Ferries and Ferry Routes to Oslo, Sandefjord and Kristiansand in Norway
The geography of Europe being what it is, it’s not surprising that many ferry services are in place to surmount the otherwise impassable obstacles presented by the numerous bodies of water to passenger and freight travel. In Europe lies a vast network of rivers, lakes, and seas which, supplemented by man-made canals and locks, form a transportation network which man has utilized since antiquity. Without the ready-made routes they represented, European civilization wouldn’t have flourished as it had. It would’ve meant less trade, less exchange of ideas, and people wouldn’t have traveled as far or as quickly.
Norway and Water Transportation
Norway is a popular tourist destination in Scandinavia. With its dramatic landscape, dynamic cities and cool climate, it’s easy to see why tourists from fellow members in the European Union as well as from other countries around the world flock to this place. It is popular for lovers of outdoor activities and for enthusiasts of winter sports such as skiing, sledding, and curling. The beauty of its towns and cities has also made them popular destinations in summer. Its rugged terrain, long winters, and numerous streams, rivers and fjords—especially on the western side of the country—have meant that water transport has always played an important part in its commerce and history. Just ask the Vikings.
Millions of people travel annually to and from Norway, and the ferry to Norway system that has developed handles a major part of this traffic. For those who don’t wish to take the long, circuitous land routes and are afraid of flying, traveling by ferry to Norway is a viable option. Not only is it fast and cheap, but ferries service many Norwegian ports and allow you to bring your vehicle as well, something you can’t easily do with major air carriers. If you don’t have a very pressing need to be somewhere quickly, you can hardly go wrong by deciding to travel by ferry. In fact, it, sometimes it’s actually quicker.
Ports of Note
A ferry to Norway has many possible destination ports. One of the most important for travelers, whether domestic or international, is Kristiansand. Its central location on the southern coast of the country makes it a hub for sea, road, and rail transportation, and the frequent arrivals and departures which take place there have earned it the nickname “The Gateway to Europe.” It is itself a tourist destination, also known as the “The Flower Town of Norway” for the 20,000-odd flowers which greet both residents and visitors alike with splendid displays of colors during the summer.
Sandefjord is another port of note for ferries to Norway, offering fast ferry travel to and from Sweden via Strömstad. This town preserves its past in its museum devoted to whaling—the only one of its kind in Europe. It is also a pedestrian’s delight, decorated with statuary, with lots of little cafes to drop into while out on a stroll.
Olso, the capital, is also well-served by ferry. An old city (it was founded in 1048), it has preserved its heritage in its long vistas, wide streets and imposing buildings. The quays, at which a ferry to Norway docks, the Vippetangen, are within walking distance of Oslo S.
Finding Routes & Booking Passage
It is easy to find schedules and book passage on a ferry to Norway, whatever your destination is in Norway. You can purchase a ticket in port terminals, in shipping companies’ offices, by phone, or on the Internet, where not only can you book passage to Norway, but also find ferry services to places as far away as Greenland, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, or the United Kingdom. Depending on the trip you choose, ferries sail on an hourly or daily basis.
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