Discover Lofoten, Norway by bus with The Arctic Route
HOP-ON/HOP-OFF BUS
During summer 2025 explore Lofoten by bus in an easy and flexible way.
The Arctic Route: Travel with full individual freedom on our safe, comfortable and reliable bus routes.
Want to experience the summer above the Arctic Circle? Northern Norway is the perfect place to do so.
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Lofoten, Norway with the convenient hop-on hop-off bus service.
Explore at your own pace as you travel between the charming village of Svolvær and the picturesque village of Å.
The buses provide you with English-speaking drivers, free WI- FI and toilets onboard. This is a daily service between June and August.
Single Tickets
Book here
Prices
NOK 60 – 1740
Season
June – August
Connections
Leknes Airport, Bodø-Moskenes Ferry, Hurtigruten/Havila in Svolvær
Longest distance
6 hours
Stops
14
We recommend you book your ticket in advance via our website to guarantee your spot.
You can also buy your ticket onboard the bus.
Find all the bus stops, departure time and schedules here. On the PDF, click on each bus stop to find the exact Google coordinate.
The buses are red marked with Bussring and/or Arctic Route logos, look for them!
Please mind that the bus stops are not marked with any “Arctic Route” sign.
The Arctic Route connects with the 14:15 arrival from Bodø and 14:45 departure to Bodø. The ferry ride takes 3,15 hours, crossing a distance of 88,90 km.
Find the timetable for the Moskenes-Bodø ferry here.
When embarking the ferry, you will be requested to fill in a QR-code list, for the passenger’s details (according to the Norwegian Maritime law). This can’t be filled in beforehand.
How to connect?
1. Traveling from Svolvær/ Hamnøy/Reine to Bodø? Hop on the Arctic Route, which arrives at 13:40 at the ferry quay in Moskenes (*)
2. Traveling from Bodø to Reine/Hamnøy, Svolvær? After arrival, hop at 14:25 at the Arctic Route, which brings you to the east.
4. We connect from Å i Lofoten to Moskenes at 14:45 (ferry departure to Moskenes).
5. We don’t connect from Moskenes ferry arrival (14:15) to Å i Lofoten.
*Notice 1: To secure your ticket on the Moskenes-Bodø ferry, it is required that passengers arrive at least 45 minutes before departure. The Arctic Route arrives 1 hour before departure.
*Notice 2: The operator of the Moskenes-Bodø ferry (Torghatten Nord AS) cannot guarantee the availability of spots on the ferry, and as a result, no reimbursement can be claimed from Arctic Route, Best Arctic, or any of their partners for costs connected to overstay longer in Moskenes.
See more information here.
The buses have free WI-FI, USB and charging points, as well as English-speaking drivers and toilet facilities along the way.
Need assistance? Contact us at info@bestarctic.com and +4795303888 (please call us for urgent matters).
Free practical guiding and storytelling app is included in your ticket – please download the Voice of Norway app before hoping on the bus (here).
Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate animals onboard (except guide dogs).
Water is included but there is no food included on this route. You can buy food food at the several stops and also bring food with you.
Dress comfortably and according to the weather. Here are some tips to know what to wear in the summer above the Arctic Circle.
There is no age limit to take this route. We have children seats available, please get in touch with us to info@bestarctic.com so we arrange it for you.
Each passenger may bring one item of easy-to-manage hand baggage, which must fit under the seat or in the overhead rack, as well as an item no larger than height + length + width = 200 cm/23 kg.
Unfortunately it is not allowed to transport sports gear with you (such as surfboards, golf equipment or bikes).
Read our Frequently Asked Questions section about this route here.
Activities along this route
All activities are accessible via the Arctic Route - no rental car is
needed. We offer, you choose.
All activities are accessible via the Arctic Route - no rental car is needed. We offer, you choose.
NOK 3690/pp
- 07:35
- 14 hours
- Svolvær
Whale-Watching from Svolvær
NOK 1495/pp
- 07:35
- 13 hours
- Svolvær
Hurtigruten Cruise into Trollfjord, with Arctic Route
NOK 1390 / pp
- 09:00 - 14:00
- 3,5 hours
- Svolvær
Silent Trollfjord Cruise
NOK 1250 / pp
- 18:00
- 2 hours
- Svolvær
Evening Kayak from Svolvær
NOK 1095 / pp
- 10:30
- 2 hours
- Svolvær
Sea kayaking in Svolvær
NOK 1490 / pp
- 08:10 (am)
- 11 hours
- Svolvær
Best of Lofoten, in 1 day
NOK 1950/pp
- 08:10 (am)
- 11 hours
- Svolvær-Nusfjord
Explore Nusfjord on day trip
NOK 1500 / pp
- 14:00
- 3 hours
- Reine
Kayak Daytour at Reine
NOK 1250 / pp
- 20:00
- 3 hours
- Hamnøy
Midnight Sun Kayak Tour in Reinefjord, in Lofoten
from 985 per person
- 08:10
- 11 hours
- Svolvær - Lofotr Museum
Visit Lofotr Viking Museum
HAMNØYA
LOFOTEN BEACH CAMP
HENNINGSVÆR
HAMNØYA
HAMNØYA
Lofotr
Reine
Reine
Svolvær
Moskenes Camping
Svolvær
Svolvær
Reine
Reine
Å
Nusfjord
Tickets to discover Lofoten: Book here
Timetable and price list
Svolvær - Å i Lofoten
| Bus stop | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Svolvær Port Hurtigruten Terminal | 08:10 | |
| Svolvær Svinøya Rorbuer | 08:15 | |
| Skårungen Kabelvåg | 08:30 | NOK 60 |
| Henningsvær | 09:15 | NOK 180 |
| Lofotr Vikingmuseum | 10:20 | NOK 350 |
| Leknes Airport | 10:35 | NOK 420 |
| Leknes Circle K | 10:40 | NOK 470 |
| Nusfjord (longer stop 11:25-12:25, entrance ticket to Nusfjord included) | 12:25 | NOK 570 |
| Flakstad Rasteplass/Lofoten Beach Camp | 12:45 | NOK 620 |
| Ramberg Gjestegård | 12:50 | NOK 650 |
| Hamnøy (Eliassen Rorbuer) | 13:10 | NOK 700 |
| Reine | 13:25 | NOK 750 |
| Moskenes (FERRY) - departure 14:45 | 13:40 | NOK 830 |
| Sørvågen (Lofoten Planet & The Tide) | 13:45 | NOK 850 |
| Å i Lofoten | 14:10 | NOK 870 |
Å i Lofoten - Svolvær
| Bus stop | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Å i Lofoten | 14:10 | NOK 870 |
| Sørvågen (Lofoten Planet & The Tide) | 14:15 | NOK 890 |
| Moskenes (ferry) | 14:25 | NOK 910 |
| Reine | 14:40 | NOK 990 |
| Hamnøy (Eliassen Rorbuer) | 14:55 | NOK 1040 |
| Ramberg Gjestegård | 15:15 | NOK 1090 |
| Flakstad Rasteplass/Lofoten Beach Camp (longer stop for sightseeing 15:25-15:55) | 15:55 | NOK 1120 |
| Nusfjord (departure) | 16:20 | NOK 1170 |
| Leknes Circle K | 16:45 | NOK 1270 |
| Leknes Airport | 16:50 | NOK 1320 |
| Lofotr Museum | 17:05 | NOK 1390 |
| Henningsvær (longer stop to explore Henningsvær 18:05-19:05) | 19:05 | NOK 1560 |
| Skårungen Kabelvåg | 19:25 | NOK 1680 |
| Svolvær Port Hurtigruten Terminal | 19:35 | NOK 1740 |
| Svolvær Svinøya Rorbuer | 19:40 | NOK 1740 |
Go on a whale watching tour with the Arctic Route!
A unique possibility during your summer Arctic holidays in Lofoten, Norway.
A fun and scenic full-day adventure that brings you in all comfort, from Svolvær to Andenes along the breathtaking National Scenic coastal route, to see the majestic sea mammals in their natural habitat, on a Rigid Inflatable Boat tour.
Unique features
Daily operated bus routes
Hop-on &
hop-off
Photo stops
along the way
Sightseeing visits included
Longer Sightseeing stops included
You will have three longer sightseeing stops on this route:
- The fisher village of Nusfjord (60 minutes stop), is one of Norway’s best-maintained fjord villages, with museums, bakery, bars, restaurants, and galleries to visit. To enter this authentic fishing village, an entrance fee is required (the entrance fee is included in your bus route ticket). – in direction Svolvær – Å (11:25-12:25).
- A longer sightseeing stop at the village of Henningsvær (60 minutes stop) – in direction Å – Svolvær (18:05-19:05).
- A 30-minute stop at Flakstad beach (15:25-15:55) – in direction Å – Svolvær.
*Is this the route for you? This route was designed for travelers who wish 100% freedom to explore and plan as it goes, without limitations, restrictions, or schedules.
To change from West – East (route Lofoten (Å) – Svolvær) to North – South (route Tromsø – Lofoten (Svolvær), an overnight in Svolvær is needed.
See more of our adventures below
A route
designed to
enjoy traveling
A route designed to enjoy traveling
Daily Bus Route
Our daily-operated bus routes brings you between east to west in Lofoten: from Svolvær, Henningsvær, Hamnøy, Reine, all the way to Å, the most west-located village in Lofoten. This is a daily route, connecting Svolvær in the west with Å I Lofoten. It connects many of the entry and exit points in the Arctic Route summer area, such as the ferry in Moskenes to Bodø, and the Hurtigruten ship in Svolvær.
Travel-oriented/focus
We picked our stops based on locations that travelers want to visit, spend the night, and want to eternalize with photos and life-lasting memories.
Made by locals,
for everyone
The route, with hop-off/hop-on stops, shorter photo stops, and longer visiting stops carefully handpicked by local travel passionists.
Add experiences and accommodations
Experiences and overnight stays will soon be possible to be added to this trip via our booking platform at some of the locations along the route.
Highlights on this route
Narvik
Fjord area with history - via public transport - bus 300
In Narvik, jump into the cable car up to 656m for a daytime or unique midnight sun experience 15 minutes from the city center.
Want more? The Arctic Train brings you, as a day activity, back and forth via the Ofoten Line to the border with Swedish Lapland, an epic 2-hour train ride (choose to hop off and walk back to Narvik (2 hours).
You can also take the night train from or to Stockholm or the daytime train from or to Kiruna, via Abisko National Park, to or from Narvik in Norway, with VY, the train company. Read more about this option here and visit two countries in one journey!
Svolvær
The gateway to Lofoten
Henningsvær
Into the heart of Lofoten Islands
Ideal spot to buy Lofoten’s most authentic and beautiful souvenirs, from glasswork, to stockfish, to artisanal candles. You can hop in the cozy café Klatrekafeen, located on the left side on the main street of Henningsvær, with delicious home-made fish soup. At the end of the village, you find a football field. Visit this cozy and vibrant fishing village on your journey!
Longer stop included (18:05-19:05) in direction Å > Svolvær.
Lofotr Viking Museum
Feel and row like a Viking
In the museum, you can see Vikings making handicrafts, such as blacksmiths, weaving, and wood carpentry. Test your skills during a game of axe- throwing and dress up as a Viking! On the lake, you can embark on an authentic sailing vessel and help with rowing. Day trip from Svolvær to Viking Museum: check here.
Flakstad beach
Surfing the Arctic waves
Lofoten is known for its ‘Arctic Surf’. Amateurs and professionals try their luck in the ice-cold water to master the waves.
During this 30 minutes photo stop, you can stroll along the beach, look out over the waves to the surfers and hop into Lofoten Beach Camp for some hot drink and sandwich.
Longer stop included (15:25-15:55) in direction Å > Svolvær.
Nusfjord
Go back in time
Experience the charm of Nusfjord, a UNESCO-nominated village nestled in the breathtaking landscapes of Lofoten. Immerse yourself in its rich history as you explore art galleries, indulge in food experiences, and embark on fishing trips and Rigid Inflatable Boats tours. The best part? Entrance to this picturesque village is included in your bus ticket.
Longer stop included (11:25-12:25) in direction Svolvær >Å.
Moskenes/Bodø
Easy connection between bus and ferry
Visiting Bodø and Lofoten has never been easier, thanks to the connection of the Arctic Route buses with the departure and arrival of the ferry in Moskenes/Bodø.
o Arrival of the Arctic Route bus: 13:50 / departure of the ferry to Bodø: 14:45
o Arrival of the ferry from Bodø to Moskenes: 14:15 / departure of the Arctic Route bus from Moskenes: 14:25
Å i Lofoten
The end of the road
This village is named after the last letter of the Norwegian alphabet, as it is the last village on Lofoten’s west coast. If that is not the true story, it is a great invented one at least. Stay over in Å in one of the many rorbuers, enjoy the world-best cinnamon buns (made in a wood- heated oven), and hop on one of the ferries for a daytime tour to the surrounding mountains and islands, such as Varøya.
