We’ve crossed the North Atlantic by ferry more than once — and yes, the Denmark Iceland ferry is exactly as epic and occasionally nauseating as it sounds. The Smyril Line operates the only car ferry connecting continental Europe to Iceland, sailing weekly from Hirtshals in northern Denmark, stopping in the Faroe Islands, and continuing to Seyðisfjörður on Iceland’s east coast. If you want to bring your own car, your campervan, or just avoid yet another airport, this is your only option.
We’ve put together this guide because when we were planning our own North Atlantic crossing, the information scattered across forums and outdated blog posts was maddening. Here’s everything we actually needed to know.
The Denmark to Iceland ferry is operated by Smyril Line, departing from Hirtshals, Denmark weekly (typically Saturdays). The full journey to Seyðisfjörður, Iceland takes roughly 3–4 days including the Faroe Islands stop. It’s the only car ferry on this route and costs significantly more than flying — but it’s a unique experience if you want to bring a vehicle or simply do something remarkable.
The route and operator: Smyril Line explained
The Denmark Iceland ferry is operated exclusively by Smyril Line, a Faroese shipping company that has been running this route since 1982. Their vessel — the MS Norröna — departs from Hirtshals, a small port town in the very north of Jutland, Denmark, roughly a 3-hour drive or train journey from Copenhagen.
The full itinerary in one place
- Hirtshals (Denmark) → Tórshavn (Faroe Islands): approximately 34–36 hours at sea.
- Tórshavn stopover: roughly 8–12 hours in port, long enough for a day on the islands if you’ve pre-arranged it.
- Tórshavn → Seyðisfjörður (Iceland): another 14–16 hours of sailing.
- Total journey time, Denmark to Iceland: around 3.5 days including the Tórshavn stop.
The MS Norröna is a proper cruise-style ferry — not a rough freight barge. It has multiple cabin grades, restaurants, bars, a duty-free shop, a gym, and a spa. The North Atlantic will make its presence felt regardless, but the ship itself is large and well-equipped.
Why Hirtshals and not Copenhagen?
Hirtshals is geographically the northernmost practical port in Denmark and cuts the sailing time considerably. It’s a small town but entirely focused on ferry departures — you’ll find accommodation, car hire return options, and a decent supermarket for stocking up before you board. We recommend arriving the evening before departure rather than the morning of.
Schedule and departure days
Smyril Line runs a weekly schedule, and the exact departure day from Hirtshals shifts slightly by season. As of 2026, the typical departure is on Saturday afternoon, but always verify on the official Smyril Line website before booking, as dates shift by a day or two depending on the season.
Key schedule facts
- High season (June–August): departures most reliably weekly, sometimes additional summer sailings. This is when demand is highest and cabins sell out furthest in advance.
- Shoulder season (April–May, September–October): weekly departures continue, occasionally with slight schedule adjustments. Better prices, rougher seas.
- Low season (November–March): reduced frequency — sometimes bi-weekly. Check carefully before planning a winter crossing; the North Atlantic in January is a serious proposition.
- Booking window: Smyril Line opens bookings roughly a year in advance. Popular summer departures — especially those allowing a Faroe Islands stopover — sell out 3–6 months ahead.
What to expect onboard the MS Norröna
The MS Norröna is the only vessel on this route, and it’s genuinely impressive for a working ferry. That said, “impressive for a ferry” is different from a cruise ship — calibrate your expectations accordingly.
Food, drink, and daily life
- Main restaurant: buffet-style with Faroese and Scandinavian dishes. Included in some cabin packages; paid separately in others. Portions are hearty, quality is solid.
- À la carte restaurant: a more upscale dining option. Worth one dinner on a longer crossing.
- Self-service cafeteria: open long hours, good for budget-conscious travellers.
- Bar and observation lounge: the best place to be when the ship clears the fog and you catch your first glimpse of Faroe Island cliffs. Order a beer and stand at the windows.
- Duty-free shop: good selection of Faroese wool, Scandinavian spirits, and the usual travel items.
Seasickness: the honest conversation
The North Atlantic is not the Mediterranean. Between Denmark and the Faroes, you’re crossing open ocean and the ship will move — especially in autumn and winter. In summer it’s usually manageable; in October it can be rough. We strongly recommend bringing seasickness medication regardless of how you think your stomach behaves. Take it before you board, not after the nausea starts.
Cabin types and what they cost
Smyril Line offers several accommodation grades on the MS Norröna. Prices vary significantly by season, cabin type, and how far in advance you book. These are approximate 2026 ranges per person one-way.
Cabin options at a glance
- Aircraft-style reclining seat: the cheapest option (~€80–120). Fine for stoic solo travellers on a tight budget. Not recommended for the full crossing with luggage.
- Standard inside cabin (4-berth): ~€150–220 per person. Shared with strangers if not booked as a group. Functional, private enough.
- Standard inside cabin (2-berth): ~€180–280 per person. The most popular choice for couples. Comfortable for 3–4 days.
- Outside cabin with porthole or window: ~€220–380 per person. Waking up to open ocean is genuinely worth it. Book early.
- Commodore/Suite cabin: ~€380–600+ per person. Larger rooms, priority boarding, some include meals. If you’re going to spend 3.5 days at sea, it’s not an insane upgrade.
Vehicle fees are additional — see the next section. Meal packages can be added at booking and are generally better value than paying per meal onboard.
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Bringing your car or campervan
This is the single biggest reason most people choose the ferry over a flight. The Denmark Iceland ferry is the only practical way to take your own vehicle to Iceland without shipping it separately as freight. For campervans, overlanders, or anyone planning a serious Icelandic road trip, it’s often the only logical choice.
Vehicle booking tips
- Book vehicle space early: vehicle slots are limited and fill up faster than cabin berths, especially in summer. June and July crossings can be fully booked for vehicles by February.
- Measure your vehicle: Smyril Line charges by vehicle length. Know your exact length including any roof rack or overhang — being measured at the dock and paying a surcharge is unpleasant.
- Height restrictions: standard car decks have around 1.95–2.2m clearance depending on deck. Tall campervans or vehicles with rooftop tents may need to go on the open deck. Ask when booking.
- Fuel in Denmark before boarding: Icelandic fuel is significantly more expensive. Fill up completely in Denmark, and carry a jerry can if your route will take you to remote areas of Iceland.
- Tyre pressure for cold weather: if you’re arriving into Iceland in autumn or winter, check tyre pressure after the crossing — temperature changes affect it.
One thing we wish we’d known: when you board, you park your car and cannot access it for most of the sailing. Pack everything you’ll need for 3+ days into bags before you drive on. Returning to the car deck mid-voyage is restricted and sometimes impossible in rough seas.
The Faroe Islands stopover — a hidden bonus
The route includes a stop in Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, and this is arguably the best part of the entire journey. Depending on which sailing and which direction you’re travelling, you may have anywhere from 8 to over 24 hours in the Faroes. We’ve been to the Faroe Islands, and if you have the option to extend your stop, do it without hesitation.
Making the most of a Tórshavn stopover
- Book accommodation in advance: Tórshavn has limited hotel and guesthouse rooms. If you want to stay overnight for a full day of exploration, book several months ahead.
- Don’t skip Tórshavn old town: the colourful turf-roofed wooden houses around Tinganes point are genuinely among the most photogenic streets in northern Europe.
- Rent a car for the day: the main island (Streymoy) and nearby Esvágoy are easily driveable in a day. The cliffs at Saksun and the lake at Sørvágsvatn are worth every minute.
- Weather changes every 20 minutes: pack layers regardless of the forecast. The Faroese saying is that you get all four seasons before lunch.
- Smyril Line stopover packages: Smyril Line offers official stopover arrangements allowing you to leave the ship in Tórshavn and board a later sailing to Iceland. These are worth considering if you want more than a few hours.
Common mistakes on the Denmark Iceland ferry
- Underestimating the journey time. Denmark to Iceland is not a quick overnight hop. Plan 3–4 days of actual travel time and don’t schedule anything tight on the Iceland arrival day.
- Not booking early enough. Summer cabins and vehicle slots go fast. If you’re flexible on dates, book as soon as the schedule opens — typically 12 months in advance.
- Forgetting the Hirtshals logistics. Hirtshals is a small town. The nearest major city is Aalborg (about 45 min). If you’re coming by train from Copenhagen, the journey is 4–5 hours and the connections don’t always align neatly with boarding times.
- Arriving without food supplies. Onboard food is fine but expensive for a multi-day crossing. We always bring a bag of snacks, breakfast items, and lunch supplies from a Danish supermarket.
- Skipping the seasickness prep. Even in summer, the sea between the Faroes and Iceland can be rough. Don’t be the person who spends day two in their cabin unable to move.
- Confusing Seyðisfjörður with Reykjavík. The ferry arrives in Seyðisfjörður on Iceland’s east coast. Reykjavík is about 7 hours’ drive away. This is actually great — you end up doing the Ring Road from east to west, which feels very natural — but it catches people off guard.
A final word from Rovaniemi
We’ve flown to Iceland, and we’ve taken the ferry. They are completely different experiences, and neither is objectively better — it depends entirely on what you want from the trip. If you want to land in Reykjavík for a long weekend city break, fly. If you want to bring your own vehicle, see the Faroe Islands along the way, and arrive in Iceland having crossed an actual ocean under your own steam, the Denmark Iceland ferry on Smyril Line is one of those journeys that stays with you.
The North Atlantic is not gentle, the crossing takes days, and yes, you may spend a portion of it wondering why you didn’t just book a Ryanair flight. But when the clouds break somewhere between the Faroes and Iceland and you’re standing at the railing watching the sea — you’ll know exactly why you chose this way.
If you have questions about the route, the stopover, or bringing a campervan, leave them in the comments below. We’ve done this crossing and we’re happy to help.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the ferry from Denmark to Iceland take?
The full journey from Hirtshals, Denmark to Seyðisfjörður, Iceland takes approximately 3–4 days, including the Faroe Islands stopover in Tórshavn. The Hirtshals–Tórshavn leg is roughly 34–36 hours, and Tórshavn–Seyðisfjörður is another 14–16 hours of sailing.
How much does the Denmark to Iceland ferry cost?
Costs vary widely by cabin type and season. A basic reclining seat starts around €80–120 per person one-way, while a 2-berth cabin ranges from €180–280 per person. Vehicle fees are additional — typically €300–600+ for a standard car. Summer sailings are significantly more expensive than shoulder season. Meal packages add further cost.
Can I bring my car on the Smyril Line ferry to Iceland?
Yes — this is in fact the main reason many travellers choose the ferry over flying. Smyril Line is the only operator offering a regular car ferry service between continental Europe and Iceland. Vehicle spaces are limited and sell out quickly for summer crossings, so book as early as possible.
Is the Denmark Iceland ferry rough? Will I get seasick?
The North Atlantic is an open ocean crossing and the sea conditions can be significant, especially in autumn and winter. Summer crossings are generally calmer but still involve noticeable motion. We strongly recommend bringing seasickness medication (cinnarizine or meclizine work well) and taking it before you board rather than waiting until you feel unwell.
Where does the ferry from Denmark to Iceland depart from?
The Smyril Line ferry departs from Hirtshals in northern Denmark, not from Copenhagen. Hirtshals is about 45 minutes from Aalborg and roughly 4–5 hours from Copenhagen by train. It’s a small port town specifically geared around ferry departures — plan to arrive the evening before your sailing.
Can I stop in the Faroe Islands on the way to Iceland?
Yes, and it’s one of the best parts of this route. The MS Norröna stops in Tórshavn, the Faroese capital, on every crossing. Smyril Line offers official stopover packages that let you disembark, explore the islands for a day or more, and continue to Iceland on a later sailing. Summer stopovers book up months in advance.
Joona & Alla
A Finnish-Ukrainian couple living in Rovaniemi, Finland. Joona is a marketing professional in Lapland tourism; Alla is an AI Engineer. Together we’ve visited 25 countries and share honest, locally-grounded travel writing from our home in the Arctic.
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