Taking the train to Northern Norway means you can take the train to the railhead. In the far north, there are buses across the borders.
The European rain network reaches all the way to Northern Norway. But is doesn’t go all the way to the top our out to the coast. Here long distance buses are the thing.
Trains from Scandinavia to Northern Norway
From Oslo and Trondheim
The Nordland Railway, Nordlandsbanen, is the northern end of the Norwegian rail network. You can take a train from Oslo to Trondheim, then change for the Nordland Railway through Mosjøen, Mo i Rana and Fauske to Bodø. They offer both night trains with sleepers as well as day trains. Book trains at the Norwegian National Railways‘ or SJ Nords‘ homepage.
From Stockholm and Kiruna
The Ofoten Railway, Ofotbanen, is an extension of the Swedish rail network. Night trains leave Stockholm for Boden/Luleå, Kiruna, the winter sport resort of Riksgränsen and Narvik.
Book your tickets at the home page of the Swedish National Railways. For shorter trips across the border, you can also buy tickets from a machine at the railway station in Narvik.
From Narvik to the Swedish Border
Arctic Train transports you 43 kilometres through a desolate, wild and beautiful landscape along the Ofot line. From the ice-blue fjord in Narvik to the bare mountains in Sweden, there are several historical events that form a dramatic backdrop for the experience. Pack warm clothes and a good dose of adventure and join an epic journey at ArcticTrain.
Discounts
The train companies offer discounts when there is less, for children, students and seniors. Check their websites well ahead, it pays!
Bus from Finland
There is no such thing as a long distance bus from Southern Norway. However, you can cross the border in the far north by bus.
The Arctic Route
The Arctic Route offers a network of buses across borders, useful if you’re holidaying in more than one country in Arctic Scandinavia:
- Bus Rovaniemi – Tromsø
- Bus Narvik – Tromsø
- Bus Tromsø – Alta
- Bus Tromsø – Lofoten
- Bus Narvik – Lofoten
- Bus Tromsø – Skjervøy (Whale Route)
Buses from Finland to Norway
The Finnish bus company Eskelisen Lapin Linjat operates a number of routes, depending on the time of year, from Rovaniemi to various destinations in Northern Norway.
- Bus Karasjok – Rovaniemi all year. Onward connection with Norwegian buses to the North Cape, Hammerfest and Alta, notably.
- Bus Rovaniemi – Nordkapp (North Cape) in summer
- Bus Rovaniemi-Tromsø in summer. Also in part of the winter, integrated in the Arctic Route
Finnmark County has startet the new bus connection:
- Tana bru – Nuorgam/Nuorgam – Ivalo (Finland). Read more at Snelandia.