Driving is the option that makes most sense if you plan to bring your vehicle on the ferry — which is a strong reason to consider it, since a rental car on the Smyril Line ferry unlocks the ability to properly explore the Faroe Islands or Iceland without relying on public transport once you arrive.

The driving route

The standard route from Copenhagen to Hirtshals follows the E20 motorway west from the capital, crosses the Great Belt Fixed Link (Storebælt) from Zealand to Funen, then continues north on the E45 through Jutland via Vejle, Aarhus, and Aalborg before turning northwest to Hirtshals. A GPS or Waze/Google Maps handles this without any drama — it is a straightforward motorway drive.

Practical driving notes

• Great Belt toll: Cars pay a toll crossing Storebælt. At the time of writing, the toll for a standard passenger car was around DKK 240 (approximately €32). Larger vehicles with trailers cost more. Payment is by card at the toll booths — no cash required.
• Total distance: roughly 475 km. Set off at least 6 hours before check-in closes to be comfortable.
• Traffic around Aarhus: the ring road around Aarhus can slow in morning rush hour (07:30–09:00) and afternoon (15:30–17:30). If possible, time your drive to pass Aarhus outside these windows.
• Fuel: Denmark has plenty of service stations along the E45. Fill up before Hirtshals — prices in the very north can be slightly higher.
• Parking at Hirtshals: if you are leaving your vehicle in Denmark and walking onto the ferry, there is paid long-stay parking near the terminal. Confirm current rates and booking requirements with the terminal directly or via the Smyril Line website, as these change seasonally.

Quick-reference: all your route options at a glance

• Option A — Train (no car): Copenhagen H → Hjørring (DSB intercity, ~5.5–6 hrs) → Hirtshals (NJ regional, ~20 min). Total: ~6.5 hrs. Best for foot passengers and cyclists.
• Option B — Drive (with car on ferry): E20 west → Storebælt Bridge → E45 north to Hirtshals. Total: ~4.5–5 hrs. Best for vehicle passengers; toll at Great Belt applies.
• Option C — Bus (budget option): FlixBus and other coach operators run between Copenhagen and northern Jutland cities. Journey is longer (5–6+ hrs) and less reliable for tight ferry timing, but cheapest for foot passengers on a tight budget.
• Option D — Fly to Aalborg, then transfer: some travellers fly Copenhagen → Aalborg (1 hr) and then drive or take a regional train or taxi north to Hirtshals (~50 min drive). Useful if you are already coming from elsewhere in Europe and can reroute through Aalborg.
• Option E — Hire a car in Copenhagen, drop at Hirtshals: one-way car hire between Copenhagen and Hirtshals is possible with most major rental companies but typically carries a one-way surcharge. Check Europcar, Hertz, and Avis policies ahead of time.
• Option F — Overnight bus or carpooling: for a very early Smyril Line departure, some travellers take an overnight coach or arrange a BlaBlaCar carpool the night before. This works but adds complexity.
• Note on taxis and rideshare: a taxi or rideshare from Copenhagen directly to Hirtshals is possible but expensive — expect DKK 2,500–3,500 (€335–470). Not recommended unless you have a genuine emergency.
• Option G — Stage overnight in Aalborg: our personal favourite if the schedule allows. Stop in Aalborg the night before, explore the city briefly, and make a short 80 km drive north to Hirtshals in the morning. Aalborg is a surprisingly good city with a genuine waterfront and affordable hotels.

Tips for timing your arrival correctly

The Smyril Line runs on a fixed weekly schedule. Missing the ferry is not like missing a bus — the next departure is a week away. This is why the timing buffer matters more than almost anything else about this journey.

What to know about Smyril Line check-in

• Passenger check-in typically closes 2 hours before departure, but confirm your exact ticket — special vehicles and large groups may have earlier deadlines.
• Vehicle check-in often closes 3 hours before departure. If you are driving your car onto the ferry, plan to arrive even earlier.
• The terminal address is: Smyril Line, A. C. Illums Vej 1, 9850 Hirtshals. Enter this directly into your navigation.
• Departure days in 2026 are primarily on Saturdays from Hirtshals — but this changes seasonally. Double-check your ticket for the exact day and time before planning your Copenhagen-to-Hirtshals connection.
• Our rule of thumb: be at the terminal at least 3 hours before the posted departure time. This leaves room for a train delay, a missed connection, or simply the time needed to check in comfortably with your luggage.

What to do in Hirtshals before you sail

Hirtshals is small but functional. It is a working fishing port rather than a tourist hub, and that is part of its charm. If you arrive with a few hours to spare before boarding, here is what you can actually do.

Practical stops before boarding

• The North Sea Museum (Nordsømuseet): genuinely excellent aquarium and maritime museum right in Hirtshals. One of the better regional museums in Denmark. Allow 1.5–2 hours. Located very close to the terminal, so it fits neatly into a pre-boarding window.
• Hirtshals Lighthouse (Fyrtårnet): a short walk from the town centre. Climb for wide views over the North Sea and the harbour. Free to visit the exterior; check current opening times for interior access.
• Stock up on provisions: the Smyril Line ferry has a restaurant and café onboard, but prices are ferry-standard (read: not cheap). There is a Netto supermarket in Hirtshals where you can load up on snacks, coffee, and drinks before boarding. Particularly worth doing if you are on a budget for the crossing.
• Harbour walk: the actual fish harbour is worth a walk-through if you have time. Active fishing boats, stacked crates, the smell of the North Sea — it sets the mood for what is coming.
• Fuel your car: fill up in Hirtshals before boarding. Fuel at sea is not possible, and prices in the Faroe Islands are higher than Denmark.

Mistakes we made — and watched others make at the terminal

• Not confirming check-in times on the actual ticket. “Two hours before departure” is a guideline, but the Smyril Line can vary this. We have seen passengers turned away because they arrived 90 minutes before departure, not knowing that vehicle check-in closed earlier. Read your ticket.
• Leaving Copenhagen too late. The temptation to squeeze in one more museum, one more smørrebrød lunch, one more canal tour is real. Build your schedule around the ferry, not around Copenhagen’s attractions. Copenhagen will still be there when you return.
• Not booking the Hjørring–Hirtshals segment in advance. The local NJ train has limited capacity on busy sailing days. In summer, when multiple ferries call and travellers flood into Hirtshals on the same day, seats fill fast. Book ahead.
• Forgetting the Great Belt toll. If you are driving, make sure you have a card with you for the Storebælt crossing. The toll booths are not cash-friendly in practice (they accept cash but the queue for card lanes is faster).
• Arriving without local currency. Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK), not euros. Most places accept cards without issue, but having a small amount of DKK on you avoids friction at smaller stations, pay parking machines, or older ferry terminal kiosks.
• Not checking the Smyril Line departure day. This sounds obvious, but it is a surprisingly common error. The sailing schedule is weekly and the departure day shifts between seasons. Twice we have seen travellers arrive at the terminal one day early or one day late because they misread their booking.

Frequently asked questions