Discover Lofoten, Norway by bus with Arctic Route

HOP - ON / HOP - OFF BUS SUMMER 2025: BOOK HERE

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.

General information

Single Tickets

Book here

Season

June - August

Longest distance

6 hours

Connections

Leknes Airport, Bodø-Moskenes Ferry, Hurtigruten/Havila in Svolvær

Bus Stops

14 stops

Prices

From NOK 60 – 1740

Tickets & info

We recommend you book your ticket in advance via our website to guarantee your spot.

 

You can also buy your ticket onboard the bus.

 

IMPORTANT: This is not a traditional unlimited ride hop-on hop-off ticket. You buy individual tickets for each leg of your journey, like a regular bus. This allows you to plan your own route, stop where you want, and continue on a later day.

Bus stops & schedules

Find all the bus stops, departure time and schedules by scrolling down this page until you find the section “Timetable and price list”.

 

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.

Moskenes / Bodø ferry

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.

Practical information

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).

Food/ What to bring

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.

Age limit

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.

Luggage transportation

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

Tickets to discover Lofoten: Book here

We recommend you book your ticket in advance via our website to guarantee your spot. You can also buy your ticket onboard the bus.

Bus schedules and prices

Timetable and price list

Svolvær - Å i Lofoten

Å i Lofoten - Svolvær

Unique features

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.

Å

NUSFJORD

HAMNØYA

LOFOTEN BEACH CAMP

HENNINGSVÆR

HAMNØYA

HAMNØYA

LOFOTR

REINE

REINE

SVOLVÆR

MOSKENES CAMPING

SVOLVÆR

SVOLVÆR

REINE

DAILY BUS ROUTE

A route designed to enjoy traveling

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

Explore the gems of Lofoten and beyond

The route, with hop-off/hop-on stops, shorter photo stops, and longer visiting stops carefully handpicked by local travel passionists.

Svolvær

The gateway to Lofoten

Svolvær is the biggest town on the Lofoten islands and offers a wide variety of accommodations and experiences.
Join a fast Rigid Inflatable Boat toward one of Norway’s most known and beautiful fjords: Trollfjord. Or go paddling if you are up for a softer adventure.

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.