Getting There in Lofoten islands

The scenic Lofoten Islands extend into the Atlantic Ocean from the west coast of Northern Norway, some 800 kilometers (500 miles) north of Oslo, the Capital of Norway. The mainland city of Bodø is a convenient gateway to the islands for visitors.

By air: From Oslo, the main international port of entry into Norway, a 1 1/2 hour flight to Bodø (www.sasbraathens.no, www.norwegian.no) , then connecting to regional carrier Widerøe (www.wideroe.no) which serves several smaller airfields on the islands. 

By boat: For spectacular scenery, the Coastal Steamer (www.hurtigruten.com), a unique coastal voyage that travels the Western Coast of Norway, can be boarded in nearby Bodø (or any city it serves from Bergen in the South to Kirkenes near the Russian border in the North). In the Lofoten Islands, it calls on the ports of Stamsund and Svolvær. Express boats and ferries (www.ovds.no) provide additional links to the mainland.

By rail: Bodø is the northernmost terminus of the Norwegian State Railways network (www.nsb.no). The trip from Oslo takes an estimated 22 hrs. The city of Narvik, slightly north of Bodø, also offers rail-service, but due to its geographic loacation only connects to the Swedish rail network). From Bodø (or Narvik), rent a car or catch a bus to the Lofoten Islands.

By bus: A well developed network of buses (www.nordtrafikk.no) connects Lofoten to the mainland, as well as linking the many towns and fishing villages to each other. 

By car: Private car offers the best flexibility to see the Lofoten Islands. Although roads are generally in good condition, beware of stretches of narrow and winding roads. During the summer months, expect to spend some time behind a multitude of slower moving campers and Recreational Vehicles, as thousands of tourists mainly from Central Europe have discovered this gem.