Harstad to Lofoten – By car, bus or boat

How to travel from Harstad to Lofoten - here is a practical overview of the best options

Harstad to Lofoten – By car, bus or boat

How to travel from Harstad to Lofoten - here is a practical overview of the best options

Choose your travel method

Three great ways to travel

You can travel from Harstad to Lofoten by car, public bus or coastal ferry. Car is the fastest option, while Hurtigruten and Havila offer a slower but very scenic sea journey directly to Svolvær.

Harstad to Lofoten – short overview

Means of transport	Approximate travel time to Svolvær	Best suited for
No	2,5–3 hours	Fast and flexible transport
Public bus	4 hours	Those who travel without a car
Hurtigruten or Havila	Around 10 hours	A comfortable and scenic sea journey

Travel times are approximate. The journey may take longer in winter, in bad weather or when there is heavy traffic during the summer season.

By car from Harstad to Lofoten

Car is the easiest and most flexible way to travel from Harstad to Lofoten. The journey follows E10 towards Svolvær, and you don't have to take a ferry along the way.

Remember that Lofoten is a large archipelagoIt is significantly faster to get to Svolvær in the eastern part of Lofoten than to Reine or Å further west.

Approximate driving times from Harstad:

Svolvær: about 3 hours
Henningsvær: approximately 3,5 hours
Leknes: approximately 4 hours
Reindeer: about 5 hours

The drive itself is very beautiful and passes through a landscape of fjords, islands and steep mountains. Please allow extra time for viewpoints, photography and varying driving conditions.

In Norway, it is customary to let cars behind you pass if you are forming a queue. If you want to drive slowly and enjoy the view, pull over to the side at rest areas so that the locals can pass.

In winter, you should always check the weather forecast and driving conditions before leaving. Snow, ice, strong winds and closed roads can significantly increase travel time.

If you are going to drive in the winter, you should also read the important information for tourists from the police:

LINK: Information for tourists in Troms

Click here for google maps:

Google Maps

By bus from Harstad to Lofoten

Harstad and Lofoten are connected by regional bus routes, but the journey normally requires at least one bus change.

There is no direct bus from Harstad city center to Svolvær.

Bus line 200 runs from Harstad in the direction of Bjerkvik and Narvik. Along the way, you can change to Lofotekspressen, at Tjelsundkroa, on line 300, which continues to Svolvær, Leknes and Å in Lofoten, among others.

The exact transfer location and waiting time depends on which departure you choose. The easiest way is to search for the entire journey from Harstad to your final destination, instead of planning each bus separately.

Plan your entire trip and find tickets on the following website:

Entur – national travel planner

ENTUR - Book tickets here

Route times vary between weekdays, weekends, holidays and different seasons. Therefore, check the entire travel connection shortly before departure, especially if you are going to make the trip in one day.

Local buses connect Svolvær and Leknes with places such as Henningsvær, Reine, Hamnøy and Å. However, some routes have few daily departures.

Please note that regional public transport may have very limited departures during public holidays. Avoid basing your journey on regional buses during the Christmas, Easter and other major holidays without checking timetables carefully in advance.

Coastal Route – Hurtigruten or Havila

Hurtigruten and Havila offer a direct sea voyage between Harstad city center and Svolvær city center.

There are coastal ships departing from Harstad every day, both north and south. Hurtigruten and Havila are two different companies that alternate departures. If you cannot find a departure on the desired date with one company, you should also check the other.

To get to Lofoten, you must use southbound ship.

You can find tickets here:

HURTIGRUT

HAVILA

Departure from Harstad:

08:30

Meeting points for both Havila and Hurtigruten can be found here:

Google Maps

The ship arrives in Harstad earlier, so you can board the ship from approximately 08:00.

Arrival Svolvaer:

18:30

The journey takes about ten hours and passes through Vesterålen before the ship continues into Lofoten.

This is considerably slower than driving, but the journey is also a great sightseeing experience. Along the way you can see islands, fishing villages, fjords and steep coastal mountains. If you choose to travel with the Coastal Route, The journey is part of the experience.

On board you will find comfortable common areas and panoramic lounges, as well as dining options and a kiosk. Some ships also have facilities such as a sauna and outdoor jacuzzi.

You can buy a regular port-to-port ticket without booking a complete round trip. If you want to bring a car, you should check capacity, price and booking conditions in advance.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a direct bus from Harstad to Lofoten?
There is no direct bus from Harstad to Lofoten. Most bus connections require at least one change. Search for the entire journey in Entur, Svipper or Reis Nordland to find the best connection on your desired date.

ENTRANCE
Is there a ferry from Harstad to Lofoten?
There is no regular direct express boat or car ferry between Harstad and Lofoten. However, Hurtigruten and Havila offer a direct and comfortable port-to-port journey between Harstad and Svolvær. Click here:

The coastal route
How far is it from Harstad to Lofoten?
It takes about 3 hours to drive from Harstad to Svolvær. Destinations further west in Lofoten, such as Leknes, Reine and Å, require several hours of driving.
Should I book transportation in advance?
It is recommended to book coastal ferries, rental cars and private transport in advance. Bus travellers should check the latest timetable shortly before departure.