Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Danielle Murdoch, riding to Uganda - Kenya border

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Danielle Murdoch,
riding to Uganda - Kenya border



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 15 Jan 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 521
[b]Update[/b] UK-Norway Ferry

All,
As you know the Fjord Line ferry link between UK and Norway ceased to operate in September 2008. An alternative have been to use DFDS Tor Line freighters from Immingham to Kristiansand/Brevik, but the departures have been difficult to access.

As of this year, there have been some changes in the DFDS Tor Line sailing schedule, which may open to some more options. The best part is that they have opened for daily sailings (six a week) Immingham - Gothenburg (being only a 3 hrs ride from the Norwegian border and a harbour frequently used even by Norweigan riders going to Germany). There is now only a once weekly sailing directly to Norway, and then only to Brevik - not Kristiansand (there is also one going to Brevik via Gothenburg but takes 48 hrs, thus not a serious option I think)

DIRECTLY TO NORWAY (BREVIK)
Dept Immingham Sundays at 04.00 A.M., arriving in Brevik Mondays at 06.00 A.M.
Dept Brevik Fridays at 02.00 A.M., arriving in Immingham Saturdays at 03.00 A.M.

DIRECTLY TO SWEDEN (GOTHENBURG)
(awaiting detailed time schedule, but six weekly sailings to and from Immingham)

BOOKING ROUTINES
(have changed - awaiting details)

I'll update this info as soon as I've got it, hopefully in a couple of days.

If we're lucky we might - just might - have got ourselves a good ferry link between UK and Northern Scandinavia again :-)

Last edited by indu; 15 Jan 2009 at 17:25.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 Jan 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 37
Does this mean there are no car/bike ferries to Norway anymore? or is it just that one service which has been discontinued?

Thanks
IanD
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 Jan 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 521
There are no other ordinary ferries between UK and Norway anymore. Fjord Line operated the only ordinary car ferry between Bergen and Newcastle until Sept last year (Smyril Line may have operated its ferry to Shetland I'm not sure if they do it anymore. In any case it's a bit inconvenient as you need to use more ferries to get to the UK mainland). The DFDS Tor Line ships are cargo vessels which may accept passengers and their bikes. Some on this forum have used them, but the booking procedure have been somewhat awkward (max. 1 month ahead of journey, no guarantees). I was now told that there are some alterations to this. I am about to attend the Ripley HU Spring Meeting in June, and could book a return trip today if I wanted. I am awaiting info from Gothenburg as they have scheduled 6 sailings/week from there, making it even more convenient.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20 Jan 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 5
That will be good news if they have a proper service running again
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 Jan 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Denmark
Posts: 166
I would contact DFDS and ask them how busy that route from Immingham to Gothenburg is at the time you intend to travel. I can only imagine that they run that often because there is a demand for it.

After my "Holiday" on Immingham docks, I would want to try and nail DFDS down as best as I could before I booked with them.

Steve
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 4 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Denmark
Posts: 166
Just to re-post my thread from another page regarding the DFDS Freight ships from Immingham.

They have very few cabins and once the truck drivers fill up the cabins they stop taking passengers on. Truck drivers get priority over everybody else.

This was my post on another thread:


I will just add a word of warning about this method of travel which the company has also added on their letter.

They also do a trip from Immingham to Esjberg in Denmark where I live.

I booked a return journey from denmark to immingham with a small box van. At the time the "Warning" was not added to their stationary and I thought my bookings were solid, confirmed bookings.

The outward trip to Immingham was great and if that was what it was like all the time I would reccomend it.

However, when I turned up for the return journey I was told they had been trying to contact me to tell me that my place on the boat had been put back because a larger freight vehicle had been booked on.

After some searching i found the new driver and he was happy to share his cabin with me but the shipping company would not allow it. There was masses of room for the box van all the company had to say was "Yes".

I sat on Immingham docks for 3 days before I got on the boat back to Denmark.

I found out that they had been trying to call me on my home number in denmark to tell me my position on the boat had been put back. They knew I was in the UK so why they were ringing me in denmark is anyones guess.

The boat was great, DFDS were worse than useless.

If you travel like this make sure you have a few spare days at both ends of your trip in case you get put back. Ensure they have home numbers, e-mails, mobile numbers etc etc, so they can get hold of you.

Remember this is primarily a freight service and the bigger trucks will jump the queue and they will not just put anyone in the bunks. There are very few bunks on their ships.

The other side to this are that the prices are per person so it is also very expensive.

Steve
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Norway Stavanger to Nordkapp (top of Norway) tourman Route Planning 5 12 May 2008 21:59
Aswan - Wadi Halfa Ferry Update Pete Sinclair North Africa 4 9 Oct 2006 17:48
Sete (France) - Tanger ferry update DougieB North Africa 4 13 Dec 2004 18:58
Aswan - Wadi Halfa Ferry Update Pete Sinclair Equipping the Overland Vehicle 0 11 Sep 2002 20:28

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insuranceā„¢ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:53.