Direct UK to Norway ferry hopes after ‘push’ for route scrapped 18 years ago

Norway is rapidly becoming one of the hottest destinations on tourist radars, garnering 17.4 million overnight stays in the first half of 2025 alone, and one hotspot could soon get a boost.

Bergen, the country’s second city, also known as the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’, is recognisable by its coloured wooden houses, mountainous backdrop and scenic train rides.

And now, in an exciting development, a direct ferry route from Newcastle to Bergen could be revived after being axed 18 years ago.

The popular DFDS ferry from Tyneside to the Scandinavian port stopped running in 2008, after becoming a ‘loss-making service’.

At the time, John Crummie, UK managing director for DFDS Seaways, said: ‘Dramatically increasing oil prices, downward price pressure from over capacity in the travel marketplace and the current economic slowdown are burdening the service. Consequently, we have taken the difficult decision to close the service.’

It had operated in one form or another for more than a century, at one point offering routes from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Bergen, Oslo, Stavanger, Haugesund, Kristiansand, Gothenburg, Hamburg, Esbjerg and Ijmuiden.

After being out-of-service since September 1, 2008, the upcoming launch of new direct flights from Newcastle to Bergen this April, thanks to budget airline Jet2, have sparked a desire for the sea-travel route to be revived also.

Newcastle’s council leader, Karen Kilgour, promised to ‘explore all ways’ to restore the popular ferry service, in a council meeting on Wednesday January 21.

There have been claims from ferry operators that the proposed route isn’t financially viable, but Karen said: ‘We know lots of people in both cities have fond memories of travelling by sea to visit both Newcastle and Bergen.’

‘While at this point operators consider the route is not economically viable, we will continue to work with partners and our friends in Bergen to explore all ways of bringing it back,’ she added. ‘Bergen remains a strategic partner in our international work and we intend not only to maintain but to deepen that relationship in the months ahead.’

One snag seems to be the need for a larger passport control office at the Bergen port if the ferry was to become operational again.

And while DFDS is still fully operational, it’s not clear which ferry operator would be responsible for the route.

Councillor Greg Stone, a long-time advocate for the ferry route’s return, agreed, saying: ‘Warm words is one thing but we need to make it a reality.

‘I know there are costs involved in doing that but I hope the council will continue that work, redouble that work, and work potentially with the mayor [Kim McGuinness] to look at what we can do to restore the physical ferry link.’

Newcastle and Bergen have had a special relationship since World War II when the Norwegian city presented Geordies with a Christmas tree each December to symbolise peace and goodwill. Sadly this tradition has now stopped due to environmental concerns.

Not to mention, the king of Norway, Olav V, opened Newcastle’s Civic Centre back in 1968, and signed the Twin City agreement. It means Britain is the main recipient of foreign investment by Norwegian industrial, shipping, commercial and financial companies.

Visiting Bergen

Metro writer Ellie Hutchings visited Bergen back in April last year, describing it as ‘a colourful city nestled between seven mountains and the dazzling western coastline’.

In fact, it was the ‘coolcation’ that convinced her chilly holidays are worth your money. ‘This Scandinavian jewel may be small, but it punches above its weight with an abundance of natural beauty, history and a surprisingly eclectic food scene,’ she adds.

The narrow streets of Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the centre of Bergen, date back to the 12th-century, and are a must-visit. ‘The area was once central to the German Hanseatic League’s trading empire because of stockfish, Norway’s traditional (and highly divisive) dried cod,’ Ellie says.

‘Today, Bryggen’s medieval legacy is preserved by the characteristic wooden buildings, restored with traditional methods, their colourful facades housing artisan shops, restaurants, and artist studios.

‘The district is home to the oldest restaurant in Bergen, Bryggen Tracteusted. The building has served many purposes, including as a courthouse and a school, since the 1700s.

‘Now, it serves local dishes including fish soup with delicate dumplings, juicy beetroot tartare and, of course, stockfish with seasonal trimmings.’

Mount Fløyen is a must, too, boasting dense forest and winding trails within minutes of the city centre, with a funicular that goes right to the summit.

So, let us know if you want the ferry route to come back too, because this sounds like an incredible trip.

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