Route · Kattegat · Samsølinjen

Kalundborg – Ballen ferry

Samsø has no bridge — anyone taking a car to the island takes a ferry. From Zealand, Kalundborg is the direct route. It has one feature that makes planning both simple and unforgiving: there are only three sailings a day. All 132 departures recorded in our archive share the same crossing time of 1 hour 20 minutes, and SAMSØLINJEN publishes exactly the same figure. Since January 2026 the route has been worked by the electric ferry Tyrfing.

1 hr 20 minCrossing — 1 hr 20 min on every sailing in our archive
3 sailingsSailings every day, weekends included
Year-roundYear-round, confirmed by the operator
from DKK 99Lowprice ticket including up to 9 people
E/F Tyrfing — the electric ferry on this routeCrossing times from our archive, 132 sailings recordedBook direct with the operator, no surcharge

Timetable Kalundborg – Ballen

With only three sailings a day, the timetable governs the whole trip. Monday to Friday the ferry leaves Kalundborg at 08:45, 15:15 and 18:45, and Ballen at 07:00, 13:30 and 17:00. Saturdays differ: Kalundborg at 09:00, 12:30 and 19:30, Ballen at 07:15, 10:45 and 17:45. On Sundays the midday sailing shifts: Kalundborg at 09:00, 16:00 and 19:30, Ballen at 07:15, 14:15 and 17:45. That pattern repeats week after week across our whole archive, without a single cancelled day.

7-day price overviewLowest fare per person for each departure day
Loading timetable …
Departure Arrival Duration Operator Ship
08:45 10:05 80 min Samsoelinjen Samsoelinjen vessel
15:15 16:35 80 min Samsoelinjen Samsoelinjen vessel
18:45 20:05 80 min Samsoelinjen Samsoelinjen vessel
Live data · subject to change Check availability →

The route on the map

From Kalundborg in western Zealand north-west across the Kattegat to Ballen on the east coast of Samsø. An hour and twenty on the water — and no overland alternative, because there is no bridge.

  • Crossing timeExactly 1 hr 20 min on every sailing in our archive
  • DepartureKalundborg: Østre Havnevej 6, 4400 Kalundborg
  • ArrivalBallen: Nørreskiftevej 19, 8305 Ballen
  • FrequencyThree sailings each way, every day

Two ferry routes to Samsø

Samsø has no bridge, so all car traffic goes by ferry. There are two routes, run by different operators.

Kalundborg – Ballen

From Zealand, with SAMSØLINJEN

  • Crossing1 hr 20 min
  • SailingsThree each way, every day
  • FareLowprice from DKK 99 including up to 9 people
  • Best forCopenhagen and Zealand to Samsø
  • DrawbackOnly three sailings — the timetable rules the trip

Hou – Sælvig

From Jutland, with Samsø Rederi

  • CrossingAbout an hour
  • SailingsMore than on the Kalundborg route
  • FareA different operator with its own tariffs
  • Best forAarhus and east Jutland to Samsø
  • DrawbackNot run by MOLSLINJEN and not in our timetable data

By train and on foot

To Kalundborg station, then the ferry

  • CrossingThe same 1 hr 20 min
  • SailingsThe same three sailings
  • FareFoot passenger ticket, far cheaper than with a car
  • Best forTravellers without a car from Copenhagen
  • DrawbackThe last sailing is early — check the train connection

Ferry fares from the SAMSØLINJEN price page, retrieved 25 Aug 2026. The Hou–Sælvig route is run by Samsø Rederi, not MOLSLINJEN; it is therefore not in our timetable data and we quote neither times nor fares for it.

Worth knowing before you go

Three things on this route do not exist on the bigger lines.

Kalundborg: Østre Havnevej 6, 4400 Kalundborg

There is no parking at Kalundborg harbour

SAMSØLINJEN states it plainly: there is no possibility of parking within the harbour area at Kalundborg. As an alternative the operator points to the paid spaces by the station, on the opposite side of Østre Havnevej. If you plan to leave the car on Zealand and cross on foot, budget for that. Ballen is different: there are a number of parking spaces at the harbour, north of the terminal building.

Ballen: Nørreskiftevej 19, 8305 Ballen

There is a set procedure for delayed trains

Almost no other ferry route has written this down. If you are a foot passenger and your train is running late enough to threaten the last sailing of the day to Samsø, the operator says to speak to the train conductor. If there is none, contact DSB’s control centre in Roskilde and have them contact the ship’s bridge directly. The operator calls that the correct chain of command. With only three sailings a day it is worth knowing.

Across the Kattegat to Samsø

You may not pick up passengers after check-in

The operator points out expressly that picking up passengers after checking in is not permitted. If you are travelling as a group and part of it arrives at the harbour by train or bus, everyone has to be together before the car goes through check-in. The deadlines are also counted against the scheduled departure and apply even if the ferry is running late.

Practical tips for the crossing

Five things worth knowing on the Samsø route.

A wide gap between Lowprice and Standard

Lowprice starts at DKK 99, Standard costs DKK 400. Both apply to a low car under 1.95 m and include up to nine people. The difference is flexibility: both can be changed free of charge right up to the original departure, but Lowprice only up to a month ahead and with no refund at all, not even on switching ticket type. Standard can be moved three months ahead and refunded before departure for DKK 75 — and even after departure for 20 per cent, with a minimum of DKK 75. Fares retrieved 25 Aug 2026.

Ten minutes to check in — even for lorries

On this route the deadline is ten minutes before departure and it applies broadly: cars, motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, foot passengers, motorhomes, cars with trailers, groups, coaches, and tractors, articulated lorries and road trains. Only loose trailers, cars without a driver and special transports must be checked in thirty minutes ahead. By comparison, ALSLINJEN and LANGELANDSLINJEN both require fifteen minutes.

An electric ferry with charging at both harbours

The route is worked by E/F Tyrfing, the second of MOLSLINJEN’s two electric ferries. In May 2025 the operator stated that both ships were built at Cemre Shipyard south of Istanbul and that purpose-built berths with power supply have been created at both Ballen and Kalundborg. Construction was delayed by an earthquake and by the unstable economic situation in Turkey.

A disabled space must be booked 48 hours ahead

If you want a space near the lift, which is fitted for wheelchair users, the ticket has to be booked 48 hours before departure. First book an ordinary ticket for your vehicle type, then call +45 70 25 10 25 and state the sailing. Foot passengers needing assistance use the same number at least 48 hours ahead and check in thirty minutes before departure.

Dogs have their own tables on board

Dogs, cats and similar pets are welcome in the marked dog areas and at the tables designated as dog tables. Dogs must be kept on a short lead and may go out on the open sun deck. Other animals belong in a carrier. You may leave a pet in the car, but there is no access to the car deck during the crossing.

Across the Kattegat to Samsø

Across the Kattegat to Samsø
An hour and twenty on the water — enough for a meal or a turn on the sun deck.
Across the Kattegat to Samsø
E/F Tyrfing is the second of MOLSLINJEN’s two electric ferries, built in Turkey.

With a car, motorhome or bicycle

No bridge leads to Samsø

Samsø has no fixed link to either Zealand or Jutland, so all car traffic goes by ferry. From Zealand, Kalundborg is the direct way. The island itself is small and quiet and suits cycling well — many leave the car behind and cross on foot, which is also far cheaper.

  • Lowprice and Standard apply to low cars under 1.95 m and include up to nine people
  • Motorhomes and cars with trailers share the same ten-minute deadline
  • Loose trailers, cars without a driver and special transports: thirty minutes
  • A space by the lift must be booked 48 hours before departure
  • No parking at Kalundborg harbour — use the spaces by the station
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No bridge leads to Samsø

Getting to the ferry berth at Kalundborg

  1. Address – Østre Havnevej 6, 4400 Kalundborg. The berth is in the harbour, close to the railway station.
  2. By train – Kalundborg station is within walking distance, with through trains from Copenhagen. Note the set procedure for train delays.
  3. Parking – Not possible within the harbour area. Use the paid spaces by the station, on the opposite side of Østre Havnevej.
  4. Departure times – Monday to Friday 08:45, 15:15 and 18:45. Saturdays 09:00, 12:30 and 19:30. Sundays 09:00, 16:00 and 19:30.
Kalundborg: Østre Havnevej 6, 4400 Kalundborg

The ports on this route

Location, getting there and other connections from both ports.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the ferry from Kalundborg to Ballen take?

1 hour 20 minutes. All 132 sailings recorded in our archive across both directions show that crossing time, and SAMSØLINJEN publishes the same figure.

How often does the ferry run?

Three times each way, every day including weekends. Monday to Friday from Kalundborg at 08:45, 15:15 and 18:45; Saturdays at 09:00, 12:30 and 19:30; Sundays at 09:00, 16:00 and 19:30. The operator itself quotes two to four sailings a day.

Does the ferry run all year?

Yes. SAMSØLINJEN states that it sails all year, and our archive shows sailings right up to the limit of how far our timetable source reaches.

What does the ferry to Samsø cost?

Lowprice from DKK 99 and Standard at DKK 400, both for a low car under 1.95 m and including up to nine people. Lowprice is non-refundable; Standard can be refunded before departure for DKK 75 and after departure for 20 per cent, minimum DKK 75. Separately, our archive holds 122 per-person fares between €14 and €35. Fares retrieved 25 Aug 2026.

Can I park at the ferry in Kalundborg?

No. The operator states there is no possibility of parking within the harbour area at Kalundborg. The alternative is the paid spaces by the station, on the opposite side of Østre Havnevej. Ballen, by contrast, has spaces north of the terminal building.

What do I do if my train is delayed?

If you are a foot passenger at risk of missing the last sailing of the day, the operator says to speak to the train conductor. If there is none, contact DSB’s control centre in Roskilde, which will then contact the ship’s bridge directly.

When do I need to be at the harbour?

Ten minutes before departure for cars, motorcycles, bicycles, foot passengers, motorhomes, cars with trailers, groups, coaches and road trains. Loose trailers, cars without a driver and special transports: thirty minutes. The deadlines apply even if the ferry is delayed.

Which ship works the route?

E/F Tyrfing, the second of MOLSLINJEN’s two electric ferries, built at Cemre Shipyard in Turkey. Purpose-built berths with power supply have been created at both Ballen and Kalundborg.

Book the Kalundborg – Ballen ferry

All SAMSØLINJEN sailings compared — book direct with the operator, no surcharge.

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