More people come to Arctic Norway in winter. No surprise, this is the time for fantastic, snow-covered landscapes, the traditional winter fishing and above all the Northern Lights. But how do you get about and around? Public transport or renting a car? If icy roads and snow across the windscreen are unfamiliar territory, winter driving in Arctic Norway can be a bit of a tall order. However, if you are used to proper winter conditions, you may find that the roads here are well maintained and far less dramatic than their reputation suggests. It is worth taking a moment to consider which category you fall into.

Visitors using public transport get to see fabulous winter landscapes, not just snowy tarmac and red tail lights glowing between the snow flakes. They arrive rested and ready to stay up late for the Northern Lights. And above all, it is much safer to leave the driving to local, experienced bus drivers.

This article is a guide to public transport out of the airport of Harstad/Narvik Evenes, a gateway for many winter travellers to the north. Situated in a rural area midway between the cities of Harstad and Narvik, straddling the border between Nordland and Troms counties, this airport is the gateway to some of the most scenic parts of Arctic Norway. Great attractions in the area include the fabled Lofoten Islands, the whale islands of Vesterålen, the historic city of Harstad and the winter sport and war history city of Narvik.

FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE NEAREST HUBS:

Harstad/Narvik airport Evenes is at some distance from the cities and towns around, and you should have a plan on how to get from the airport to your destination of choice. Here we have listed the options on how to get to Narvik, Harstad, Svolvær/Lofoten and Sortland/Vesterålen.

To Narvik

Narvik appeals with its war history, great skiing and train ride along fjords to the Swedish border.  

• Flybussen (Airport Express service): A fast bus service takes you from the airport to town in less than an hour.
• Public bus: About 9 buses depart every day from the airport to the city of Narvik, taking about 1 hour.

To Harstad

Atmospheric and scenic Harstad with its fjordside location and numerous historical sights is but an hour away.

• Flybussen (Airport Express Service): Corresponding with most flights into EVE, you can take an airport express bus into town. 
• Public bus:  About 9 buses leave from Harstad/Narvik to the city of Harstad every day, taking about 1 hour.

To Lofoten

The fabled islands of Lofoten are a couple of hours southwest of Harstad/Narvik.

Bus 300 runs twice a day from the airport to Svolvær and on to Å at the end of the road, passing a great number of accommodation and attractions on the way.

To the Vesterålen Islands

The blue city of Sortland is the hub of activity in the Vesterålen Islands, from here local bus lines radiate out in every direction.

• Flybussen (Airport Express Service): 4 departures a day
• Public bus: 3-7 departures a day

BUSES AND BOATS AROUND THE NEAREST HUBS:

Once there, public transport offers many chances to see the area. Here are some tips to travel around the areas.

Around Narvik

The train from Narvik to the Swedish border is a scenic experience. Reserve on the Swedish railway website or on a machine at the railway station.

Around Harstad

The Archipelago of Bjarkøy: The express boat to the archipelago of Bjarkøy, often with a detour to the bigger island of Senja, runs several times a day. Use it as a “mini cruise” for sightseeing, or book a stay at some of the islands.

Around Lofoten

A single road and a single, coherent bus line (741/742/300) run through the whole archipelago from Svolvær to Å, with 3 to 7 connections a day. The 300 runs all the way through, while the 741/742 combo involves a change and a toilet break in Leknes. Useful stops include the Viking Museum in Borg and the villages along the southwestern edge such as Reine, Sørvågen and Å.

Other exciting excursions include:

• The 743 bus, running between Svolvær, historic Kabelvåg and picturesque Henningsvær. It runs all the way from Henningsvær 3-7 times a day, a few departures only run to Kabelvåg.
• Local boat 773 runs from Reine to the tiny communities along the Reinefjord, 2-3 times a day except Saturday. Use it as a sightseeing tour, or in good weather and warmly dressed, for a small hike to Bunesstranda beach.
• The island of Skrova, off the main chain of Lofoten, is reached by a car ferry from the ferry dock in Svolvær, with 3 to 5 departures a day.

Around the Vesterålen Islands:

The Hurtigruten Museum in Stokmarknes, the fishing villages like Myre and Stø and the oceanic feel of Bø in the far west – lots of things to explore by bus in Central Vesterålen.

• Bus 754 Sortland – Stokmarknes – Melbu: 12 departures a day.
• Bus 841 Sortland – Straume (Bø): 1-3 connections a day
• Bus 862: Sorland – Myre – Stø: 1-3 connections a day 
• Myre – Nyksund: 1 day Monday-Friday. Talk to your accommodation in Nyksund about pickup from Myre.
• Local boat 866 from Myre makes a scenic route among the island communities, perfect for exploration.

To Andenes and the whales

Whale safaris and the Norwegian scenic route are the big draws of Andenes at Vesterålen’s northern end.

• Bus 871 goes 1-3 times a day from Sortland.
• Bus 874 goes along the Norwegian Scenic Route every day except Sunday. 871 is quicker, 874 is more scenic.

GOING BETWEEN REGIONS:

From the open Atlantic to the border mountains to Sweden, the variety is endless. In an hour or three, a bus takes you to a different region with a different feel. Or you can do a day sailing with the Hurtigruten.  

Narvik-Lofoten: The 300 bus runs twice a day from Narvik to Svolvær and on to Å at the end of the chain.

Harstad-Lofoten: Take bus 200 from Harstad to Tjeldsund kro, interconnecting with the same 300 bus.

Harstad-Sortland/Vesterålen: A variety of bus numbers, but 3-6 connections a day involving 1-2 transfers.

Sortland/Vesterålen-Lofoten: Bus 754 runs from Sortland to Melbu. There you board the ferry, and pick up the 300/749 at Fiskebøl (ferry dock), and continue to Svolvær. Sounds complicated, but runs as clockwork.

Narvik-Harstad: Take the 300 bus from Narvik to Harstad, change for the 200 bus at Tjeldsund kro.

Include a ride with the Hurtigruten

The legendary Hurtigruten – now dubbed the Coastal Route – is a comfortable and extremely scenic way of seeing the landscape. These days, it’s shared between two companies; Hurtigruten and Havila.

• A very convenient day sailing runs from Harstad (early morning), calling at Risøyhamn, Sortland, Stokmarknes, Svolvær and Stamsund during the day and evening, before sailing to Bodø. 
• If you’re heading north to Tromsø, it’s another convenient day sailing from Harstad, arriving in Tromsø in the afternoon.

MOVING FURTHER AWAY:

To Sweden

Abisko and Kiruna are found along the trainline from Narvik (see above), and from Kiruna you can visit the  ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi.

2 departures a day, and prebooking at www.sj.no.

To Tromsø

Some people fly into Harstad/Narvik and fly home from Tromsø. Or vice versa.

• From Narvik, take bus 100 to Tromsø , 2-4 connections a day.
• Alternatively, the private company Arctic Route runs a tour stopping at Polar Park and several other stops of interest for visitors.
• From Harstad (see above), there is an express boat to Tromsø (2-4 times a day)
• From Harstad, you can also take a day sailing with the Hurtigruten (Hurtigruten/Havila) to Tromsø.

To Bodø and Fauske

Another option is to fly into Harstad/Narvik and fly out of Bodø. Or vice versa. Public transport options include:

• From Narvik, there is the bus 100 going to Fauske (railway station and connection to Trondheim/Oslo) and Bodø. 2 connections a day, includes a short ferry crossing.
• From Svolvær, you can go by NEX 2 (Nordlandsekspressen) Express boat to Bodø, stopping at the island of Skrova on the way.
• The Hurtigruten is a very convenient sailing from Bodø to Stamsund (Lofoten) and Svolvær. However, sailing south, you arrive very inconveniently in the middle of the night. Depending on the day, the companies Hurtigruten and Havila
• The ferry connection Bodø-Moskenes (at the southwestern end of the chain) offers great views on the way. This ferry also calls at the remote islands of Værøy and Røst. The timetable should be read carefully.

Tickets and formalities

These days, you use an app to find out when the bus leaves, to pay and sometimes to reserve a seat.

Hurtigruten: This legendary shipping line is today operated by two different companies, Hurtigruten ASA and Havila Kystruten.

EnTur: The national app and website for searching information and paying tickets all over Norway. This is probably your preferred app, as it is used across county borders.

Travel in Nordland county: Reis Nordland is the app and website of Nordland County, including Lofoten, Vesterålen and the Narvik area. Use it both to find information and pay your ticket.

Travel in Troms County:  Svipper is the app and website for Troms County, including Harstad and onward to Tromsø.

Travel Pass Nordland gives you unlimited access to all public transports in the county of Nordland, be it bus, ferry or express boat. Exempts are all travels in the county of Troms (notably Harstad and surroundings) and the Hurtigruten.  

Arctic Route: This private, commercial company sells its tickets through its website.