My 2-Night Mini-Cruise from Oslo to Copenhagen

Whether you live in the Oslo region or you're planning an extended break in Norway's capital city, Copenhagen is a tempting prospect for a quick getaway. And thanks to a return deal on the daily ferry service, it's super easy, and cheap, to access.

Norway has no shortage of scenic escapes, but sometimes the most satisfying short break demands leaving the country altogether.

When I noticed just how affordable the overnight ferry from Oslo to Copenhagen had become, I decided to find out if the so-called “mini-cruise” offer that gives you two nights on board with six hours to explore Copenhagen really lives up to the hype.

I booked the cheapest possible cabin I could find, packed an overnight bag, and set off to see just how far a budget-friendly sea voyage could take me. And it really was a budget voyage! You won't believe how much I paid.

Even though it ranks as one of Scandinavia’s great travel bargains, I quickly learned that it's very easy to spend much more than your ticket price once you’re on board.

Why Take the Oslo–Copenhagen Mini-Cruise?

Copenhagen hardly needs an introduction, but let's create one anyway! The Danish capital is one of Scandinavia’s most captivating cities, known for its colourful harbour at Nyhavn, royal palaces, the fun-packed Tivoli Gardens, cutting-edge design, and world-class dining.

With its compact size and relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect destination for a mini-cruise, something that the daily overnight ferry makes remarkably easy.

Depart in the afternoon from central Oslo, spend the evening and night at sea, and wake up in Copenhagen. After up to six hours exploring, you’ll board again that evening for the return voyage.

With the mini-cruise sold as an all-in-one package on the website, it’s an effortless, low-stress way to combine travel and accommodation in one.

My Video Review of the Oslo-Copenhagen Ferry

If you prefer video, please do check out my video review of the ferry here:

If that piqued your curiosity, read on for more information about the mini-cruise option.

First Impressions & Boarding

For years, the Oslo–Copenhagen route was operated by DFDS, but it’s now run by Go Nordic Cruise Line, a new brand under Swedish company Gotlandsbolaget.

The odd rebrand may raise a few eyebrows, but the refurbished ships—Nordic Pearl and Nordic Crown—are genuinely impressive.

Boarding in Oslo was straightforward. Foot passengers like me can check in at the modern terminal in Vippetangen, just a short walk from the city centre.

There isn’t much to do inside the terminal building, so it’s best not to arrive too early, but the process was smooth and well-organised. If you do arrive early, consider visiting the Vippa food hall if you're there on a day when it's open. It's just around the corner.

If you're bringing a car then the check-in and boarding process is a bit different, but the mini-cruise option is intended for foot passengers, so I won't cover that here.

When you check in, you're given a cardboard ‘cruise card' that serves as your ID onboard, and is valid for both legs of the journey. If you're booked on the mini-cruise, you'll keep the same cabin so you can leave your belongings there, although you are required to leave the ship in Copenhagen.

Life On Board

While the Oslo–Copenhagen service is a car ferry, it feels far closer to a small cruise ship than what I had expected.

Once onboard, I found a curious mix of travellers. There were Norwegians heading south for a quick break as I was, and families off on longer adventures.

Something that did surprise me was the substantial amount of international visitors using the ferry as a scenic travel link between Oslo and Copenhagen as part of longer itineraries.

But the biggest group, by far, was the Danes. Although I took the ferry as a mini-cruise from Oslo to Copenhagen, there were far more returning to Copenhagen having just arrived the night before. Yes, you can do the mini-cruise the other way around too!

The onboard atmosphere was lively but relaxed. Two public decks house most of the action: restaurants, bars, shops, and lounges.

There’s a vast duty-free store (which opens once the ship is at sea), a coffee bar that stayed busy from morning till night, and an outdoor deck including a bar at the aft of the ship where many passengers gathered for drinks during sailaway.

Onboard Accommodations

I’d opted for the cheapest interior cabin because of a bargain price in a sale period. Whenever I'm cruising I'm always happy with an interior cabin, so this was a no-brainer for me.

While it was certainly basic—two bunk beds and a very compact bathroom—it was clean and perfectly comfortable for a night’s sleep. If you prefer more space, upgraded ocean-view cabins or suites are available, but the fares rise significantly.

Guests staying in the highest priced rooms get access to an exclusive lounge with complimentary snacks and drinks, and get to enjoy the included breakfast in one of the private restaurants.

If you're looking for a more cruise-like experience, perhaps this would be an option to consider.

Dining and Entertainment

There’s no shortage of food onboard. The buffet restaurant is popular but pricey, while the Italian-themed restaurant serves quick pizza and pasta dishes.

I tried the à la carte Explorer restaurant, where I’d pre-booked a two-course dinner: a simple vegetable starter followed by an excellent rump steak, and it was a surprisingly high standard for a ferry crossing.

Later in the evening, I stopped by the Anker Pub for a drink, where a live musician entertained a cheerful crowd. I ordered a “large” Aperol Spritz, and, while the price was high, it was the largest cocktail I've ever received in a bar. I didn't need a drink for the rest of the night!

Although there's no onboard theatre, there is a “live lounge” of sorts. This comfortable lounge and bar with a shuffleboard table, window seats and a bar, hosted a live band, trivia, and a confusing “horse race” that went down a storm with the Copenhagen locals.

Between the generous pours in the Anker Pub, the live music, and the views from the deck as we glided past islands at sunset, it felt a lot more like a cruise than a simple mode of transport.

Arrival in Copenhagen

The arrival in Copenhagen is worth being out on deck for, even though you dock in the northern, more industrial part of the city. As the ship berths, there's a lot of modern architecture to admire as you plan your brief stop.

Although there is a bit of a crowd to leave the ship, foot passengers disembark quickly at the terminal just north of the city centre. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to a metro stop, putting the main attractions within easy reach.

Many passengers join sightseeing tours or hop-on buses, and in fact the ferry offered a shuttle bus and a Tivoli ticket offer. I saw many passengers take up this option.

But with only a few hours ashore, I preferred to explore independently, enjoying a stroll along the canals and lunch by the water before heading back onboard.

If you want some recommendations for a few hours in Copenhagen, check out my video all about visiting Copenhagen on a cruise on my new YouTube channel dedicated to all things cruising:

Although you'll only be able to fit a few of these things in, I'm sure you'll still manage to thoroughly enjoy yourself.

A Travel Bargain, With a Catch

My cabin for the entire two-night round trip cost just 285 Norwegian kroner, around $28 USD. That's an astonishing price considering it covered both nights at sea.

Now, it was a sale period, and the regular price is higher than that, especially if you want an ocean view cabin, one of the higher ‘suite' grades, or you're bringing your car for the regular ferry crossing.

But from what I've seen, there are many sale periods throughout the year. So, if you're interested in experiencing the mini-cruise concept, just keep your eyes open!

That fare doesn’t include food or drinks, so the total depends heavily on how you spend your time onboard. Still, even with a few meals and drinks added on, it’s hard to beat the value of two nights’ travel and accommodation between two Scandinavian capitals.

It’s no wonder the mini-cruise option has become so popular. You sail overnight to Copenhagen, spend up to six hours ashore, then return to Oslo on the same vessel and in the same cabin that evening.

Yes, time in Copenhagen is limited, so you'll need to make a plan. But, I think it's an ideal way to sample Denmark's capital city without worrying about flights, hotels, or logistics.

Note: I paid for this trip myself. I'll always disclose when I've received anything for free!