Ferry to Sweden
Sandefjord - Strömstad
2.5 hours from southern Norway to Bohuslän, daily with Color Line
- 2.5 hours on the Color Hybrid
- 2 departures daily, all year round
- Check-in up to 30 min before departure
Sandefjord - Strömstad
The route in detail
Table of Contents
Two and a half hours at sea separate Sandefjord in southern Norway from Strömstad on Sweden's west coast. The ferry is the direct sea route between the two countries in the west: anyone travelling through Norway and heading on to Bohuslän or Gothenburg arrives right in the middle of Strömstad, a few steps from the town centre.
Departing from Sandefjord
The Color Line terminal is at Strandpromenaden 20 in Sandefjord, about a ten-minute walk from the train station. Check-in opens around two and a half hours before departure and closes 30 minutes before; arriving later risks your booked place. All travellers over 18 show a valid ID at check-in. It's simplest when the trip is booked and paid for in advance.
The crossing
Color Line's Color Hybrid sails this route, described by the operator as the world's largest plug-in hybrid ship. Built at Ulstein Verft in Norway, it is 160 metres long and has sailed between Sandefjord and Strömstad since August 2019. A battery pack of around 5 MWh is enough for up to 60 minutes of sailing at up to twelve knots, letting the ship travel through the fjord into the inner harbour of Sandefjord without emissions. On board there are buffet restaurants, three shops across 2,000 square metres of tax-free space, and two glass floor panels giving a view 15 to 20 metres down into the sea. Payment is in kroner, with both Swedish and Norwegian accepted. Wi-Fi runs via satellite and isn't stable everywhere.
With a car, campervan, bike or dog
The Color Hybrid takes cars, campervans and car-and-caravan combinations, though spaces for campervans and caravans are limited on some sailings. Color Line offers packages for two people with a car up to five metres long and 1.95 metres tall, a campervan up to five metres and 2.55 metres, and a car with caravan up to six metres and 2.6 metres; larger vehicles are booked individually. Turn off your vehicle's alarm system before the crossing. More on travelling with a campervan is in the guide Travelling to Sweden with a campervan. Several lifts lead from the vehicle deck to the passenger decks, and the ship is step-free throughout.
Pets stay in the car for the whole crossing, or in one of the 13 free dog kennels on Deck 9. You may not stay in the car while under way. Entry rules for dogs and cats are summed up in the guide Travelling to Sweden with a dog.
Arrival in Strömstad and onward travel
The ferry docks at Torskholmen, right next to the guest harbour. It's a five-minute walk to the small town centre, and just as far to the train and bus station, where buses to Gothenburg and Oslo also stop. A large car park sits opposite the terminal, and terminal staff can call a taxi on request. By car, the E6 runs south from Strömstad along the Bohuslän coast. Ferries and connections around the west coast are under Gothenburg.
Timetable, season and prices
Color Line runs the route daily, all year round, usually twice a day in each direction. Departure times for your travel day are in the timetable. Color Line sells two fares: Economy is non-refundable on cancellation, while Flex can be changed free of charge and fully refunded up until departure. There are also packages for a car, campervan or caravan. How ferry prices to Sweden are made up is explained under Prices. The booking window shows the current starting price.
Sandefjord - Strömstad
From Norway to Sweden's west coast
The Sandefjord - Strömstad route connects the Norwegian coast west of the Oslofjord with Strömstad in the north of Sweden's west coast. The crossing takes 2.5 hours, and the ferry sails twice daily all year round. That makes it the link for anyone combining a trip through Norway with Bohuslän and Gothenburg.
The line is operated by Color Line with the Color Hybrid, which has sailed the route since August 2019 and manoeuvres on battery power in the port of Sandefjord. On board there are restaurants, a large tax-free area and dog kennels. Cars, campervans and car-and-caravan combinations travel too.
- Crossing time
- 2.5 hrs
- Operator
- Color Line
- Frequency
- 2× daily
Next departures
FAQ Sandefjord - Strömstad
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Sandefjord - Strömstad ferry route
How long does the ferry from Sandefjord to Strömstad take? +
The crossing on the Color Hybrid takes around 2.5 hours. The route is served exclusively by Color Line.
How often does the ferry run between Sandefjord and Strömstad? +
The ferry runs all year round, usually twice daily in each direction. The timetable shows the exact departure times for your travel date.
When do I need to be at the terminal? +
You must be at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure, or your booked place may be forfeited. Check-in opens about two and a half hours before. Adults need a valid ID.
How much does the Sandefjord to Strömstad ferry cost? +
The amount depends on departure, fare and vehicle. Color Line sells Economy and Flex fares and offers packages for two people with a car, campervan or car with caravan. How ferry prices to Sweden are made up is explained under Prices.
Can I bring a campervan or caravan? +
Yes. Cars, campervans and car-and-caravan combinations travel too, though the number of spaces for campervans and caravans is limited on some sailings. Booking early pays off in summer for that reason. More in the guide Travelling to Sweden with a campervan.
Can my dog come on board? +
Yes. Your pet stays in the car for the whole crossing, or in one of the 13 dog kennels on Deck 9, which are free of charge. You may not stay in the car while under way. Entry rules for dogs and cats are in the guide Travelling to Sweden with a dog.
How do I get on from the port of Strömstad? +
The Color Line terminal is on Torskholmen, right by the guest harbour. It's about a five-minute walk to Strömstad's train and bus station, where buses to Gothenburg and Oslo also stop. All ferry connections to the west coast are under Ferries to Gothenburg.