Norway’s Lofoten Islands are known for their mountainous landscapes and picturesque fishing villages.
The landscapes and nature of Norway’s spectacular Lofoten Islands attract visitors from all over the world. The dramatic mountains rising from the ocean make for an unforgettable welcome, but it’s the remote beaches, quaint villages, and endless trail views that you’ll remember.
Most visitors try to make the most of Lofoten’s highlights without spending too much time thinking about how to get there. Choosing the right travel option can help you make the most of your time on the islands.
Flying there is expensive but convenient, while cheaper options mean battling with ferry schedules and car rental agencies.
How to get to Lofoten
There is no better way to get to Lofoten. This may interest you : The best resting video game environments. It depends on your travel preferences and your intended location and itinerary when you arrive.
For example, do you plan to use Svolvær as a base and do day trips? Or are you more interested in hiking and exploring some of the islands’ beaches? You will want to arrive in Svolvær in the first case and Moskenes in the second, which will influence your choice of travel option.
Flying to Lofoten
There are a few small airports in Lofoten, but they are usually served by Widerøe propeller aircraft operating from Bodø. Leknes (LKN) is at the western end of the islands, while Svolvær (SVJ) is further east.
Widerøe propeller aircraft serve Svolvær Airport in Lofoten. This may interest you : Best Restaurant Books to Read After “The Bear”.
During the summer, Widerøe usually operates direct flights from Oslo to Svolvær, but these seasonal flights have yet to be confirmed for the next few years.
Another option is to fly to Harstad/Narvik Airport, also known as Evenes. Although it’s not on the islands, the airport’s longer runway means it’s served by larger planes from Oslo. From Evenes there is a direct (albeit infrequent) bus service to Svolvær, although most people hire a car.
If flying directly to Lofoten, keep in mind that rental car availability on the islands is limited, especially in summer. Book a car in advance. If you show up without a car in high season, chances are you won’t find one.
As flying to the islands is expensive, many people choose to travel by plane to Bodø. From Bodø, there are a variety of ferries that cross to Lofoten, including a ferry to Moskenes.
Driving to Lofoten
Most people who drive to Lofoten fly to Bodø and rent a car there. To see also : How to Travel to the Faroe Islands. While a longer trip through Norway is a goal for many, it will really take you two days just to get to Bodø from Oslo, and that’s not including sightseeing.
From Bodø, the best option for drivers is the daily ferry to Moskenes, in the far west of the archipelago. It takes just over three hours.
It is also possible to drive without using the car ferry. However, driving from Bodø to Moskenes takes up to 8 hours and that even includes a smaller ferry crossing from Bognes to Lodingen.
Road trips are a popular tourist activity in the Lofoten Islands.
Driving a totally ferry-free route via Narvik takes at least 8.5 hours. Stop for about two hours if you are driving to Svolvær.
How to get to Lofoten by public transit
Given the crowded summer roads, more people are choosing to travel to Lofoten using public transport. It is possible, as long as you have a little patience. From Oslo, you can go to Bodø by train. The train from Oslo to Trondheim takes around seven hours, with the train from Trondheim to Bodø taking almost 10 hours.
Night trains run on both lines, so it is possible to travel by train between Oslo and Bodø in 24 hours. However, there are no showers on Norwegian trains, so you may prefer to spend a night in Trondheim to interrupt your journey.
There is also the option to shower at a nearby hotel upon arrival for an extra charge. You’ll find out more about this option on the train.
From Bodø, there are three options to reach Lofoten. Firstly, it is possible to join the Moskenes car ferry as a foot passenger. A smaller passenger express ferry connects Bodø with Svolvær. It takes just over three hours with several stops at islands and small communities along the way.
Finally, you can join Hurtigruten as a port-to-port passenger between Bodø and Stamsund or Svolvær. Although slower (the full crossing from Bodø to Svolvær takes six hours) and more expensive, the Hurtigruten works as a sightseeing cruise along the rocky Lofoten coast between Stamsund and Svolvær.
If you prefer, you can travel from Bergen on Hurtigruten or on the competing Havila. Ferries depart Bergen at 8:30 pm on most days and arrive in Svolvær approximately 72 hours later. However, you’re unlikely to find a rate for the three-night voyage (which includes a cabin and meals) for less than $800 per person.
