Timetable and tips
The Hvaler ferry departs from Skjærhalden and takes you to the eastern islands of Hvaler.
Here is the timetable for the Hvaler ferry. The ferry has a new booking system, and trips must be booked according to the timetable.
- Passenger tickets must be booked in advance for all departures, except for departures from Skjærhalden.
- Space for vehicles and goods must be booked in advance on all departures. This does not apply to bicycles.
- The ferry is free for passengers all year round, and also for vehicles during the autumn and winter seasons. In spring and summer, a fee applies for vehicles. More information can be found in the guide below.
- The Saturday timetable applies on Saturday 19 April, and the Sunday timetable on Thursday 17, Friday 18, Sunday 20 and Monday 21 April.
The ferry calls at these places; Lauer* on Nordre Lauer, Herføl in the northeast of the island towards Herfølrenna, Nedgården on the west on Søndre Sandøy, Sanne on Nordre Sandøy, Gravningsund by Buvika northeast on Søndre Sandøy and Makø in the northeast on Nordre Sandøy.
Spring timetable
Open and download the timetable (pdf) here
Valid from 07.04.2025
The notes below are translations of the Norwegian text shown in the timetable:
** Vehicle space must be booked for all departures, regardless of route.
b Operates only by booking from Nedgården, Herføl, Søndre Sandøy, Gravningsund and Makø, and to/from Lauer.
Booking must be made no later than 1 hour before departure from Skjærhalden via the booking system at hvalerferga.ostfold-kollektiv.no or by phone: +47 69 11 71 10.
L Operates to Lauer by advanced booking only.
Lør Yellow-marked departure operates on Saturdays only.
Some of the departures stop at Nedgården, Sanne and Gravningsund both on the way out and on the way back to Skjærhalden. Also note the departures marked with "b" in the timetable, these departures must be booked in advance.
From the timetable we can see that the ferry stops most often at Herføl and Nedgården, If you want to travel the length of Nordre Sandøy it is best to begin at Makø in the north. The gravel track takes you to Sanne from where the ferry hop over to Gravningsundet on Søndre Sandøy is only 5 minutes. From here there is a gravel road west to Nedgården.
Herføl has one place of call. The island is so lovely you really ought to take a round walkingtour before getting back on a later ferry.
*From April 2025, three daily departures to Lauer will be introduced. All ferry journeys must be booked in both directions to and from Skjærhalden.