How To Travel To Norway’s Lofoten Islands

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 secluded beaches, quaint villages and views from the endless hiking trails that will make you remember.

Most visitors try to fit in as many Lofoten highlights as possible without giving much thought to 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 the cheaper options mean a struggle with ferry schedules and rental car offices.

How do I get to Lofoten?

There is no one best way to get to Lofoten. This depends on your travel preferences and your intended location and itinerary once 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.

Flight to Lofoten

There are a few small airports in Lofoten, but they are usually served by Widerøe propeller planes, which operate from Bodø. Leknes (LKN) is at the west end of the islands, while Svolvær (SVJ) is further east.

During the summer, Widerøe normally operates direct flights from Oslo to Svolvær, but these seasonal flights have yet to be confirmed for the coming years.

Another option is to fly into Harstad/Narvik Airport, also known as Evenes. Although the airport is not on the islands, the longer runway means it is served by larger aircraft from Oslo. From Evenes there is a direct (though infrequent) bus service to Svolvær, although most people hire a car.

If you are flying direct to Lofoten, remember that rental car availability on the islands is limited, especially in summer. Book a car in advance. If you arrive without a car in high season, you probably won’t find one.

As flying to the islands is expensive, many people choose to fly to Bodø instead. From Bodø there is a choice of ferries crossing to Lofoten, including a car ferry to Moskenes.

Drive to Lofoten

Most people who drive to Lofoten fly to Bodø and rent a car there. While a longer road trip through Norway is the goal of many, realistically it would take you two days to get from Oslo to Bodø, and that’s without sightseeing.

From Bodø, the best option for those driving is the daily car ferry to Moskenes at the western end of the archipelago. It takes a little over three hours.

It is also possible to go without the car ferry. However, the journey from Bodø to Moskenes takes up to 8 hours, and that includes a smaller ferry crossing from Bognes to Lodingen.

Driving a fully ferry-free route via Narvik takes at least 8.5 hours. Take a break of about two hours when driving to Svolvær.

How to get to Lofoten by public transport

With the crowded streets in summer, more and more people are choosing to travel to Lofoten by public transport. It is possible as long as you are patient. From Oslo you can take the train all the way to Bodø. The train from Oslo to Trondheim takes about seven hours, the train from Trondheim to Bodø almost 10 hours.

Both lines have night trains, so you can travel between Oslo and Bodø by train within 24 hours. However, there are no showers on Norwegian trains, so you may prefer to spend a night in Trondheim to break up the journey.

There is also the option of showering upon arrival at a nearby hotel at an additional cost. You can find out more about this option on the train.

There are three ways to reach Lofoten from Bodø. Firstly, it is possible to join the Moskenes car ferry as a foot passenger. A smaller passenger-only express ferry connects Bodø with Svolvær. It takes just over three hours with multiple stops at islands and small communities along the way.

Finally, as a passenger, you can board Hurtigruten from port to port between Bodø and Stamsund or Svolvær. While slower (the full crossing from Bodø to Svolvær takes six hours) and more expensive, Hurtigruten doubles as a sightseeing cruise along the rugged Lofoten coast between Stamsund and Svolvær.

If you prefer, you can travel all the way from Bergen on the Hurtigruten or competitor Havila. Ferries leave Bergen at 20:30 most days and arrive in Svolvær approximately 72 hours later. However, you’re unlikely to find a fare for the three-day trip (including cabin and meals) for less than $800 per person.