Northern Norway in the winter is one of my greatest travel experiences. And the thing to do there, if you are lucky, is to see the Northern Lights(Aurora Borealis). Tromso is a quaint and interesting city north of the Arctic circle. You are likely to see the Northern Lights in Norway if you are away from the city’s artificial light and if there is a clear sky and if it is dark. Yes, there have perfect conditions lined up in order to see the lights.
See the Northern Lights Norway on Hurtigruten
Another not-to-be-missed Norwegian experience is the coastal ferry – The Hurtigruten – which travels from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the north. It takes 12 days, through the famous Norwegian Fjords to reach the far north. Now, although I love the isolation, tranquility and sheer beauty of the surrounding scenery, 12 days would be a bit much. Luckily you can do port-to-port trips, where you just catch a ride for a small stretch of the journey. 24 or 48 hours is plenty, but you can also combine this travel experience with the search for the Northern Lights. The ferry is in the middle of the sea in complete darkness and ideal for spotting the Northern Lights. The Hurtigruten is a large but simple ship, don’t expect a luxury cruise. But it does get you where you want to go in the most interesting way possible.
A Day in Tromso
This 8-hour itinerary takes you out of the center of Tromso’s where you can look for the lights. It is a combo of buses and ferries that do a loop starting and ending in Tromso.
Take Nor-way Bussekspress from the Tromso Prostneset bus terminal(Busstasjon), at 16:00. At Breivikeidet change to a ferry and across the Ullsfjorden Fjord to Svensby. Then back on the bus to Lyngseidet, where again you will board a ferry, this time to cross the Lyngsfjord and the Kåfjord to Olderdalen. Get back on the bus to the island of Uløya, through an underwater tunnel and then on to Skjervøy, arriving at 19:40. And there the Hurtigruten awaits to take you at 19:45 on your return journey to Tromso, where you will arrive at 23:45.
The scenery on the way is stunning and seen in the dark, it is even more enchanting.
Don’t worry about all the ferry/bus changes, this is a well-established route and you will not be alone. The bus and ferry combination is just to get you over the water, the journey is a continuous one, and one ticket covers the journey.
Where: Tromso Norway
When: Winter – September-March
Cost: Ticket for bus and ferry combination about 800NOK
Web Site: See the Nor-way Bussekspress site, and buy a ticket at tourist info, bus stop. For some great ideas about routes in and about Tromso visit The Arctic Route.
Hi
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Hi Kerwin
Yes as far as I know it is still possible but try this variation, I know it’s been done as recently as April 2011.
Go to the Tromso tourist office and ask for a joint bus/boat ticket to Skjervoy Island. The ticket includes the coach (which goes on two ferries) to the Island and then the Huitegruten back to Tromso. It takes about 8 hours and on the coatal steamer you can get off the bus and walk around, eat, use the bathroom etc.
Hi.. i am wondering if this route is still available or provided by the bus. I went to the bus website i couldnt search for its schedule. Thanks. I am going to Tromso end of Feb. 🙂
Cheers
If you are talking about doing the short trip on bus and ferry, the only food available is on the ferries. They normally have at least a snack bar and often a full restaurant, it all depends on which ferry you get. The Hurtigruten web site (link above) tells you which ferries travel when and what facilities are on board. Very glad you enjoyed this post! I also write articles about various subjects and the links are on the left of this page, I’d love it if you take a look. Thanks Petal
Hoping to do this in a couple of weeks time. Are there opportunities to pick up food/drink on the way or do you need to take supplies with you?
I love the Hurtigruten ships. Having recently travelled from Tromso to Trondheim on the MS Finnmarken, I can really recommend their voyages. None of the glitz and glamour of traditional cruise ships, just casual, relaxed sailing as you watch the superb Norgwegian coastal scenery pass by – bliss!