Ferry Denmark
Helsingør - Helsingborg
From North Zealand to Sweden without the bridge toll, the shortest ferry link between Denmark and Sweden
- Just 20 minutes across the Øresund on Øresundslinjen's electric ferries
- Running around the clock, every 20 minutes during the day, up to 55 departures a day
- Cars checked in at least 10 minutes, foot passengers 5 minutes before departure in Helsingør
Route guide
Helsingør - Helsingborg ferry at a glance
Table of Contents
Everything about the Øresund ferry Helsingør - Helsingborg with Øresundslinjen: getting to the town-centre terminals, minute-by-minute check-in, paying and travelling with a pet on board, border checks and fares.
Getting there and the terminal
The ferry port of Helsingør lies at the northeastern tip of Zealand, around 45 km north of Copenhagen. Coming from Germany via Rødby or Gedser, take the E47 or E55 past Copenhagen, then continue north on the E47 to Helsingør. Vehicle check-in is at Færgevej 8, 3000 Helsingør, and foot passengers go to Færgevej 9 next door; the terminal sits centrally at the harbour, within walking distance of the railway station and Kronborg Castle. At Øresundslinjen's car park on Færgevej next to the gangway terminal, the first 15 minutes are free, after which you pay by the hour; card payment only.
In Helsingborg, vehicles check in at Bredgatan 5, while foot passengers use Helsingborg C railway station, right at the harbour. Both sides are so central that the ferry also works well for rail travellers and day-trippers without a car.
Check-in and departure
By car, motorbike, motorhome or vehicle-and-trailer combination, you need to be checked in at least 10 minutes before departure; with a commuter card, 5 minutes is enough. Foot passengers must check in at least 5 minutes before departure. If you enter your number plate at online booking, the system recognises the vehicle automatically at the entrance and you drive straight into the lane. If you buy your ticket from the machine at the port, you take the next available departure. Border checks between Denmark and Sweden occur from time to time: Swedish police check arrivals entering Sweden, and Danish police check on the return. Have a national ID card or passport ready, including one for each accompanying child.
On board
Øresundslinjen runs five ferries on the route, including the Tycho Brahe, the Aurora and the Hamlet; the three largest vessels run on battery power, and the company aims to operate its entire fleet emission-free by 2030. Twenty minutes is enough for a coffee on board, or for more in the Waves restaurant on the Aurora. Payment on board and at the terminals is by card; the company only accepts cash, in Danish kroner, on board and in Helsingør, while card payment is mandatory at the Helsingborg terminals and in the bars too.
Vehicles, bikes and pets
A car is defined as a vehicle up to 3.5 t gross weight, a motorhome regardless of weight or length; the car fare depends on whether the vehicle is under or over six metres, and vehicles over six metres check in manually. Trailers are booked separately by length, up to five metres or more. Details for motorhomes are in our motorhome guide. Dogs and cats travel free of charge: on a lead on the passenger deck, not in the shop, restaurant or café. To enter Sweden, Swedish customs require a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, a pet passport, a minimum age of 15 weeks, and customs registration; the rules are summarised in our dogs and pets guide.
Arrival and onward travel
Helsingborg welcomes you right in the town centre, with Helsingborg C railway station directly at the terminal. By car, the E4 heads north towards Gothenburg and Stockholm, and the E6 south towards Malmö. If you're only crossing for the day, take one of the return sailings, which run every 20 minutes, in the evening. A round trip via Sweden ends either on the Øresund Bridge back to Copenhagen or on this ferry again.
Tickets and fares
Øresundslinjen offers two fares: the Lowprice ticket is the cheapest, valid one hour before and after the booked departure, changeable online for a fee, and non-refundable. The Standard ticket is valid eight hours before and after the booked departure, and can be changed and refunded free of charge up to departure. There's a day return ticket for a round trip on the same day, separate single and day tickets for foot passengers, and reduced fares for children and seniors. Prices vary between low and peak season and are cheaper online and in the app than at the machine. Travellers arriving from Germany with Scandlines can add the Øresund ferry as a combined ticket to the Puttgarden - Rødby or Rostock - Gedser crossing. The booking window for the route shows the amount for your travel day, and the price overview gives the comparison.
Helsingør - Helsingborg
Across the Øresund to Sweden in 20 minutes
The Helsingør - Helsingborg route crosses the Øresund at its narrowest point: just four kilometres separate the town with Kronborg Castle at the northern tip of Zealand from Helsingborg in Sweden, and the crossing takes 20 minutes. Ferries run around the clock, every 20 minutes during the day, and both terminals lie right in the town centre next to the railway stations.
The route is operated by Øresundslinjen, a brand of the Danish ferry company Molslinjen, with five ferries, the three largest of which run on batteries. For your Denmark trip, this route is the classic side trip to Sweden from North Zealand, whether as a day trip to Helsingborg or as part of a round trip via Sweden, without the Øresund Bridge toll.
- Crossing
- 20 min
- Operator
- Øresundslinjen
- Frequency
- up to 55x daily
- From price
- SEK 299
Next departures
FAQ Helsingør - Helsingborg
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Helsingør - Helsingborg ferry connection
How long does the ferry from Helsingør to Helsingborg take, and how often does it run?+
The crossing takes around 20 minutes. Øresundslinjen runs around the clock, every 20 minutes during the day and less often at night, with up to 55 departures a day in each direction. Exact times are in the timetable.
When do I need to be at the port?+
By car, motorbike or motorhome, you need to be checked in at least 10 minutes before departure; foot passengers 5 minutes before. If you enter your number plate when booking, it's recognised automatically at the entrance. With a ticket bought from the machine at the port, you take the next available departure. Vehicle check-in is at Færgevej 8 in Helsingør and at Bredgatan 5 in Helsingborg.
What does the Helsingør - Helsingborg ferry cost?+
The price depends on season, fare and vehicle length: Øresundslinjen distinguishes between low and peak season, and the car fare depends on whether the vehicle is under or over six metres long. Foot passengers pay considerably less, and there's a day return ticket for a round trip on the same day. The booking window shows the amount for your date; you can compare fares across all Denmark routes in the price overview.
Can I bring my car or motorhome?+
Yes. Cars, motorbikes, bicycles, motorhomes and vehicle-and-trailer combinations can all travel. A car is defined as a vehicle up to 3.5 t gross weight, a motorhome regardless of weight or length; vehicles over six metres check in manually, and trailers are booked separately by length. More in our motorhome guide.
Can my dog travel across the Øresund with me?+
Yes, at no extra charge. Your dog or cat can join you on a lead on the passenger deck, but not in the shop or restaurant. To enter Sweden, Swedish customs require a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, a pet passport, a minimum age of 15 weeks, and customs registration. Everything else is in our dogs and pets guide.
Is there a combined ticket with the ferry from Germany?+
Yes. If you're travelling from Germany with Scandlines via Puttgarden - Rødby or Rostock - Gedser, you can add the Øresund ferry as a combined ticket: one ticket for both crossings, with the barcode scanned at the machine in Helsingør. This way you avoid the bridge toll and reach Sweden via North Zealand.