How do you get to Senja from Tromso, especially in winter? Can you make it a day trip? Let’s walk you through the different options!
Tromsø has become one of Norway’s top winter destinations, especially with the booming Northern Lights tourism. Once people book their vacation to Tromsø, they often start exploring what other incredible locations are nearby and frequently stumble upon Senja, a remote and beautiful island that offers a wilder experience.
There is no airport directly on Senja Island, but don’t worry—it’s pretty easy to get to Senja by plane when combined with a rental car or public transport, especially if you’re traveling to Finnsnes.
The two closest options are flying to Bardufoss Airport (BDU), which has some domestic flights from Oslo, or to Tromsø Airport, Langnes (TOS), where you can find several international flights, especially during the winter season.
The closest airport to Senja is Bardufoss Airport (BDU), located about a 50-minute drive from Finnsnes, the main town that serves as a gateway to Senja.
Flights from Oslo: Norwegian Air Shuttle offers regular flights from Oslo Gardermoen Airport to Bardufoss. They offer up to 3 flights daily, although no flights are available on Saturdays.
Cost of Flights: Prices for these flights start at approximately 749 NOK one way.
Getting to Senja from Bardufoss: Once you arrive at Bardufoss Airport, you can rent a car or take an airport shuttle to Finnsnes (249 NOK/adult/one-way).
Tromsø Airport, Langnes (TOS), is not only the gateway to Tromsø but also an excellent starting point for a trip to Senja.
Flights from Oslo: Norwegian Air Shuttle offers daily flights from Oslo Gardermoen Airport to Tromsø.
Flights from abroad: Tromsø Airport, Langnes (TOS), is expanding its direct flight offerings, especially during the winter season. The airport now offers direct flights to several major European cities. So, first, check if there is a convenient direct flight from your destination to Tromsø,
This might not be the cheapest or most practical option, but in our travel group focused on trips to Tromsø and Lofoten, many people ask if it’s possible to visit Senja from Tromso in one day. The answer is yes, it is possible.
Fram Tours offers trips four times a week throughout the year, except for December and January. It’s a pretty long journey—expect to leave Tromsø early in the morning (around 7 AM) and return around 5 PM.
But if you want to see the best of Senja in just one day, this tour is worth it!
You can rent a car in Tromsø and definitely make a roundtrip road trip to Senja from Tromso via Kvaløya island using the Brensholmen-Botnhamn ferry.
➡️ The Brensholmen-Botnhamn ferry used to operate only during the summer, and it seems like Google Maps hasn’t caught up with the change, so it may not show this option in the winter. However, the good news is that the ferry now operates year-round.
➡️ The ferry has limited capacity, and there’s always a risk of it being canceled or delayed, which could disrupt your plans. If you’re planning a day trip, it’s crucial to catch the first morning ferry.
On weekdays in the winter, the ferry departs Brensholmen at 08:45, which is ideal.
On Saturdays, the ferry leaves later at 10:45 and on Sundays at 12:15, which is much less ideal.
On Sunday, it might be better if you start your drive via the mainland and take the last ferry from Senja to Kvaløya at 6 PM. The last ferry from Senja departs on Saturdays at 4 PM, which can be quite limiting.
➡️ The roundtrip from Tromsø to Senja via Kvaløya is about 5o0 km and will take at least 7 hours of driving under ideal conditions.
With stops, this can easily stretch to 10-12 hours. The roads in Senja are narrow and winding and can be quite challenging, especially in winter conditions, even if you’re experienced with driving on ice and snow.
➡️ To play it safe, you might want to consider driving via the mainland both ways, especially if the weather forecast is uncertain or if you prefer to avoid potential ferry cancellations.
➡️ If you want to maximize your experience and reduce stress, consider spending a night or two (or more) on Senja.
This way, you won’t be rushed and have more time to explore the beautiful island without the pressure of returning to Tromsø in one day.
Here are some lovely accommodations in Senja that we recommend:
Western Coast (along the scenic road Senja):
🏨 Mefjord Brygge in Mefjordvær
Southern and Eastern Part of Senja:
🏨 Senja Fjordhotell and Apartments
There is a passenger-only ferry (express boat) that operates between Tromsø and Senja (Finnsnes), continuing on to Harstad afterward.
The boat departs from the Prostneset terminal in Tromsø’s city center.
It runs twice a day on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, and four times a day on Thursdays and Fridays.
The journey from Tromsø to Finnsnes takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. 🚤
You can buy your ticket using the Svipper app (the new app replacing Troms Billett). Go to the Tickets section in the menu at the bottom, select Express boat – single ticket, and choose your departure and arrival harbors (Tromsø Prostneset hurtigbåtkai and Finnsnes kai). You can start the ticket immediately or activate it later.
The price is 303 NOK per person. 🎟️
Let’s dive into the world of Hurtigruten and its new competitor on the block, Havila.
Hurtigruten is like the OG of Norwegian coastal travel. Imagine it as a mix of a cruise and a local ferry service but with more charm and a lot more history.
Founded in 1893, Hurtigruten has been ferrying people, goods, and now Instagram influencers up and down the Norwegian coast for well over a century.
In 2021, Havila Voyages entered the coastal sailing ring, becoming the first real competitor to Hurtigruten in decades.
➡️ Both Hurtigruten and Havila offer “port-to-port” tickets. So if you’re in Tromsø and decide, “Hey, I want to check out Senja,” you can just book this stretch.
➡️ The trip from Tromsø to Finnsnes takes about 3-4 hours, with pricing varying depending on the season and demand.
➡️ For short journeys like Tromsø to Senja, you don’t need to book a cabin.
➡️ You can also bring a car on board Hurtigruten, which is especially convenient if you plan to explore Senja or other regions by road.
If you prefer not to travel by boat, there’s an alternative route from Tromsø to Senja by bus. You can take bus 100 from Tromsø, which runs between Tromsø and Narvik. At Buktamoen, you will switch to bus 110, which heads to Finnsnes on Senja.
The trip takes around 3 hours, and you have a 10-minute window to change buses at Buktamoen.
Tickets can be easily purchased via the Svipper app. The journey costs 263 NOK, a bit cheaper than the express ferry.
Senja is a stunning destination to explore, especially in the winter, but getting around Senja using public transport is tricky due to limited services.
Some buses connect the main areas of Senja, such as Finnsnes, Gryllefjord, Botnhamn, and Hamn i Senja, but the frequency is quite low, especially in winter.
You can use the entur.no website or the Svipper app to check schedules and plan your route.
However, exploring Senja by public transport is quite inconvenient.
We highly recommend either renting a car—provided you’re comfortable and experienced driving on ice and snow—or joining guided tours offered by the local accommodations in Senja.
Renting a car in Tromsø is definitely one way to give yourself the freedom to explore the surrounding region on your own terms.
But let us give you a fair warning—if you don’t already have experience driving on snow-covered, icy roads in pitch darkness, Northern Norway in winter is not the place to pick up that new skill.
Driving here can be tricky, and if that sounds like it might be you, a guided tour is probably a safer bet.
Now, if you’re feeling confident about tackling the Arctic roads (and I mean really confident), renting a car can give you flexibility. Your best bet is to rent directly from Tromsø Airport, where you’ll find all the major rental agencies. For a quick overview and to compare prices, check rentalcars.com.
If you’re looking for something a little more local and highly rated, check out Rent a Star Tromsø. Their customer service is stellar, and they’ve got excellent reviews. Another interesting option is Getaround.no, a platform where you can rent cars from locals.
❗A couple of things to keep in mind:
👉 First, if you rent a car in winter, make sure it’s equipped with spiked tires—these are your best friends on those icy roads.
👉 Second, plan your itinerary so that you can drop the car off at the same location you picked it up. Not all rental agencies allow one-way rentals; if they do, they often charge a hefty fee.
👉 Lastly, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to camp under the Northern Lights (props to you), check out Arctic Campers. They offer camper rentals in Tromsø so that you can combine your transport and accommodation.
To wrap it up, getting from Tromsø to Senja in winter may require a bit of planning, but it’s definitely worth the effort. Whether you opt for the express ferry, bus, or even a self-guided road trip, you’ll not regret the trip.
If you want the most flexibility, renting a car allows you to explore Senja on your own schedule.
❗Remember that driving conditions can be challenging (and the Brensholmen-Botnhamn ferry a bit unreliable), so if you’re not experienced with icy roads, you might want to stick to public transport or guided tours.
The express ferry to Finnsnes combined with a guided tour or an overnight stay on Senja is a great option for a more relaxed journey. We highly recommend spending at least two days on Senja, but if you’re short on time, day trips with Fram Tours can give you a great taste of the island’s beauty.
In any case, Senja is a magical winter destination with breathtaking landscapes. However you choose to get there, you will probably fall in love with Senja! Safe travels!
Absolutely! Senja’s remote location, away from light pollution, makes it an ideal destination for viewing the Northern Lights. You can either self-drive to scenic viewpoints or join a guided tour for a better chance at catching the aurora in clear skies.
Driving in Northern Norway in winter can be challenging. If you are not experienced with icy, snowy roads and driving in the dark, you might want to reconsider renting a car. However, if you’re confident in these conditions, renting a car gives you flexibility. Always make sure the car has spiked tires, and check weather conditions before you head out.
The ferry operates year-round, but bad weather or cancellations can disrupt service. Luckily, you can have a plan B and drive via the mainland in the worst case.
If you want to learn more about the Tromsø-Senja ferry, please check our article on Brensholmen – Botnhamn Ferry.
Yes, but it will be a long day. You can either take an organized tour or rent a car and drive. Be sure to catch the earliest ferry, especially if driving, to make the most of your time. The Fram Tours also offer guided day trips from Tromsø to Senja, which is a hassle-free option.
If you’re planning a winter adventure on Senja, there are several great companies offering activities like Northern Lights tours, snowshoeing, kayaking, and sightseeing.
Norwegian Wild, located in the southern part of Senja, provides guided snowshoeing in Ånderdalen Nationalpark and winter kayaking tours.
Senja Husky Adventure, also located in southern Senja, offers dog sledding tours through the snowy wilderness.
Hamn i Senja is a resort that offers snowshoeing, ski touring, body rafting and Northern Lights tours.
Senja Experience focuses on personalized sightseeing tours and northern lights tours.
Hi! We are Ivar & Radka, an international couple who runs the Guide to Lofoten. We met in Trondheim and lived together in western Norway, Narvik and Tromsø. At the moment we call western Lofoten our home. We hope our page will make it easier for you to explore the beautiful places that made us chose Norway for our home.
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Hi! We are Ivar & Radka, an international couple who runs the Guide to Lofoten.
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