Operator
Molslinjen
The operator from Aarhus linking Jutland and Zealand by high-speed ferry - and standing behind almost every Danish island ferry
- Aarhus - Odden in 90 minutes on the world's largest catamaran ferries, up to 40 knots
- Denmark's largest domestic ferry operator - 10 routes, 18 ships, around 15 million passengers a year
- Cars and foot passengers on Aarhus and Odden checked in at the latest 10 minutes before departure
About Molslinjen
Table of Contents
About Molslinjen
Molslinjen is Denmark's largest domestic ferry operator and one of the biggest high-speed ferry companies in the world. It was founded in 1963 as a public shareholding company, backed by the town council of Ebeltoft and the municipalities on Sjællands Odde; on 18 May 1966, the ferry Mette Mols crossed the Kattegat for the first time. Decades of changing ownership followed: in 1964 a subsidiary of DFDS, in 1984 part of the shipping company J. Lauritzen, in 1988 taken over by Difko, and in 1994 listed on the Copenhagen stock exchange. In 2016 the fund Polaris acquired the company in full and gave it its current name, Molslinjen. Since 2020 the operator has belonged to the infrastructure fund EQT and is part of Nordic Ferry Infrastructure, which carries 25 million passengers a year across 57 routes with 92 ships. Its head office sits at the ferry port of Aarhus, Færgevej 7A.
Today Molslinjen runs 18 ships on ten routes, employs more than 2,000 people and carries around 15 million passengers a year. In 2018 the company won the tender for the Bornholm routes, bought Danske Færger A/S and merged it into the group; this added the connections to Als, Fanø, Langeland, Samsø and Bornholm. In 2023 came the purchase of ForSea A/S and, with it, the Øresund line. The brands today are Molslinjen, Bornholmslinjen, Alslinjen, Langelandslinjen, Samsølinjen, Fanølinjen and Øresundslinjen; with Kombardo Expressen, the group also runs a long-distance coach network whose buses travel on the ferries.
Ships and fleet
The flagships are the catamarans Express 1 to Express 5, built by Incat in Tasmania. The Express 2 is 112.6 metres long and 30.5 metres wide, has four main engines totalling 36 megawatts and reaches speeds of up to 40 knots, 36 knots fully loaded; the vehicle deck is the size of half a football pitch, with 4.60 metres of clearance on the lower deck and 2.10 metres on the upper deck, and a lift up to the passenger deck. On board there is a restaurant, Molly's Diner, Barista's Coffee Shop and a Business Lounge. On the Bøjden - Fynshav route, the fully electric Nerthus operates under the Alslinjen brand, while the Øresund has the largest battery-powered ferries on a high-frequency route.
Routes on this page
Under its own name, Molslinjen runs the Kattegat routes between Jutland and Zealand: Aarhus - Odden in 90 minutes and Ebeltoft - Odden in around 75 minutes, both on catamarans that save you about 200 kilometres of driving via the bridges. As Alslinjen it operates Fynshav - Bøjden between Als and Funen with the electric ferry Nerthus. The Bornholm routes from Ystad, Køge and Sassnitz are covered by Bornholmslinjen, the Spodsbjerg - Tårs ferry by Langelandslinjen, and the Øresund crossing Helsingør - Helsingborg by Øresundslinjen.
Check-in, vehicles and pets
On the Kattegat routes, with a Standard or Lavpris ticket you need to be checked in at the latest 10 minutes before departure; this applies to cars, motorbikes, caravans and trailer combinations, vehicles up to 2.95 metres in height, and foot passengers. Electric cars with a reserved charging space and heavy goods vehicles need 20 minutes, coaches 15, vehicles for passengers with disabilities and foot passengers needing assistance 30 minutes, and Business BlueClass just 5 minutes. Check in later and your seat reservation lapses, after which boarding continues in the order seats become free. The deadlines also apply if the ferry is delayed. Details for campers are in our guide Motorhomes. Dogs travel on a lead, cats in a carrier; pets stay on the floor and are not allowed in the restaurant or the Business Lounge, and the catamarans have a dedicated dog and picnic area at the stern. What applies on entry is covered in our guide Dogs and pets.
Tickets
Molslinjen sells Standard and Lavpris tickets, plus the Business BlueClass with lounge access, number-plate payment via Brobizz and shorter check-in. Frequent travellers can buy multi-trip cards. Bookings are made online or in the Molslinjen app, which also covers the brands Bornholmslinjen, Alslinjen, Langelandslinjen and Øresundslinjen. Departures are in the timetable, and the comparison of all Denmark routes is in the price overview.
FAQ Molslinjen
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Molslinjen and ferries to Denmark
Which routes does Molslinjen operate?+
Under its own name, Molslinjen runs the Kattegat routes Aarhus - Odden and Ebeltoft - Odden between Jutland and Zealand. As Alslinjen it operates Fynshav - Bøjden between Als and Funen; the brands Bornholmslinjen, Langelandslinjen and Øresundslinjen have their own pages.
When was Molslinjen founded and who owns it?+
The company was founded in 1963 as a public shareholding company, backed by the town council of Ebeltoft and the municipalities on Sjællands Odde. On 18 May 1966, the ferry Mette Mols crossed the Kattegat for the first time. Since 2020, Molslinjen has belonged to the infrastructure fund EQT and is part of Nordic Ferry Infrastructure.
Which ships does Molslinjen use?+
On Aarhus - Odden and Ebeltoft - Odden, the catamarans Express 1 to Express 5 are in service, built by Incat in Tasmania; the Express 2 is 112.6 metres long, reaches speeds of up to 40 knots and has a vehicle deck the size of half a football pitch. On Fynshav - Bøjden, the fully electric Nerthus operates.
When do I need to be at the port with Molslinjen?+
On the Kattegat routes, with a Standard or Lavpris ticket you need to be checked in at the latest 10 minutes before departure - this applies to cars, motorbikes, vehicles with trailers and foot passengers. Electric cars with a reserved charging space and heavy goods vehicles need 20 minutes, coaches 15, and vehicles for passengers with disabilities and travellers needing assistance 30 minutes. Check in later and your seat reservation lapses.
Can I bring a car, motorhome or electric car?+
Yes. Cars, motorhomes, vehicles with trailers, motorbikes and bicycles can all travel, with vehicle decks up to 4.60 metres in height. Reservable charging spaces for electric cars are available on board the catamarans. Details for campers are in our guide Motorhomes.
Can my dog travel on board?+
Yes. Dogs travel on a lead, cats in a carrier; pets stay on the floor and are not allowed in the restaurant or the Business Lounge. The catamarans have a dedicated dog and picnic area at the stern. Everything on entry requirements is in our guide Dogs and pets.
What tickets are available, and where do I find the timetable and prices?+
Molslinjen sells Standard and Lavpris tickets as well as the Business BlueClass with lounge access and shorter check-in. Departures for all routes are in the timetable, with prices compared in the price overview.