![\"Norway](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_282035762-9473.jpg\")
\n\t\tNorway to Newcastle ferry could be making a comeback after 2008 axing (Picture: DFDS)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tNorway to Newcastle ferry could be making a comeback after 2008 axing (Picture: DFDS)<\/p>\n
Norway<\/a> is rapidly becoming one of the hottest destinations on tourist radars<\/a>, garnering 17.4 million overnight stays in the first half of 2025 alone, and one hotspot could soon get a boost.<\/p>\n Bergen<\/a>, the country\u2019s second city<\/a>, also known as the \u2018Gateway to the Fjords\u2019<\/a>, is recognisable by its coloured wooden houses, mountainous backdrop and scenic train rides.<\/p>\n And now, in an exciting development, a direct ferry route from Newcastle<\/a> to Bergen could be revived after being axed 18 years ago.<\/p>\n The popular DFDS ferry from Tyneside to the Scandinavian port stopped running in 2008, after becoming a \u2018loss-making service\u2019.<\/p>\n At the time, John Crummie, UK managing director for DFDS Seaways, said: \u2018Dramatically 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.\u2019<\/p>\n 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<\/a>, Stavanger<\/a>, Haugesund, Kristiansand, Gothenburg<\/a>, Hamburg<\/a>, Esbjerg and Ijmuiden.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tBest of Metro Deals\t\t\t<\/p>\n Get exclusive\u00a0discounts\u00a0with\u00a0Metro Deals<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 save on getaways and spa days.\u00a0Powered by Wowcher<\/p>\n Bannatyne Spa: Spa day for two with treatments, lunch & prosecco \u2014\u00a0save up to 57%\u00a0off.<\/p>\n Get deal now<\/a><\/p>\n Mystery Escape: Hotel stay with return flights from as low as \u00a392pp \u2014\u00a0save on worldwide holiday packages.<\/p>\n Get deal now<\/a><\/p>\n Beach Retreat (Lanzarote): 4* Lanzarote beach holiday with flights \u2014\u00a0save up to 58%.<\/p>\n Get deal now<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t \t\t 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<\/a>, have sparked a desire for the sea-travel route to be revived also.<\/p>\n Newcastle\u2019s council leader, Karen Kilgour, promised to \u2018explore all ways\u2019 to restore the popular ferry service, in a council meeting on Wednesday January 21.<\/p>\n There have been claims from ferry operators that the proposed route isn\u2019t financially viable, but Karen said: \u2018We know lots of people in both cities have fond memories of travelling by sea to visit both Newcastle and Bergen.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018While 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,\u2019 she added. \u2018Bergen remains a strategic partner in our international work and we intend not only to maintain but to deepen that relationship in the months ahead.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t 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.<\/p>\n And while DFDS is still fully operational, it\u2019s not clear which ferry operator would be responsible for the route.<\/p>\n Councillor Greg Stone, a long-time advocate for the ferry route\u2019s return, agreed, saying: \u2018Warm words is one thing but we need to make it a reality. <\/p>\n \u2018I 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.\u2019<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Not to mention, the king of Norway, Olav V, opened Newcastle\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \t\t Metro writer Ellie Hutchings visited Bergen back in April<\/a> last year, describing it as \u2018a colourful city nestled between seven mountains and the dazzling western coastline\u2019.<\/p>\n In fact, it was the \u2018coolcation\u2019 that convinced her chilly holidays are worth your money. \u2018This\u00a0Scandinavian<\/a>\u00a0jewel may be small, but it punches above its weight with an abundance of natural beauty, history and a surprisingly eclectic food scene,\u2019 she adds.<\/p>\n The narrow streets of Bryggen, a\u00a0UNESCO World Heritage site<\/a>\u00a0in the centre of Bergen, date back to the 12th-century, and are a must-visit. \u2018The area was once central to the German<\/a> Hanseatic League\u2019s trading empire because of stockfish, Norway\u2019s traditional (and highly divisive) dried cod,\u2019 Ellie says.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018Today, Bryggen\u2019s medieval legacy is preserved by the characteristic wooden buildings, restored with traditional methods, their colourful facades housing artisan shops, restaurants, and artist studios.<\/p>\n \u2018The 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.<\/p>\n \u2018Now, it serves local dishes including fish soup with delicate dumplings, juicy beetroot tartare and, of course, stockfish with seasonal trimmings.\u2019<\/p>\n Mount Fl\u00f8yen 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.<\/p>\n So, let us know if you want the ferry route to come back too, because this sounds like an incredible trip.<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/105792533-0-image-m-230_1769250202523.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe ferry wasn\u2019t financially viable but Newcastle councillors want to see it return (Picture: DFDS)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Newcastle-to-Bergen-25e0.jpg\")
\n\t\tMap shows where Newcastle-upon-Tyne is in relation to Bergen, Norway (Picture: Google Maps)<\/p>\n![\"Norway](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SEI_282035764-a4e1.jpg\")
\n\t\tDirect flights from Newcastle to Norway prompted calls for the ferry route to return too (Picture: DFDS)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-0b9e.png\")
\n\t\tBergen is perched on Norway\u2019s dazzling western coastline (Picture: Metro)
\nVisiting Bergen<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-6d83.png\")
\n\t\tBryggen\u2019s wooden houses are centuries old (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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