Travel to Vesterålen
How to travel to Vesterålen?
Vesterålen is a stunning archipelago located north of the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway. The region is a unique destination with a rich whale and wildlife, dramatic mountains, beautiful white sandy beaches and authentic fishing villages. When you plan a trip to Vesterålen, you can look forward to spectacular scenery and unforgettable experiences.
Travel to Vesterålen by plane
Flying to Vesterålen is one of the most efficient ways to travel to this beautiful archipelago, offering stunning views of Norway's rugged landscape and coastline.
There are flights from Oslo/Bergen/Stavanger/Trondheim to the regional/international airport Harstad/Narvik (Evenes) or via Bodø/Tromsø to the local airports Skagen Airport, Stokmarknes or Andenes Airport, Andøy.
Airlines
Several airlines operate flights to Vesterålen:
Travel to Vesterålen by bus
In the summer of 2025 you can explore Vesterålen in an easy and flexible way by bus. The Arctic Route offers safe, comfortable and reliable bus routes, which give you complete individual freedom for your journey.
Discover Vesterålen with The Arctic Route
Experience summer above the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway. The convenient hop-on hop-off bus service lets you discover the stunning beauty of Vesterålen at your own pace. Travel easily between Andenes in the north and Melbu in the south.
Daily connections and good facilities
With daily connections in both directions between Tromsø and Svolvær in Lofoten, this bus service is the perfect way to discover and explore the magnificent landscape of Vesterålen. The buses have English-speaking drivers, free Wi-Fi and toilets on board, ensuring a comfortable journey. This daily service operates between June and August.
Book your bus ticket here.
Airport bus
Airport buses run from two of the three airports that people in the region often use.
Travel to Vesterålen by ferry
When you are in Northern Norway, a popular way to get to Vesterålen is by ferry.
If you are travelling from the south via Fauske/Bodø, you can take the car ferry Bognes-LødingenIf you have been to Lofoten and are going on to Vesterålen, you can take the car ferry Fiskebøl-Melbu when you have crossed the border to Vesterålen. This ferry connection is a beautiful route that operates regularly all year round, allowing both car passengers and people on foot to travel comfortably.
If you are coming from the north through Senja, it is possible to take the car ferry Gryllefjord-Andenes during the period May 16th - September 23rd.
The coastal route
Hurtigruten and Havila coastal routes, both northbound and southbound, stop at several ports in Vesterålen, offering another scenic way to reach the islands.
Travel to Vesterålen by car
Driving to Vesterålen is a fantastic experience, especially for those who want to explore the beautiful landscape of Northern Norway at their own pace. Here is a guide on how to get to Vesterålen by car:
The route from Oslo to Vesterålen
The journey from Oslo to Vesterålen takes about 18-20 hours non-stop, so it's a long trip. The most popular route is via the E6, which takes you through beautiful landscapes and cities. You can choose to split the trip over several days to enjoy the sights along the way.
Oslo to Trondheim: Start your trip by driving north on the E6. This part of the journey takes about seven hours. Trondheim is a great place to stop for a break or overnight stay. Here you can explore the city and perhaps enjoy a nice dinner before continuing your journey.
Trondheim to Fauske: Continue on the E6 from Trondheim to Fauske. This stretch takes about ten hours and you will pass through beautiful areas such as the Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park. This is one of the most scenic parts of the trip, so be sure to take time to stop and enjoy the views.
Fauske to Vesterålen: From Fauske, continue on the E6 towards Bognes in a northerly direction. This trip takes approximately 2.5 hours. In Bognes, take the ferry to Lødingen. When you arrive in Lødingen, continue on Rv85 and shortly after turn left onto the E10. In Gullesfjorden, you can turn off at the roundabout towards Sortland, or in the direction of Lofoten, to Fiskebøl and take the car ferry. Fiskebøl-MelbuBoth routes take approximately 1 hour.
The route from Tromsø to Vesterålen
The journey from Tromsø to Vesterålen takes about 6 hours non-stop. The fastest route is via the E6 and E10, taking you through beautiful landscapes and fjords. Bjerkvik is a nice place to stop for a short break before continuing your journey.
Via Senja and the Norwegian Scenic Route in the summer: From May 16th to September 23rd you can reach Vesterålen via Senja. On this route you follow both the Norwegian Scenic Route in Senja and Vesterålen. The Norwegian Scenic Route in Senja ends in Gryllefjord, where you take car ferry to Andenes in Vesterålen. The car trip is a journey through a changing natural landscape with fjords, mountains and vibrant villages sheltered from the ocean.