Travel Guide: Bergen To Lofoten Islands

The Lofoten Islands are a remote destination, and planning a trip there can be confusing. However, there are several ways to get there, including by plane, car, ferry, bus, or a combination of these. The best option depends on the traveller's preferences, budget, and time constraints.

Travel by plane and car ferry

Travelling from Bergen to the Lofoten Islands by plane and car ferry is a great option if you want to experience the beauty of the islands from the sea. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Travel by Plane from Bergen to Leknes or Svolvær

Firstly, you will need to fly from Bergen Airport (BGO) to either Leknes Airport (LKN) or Svolvær Airport (SVJ). Both of these airports are located directly on the Lofoten Islands and are served by Widerøe Airlines, with daily flights connecting to and from Bergen. This flight will take around 30 minutes.

Step 2: Travel by Car Ferry from Bergen to Svolvær or Sortland

If you want to take a car ferry, there are two main options. You can take a car ferry from Bergen Nøstet kystrutekai to either Svolvær kystrutekai or Sortland kystrutekai. The journey to Svolvær takes around 3 days, and the journey to Sortland takes approximately 3 days and 6 hours. These ferries are operated by Havila and Hurtigruten, and depart hourly or twice daily, respectively.

Step 3: Explore the Lofoten Islands

Once you arrive at your destination by plane or car ferry, you can start exploring the Lofoten Islands! The islands offer a range of outdoor activities such as diving, horse-back riding, fishing, and hiking.

Important Information:

• Flying to Leknes or Svolvær can be expensive, so consider your budget and time constraints.
• The car ferry from Bergen to Svolvær is the most popular option and can be full during the peak summer season. It is recommended to pre-book your journey if bringing a vehicle.
• There are no direct flights from Bergen to the Lofoten Islands; all flights will have a layover in Bodø.
• The distance between Bergen and the Lofoten Islands is approximately 610-796 miles.
• If you are bringing a vehicle on the car ferry, the price depends on the length of your car. Foot passengers are usually free.
• If you are travelling without a vehicle, it is recommended to rent a car in Leknes or Svolvær to explore the islands at your own pace.

Travel by plane and bus

Flying is the fastest and easiest way to reach the Lofoten region. There are no direct flights from Bergen to Lofoten, but there are several options for flights with a layover. The distance from Bergen to Lofoten is 610-796 miles. Here is a step-by-step guide to travelling from Bergen to Lofoten by plane and bus:

• Fly from Bergen Airport (BGO) to Leknes Lufthavn (LKN) or Svolvær Airport (SVJ). Both of these airports are located in the Lofoten Islands and are serviced by Widerøe Airlines, with daily flights to and from Bodø. This flight usually takes less than 30 minutes.
• Alternatively, you can fly to Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes (EVE). This airport is not located on the Lofoten Islands, but it is a common gateway to the region.
• From Leknes or Svolvær Airports, you can take a bus to your final destination in Lofoten.
• If you fly into Harstad/Narvik Airport, you can take a bus to Sortland Bussterminal or to Lyngvær øst.

The cheapest way to travel from Bergen to Lofoten is to combine flying and bus travel, which costs $90-$350 and takes 6-8 hours. The fastest way to travel is also to combine flying and bus travel, which takes 6-7 hours and costs $140-$550.

Travel by car ferry

If you're travelling from Bergen to the Lofoten Islands by car, the best option is to take the ferry from Bergen Nøstet kystrutekai to Sortland kystrutekai. This direct ferry, operated by Havila, takes around 3 days and 6 hours, with tickets costing around $650. Alternatively, Hurtigruten offers the same route twice daily.

If you're looking for a shorter ferry ride, you can drive to Bodø and take the 3-hour car ferry to Moskenes in western Lofoten. This route is served by multiple ferry companies and runs all year round. However, it can be quite expensive, and the crossing may be rough during stormy weather.

For a free car ferry option, you can drive to Skutvik and take the ferry to Svolvær. This route only operates during the summer months (June to August) and has two departures per day.

Another option is to take the Bognes to Lødingen car ferry, which is the shortest car ferry route to the region. This ferry runs once per hour and is a good choice if you're looking for a quicker alternative to the longer ferries from Bodø or Skutvik.

If you're including Senja Island and the Vesterålen archipelago in your road trip, you'll need to take the Gryllefjord to Andenes ferry. This ferry usually operates from mid-May to late September and offers 2-3 departures per day.

Finally, if you're looking for a long-distance ferry experience, you can consider the Hurtigruten or Havila Ferries coastal cruise from Bergen to Kirkenes. This journey takes around 72 hours and offers stunning views of the Norwegian coastline.

Travel by car

Travelling to the Lofoten Islands by car is a popular option for those visiting from Europe, as there are numerous combinations of routes and ferries to choose from.

If you are travelling from the central or eastern parts of Europe, the overnight ferry between Gdansk and Nynashamn is a good option. From there, you can drive north along the east coast of Sweden and enter Lofoten via the E10 road from the east.

For those travelling from western Europe, a different ferry route is more convenient. However, driving north along Sweden's east coast is still the most time and cost-efficient option, as the roads are better, the speed limit is higher, and there are no toll stations.

If time is not an issue, driving north via Norway is more scenic. However, it is recommended to take this route on your way back, as there are many beautiful places to see along the way, and you might never make it to Lofoten!

When arriving in Lofoten from the south, you will need to take a ferry. There are four ferry routes to choose from:

• The big car ferry between Bodø and Moskenes
• The smaller car ferries Skutvik-Svolvær and Bognes-Lødingen
• The passenger-only speedboat between Bodø and Svolvær (only during the summer)

The car ferry from Skutvik to Svolvær operates only in the summer (June 1 to August 31) and is free of charge.

If you are entering Lofoten from the north, you can fly to Tromsø and rent a car or a campervan to drive to the islands via the mainland, Senja Island, and the Vesterålen archipelago.

If you are travelling via the mainland, there are no ferries. However, if you are travelling via Senja Island and the Vesterålen archipelago, you will need to take two ferries: one between Kvaløya and Senja islands (Brensholmen-Botnhamn), and another between Senja and Vesterålen (Gryllefjord-Andenes).

From Vesterålen, you can either drive to Lofoten via roads 82 and 85 before connecting to E10, or take a ferry between Melbu and Fiskebøl, which operates all year round and departs every 90 minutes.

Important Considerations

• It takes at least 20 hours to drive to Lofoten from Oslo, so it is recommended to fly to Bodø/Narvik/Lofoten and rent a car there to save time and money.
• The E10 road between Raftsundet and Å has been listed as one of the 18 National Scenic Routes in Norway.
• If you are taking the Bodø-Moskenes ferry, it is recommended to book in advance during the high season to avoid long waiting times.
• The speedboat between Bodø and Svolvær has been suspended since January 2025.
• The Andenes-Gryllefjord ferry is infamous for its low capacity and long queues.

Travel by bus

Bus travel from Bergen to Lofoten is possible, but it is not a direct route. First, you will need to take a bus from Bergen to Bodø. From there, you can take a bus to Leknes or Svolvær. This is a long journey, so it is recommended to break it up with an overnight stay in Bodø.

From Bergen to Bodø, the bus journey is approximately 25 hours. There are sleeper options available on this route, so you can rest during the journey. The bus from Bodø to Leknes or Svolvær is around 3.5 hours.

Bus travel in Norway is comfortable and scenic, but it is a very long journey from Bergen to Lofoten, so it may be worth considering other options if you are short on time.

Alternative Options

If you are looking for a quicker way to get to Lofoten, flying is the fastest option. There are direct flights from Bergen to Bodø, which take around 1.5 hours. From there, you can take a short flight to Leknes or Svolvær.

Another option is to take a combination of trains and buses. You can take a train from Bergen to Trondheim, and then another train from Trondheim to Bodø. This journey will take around 17-19 hours, so it is a good idea to travel overnight. From Bodø, you can take a bus to your destination in Lofoten.

Finally, you could also consider driving or taking a ferry. These options give you more flexibility to explore the region, but they are also longer journeys.

Frequently asked questions