How To Get To The Lofoten Islands In Arctic Norway (2025)

You have likely seen one version or another of the photo above sometime in your life.

This exact spot is one of the most photographed places in the world, and it is in Lofoten, Norway. It is also just a few minutes from where I live at the moment, so as a local, I am here to tell you exactly how to get to Lofoten.

In my old job, when I was working even further north in Norway, I used to go to Lofoten with my friends for a weekend here and there. Now, as I moved here last year AND bought a house here, I am really getting to know the region.

I’ll throw in a little WHY you should go at the end (apart from seeing this iconic spot, which is just one of the hundreds, probably thousands, of breathtaking places in Lofoten).

So, how can YOU get to the Lofoten Islands in Norway?

📍 Do you want me to create a perfect, tailor-made itinerary for your Norway vacation? Tell me about your dream Norway journey here!

Quick Guide: How To Get To Lofoten Islands

Almost everyone needs to start by getting themselves to Oslo, the capital of Norway, but not all!

You can read further down who are lucky enough to find a direct flight to a Lofoten Airport. But first, below are all the ways to get to Lofoten from Oslo.

• Fly from Oslo via Bodø to Svolvær or Leknes airports
• Fly from Oslo to Harstad Narvik Airport Evenes, technically not in Lofoten, but close enough to be the starting point for a great road trip
• Fly to Bodø and take the 3,5 hour ferry over to Moskenes (yes, you can bring a car)
• Fly to Bodø and take the ferry to Svolvær (no car option)
• Fly from Oslo to Tromsø and drive south to Lofoten for a longer road trip
• Train from Oslo to Bodø, then flight, ferry, or bus
• Take the Hurtigruten Coastal Ferry and get off in Svolvær (one of multiple ports between Bergen and Kirkenes)
• Take the public bus from Bodø, Harstad, Narvik, or Tromsø (takes some time!)

Travel To Lofoten Islands In Norway

An increasing number of direct flights from abroad take you directly to Lofoten, Norway, making the journey easier and easier every year.

The reason is, of course, that Lofoten is becoming more and more famous worldwide for its spectacular, unique nature and scenery.

Hundreds of thousands want to visit us here up north to see the northern lights and the midnight sun, go kayaking, hiking, deep sea fishing, or just basque in the stunning nature.

This has created more transport options, but also some challenges you should know about.

I will tell you more about the challenge part at the end, but let us start with the different ways you can get yourself to Lofoten in northern Norway.

Also read: 16 Iconic Things To Do In Lofoten In Winter

How To Get To Lofoten Norway

1. Fly All The Way To Lofoten

You can fly all the way to Lofoten, but if you fly up from the capital, Oslo, be prepared to change flights at least once.

From Oslo, you can fly directly to Bodø, a small town in Nordland County, Northern Norway.

From here, you need to change to a smaller Wideroe Airlines plane that will take you to Svolvær or Leknes, the two airports in the Lofoten Islands.

You can also fly from Bodø to Harstad Narvik Evenes Airport, which technically is located north of the Lofoten Islands. The drive from Evenes down to western Lofoten is about five hours, so this is a nice road trip if that is what you are after.

The flight from Oslo to Bodø takes around 1.5 hours, and then the flight across the West Fjord from Bodø to Lofoten takes no more than 25 minutes.

This is becoming an increasingly popular route, so you should be smart and book well in advance, at least if you want the best prices.

NB! If you travel during the shoulder seasons or winter, please prepare with buffers and plan for delays or cancellations. The weather rules up here, not the airline or you.

TravelToNorway Tip: I usually find great options on Skyscanner for the best flight deals, even in Norway. However, for the last short leg between Bodø and Leknes or Svolvær, it may be a better option to book this flight separately, directly from the Wideroe Airline website, for the best total price.

Direct Flights To Lofoten From Abroad

There are no direct flights to Lofoten from abroad per se, not to one of the two airports located in the actual Lofoten Islands, Svolvær and Leknes.

However, there is an increasing number of flights to Evenes (EVE), the nearest non-Lofoten airport located between the towns of Harstad and Narvik, north of both Bodø and the Lofoten Islands.

If you fly into Evenes, the drive from Evenes Airport to Å in Lofoten (the southernmost point in the Lofoten Islands) is around 5 hours (293 kilometers, or 182 miles), often on partly narrow, winding roads.

From 2025, the number of direct flights to Evenes from European airports has increased, making the journey easier and shorter for lots of travelers than ever before.

List Of Direct Flights To Lofoten From Destinations In Europe

Frankfurt, Germany: Discover Airlines (Lufthansa) will operate frequent nonstop flights starting April 4, 2025.

Amsterdam, Netherlands: easyJet Europe will offer flights twice a week (Wednesdays and Sundays) from June 25 to August 31, 2025.

Milan Bergamo, Italy: Norwegian Air will provide flights every Monday until March 24, 2025.

Milan Malpensa, Italy: easyJet Europe will operate flights every Saturday from June 28 to August 30, 2025.

Vienna, Austria: Austrian Airlines will offer seasonal flights from May to August 2025.

Copenhagen, Denmark: SAS will provide seasonal flights from May to October 2025.

Kittilä, Finland: Discover Airlines will operate seasonal flights from April to June 2025.

Zürich, Switzerland: Edelweiss Air will offer flights starting in March 2025.

Palma de Mallorca, Spain: Norwegian will operate seasonal flights from May to October 2025.

2. Flight + Ferry

You can fly to Bodø from Oslo (or from Tromsø and Trondheim) and then take the 3.5-hour ferry across the West Fjord.

The ferry from Bodø is a car ferry, so if you are on a road trip, you can bring a car from the mainland on the ferry and continue your road trip from Moskenes west in Lofoten (just 20 minutes from the southernmost point in the Lofoten Islands).

The ferry is free for pedestrians drop-ins if you do not book a ticket beforehand. It is also a shortcut for roadtrippers, as driving all the way to Lofoten from Bodø via Harstad and Narvik takes a while.

You need to know that this ferry journey is super popular, especially in the summer, so there can be long lines and strong competition for the tickets.

Also, during shoulder seasons and winter, be aware that the ferry is often delayed or even canceled due to the fierce weather in the West Fjord.

Check the ferry schedule, prices, and tickets on the Torghatten website.

3. Flight + Bus

This is undoubtedly the best budget option, but be aware that public transport coverage in Lofoten is not great.

This does not mean impossible, but it means that I strongly recommend you do your research beforehand and remember to check weekend departures and public holidays, which will affect bus (and ferry) schedules.

If you travel by land, there are multiple long-haul buses in northern Norway, but they need to cover some distance (and often battle weather) – so they take time.

You can check bus schedules on the Reis Nordland website.

As mentioned, the ferry Bodø-Moskenes can not be trusted during the shoulder seasons and winter, as we have “a lot of weather” here up north. It is probably still a good option if you have a flexible schedule with some buffer.

Also read: Best Places To Stay In Lofoten Norway From A Native

4. Train + Bus or Ferry

Yep, you can choose to take the very scenic, very long train ride from Oslo all the way up to Bodø!

This is perfect for slow travelers with plenty of time, as the trip in one go will take a minimum of 18 hours and 40 minutes (that is the fastest route).

Although great for slow travelers, it is not necessarily super cheap, as a train journey this long (1192 kilometers) starts at around 1000 NOK and up.

Also, if you plan to do this train journey during summer, the peak travel season in Norway, be smart, plan, and book well ahead of time. It gets sold out.

And then, from Bodø, you already know you can fly, take the ferry, rent a car, or take the bus onwards to Lofoten.

You can check train departures on the Vy webpage.

5. Hurtigruten Coastal Ferry To Lofoten

Taking the Hurtigruten Coastal Ferry (also referred to as a coastal cruise) is definitely slow travel, definitely not budget travel, and will probably be a journey that you will NOT forget any time soon.

It has actually been called “the most beautiful coastal voyage in the world”, and I quite frankly agree.

A little context: Hurtigruten is a fleet of big ferries (or small cruise ships) that started sailing up and down the Norwegian coastline between Bergen in the west and Kirkenes in the northeast in 1893 (!).

Back in the day, or actually until not many decades ago, Hurtigruten was the only “lifeline” along the rugged Norwegian coastline, making sure people, supplies, posts, and more could reach small, remote settlements and villages off the beaten path.

Today, it still plays that role along the coast, but the fleet is also upgraded and fitted with cool stuff like shops, great restaurants, and jacuzzis on deck, which attract travelers from all over the world.

Now, a multi-day cruise with Hurtigruten is not cheap, but you can also embark on these ships like on any bus; you buy a ticket from one stop (port) to another. And if you are on board for less than 23 hours, you don’t need a cabin, so the price is reasonable.

Hurtigruten has 34 daily port stops along the coast (in fact, two per day; one northbound and one southbound), and one of them is Svolvær.

You can embark from destinations like Bodø, Tromsø, or smaller ports in the northernmost counties for a short journey with just a taste of this coastal adventure.

I recently traveled with Hurtigruten from the North Cape, Norway’s northernmost point, to Svolvær in Lofoten. That trip was 36 hours and required a cabin, and the price was comparable to a night at a high-end hotel.

Also read: How To Get To Lofoten From Tromsø – Ferry, Drive & Flight Options

How To Get Around In Lofoten Norway

Public Transport.

First, let me start by saying that Lofoten is not great for backpackers or travelers relying on public transport. I am not saying impossible, just not great.

Three words for you if that is your plan; PLANNING, PLANNING, PLANNING.

If budget is important for you, the public buses will be a good option, but this is where the planning comes in. Departures are not frequent, and be aware that bus departures are more frequent during high seasons (there are two: summer and winter) than low seasons.

Check the bus departures on Reis Nordland. Make sure you notice holidays and weekend routes and any anomalies, road conditions, or weather conditions that impact the bus schedule.

OBS OBS: some bus routes are actually only going if someone books it! This means you literally need to inform the bus company beforehand that you plan to take this bus, as if no one books a seat on these departures, the departure will simply be canceled.

Road Trip.

If you can rent a car and feel comfortable driving, that is my top recommendation. Having a car gives you the most freedom and flexibility for exploring the islands, without a shadow of a doubt.

You can rent a car in Bodø, Svolvær, Leknes, or Reine, where the ferry docks. So whether you come on a flight or the ferry, you can easily pick up a rental car in Lofoten.

Taxi or Private Transport.

There are very few taxis in Lofoten. You can get a taxi in and around Svolvær and Leknes, but that is about it. When you get west of Leknes, there are no taxis to be found. None.

So be aware of this if you know you will need transport to ferry or bus stops at inconvenient hours, getting a taxi will be an issue.

Some tour companies, like Guide to Lofoten in Moskenes Municipality and Reine, offers transport to and from the ferry port as well as guided tours.

Biking Trip.

Also, during the summer season, you will see lots of bikers and even hikers along the road winding down the Lofoten Islands. This is also an option to get around – very, very slowly.

Best Things To Do In Lofoten

Lofoten is not the place to go for vibrant nightlife, city buzz, or a shopping spree (if you don’t count shopping for outdoor gear and clothing).

Here is a quick guide of what Lofoten has to offer, both summer and winter:

• Kayaking
• Snow shoeing
• SUP
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Northern Lights watching
• Boat trips
• Yoga retreats
• Sauna & hot tubs
• Ice bathing
• Rock climbing
• Exquisite dining
• RIB safaris
• Scuba diving
• Snorkeling
• Midnight sun tours

Unfortunately, whale-watching safaris are not really available in Lofoten.

The reason is that whales follow the fish, and the fish have slowly ventured further north. So, if whales are a main goal for you, consider visiting Tromsø, too. (That said, we do get the occasional orca visit, especially in spring and early summer.)

I have written an extensive Lofoten Islands Travel Guide with lots and lots of information about all the different destinations you should visit in Lofoten, things to do there, and dining and accommodation options that you might be interested in.

FAQs How To Get To Lofoten Norway

Is Lofoten An Expensive Destination?

Well, yes. There is no way to deny that Lofoten is a pricey destination.

Not only is it in Norway (which is already expensive), but it is also in a remote Arctic part of Norway, where things are even more expensive.

Part of the reason is that wages are generally decent in Norway. This means that the cost of having staff work in hotels, restaurants, and tour companies is higher than in many other places, which will also reflect the price you pay.

Also, infrastructure and transport are more challenging here (and so it costs more to get stuff here and keep it working).

Lastly, Lofoten is also a unique natural area that needs to be protected, including the Lofotodden National Park. With several hundred thousand visitors a year, money is spent to protect mountains and paths, do repairs, and keep nature as untouched as it should be.

Can I Travel To Lofoten On A Budget?

Weeeell, yes, it is possible to travel to Lofoten on a budget, but take my advice and PLAN WELL ahead if you have a strict budget to stick to.

One reason is obviously to avoid breaking the bank, and secondly, to make sure you make the most of your visit even without a huge holiday budget to spend.

Dont forget that this is the Arctic, and if you are not used to Arctic conditions, many activities should probably not be done on your own for your own safety.

What Airport Do You Fly Into For Lofoten?

You fly into Svolvær or Leknes Airports in Lofoten. You can also fly to Evenes, which is the nearest airport that is not in the Lofoten Islands, but a few hours north.

How Do I Get From Lofoten To Oslo?

To get from Lofoten to Oslo, you can fly via Bodø, take the ferry from Moskenes to Bodø, or drive or take the bus from Lofoten to Bodø (long detour).

From Bodø, you can fly, take the train, or drive south to Oslo. Or take the Hurtigruten coastal journey from Svolvær to Bergen, and from there, take the train or fly to Oslo.

How To Get To Lofoten Islands From Tromsø?

You can drive from Tromsø to Lofoten or take a bus, a journey that will take 8-9 hours by car and longer time by bus.

There are also flights from Tromsø to Svolvær, or you can get on the Hurtigruten Coastal Cruise from Tromsø or any other Hurtigruten port and get off in Svolvær, the northernmost town in Lofoten.

How To Get To Lofoten Islands From Bergen?

The short answer is that you catch a flight. Now, there are no direct flights from Bergen to any of the airports in Lofoten, so from Bergen to Lofoten, all flights will have at least one change of planes.

You can either fly via Oslo, then on to Bodø and then to one of the Lofoten airports, Svolvær (northernmost) or Leknes (southernmost). Or you can fly “directly” northbound via Bodø to Lofoten.

Only one airline flies to Lofoten, the domestic Wideroe Airline. If you go to wideroe.no, the best option you will find is Bergen – Trondheim (same plane) – Bodø (change planes) – Lofoten (either airport).

Oh, and you can also fly to Bodø and take the 3.5-hour ferry over to Moskenes, which is free if you don’t have a car and just show up. Be aware, though, that in summer, lots of people are doing that, so it is smarter to book a ticket beforehand to not be left behind on the mainland.

Also, during shoulder seasons and winter, the ferry is often delayed or flat-out canceled because of the fierce weather in the West Fjord you need to cross to get here.

Wrap-Up: How To Get To Lofoten

Well, that’s a wrap. As you see, there are plenty of ways to travel to Lofoten in Norway, both in summer and winter, on different budgets, and with different levels of flexibility.

You should now have enough information to be able to plan your trip based on your budget, time available, and travel preferences.

PS: As I currently live in Lofoten, you can expect to see that the Lofoten travel guides and general content about this region on this website will increase exponentially.

Happy Travel Planning!