Are you considering a visit to the Westfjords as part of your Ring Road adventure? If so, consider taking the Ferry Baldur!
The Ferry Baldur (also known as the Brjánslækur Ferry) provides a scenic and convenient way to get to the Westfjords from the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. It’s a great option for those short on time and I can personally say that we couldn’t have visited the Westfjords in a day without it.
In this guide, I’ll share key information about the ferry as well as provide planning tips and insights on what to expect so you too can add the Westfjords to your Iceland road trip itinerary.
- Overview
- Ferry Baldur Timetable
- Ferry Baldur Ticket Prices
- How to Book Your Ticket
- How to Get to the Ferry Port
- What to Expect on the Ferry Ride from Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur
- FAQs
🚨 For the remainder of 2023, bookings for Ferry Baldur have been suspended until its replacement boat Ferry Rust is fully operational.
Overview
🛳️ Ferry Timetable: once or twice a day (check sailing schedule for most up-to-date information)
⏰ Ferry Trip Duration: ~ 3 hours
🎫 Ticket Price: $40 (for 1 adult passenger, one-way) & $40 (for 1 regular size vehicle, one-way)
📍 Port Address: Ferry Baldur (from Stykkisholmur) l Brjánslækur ferry (from Brjánslækur)
🚻 Amenities: food & drinks, restrooms, WiFi, car ferry
Ferry Baldur Timetable
The ferry operates year-round trips on a seasonal and time-specific schedule. Departures from the town of Stykkishólmur near Snaefellsnes Peninsula are scheduled on:
- Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 3:00 PM
- Mondays and Fridays: 9:00 AM & 3:00 PM
If you plan to ferry back from the Westfjords, the departure time from Brjánslækur are:
- Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 6:00 PM
- Mondays and Fridays: 12:00 PM & 6:00 PM
💡 If you’re planning on spending a day in the Westfjords, it’s ideal if you can plan your trip on a Monday or Friday. This will allow you to take the morning ferry on the way there and make it back to the ferry by 6:00 PM. The timing will be tight but will give you as much rest as possible, while still allowing you to see 1 or 2 sights in the Westfjords. Again, this will feel rushed but sometimes a day is all you got so might as well make the most of it.
Extra trips are also occasionally scheduled on certain Saturdays, departing from Stykkishólmur at 09:00 AM and from Brjánslækur at 12:00 PM. We actually took the Saturday ferry because we weren’t able to change our schedule but it ended up being a long day for us. Between driving from the ferry to Latrabjarg Cliffs and then making our way back down from the Westfjords to Reykjavik (and getting a flat tire along the way), we spent a lot of time driving which is why I’d recommend making this journey on Monday/Friday.
Note, there are no trips on major holidays, which include Christmas, New Year, Easter holiday, and Seaman’s holiday (first Sunday in June).
Ferry Baldur Ticket Prices
Ticket prices change depending on whether it’s the winter or summer months.
Currently for winter 2023, a one-way ticket costs 5,570 ISK (~$40 USD) for 1 adult and an additional 5,570 ISK for a regular car up to 5 meters. The price changes depending on the size of the vehicle so be extra careful in selecting the right vehicle size.
How to Book Your Ticket
The best way to book your ferry ticket is to purchase it online in advance.
While you do have the option of buying the ticket onboard the ferry (NOT at the ferry station), you’ll want to book your ticket in advance to secure a spot for you and your car. When we were looking at tickets, we found that the limiting factor wasn’t the number of passengers but rather the number of vehicles that the ferry could accommodate. For reference, the Ferry Baldur has capacity for 280 passengers and 49 cars.
You can book your ticket online directly on the Seatours website. Before confirming your booking, you will need to:
- Select Departure From. Pick Stykkishólmur if you’re coming from the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
- Select Destination. Brjánslækur is the correct port for the Westfjords.
- Departure Date & Return Date. There is an option to select a one way ticket.
- Indicate number of Passengers & Add a Vehicle if applicable. Make sure you select the right vehicle type and appropriate measurement category to avoid problems upon boarding.
How to Get to the Ferry Port
Both ports have clear signage and are easy to find on Google Maps.
From Stykkishólmur, you can navigate to Ferry Baldur. This will take you to the general area where cars will queue up to board the boat.
If you’re planning on taking the ferry back from Brjánslækur, you’ll want to search for Brjánslækur ferry to get to the boarding area.
🏡 If you’re looking for places to stay in Stykkisholmur, you can read all about our stay at Akkeri Guesthouse. Not only was this one of our favorite accommodations in Iceland, we picked it so that we’d be <1-minute away from the ferry terminal!
What to Expect on the Ferry Ride from Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur
The ferry ride takes approximately 3 hours. During this time, you can relax and enjoy Iceland’s natural beauty as you sail between the two ports.
The ferry has indoor seating areas with large windows, perfect for taking in the views and some photos. There is also a small cafe onboard where you can grab a quick bite to eat or a hot drink. If the weather permits, you can even head outside to the deck area to feel the sea breeze and get an unobstructed view of the surrounding landscape.
🙅🏻♀️ Note: The ferry makes one stop at Flatey island before arriving in the Westfjords. While extremely interesting and technically possible to do “free of charge,” do not stop here. The ferry makes a very short stop along the route and, once the boat takes off, you won’t be able to leave the island until many hours later. There are also no cars allowed on the island so you’ll need to pick it up in Brjánslækur in the event you miss your boat. In short, if you want to visit Flatey, make a separate trip out of it.
My Ferry Baldur Review
Our ferry was scheduled to leave at 9:00 AM but we got to the port by 8:30. I’m glad we had a bit of buffer room because it was definitely more chaotic than I imagined and we left right on-time.
When you get to the area, you’ll see multiple queues of cars that represent the multiple parking lanes. I’d recommend choosing one of the middle lanes since cars parked in those lanes looked like they were able to exit first. The cars are parked very close together so make sure to take everything from the car before you leave – otherwise, you won’t be able to get it until you arrive.
The ferry boat itself is quite spacious, with seating inside and out. There is food and drinks as well as WiFi on the ship. However, we didn’t end up getting any refreshments and we found the WiFi to be unreliable so we spent most of our time outside, enjoying the sea breeze.
We did see some tourists get off at Flatey but most deboarded at Brjánslækur. Once we arrived, exiting the ferry was pretty fast and the attendants were there to direct you when to exit.
In total, the whole journey was slightly over 3 hours. It took us a little under 2 hours to get from Stykkisholmur to Flatey where we stopped for about 15 minutes and then a little over an hour to get from Flatey to Brjánslækur.
Overall, I’m so thankful that we had the option to take the Ferry Baldur. Not only is the ferry comfortable, clean, and well-equipped, it was the sole reason we were able to visit the Westfjords in a day.
Ferry Baldur is for you if…
- you want to save time and visit the Westfjords in a day.
- you have a car and want to drive it around the Westfjords.
- you plan to visit the Westfjords from Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
- you want to visit Flatey.
- you want to experience the beauty of Breiðafjörður Bay and Iceland’s unique coastal landscapes.
- you value on-board amenities such as food and drinks, restrooms, and free Wi-Fi.
Ferry Baldur is not for you if…
- you don’t plan on visiting the Westfjords.
- you’re not heading to the Westfords from Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
- you need to travel on specific blackout dates like Christmas, New Year, or Easter, when the ferry does not operate.
FAQs
The average sailing time is approximately 3 hours, with a stop at Flatey. However, the duration may vary depending on weather conditions and other factors. So, it is always best to confirm the current schedule when planning your trip.
The ferry ride to Flatey Island from Stykkishólmur takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, and from Brjánslækur, it takes around 45 minutes. Flatey Island is a midway stop between the main ports of Stykkishólmur and Brjánslækur on the ferry’s route across the Breiðafjörður Bay. As a reminder, if you’re continuing on to the Westfjords, do not get off at Flatey Island as the stopover is very short.
Prices depend on passenger age, vehicle size, and season. In the winter, adult one-way tickets are about 5,570 ISK ($40 USD) and one-way tickets for a regular size vehicle are also 5,570 ISK.
The schedule varies by season, with different times for winter and summer. Check the latest timetable for accurate departure times.
The best way to book ferry tickets is to do so online and in advance on the Seatours website.
Yes, you can bring your car on the Ferry Baldur. However, it is recommended to make a reservation in advance as space for cars may be limited. You will also need to pay an additional fee for your car.
Yes, there is a restaurant on the ferry serving a variety of snacks, hot meals, and beverages. You can also bring your own food and drinks on board.
Yes, there are restrooms available for use on the boat.
Yes, there is WiFi available for purchase on board the ferry. However, due to the remote location and potential weather conditions, the signal may not always be strong.
On a clear day, the journey through Breidafjörður Bay is beautiful. Be sure to grab a bite at the restaurant and then simply relax and enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes.
Final Thoughts on Ferry Baldur
Ferry Baldur is truly an amazing service for those looking to explore the Westfjords of Iceland. With daily departures from West Iceland as well as reliable service and helpful staff, taking the ferry is a great option and we could not have explored this beautiful part of the country without it.
Ironically, I just tried to book the ferry and it looks like they are no longer sailing.
Hi Marcy – you’re right & thanks for bringing this to my attention. It looks like the Ferry Baldur stopped their services a few months ago, now that its replacement ship is in Iceland. I’ve added a disclaimer at the top of the post letting others know that bookings are suspended until further notice. While Seatours hasn’t given a specific date, the hope is that the route will be operational before Iceland’s peak tourism season starts in 2024.
Thanks for the update.