If you plan to cycle the Norwegian Coast, there is a good chance you might want to use Norway’s famous coastal express service. Perhaps you want to experience the country’s North and South but only have a limited time? Perhaps you plan to cycle the whole coast but are unsure how to get home after reaching the top? Or perhaps you want to cycle some of the most remote roads in Europe, which are far from civilisation? The chances are that the Hurtigruten will be the most practical and efficient way to make all this happen.
The Hurtigruten began its voyage in 1893, taking cargo regularly up and down the remote areas of the Norwegian coast. It was the first cargo boat to travel at night, speeding up the service. Thus it became known as ‘The Fast Route’ (Translated to Hurtigruten in Norwegian).
Most people are unaware that there were no actual roads in the North of Norway until the 20th century. And many of these roads were not built until the second half of the century. The Hurtigruten became essential to supplying small settlements along the northern coastline. Even today, many remote towns and villages rely on the boat service, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to cargo, tourists have been using the boat service for over a century. The coast of Norway is considered the most beautiful in the world, and the Hurtigruten capitalised on that as a great way to bring in extra revenue. Today, tourists from all over the world generate the bulk of its revenue. This has made the boats more like floating hotels than cargo ships. Each voyage today offers leisure facilities such as a gym, sauna, and hot pools.
The cabins are comfortable, and you have several options to choose from, depending on your budget. Each boat has two À la carte restaurants, a cafe, and a panoramic bar. But perhaps the best service is the free lecture each evening. Done in both German and English, staff from the expedition team will talk you through the area currently sailed. You’ll learn about the region’s wildlife, unique geographic features, and plenty of fun facts that might surprise you.
Is the Hurtigruten expensive?
Yes and No. If you want to book a cabin and eat at the restaurants, expect 24 hours on board to cost between 500-800 euros for two people. If, however, you book only a deck ticket and eat at the cafe or bring your own food on board, the price will be 100-150 euros for one person. The second option is actually real value for money. In 24 hours, you will travel around 800km. You can explore the boat with numerous areas to sit and enjoy the views. In addition, the gym, hot pools, sauna, and lectures are all included in your ticket. To travel 800km on the train, you would expect to pay 80-100 euros without all the benefits mentioned above.
How often do they depart?
Five days a week from 34 ports, both North and South bound.
Another company covers the other two days: https://www.havilavoyages.com/
Where do they depart from?
The journey starts in Bergen and seven days later reaches Kirkenes at the very end of Norway, just 10km from Russia. Ålesund, Trondheim, and Tromsø are some of the ports the boat stops at along the way. For a full list, see the map here: https://global.hurtigruten.com/destinations/norway/classic-round-voyage-bergen-kirkenes-bergen/
Is there Luggage Storage?
Yes, there is a designated luggage room with usually plenty of space. It is safe to store valuables, but if in doubt, ask staff to store them in a more secure area.
How do I book?
You can book a Port-to-Port ticket using this site. https://global.hurtigruten.com/port-to-port/
Tip: The tickets are usually slightly cheaper if you book using the Norwegian site. https://www.hurtigruten.no/havn-til-havn/#/
When should I book?
Deck-only passengers can usually walk on and pay onboard without any reservations. Note it is handy to carry some form of ID.
Travelling with a bike costs 200kr extra, and at present, this can not be done with the online booking system. You must call +47 8100 3030 to book. The call is only in Norwegian. For those who don’t speak Norwegian, keep pressing ‘1’ on your phone until it connects to a travel agent who will speak English.
Cabin reservations will be required to be booked in advance. How long depends on the time of year. Some boats in the summer may be fully booked weeks in advance.
If you want to travel without a cabin, the booking system won’t allow it if the journey is over 24 hours. Therefore, you could book a ticket to a port that will allow a deck ticket. When you reach that port, walk off and back on again and book another deck ticket to your final destination. This is perhaps not something Hurtigruten would recommend, but it will save you a lot of money.
If you have further questions, please ask below, and I will do my best to answer them.
I travelled on the NorgeNord in May 2023 from Ålesund to Brønnøysund (750km). The journey took around 27.5 hours, and we stopped in Trondheim for 4 hours. I had an Arctic Superior Cabin and full board food (Breakfast and lunch buffet, A la carte evening meal).
Boat Information: https://global.hurtigruten.com/ships/ms-nordnorge/
An example of how to use the boat to experience both the North and the South
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