Color Line
Color Line connects Sandefjord in southern Norway with Strömstad on Sweden's west coast, twice a day, all year round. Here you'll find out who's behind the Norwegian ferry company, which ship sails to Sweden, and what you need to know for the crossing.
About Color Line
Table of Contents
About Color Line
Color Line is a Norwegian ferry company headquartered at the Color Line terminal in Oslo, and describes itself as the largest ferry operator in international passenger and freight traffic to and from Norway. The fleet comprises five RoPax ships sailing four international routes between seven ports in Norway, Denmark, Germany and Sweden: Oslo - Kiel, Kristiansand - Hirtshals, Larvik - Hirtshals and Sandefjord - Strömstad. All routes run year-round, daily. In 2024 Color Line carried around 3.7 million passengers, and the company employs around 3,000 people across four countries. All ships are registered in Norway and sail under the Norwegian flag.
History and group
Color Line was formed in 1990 from the merger of the two Norwegian shipping companies Jahre Line and Norway Line. Jahre Line had already been sailing between Oslo and Kiel since 1961. Through the 1990s Color Line grew through acquisitions, including the 1998 takeover of Scandi Line with its short routes between Norway and Sweden. Today the parent company is Color Group AS, wholly owned by O.N. Sunde AS and, through it, by Olav Nils Sunde and his family. Alongside its ships, the company also owns the Color Hotel Skagen in Denmark.
Color Line to Sweden
For your journey to Sweden, the route that matters is Sandefjord - Strömstad. It's served by the Color Hybrid, which the company describes as the world's largest plug-in hybrid ship. Built at Ulstein Verft, she has sailed the route since August 2019 and runs on battery power through the fjord into Sandefjord's inner harbour. The crossing takes around 2.5 hours, with two sailings a day year-round in each direction. Check-in closes 30 minutes before departure. In Strömstad the ferry docks at Torskholmen, next to the marina; the railway and bus stations are about five minutes' walk away, and the E6 heads south to Gothenburg.
Cars, motorhomes and caravan combinations can travel on the Color Hybrid, though space for motorhomes and caravans is limited on some departures; see our guide Travelling to Sweden by motorhome for booking tips. Dogs and cats stay in the car during the crossing or in one of the 13 free dog kennels on deck 9; entry rules are summarised in our guide Travelling to Sweden with a dog. Color Line sells Economy and Flex fares: Economy isn't refunded if you cancel, while Flex can be changed and fully refunded up to departure. Departures are listed in the timetable, and the Prices page gives an overview of ferry fares.
From Germany there's a second route via Norway: Color Line's Color Fantasy and Color Magic sail overnight from Kiel to Oslo. The two sister ships are, according to the company, the largest cruise ferries with a car deck in the world. From Oslo you continue overland to Sandefjord and cross from there to Strömstad. To reach Sweden directly from Kiel, take the Kiel - Gothenburg ferry.
FAQ Color Line
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Color Line and the ferry to Sweden
Which ferry route to Sweden does Color Line operate? +
Color Line's route to Sweden is Sandefjord - Strömstad. The crossing aboard the Color Hybrid takes around 2.5 hours, sailing twice daily year-round in each direction.
Since when has Color Line existed, and who owns it? +
Color Line was formed in 1990 from the merger of the Norwegian shipping companies Jahre Line and Norway Line. Its parent company is Color Group AS, owned via O.N. Sunde AS by the family of Olav Nils Sunde.
How big is Color Line? +
Color Line describes itself as the largest ferry company in international passenger and freight traffic to and from Norway. The fleet comprises five RoPax ships on four routes between seven ports in Norway, Denmark, Germany and Sweden. In 2024, around 3.7 million passengers travelled with Color Line.
Can I bring a car or motorhome? +
Yes. Cars, motorhomes and caravan combinations can travel with you; space for motorhomes and caravans is limited on some departures. More in our guide Travelling to Sweden by motorhome.
Can my dog come on board? +
Yes. Your pet stays in the car during the crossing, or in one of the free dog kennels on deck; you can't stay in the car during the crossing. Entry rules are set out in our guide Travelling to Sweden with a dog.