New ferry route Netherlands to Norway

[SFO]

For the single trip Eemshaven–Kristiansand I paid EUR 205 (low season) including Cali and 1 passenger in an inside cabin.

Very cheap!

 

[Kingfisher]

Thanks for the detailed update. I am traveling in mid-July so very grateful for your positive review.

You'll have a great trip. Be aware that until 2024 there are major road works around the city of Groningen, including temporary roads and motorway junctions. Best to allow yourself some time and most of all patience for that. Although traffic in mid-July might not be so bad: many Groningen locals will be away on holiday.

Edit: Or just leaving. School holiday in the north of the Netherlands starts July 16.

 

[LucyYorkshire]

That’s great info - thank you. I’ve just taken a look at their website and it’s also dog friendly as they allow up to 2 dogs in selected cabins. I plan to do Norway next year with my dogs and this will certainly shave off some driving time on the way up.

 

[BeagleMum]

That’s great info - thank you. I’ve just taken a look at their website and it’s also dog friendly as they allow up to 2 dogs in selected cabins. I plan to do Norway next year with my dogs and this will certainly shave off some driving time on the way up.

Interesting thread for us as we are keen on Norway, likewise we will be travelling with two dogs.

 

[WelshGas]

That’s great info - thank you. I’ve just taken a look at their website and it’s also dog friendly as they allow up to 2 dogs in selected cabins. I plan to do Norway next year with my dogs and this will certainly shave off some driving time on the way up.

Interesting thread for us as we are keen on Norway, likewise we will be travelling with two dogs.

I would suggest checking up on the Norwegian requirements for travelling with dogs across the Border into Norway. As it is not in the EU it has its own regulations and there are Police/Custom checks in place which weren’t in the past.
I gather one item is the time limit for worming treatments no matter if you are travelling direct or from an EU country.

 

[bvddobb]

I would suggest checking up on the Norwegian requirements for travelling with dogs across the Border into Norway. As it is not in the EU it has its own regulations

While not in the EU, Norway is in the EEA, with Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein and its regulations conform with the EU. So, travelling with pets from the EU is relatively easy. See this link. So I gues, once you travelled from the UK to the EU with your pet, and you have ticked all the boxes for it and it is allowed in, it should be ok to take it on to Norway.
If you come from a third country such as the UK, then see this link.
No idea what needs to be done to take an animal back to the UK in these Brexit times, though.
But Paul is right, of course: best to check thoroughly!

 

[WelshGas]

While not in the EU, Norway is in the EEA, with Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein and its regulations conform with the EU. So, travelling with pets from the EU is relatively easy. See this link. So I gues, once you travelled from the UK to the EU with your pet, and you have ticked all the boxes for it and it is allowed in, it should be ok to take it on to Norway.
If you come from a third country such as the UK, then see this link.
No idea what needs to be done to take an animal back to the UK in these Brexit times, though.
But Paul is right, of course: best to check thoroughly!

From what I gather there is a strict time frame relating to the worming treatment, 24-120 hrs , before entering Norway, even from an EU country such as Sweden, so it depends how quickly you travel from the UK to Norway via the EU if the original worming treatment is still valid for entry.

Travelling with pets - Norwegian Customs

If you are travelling with pets to or from Norway, you should contact the Norwegian Food Safety Authority prior to the trip in order to establish which rules apply.

www.toll.no

 

[WelshGas]

I'm now back from Norway. Used the new ferry from Eemshaven to Kristiansand on Thursday, April 21. They had been in service for only two weeks.

Overall it was a great experience on a nice ship. The crew was clearly still finding their way, but they were friendly, helpful and eager to improve. It was only some little things that still went wrong, like the steaks in the grill house restaurant arriving before guests had finished their starters. I would say the enthusiasm of the crew more than compensated for that.

Checking in at Eemshaven was quick and easy, using the QR code in the booking confirmation. I arrived exactly the recommended 90 minutes before departure, and I was on the ship within ten minutes. On a weekday in April the ship was not full, so this might be different in high season. Getting off in Kristiansand and passing through customs was equally efficient, getting me parked up in the city within twenty minutes. What helps here is that there is only one car deck, with space for about 300 cars apparently. This car deck also accommodates trucks and buses, so lanes are wide and high.

While leaving Kristiansand around 13:00 I noticed the vessel crossing to the container harbour to make space for one of the other ferries. So I would imagine that boarding in Kristiansand you do have to wait on the quai for the ferry to return, unless you are there really early. I have no experience of the service in that direction.

For most of the crossings in the summer the car deck seems already sold out. Since the car deck is relatively small, the ferry itself should never get too busy. The ship is built for a maximum of 2500 day passengers, which has been capped to 1500 for this route. With a sold-out car deck, I have heard of passengers being left behind if their car exceeds the booked dimensions. Also I would avoid being the last one to check in in that case, just in case things don't fit.

Coming back I travelled on Color Line Kiel–Oslo. Entertainment, food etcetera is on a different level there, but it was also almost twice as expensive. For the single trip Eemshaven–Kristiansand I paid EUR 205 (low season) including Cali and 1 passenger in an inside cabin.

The ferry and loading ramp at Eemshaven:
View attachment 92904

The car deck, starboard side:
View attachment 92905

Informative. Did you book as a Camper less than 7m or a Car 5m and less than 2.6m high?

 

[Kingfisher]

Informative. Did you book as a Camper less than 7m or a Car 5m and less than 2.6m high?

I booked as a car (< 5 m length, < 2.6 height) and that seemed to be fine. Their main issue for now is the limited space on the car deck, so I would not chance taking a bike rack or anything on the back without booking for a longer car.

 

[subthree]

I booked as a car (< 5 m length, < 2.6 height) and that seemed to be fine. Their main issue for now is the limited space on the car deck, so I would not chance taking a bike rack or anything on the back without booking for a longer car.

I have also booked as a "car", so I am grateful you did the same without any issues. Thanks.

 

[WelshGas]

I think I might consider this for my next trip. I normally use the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry and drive the Oresund Bridge. This would be cheaper than 3 days driving + Diesel ( about a thousand miles ) 3 campsites and 2 sets of bridge tolls in Denmark.

 

[bvddobb]

I think I might consider this for my next trip. I normally use the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry and drive the Oresund Bridge. This would be cheaper than 3 days driving + Diesel ( about a thousand miles ) 3 campsites and 2 sets of bridge tolls in Denmark.

And save you a lot of holiday time, since this is an overnight crossing, vs. a 3 day drive…

 

[Brightonbelle]

Hello, we are in the early stages of planning a month long trip to Norway for next July. I’d be grateful for any updates from those of you who have used this service please. Did you do a night crossing on the Harwich to Hook of Holland prior to the Eemshaven crossing? Any tips about campsites in Norway with full facilities (not wild camping) as I do like a shower, would be appreciated. I know I might need a separate post for this. Thanks

 

[WelshGas]

Hello, we are in the early stages of planning a month long trip to Norway for next July. I’d be grateful for any updates from those of you who have used this service please. Did you do a night crossing on the Harwich to Hook of Holland prior to the Eemshaven crossing? Any tips about campsites in Norway with full facilities (not wild camping) as I do like a shower, would be appreciated. I know I might need a separate post for this. Thanks

Not used that ferry yet as only started this year but will be on my next trip, my 5th, to Norway.
Overnight ferry from Harwich should give sufficient time to drive to Eemshaven ferry.
I use ASCI app , which is free for smartphones and iPad. You pay £2 or 3 for the site data for the countries you are interested in. Campsites are all of an excellent standard, with directions, GPS coordinates and Contact info + reviews , photos etc.
Archies Camping app for smartphones gives info and contact information for over 30,000 campsites in Europe .
Multiple Toll roads and Tunnels as well as some ferries. Impossible to avoid many of them. Toll collection is via APNR cameras. You will get a bill on your return home. You can register your vehicle for emissions standards as some Tolls are variable depending on EU rating.

See Here, Particularly Countdown 3.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/search/353021/?q=Countdown&c[title_only]=1&c[users]=WelshGas&o=relevance

 

[Brightonbelle]

Hi Welshgas, that’s really helpful. I will register for ACSI and look at the other suggestions. Do you book ahead for campsites or as you go? I’ll look into the emissions as I’d not thought of that. I had read about the tolls and will register. We’ve had driving holidays in Norway before (a few years ago when Newcastle to Kristiansand ferry was running). I had thought the overnight ferry from Harwich would be good, thanks for confirming. I spent seven years of my childhood in Oslo, so I’m always keen to go back to Norway!

 

[WelshGas]

Hi Welshgas, that’s really helpful. I will register for ACSI and look at the other suggestions. Do you book ahead for campsites or as you go? I’ll look into the emissions as I’d not thought of that. I had read about the tolls and will register. We’ve had driving holidays in Norway before (a few years ago when Newcastle to Kristiansand ferry was running). I had thought the overnight ferry from Harwich would be good, thanks for confirming. I spent seven years of my childhood in Oslo, so I’m always keen to go back to Norway!

I don't book ahead for campsites but I go in May and all the campsites are very empty, but July is the height of the season. You could be OK for smaller sites , I find them via Archies, and have not yet been disappointed, but these don't have hardstandings and may not have hookup for every pitch, but the facilities have never disappointed.

 

[Brightonbelle]

I remember May being very chilly! Maybe we’ll compromise and go for some of June as well. We’re not bothered about hardstanding or hookup necessarily, just a hot shower! It won’t kill is to cope without but I’d prefer not to.

 

[Arnoob]

We camped in Norway for 4 weeks in June and had never any trouble finding a campsite, hooked up or not. With one exception: the camperplace in Stavanger. You have to be early to have a place over there. There is space at the other side of the hall, but well hidden. (we loved Stavanger)
.

 

[WelshGas]

I remember May being very chilly! Maybe we’ll compromise and go for some of June as well. We’re not bothered about hardstanding or hookup necessarily, just a hot shower! It won’t kill is to cope without but I’d prefer not to.

This year was an exception, -7c at Nordkapp , but previous years the weather was much the same as in the UK, rarely rained, sunny, thin jacket weather.
Campsites that are not all year tend to open 1st week of May.
End of May to June should be fine.

 

[Corradobrit]

This vanlife couple are currently touring Norway. They found July VERY congested with holidaymakers, eventually moving to Sweden to escape the crowds.

https://www.youtube.com/c/campervibe

 

[Brightonbelle]

Thanks Arnoob, we’ll include Stavanger as we’ve never been there. Welsh gas, we won’t go before the end of May. Corradobrit, I’m glad you’ve told me that. We may change our plans to include mainly June then. Hopefully, if we go before the school holidays we should be okay. I’m going to have a treat watching your video later.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks Arnoob, we’ll include Stavanger as we’ve never been there. Welsh gas, we won’t go before the end of May. Corradobrit, I’m glad you’ve told me that. We may change our plans to include mainly June then. Hopefully, if we go before the school holidays we should be okay. I’m going to have a treat watching your video later.

Not the U.K. school holidays but German, Danish, Belgium school holidays.

 

[kurienp]

Thanks Arnoob, we’ll include Stavanger as we’ve never been there. Welsh gas, we won’t go before the end of May. Corradobrit, I’m glad you’ve told me that. We may change our plans to include mainly June then. Hopefully, if we go before the school holidays we should be okay. I’m going to have a treat watching your video later.

Norway! go go go! if only for this ....





I have been told - best time for the aurora - Sep/Oct ... or Mar/Apr
3 weeks - up Sweden and down Norway. you may be already aware that if you include lofoten, wild camping is not allowed ... so it will be campsites, which, as others have said can get busy in peak season.

Enjoy the planning, the journey and the adventures.

 

[subthree]

Hello, we are in the early stages of planning a month long trip to Norway for next July. I’d be grateful for any updates from those of you who have used this service please. Did you do a night crossing on the Harwich to Hook of Holland prior to the Eemshaven crossing? Any tips about campsites in Norway with full facilities (not wild camping) as I do like a shower, would be appreciated. I know I might need a separate post for this. Thanks

Currently on Lofoten. I used the Friday night Stena to Hook of Holland, brilliant service, modern ship. Then drove across the Netherlands on the Saturday to catch the Holland Norway Lines service. It is fine, not as modern as Stena Line. The rooms reminded me of hotels I have stayed in Russia!

Camping is so easy in Norway. Even on Lofoten people are parked up "wild camping".

 

[subthree]

Room on HNL ferry.