How to Get to the Lofoten Islands: The Ultimate Travel Guide (2025)

Want to go to Lofoten and wondering how to get to Lofoten islands? If this is the case, luckily you have come to the right place.

At first glance, planning a trip to this beautiful paradise of northern Norway can be confusing but it doesn’t have to be now.

Lofoten islands is an ideal adventure place for those who want to see stunning views of archipelago with hiking, northern light and amazing photography opportunities. Reaching the lofoten islands can be a bit of adventure but it’s so worth it.

This guide is all about how to get to Lofoten islands reddit, whether by plane, car, bus connection or train so you can easily choose the best route for you.

How to Get to Lofoten Islands? Possible Ways

Lofoten islands is a dream travel destination for many travelers but when it comes to how to get there, most tourists cancel their trip because of not having enough information.

Undeniably it is not easy to get there but it doesn’t mean that you can’t fulfill your dream of visiting this Northern Norway destination.

Here are some possible ways to get here easily.

1. By Air
2. By Ferry
3. By Car
4. By Train & Bus
5. By Cruise

Let’s discuss these possible modes one by one in detail to help you make your journey memorable.

1. By Air-The Fastest Option

By taking an airflight, you can easily get to Lofoten islands. From all over the world, there are multiple airports offering flights from major Norwegian via Norwegian Airlines and European route.

Main Airports Operating International Flight to Lofoten

Leknes Airport (LKN): Centrally located, best option for easy access to islands.

Svolvær Airport (SVJ): It is located in the capital of Lofoten, Svolvær.

Harstad/Narvik Airport (EVE): Near Lofoten, one of the largest airports, located about 3.5 hours away by bus or car.

Bodø Airport (BOO): Considered as major airport for flights to Lofoten, with both ferry and flight connections.

Best Flight Routes

From Oslo: Direct regular flights to Harstad/Narvik, Bodø, or Svolvær which takes 1.5–2 couple of hours.

From Tromsø: How to get to Lofoten Islands from Tromsø? Various direct flights to Svolvær and Leknes which only takes 1 hour.

From Bodø: Multiple daily flights to Leknes and Svolvær with only 25-30 minutes.

International Routes: From London, Berlin, and Amsterdam to Bodø, there are new seasonal flights from London with an easy access to Lofoten.

Pro Tip

• Book your flights in advance to secure your seat especially in summer when seats fill up quickly.

2. By Ferry – A Scenic Journey

If you want to go to Lofoten while enjoying scenic views, taking a ferry is one of the beautiful options to go for. You can enjoy breathtaking views of Norwegian coastline.

Here are few famous ferry routes.

• Bodø to Moskenes (Car & Passenger Ferry)

This is the most popular ferry route, taking about 3-4 hours. Ferries normally operate year-round with heavy peak season during summer. As a foot passenger, you have the option to either bring your car for travel or walk—whichever is more convenient for you.

• Hurtigruten & Havila Coastal Express (Cruise-Ferry Hybrid)

How to get to Lofoten Islands from Bergen? This ferry routes stops at Stamsund and Svolvær,, connecting Lofoten islands to Bergen, Tromsø, and Kirkenes. This ferry route is a comfortable and scenic option with onboard amenities.

• Bodø to Svolvær (Express Passenger Ferry)

Bodø to Svolvær route is faster than the Bodø–Moskenes ferry which takes less than 3 hours. Cars are not allowed in this route but great for foot travelers.

Pro Tip

• Ferries may be affected by weather especially in winter. So, it is recommended to go in summer and book tickets in advance.

4. By Car – The Most Flexible Option

If you are looking for flexibility, car is the best option to go for. By having a car, you can complete journey at own pace while exploring roadside attractions and do activities.

Route from Mainland Norway to Lofoten

• Via E6 Highway, drive north from Oslo to Trondheim to Bodø.
• From Bodø to Moskenes, take a ferry or drive through Narvik.
• Then follow the scenic E10 highway, also known as the “Lofoten National Tourist Route”.

Car Rental Options

In Bodø, Harstad/Narvik, Svolvær, and Leknes, there are various car rental options available. For winter travel, there is a need of 4WD vehicles.

Driving Conditions in Different Seasons

Winter: During November to March, the road conditions are snowy but well-maintained.

Summer: One of the best times to drive with 24/7 daylight convenience in June to August.

Speed Limit: For highways, 0–90 km/h and 50 km/h for towns.

Pro Tip

• While driving, be cautious of sheep and reindeer crossing the roads.

4. By Train & Bus-Budget-Friendly, But Longer

For budget, there is a need to sacrifice something like flexibility and convenience. There are no direct train routes to Lofoten but for scenic journey experience, you can combine both train & bus travel. Steps to follow.

Step 1: Take a Train to Bodø or Narvik

How to get to Lofoten Islands from Oslo via train?

• Take the Nordland Line from Oslo to Bodø with 17 hours overnight sleeper train available.
• From Oslo to Narvik, you can travel via Sweden on the Arctic Circle Train which takes 20 hours.

Step 2: Take a Bus from Bodø or Narvik to Lofoten

• For combination of both bus & ferry, Bodø to Lofoten via Moskenes is the best route.
• Along the scenic E10 highway, there’s a direct bus (4–5 hours) via Narvik to Lofoten.

Pro Tip

• If you want to travel with train & bus combination, use Norwegian Rail Pass for discounts.

5. By Cruise-The Relaxed Way to Arrive

Cruise travel is recommended for those who want luxury travel and many cruise ships include Lofoten in their itinerary list.

Popular Cruises Stopping in Lofoten

• Hurtigruten & Havila Voyages (year-round, Bergen to Kirkenes route).
• Northern Lights & Midnight Sun Cruises (Tromsø to Lofoten).
• Luxury Arctic Expeditions (Lofoten + Svalbard combo).

Pro Tip

• Some cruises offer multi-day stays in Lofoten so try to choose multi-day stay for better exploration.

How to Get to Lofoten Islands from USA?

If you want to get to Lofoten from USA, you need to follow these steps.

• Fly to a major Norwegian airport like Oslo lufthavn To Oslo because direct flights are only available via SAS, Norwegian Air, and major US carriers.
• From Oslo, take a domestic flight to Leknes (LKN) or Svolvær (SVJ). OR You can also fly to Bodø and take a short connecting ferry to Lofoten.
• Another possible option is flying to Tromsø (TOS) or Harstad/Narvik (EVE), then rent a car or take a scenic bus ride.

Here is a list of minimum flight times to Lofoten from USA’s major cities or states in the form of table.

How to Get to Lofoten Islands from UK?

Wondering how to get to Lofoten Islands from London? There are few airlines that make connecting flights from London to Lofoten islands. The most common route is from London Heathrow Airport in London to Leknes Airport in Leknes.

• Norwegian Air Shuttle: Offers flights from London to Oslo and other Norwegian cities, with connections to the Lofoten region.​
• Scandinavian Airlines (SAS): Provides flights from London to Oslo and other hubs, facilitating onward travel to the Lofoten Islands.​
• British Airways: Operates flights from London to Oslo, from where travelers can connect to flights heading towards the Lofoten area.​
• Widerøe: A Norwegian regional airline that offers flights within Norway, including services to airports near the Lofoten Islands; travelers can connect through Norwegian hubs.​
• KLM: Provides flights from London to Norwegian cities via Amsterdam, with possible connections to the Lofoten region.​
• Lufthansa: Offers flights from London to Norwegian destinations through German hubs, requiring connections to reach the Lofoten area.​
• Finnair: Operates flights from London to Norwegian cities via Helsinki, with onward connections available to the Lofoten Islands.​
• easyJet: Provides flights from London to Oslo, necessitating additional connecting flights to access the Lofoten region.​

Please note that flight schedules and routes can change, so it’s advisable to check with the airlines directly or consult a travel agent for the most current information when planning your trip.

On average, this flight can take around 7 hours 48 minutes one way and costs less than £600 for the round trip. This is one of the convenient and accessible ways to go to Lofoten from any major city or state of the UK.

Summing Up!

Plan your trip today to Lofoten Islands with these easily accessible modes of transportation.

Air fly and cruise are convenient options as compared to car, bus, train or ferry ride. It’s all up to you which transportation mode you want to choose for getting to Lofoten islands.

Normally all the options are best but you need to consider one that you best think aligns with comfort levels and travel needs.

Frequently Asked Questions