Aarhus ferry terminal: getting there and parking
The terminal sits inside a working container harbour and no bus serves it. The covered walkway also reaches only two of the three berths.
Checked:
The ferry terminal is nothing like the rest of Aarhus. It sits in Østhavnen, the eastern harbour, surrounded by container cranes and freight yards, about 5 km from the city centre and well outside it. The address is Færgevej 7A; from the E45 you come in on Marselis Boulevard and then out along Østhavnsvej. You have to look for the terminal on purpose.
The crossing at a glance
- Location
- Østhavnen
- Eastern container harbour, outside the centre
- From the E45
- about 20 min
- Signposted from the motorway
- City bus
- none
- No city bus serves the terminal
- Parking
- 255 spaces
- Q-Park, paid, in the harbour area
Getting there
By car, follow the ferry signs from the E45 through the harbour area. The route is marked, but it takes you through a working port rather than towards anything that looks like a passenger terminal. That is where first-time visitors start doubting the signs. Keep going: the check-in canopy is right at the end.
Without a car the approach takes more planning, because no city bus serves the terminal. There are three ways to get there:
- The Kombardo Expressen coach from Aarhus bus station. The coach drives onto the ferry itself, so you do not change on the way.
- Flextrafik, transport you book in advance. It exists for areas without a normal bus route, and the harbour is one of them.
- A GreenMobility shared car. GreenMobility runs a hotspot at the terminal, Færgevej 7A, with five reserved spaces. Parking there is free and you can end the rental on the spot.
By bicycle the ride from the centre takes about 20 min and follows the water for much of the way. The approach to the terminal is marked with cycle lanes. See by bike.
Check-in
Number-plate recognition handles check-in automatically. If you booked online you drive straight on into the marshalling lanes.
The published deadline is 10 min before departure for Lowprice and Standard tickets and 5 min for BlueClass. Those are hard deadlines with no margin, and in holiday traffic the approach itself can add 10 or 15 min. See the timetable.
It works differently for cyclists and motorcyclists. Without a booking you can pay at the control point on the day and join the dedicated two-wheeler lane. Cyclists report at the ticket office, and staff then walk you aboard by the car deck.
Check-in by traveller type
Where you report differs by how you arrive, and only the car procedure is automatic.
| You arrive | Where you go | Deadline | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| By car or camper | Straight to check-in | 10 min before (5 min BlueClass) | Nothing. The plate is read automatically |
| By bike or motorcycle | Ticket office, then the two-wheeler lane | Allow 30 min | A booking, or a card to pay on the day |
| On foot | Skywalk entrance, scan at the machine | 10 min before | A booking |
| By coach | Aarhus bus station, not the terminal | 15 min before the coach | A Kombardo Expressen ticket |
The Skywalk
Foot passengers board through a covered walkway, the Skywalk. Stairs and a lift lead up to it, and immediately before the entrance there is a waiting room and a toilet, which matters if you arrive early.
When check-in opens you scan your ticket at the machine and walk the whole way to the ferry under cover.
One caveat that appears nowhere in the booking flow: the Skywalk connects directly to only two of the three berths. The third is rarely used, but when a ship docks there, foot passengers go down a staircase instead of walking across. If you are travelling with a pram, a wheelchair or heavy luggage, contact Molslinjen in advance: they can put you on a berth the walkway reaches.
Parking
Paid parking in the harbour area, 255 spaces operated by Q-Park. Q-Park publishes no rate online for this car park, so the sign at the machine is the only figure. You pay by card or through the Q-Park, EasyPark, ParkMan or OK & Park One apps. Check the sign, even if a travel guide quotes a figure.
For a day trip it barely registers. For a week away it adds up, so work out whether to take the car across or leave it in Aarhus.
Staying in Aarhus before an early sailing
The first weekday departure is at 05:15, early enough that a night in Aarhus is often the sensible plan. There is nothing to stay in at the terminal itself.
Loaded from another company
This map comes from Stay22 and sets its own cookies. It stays off until you ask for it.
You book through our partner. We may receive a fee for this, at no extra cost to you.
From arrival to the road
By car
Arriving in Aarhus
Coming the other way, from Odden, timed from arrival.
- -0:10
People start moving
10 min out, passengers head down to the car decks. Nothing moves until the ramp is down.
- 0:00
The ramp goes down
Unloading is closely marshalled and quick. The crew works both decks at once and directs each lane in turn.
- 0:05
Out through the harbour
The exit runs back through the container port. Follow the harbour signs, which are set up for ferry traffic.
- 0:15
On the E45
Allow around 15 min to the motorway, longer in city traffic.
Questions people ask
Where is the Aarhus ferry terminal?
In Østhavnen, the eastern container harbour, about 5 km from the city centre. The address is Færgevej 7A, 8000 Aarhus C, reached via Marselis Boulevard and Østhavnsvej.
Is there a bus to the Aarhus ferry terminal?
No city bus serves it. You get there by the Kombardo Expressen coach from Aarhus Rutebilstation, by Flextrafik which you book in advance, or in a GreenMobility shared car that you may leave at the ferry.
Can I park at the terminal?
Yes, 255 paid spaces run by Q-Park. Q-Park does not publish the rate online, so read the sign at the machine before you leave the car for several days.
What is the Skywalk?
The covered walkway from the passenger terminal to the ferry. Stairs and a lift lead up to it, there is a waiting room and a toilet just before the entrance, and you scan your ticket at the machine when check-in opens.
Does the Skywalk reach every berth?
No. It connects directly to two of the three berths. The third is rarely used, and when a ship docks there foot passengers take stairs instead. Contact Molslinjen in advance if you have reduced mobility, so they can put you on a berth the walkway reaches. Foot passengers reach it by a staircase instead.