The question comes up every time we mention that we drove to Iceland: was the ferry actually worth it? People ask because the Smyril Line crossing is expensive, time-consuming, and — let us be honest — sometimes rough. And yet, given the choice again, we would take the ship every time. But that answer depends entirely on who you are and what you want from Iceland.

We have also flown to Iceland twice, so we can compare both experiences properly. Here is our honest verdict.

What the Iceland ferry actually is (and isn't)

Before weighing up whether it is worth it, it helps to be clear on what you are actually booking. There is exactly one passenger and vehicle ferry route from mainland Europe to Iceland, and it has been running for decades.

The basics

• Operator: Smyril Line, a Faroese shipping company. The ship is the MS Norröna.
• Route: Hirtshals (northern Denmark) → Tórshavn (Faroe Islands) → Seyðisfjörður (eastern Iceland).
• Journey time: roughly 34–37 hours Denmark to Faroes; another 12–14 hours Faroes to Iceland. Total: around 48–52 hours including the Faroe port call.
• Frequency: once a week in winter, twice a week in peak summer (June–August). Check the Smyril Line website for exact departures, as the schedule shifts each year.
• What you can bring: the key advantage over a flight — your own car, campervan, or motorhome, up to about 5.5 metres in standard categories. Larger vehicles need pre-approval.

What it is not

• It is not a cruise. The ship is a working passenger ferry — comfortable but functional. Do not expect a cruise-ship entertainment programme or pool deck.
• It is not a quick hop. The crossing is a genuine multi-day journey. That is part of the appeal for some and the deal-breaker for others.
• It is not cheap. At current prices, the ferry often costs more than a return flight to Reykjavík — especially once you factor in the cabin and vehicle.

The real cost comparison: ferry vs flight to Iceland

Cost is where most people’s plans stall. The ferry looks expensive — and it is, compared to a budget flight. But the comparison is not always straightforward.

Ferry cost breakdown (one way, summer 2026)

• Cabin (2-berth inside): approximately €200–€300 per person, one way.
• Vehicle (standard car up to 5m): approximately €250–€400 one way, depending on season.
• Total for two people + car, one way: roughly €650–€1,000.
• Return trip: €1,300–€2,000 for two people with a car.
• Meals onboard: budget €30–€50 per person per day for the buffet; less if you use the café and bring snacks.

Flight + car hire comparison

• Return flights (Helsinki or a Nordic hub to Reykjavík): €300–€600 per person in summer — so €600–€1,200 for two.
• Car rental in Iceland for 7–10 days: €800–€1,500 in peak summer, depending on vehicle type. A 4WD for highland roads costs significantly more.
• Total for two people, return flight + Iceland car hire: roughly €1,400–€2,700.

The numbers are surprisingly close once you include car hire. If you are renting a vehicle in Iceland anyway — and you should, because public transport barely exists outside Reykjavík — the ferry starts to look more competitive than it first appears, especially if you plan to visit the Faroe Islands on the same trip.

When the ferry is clearly worth it

We are genuinely enthusiastic about this crossing, but not for everyone. Here is when taking the ferry makes clear sense.

You want to bring your own vehicle

• If you have a campervan, motorhome, or a car already loaded with camping or photography gear, the ferry is the only way to get your vehicle to Iceland from Europe.
• Bringing your own vehicle eliminates car hire costs in Iceland — and in the Faroes, where rental cars are also expensive.
• For photographers, overlanders, or anyone doing a long trip across multiple countries, driving aboard the Norröna is simply the most practical solution.

You want to combine Iceland and the Faroe Islands

• The Smyril Line route stops in Tórshavn. You can disembark there for 3–5 days, explore the Faroes by car, and reboard a later sailing to Iceland.
• Doing both destinations in one trip is awkward and costly by air — direct flights between Iceland and the Faroe Islands are limited, so you would often end up routing back through Copenhagen and rebooking.
• The ferry makes a Faroes-plus-Iceland trip logical and relatively affordable.

You value the journey itself

• If you travel slowly and find value in the transition between places — watching the Danish coast disappear, the Faroe cliffs rise from the mist, and the Icelandic mountains appear — the crossing is a genuine experience in its own right.
• The three days at sea give you time to read, rest, plan, and mentally arrive in Iceland before you physically do. We found this surprisingly useful.

When you should just fly instead

The ferry is not the right answer for every Iceland trip. Here is when we would tell you honestly to just book a flight.

Time is limited

• A round-trip ferry crossing adds roughly 6–8 days to your total trip time (3–4 days each way). If you only have 7–10 days total, the crossing eats most of your itinerary.
• Flying from a Nordic hub to Reykjavík takes 3 hours. For a short Iceland trip, there is no realistic argument for the ferry on time grounds.

Budget is your main concern

• If you are travelling on a strict budget and do not need to bring a vehicle, budget flights to Reykjavík are almost always cheaper than the ferry.
• The lowest ferry cabin tier (reclining seats rather than a private cabin) can reduce cost, but you are still paying for the vehicle plus food for 3 days at sea.

You are prone to severe seasickness

• The North Atlantic between Denmark and Iceland is not gentle. Swells of 3–6 metres are normal in summer; in autumn, they are heavier. Even experienced sailors find the crossing uncomfortable on bad nights.
• If you know you are severely affected by motion sickness, the crossing can be genuinely miserable. Medication helps but does not eliminate the problem entirely.

You are only going to Iceland

• If you are not stopping in the Faroes and you do not need to bring a car, the value proposition of the ferry weakens considerably. You are paying extra time and money for a sea crossing alone.
• Iceland without a car is limiting but manageable if you base yourself in the south and southwest. Fly, rent locally, and save the ferry for a future trip when you want to go deeper.

What the crossing experience is actually like

The practical reality of three days aboard the MS Norröna is different from what most people imagine — both better and worse in different ways.

The onboard experience: better than expected

• Cabins: compact but functional. We booked a two-berth outside cabin with a porthole. Smaller than a budget hotel room but comfortable enough for sleeping. The porthole made a real difference — watching the ocean from bed in the early morning is something you cannot replicate on a plane.
• Food: better than expected. The dinner buffet is expensive but the quality is solid — fresh seafood features regularly. The onboard café is where we spent most of our time; reasonably priced and sociable.
• Fellow passengers: unexpectedly good company. The crossing attracts a mix of Faroese locals, Icelandic families, overlanders with campervans, and European road-trippers. The atmosphere is relaxed and the crossings develop a social dynamic that flights never do.
• Deck time: the outer decks are one of the best things about the crossing. Open ocean views in every direction, wildlife (gannets, fulmars, the occasional whale), and — if weather cooperates — extraordinary light in summer.

The onboard experience: harder than expected

• Motion: even on a relatively calm crossing, the ship moves. You feel it constantly. Most people adapt within 24 hours; some do not. Take medication proactively.
• WiFi: very slow and sold in packages. Budget for offline entertainment — download films, podcasts, and offline maps before boarding. Do not expect to work on the crossing.
• Car deck access: you cannot access your car for most of the sailing. The car deck locks for safety. Bring everything you need for the cabin in a separate bag.
• Weather on deck: even in summer, the North Atlantic is cold and often windy. Bring a waterproof layer regardless of how warm it was in Denmark when you boarded.

The Faroe Islands factor: why most ferry travellers stop there

One thing we did not fully appreciate before our first crossing: the Faroe Islands are not just a port call. They are a destination worth building a week around, and the Smyril Line makes combining them with Iceland genuinely easy.

What you get if you disembark in Tórshavn

• 3–5 days is the right amount of time for the Faroes by car. The islands are small but the roads are slow, the landscapes are dramatic, and the weather demands flexibility. You will not regret staying.
• Key stops: Gásadalur waterfall, Mykines for puffins (May–August), Saksun lake, Eiðisvatn, and the Funningsfjørður viewpoint. All reachable by car in a sensible loop.
• The Faroe Islands are expensive — food and accommodation more so than Iceland — but the experience is unique in Europe. The landscapes feel genuinely wild in a way that even Iceland’s busiest spots do not.

The practicalities of a Faroes stopover

• Book your Smyril Line ticket as a stopover — you disembark in Tórshavn and reboard a later sailing. Check Smyril Line’s booking system carefully; this is a separate fare structure from a through-ticket.
• Accommodation in Tórshavn is limited and expensive. Book early — good guesthouses fill up months in advance in peak summer.
• Tunnel fees in the Faroes are real and add up. Some of the newer sub-sea tunnels charge per crossing. Budget €50–€100 for tunnel fees during your stay.

Mistakes we made (and what we'd do differently)

• Leaving our best food in the car. We packed most of our snacks and camping supplies in the boot, which we could not access until we docked. Bring a full day bag of food, snacks, and anything you need for the cabin before you drive aboard.
• Not booking a window cabin early enough. We got an inside cabin on the outbound leg because we waited too long. The difference matters on a 36-hour crossing — natural light and something to look at through the porthole is genuinely important. Book outside cabins as early as possible.
• Underestimating the Faroes. We planned two days in Tórshavn and felt rushed. Three to five days is the right amount. We returned later specifically to do the Faroes properly, but it would have been smarter to plan that into the original crossing.
• Not checking the return sailing schedule before booking outbound. Smyril Line runs sailings weekly (or twice-weekly in peak), and the return options may not align neatly with how long you planned to be in Iceland. Check both legs before you commit to dates.
• Missing the Faroe approach from the deck. We were below eating when the cliffs came into view on the outbound crossing. We set an alarm on the return and were on deck for the arrival. Do not miss this — it is one of the best moments of the whole journey.
• Forgetting that Seyðisfjörður is eastern Iceland. You arrive at Iceland’s east coast, not Reykjavík. Seyðisfjörður is 700km from the capital by road. That is a full day of driving even by Ring Road. Build this into your Iceland itinerary from the start rather than being surprised by it.

Frequently asked questions

We live at the top of Finland, two hours from the Norwegian border, and the North Atlantic islands feel like part of our extended neighbourhood. Iceland and the Faroes are places we return to regularly, and the Smyril Line crossing has become a kind of ritual — a deliberate, slow, oceanic transition from the everyday into somewhere genuinely different.

Is it worth it? For us, unequivocally yes. For a first-time visitor on a tight schedule, maybe not. The honest answer is that the ferry rewards a certain kind of traveller: one who values the journey as much as the destination, who wants a vehicle in Iceland, and who is willing to spend a little more time getting there in exchange for an experience that stays with you long after the crossing is over.

If you are on the fence, consider doing it just once. Very few people who take the Norröna regret it. Questions? Drop them in the comments or find us on Instagram — we are happy to help you plan the crossing.