Tromsø is widely considered one of the most visited winter destinations in Norway, if not the most. Its reputation as the “Gateway to the Arctic,” combined with its exceptional location for viewing the northern lights, makes it a magnet for winter travelers.
Following a record-breaking winter season 2023/2024, European airlines are doubling down on Tromsø as a key Arctic destination. Instead of routing through Oslo, they’re offering direct flights from major international cities straight to Tromsø.
In the winter of 2024/2025, there will be more than 30 direct routes per week from cities like London, Paris, Berlin, and Copenhagen, making it easier than ever to visit Tromso in winter.
In this guide, you’ll find all the information you need about getting to Tromsø—from Norway, the Nordic regions, Europe, or the US. And if you’re wondering about those direct flights, don’t miss the detailed table at the end of the article for a full overview of all the routes available for winter 2024/2025. ❄️✈️✨
Tromsø is well-connected to other Norwegian cities, making it easy to reach this Arctic destination. There are direct flights from major cities such as Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim. For those coming from smaller towns or other parts of the country, a connecting flight via Oslo is often the best option.
Oslo (OSL) is the main gateway to Tromsø for both international and domestic travelers.
Norwegian and SAS operate multiple daily direct flights from Oslo to Tromsø. The flight takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes, making it the quickest and most convenient option.
✈️ For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with the airlines or use reliable flight search platforms to plan your trip.
Taking the train from Oslo to Tromsø is a slow and scenic adventure. It’s not the quickest way to get there, but it’s worth considering if you’ve got time and love watching landscapes roll by.
There are two main routes, and both are great for the experience—but not exactly efficient.
Option 1: Oslo → Bodø/Fauske → Tromsø
🚆To get to Bodø, you’ll need to switch trains in Trondheim—but that’s not a bad thing!
Take the overnight train from Oslo to Trondheim, sleep through the journey, and wake up in this beautiful city. Spend the day wandering around Trondheim’s cozy streets, checking out the stunning Nidaros Cathedral, and enjoying the wooden houses at the waterfront.
And when evening rolls around, hop on the night train to Bodø.
🚌 From Bodø or Fauske, hop on a bus to Tromsø. This leg takes another 9–10 hours, so the whole journey adds up to 25–30 hours.
Option 2: Oslo → Stockholm → Narvik → Tromsø
🚆 First, take the train to Stockholm, which takes about 5–7 hours. You can opt for a high-speed train or an overnight option if you prefer to sleep through this part.
🚆 Next, board the Arctic Circle Train from Stockholm to Narvik. This ride is a gem—about 18 hours of breathtaking views as you head north into the Arctic.
🚌 Finally, catch a bus from Narvik to Tromsø. This last stretch takes about 4 hours, bringing your total journey time to a very similar 25–30 hours.
You cannot travel directly from Oslo to Tromsø by Hurtigruten Coastal Express or Havila Voyages. These ships operate along Norway’s coastal route, starting in Bergen and traveling north to Tromsø and beyond, all the way to Kirkenes.
If you want to include Hurtigruten or Havila in your journey from Oslo, you’d first need to travel to Bergen. From there, you can board the ship for the multi-day voyage to Tromsø.
Bergen is a popular stop for travelers exploring Norway, especially in winter. Many people arrive in Oslo first, then take the scenic Bergen Railway (Bergensbanen) or the famous Norway in a Nutshell tour to Bergen.
Once in Bergen, most want to continue north to either Lofoten or Tromsø, two of Norway’s most iconic winter destinations.
There are direct flights between Bergen (BGO) and Tromsø (TOS). Widerøe operates 2 to 3 daily direct flights on this route, with a flight time of approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes.
However, Widerøe can be quite pricey, and since they use small propeller airplanes, flights tend to get booked up quickly. If the direct flight is sold out or doesn’t fit your budget or schedule, your best alternative is to fly via Oslo, with plenty of connections offered by Norwegian and SAS.
For taking a train from Bergen to Tromsø, you’ll need to travel via Oslo, which adds 6-7 hours to the above-described train journey. Here’s how the trip breaks down:
1️⃣ Train from Bergen to Oslo:
The Bergen Line (Bergensbanen) takes about 6-7 hours and is renowned for its stunning views of fjords, mountains, and high plateaus, especially in winter. This part of the journey alone is considered one of the most scenic train rides in the world.
2️⃣ Train from Oslo to Bodø:
From Oslo, you’ll continue on the Nordland Line (Nordlandsbanen) to Bodø with a possible stopover in Trondheim. The whole trip between Oslo and Bodø takes approximately 16 hours.
3️⃣ Bus from Bodø to Tromsø:
Once in Bodø, you’ll need to switch to a bus for the final leg to Tromsø. This takes 9-10 hours and winds through breathtaking Arctic landscapes, including fjords and snow-covered wilderness.
If you’d rather skip the long bus and train journey from Bergen to Tromsø, taking the Havila Voyages or Hurtigruten Coastal Express is a fantastic alternative.
The trip takes about 4 days, with the ship stopping at charming coastal towns and offering stunning views of Norway’s coastline.
Prices typically range from 6,000–15,000 NOK (around $550–$1,400), depending on the season, cabin type, and whether meals or excursions are included.
It’s slower than flying, of course, but if you’ve got the time, it’s a pretty unforgettable way to experience Arctic Norway. 🚢❄️
Both SAS and Norwegian offer direct flights from Copenhagen (CPH) to Tromsø (TOS). These flights operate several times a week, with departures on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The flight duration is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
✈️ For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with the airlines or use reliable flight search platforms to plan your trip.
If direct flights are unavailable, flying via Oslo is a reliable alternative, with frequent connections operated by SAS, Norwegian, and Widerøe.
SAS and Norwegian offer direct flights from Stockholm (ARN) to Tromsø during the northern lights season.
These flights take approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes and are available four times a week, typically on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
✈️ For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with the airlines or use reliable flight search platforms to plan your trip.
As with Copenhagen, connecting through Oslo is a common option if direct flights are sold out or don’t match your schedule.
Traveling from Kiruna, Sweden, to Tromsø, Norway, involves a bit of planning, as there are no direct flights between the two cities.
While there are no direct flights, you can fly from Kiruna Airport (KRN) to Tromsø Airport (TOS) with one or more stops, often transiting through Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN).
If you’re looking for a scenic option, you can take the train from Kiruna, Sweden to Narvik, Norway, and then continue by bus to Tromsø. The train ride from Kiruna to Narvik takes around 3.5 hours.
From Narvik, you’ll hop on the 100 bus to Tromsø, which takes about 4 hours. The 100 bus between Tromsø and Narvik is super easy and flexible to use. You don’t need to worry about booking in advance because seats are guaranteed, and if it gets busy, they’ll just add extra buses.
You can pay directly on the bus with a debit or credit card, or if you prefer, you can use the Reis app.
Finnair offers direct flights from Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Tromsø Airport (TOS). These flights operate six times a week, with departures on Monday through Saturday. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes.
✈️ For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with the airlines or use reliable flight search platforms to plan your trip.
As with Copenhagen and Stockholm, connecting through Oslo is a common option if direct flights are sold out or don’t match your schedule.
Finnair operates direct flights six times a week from Rovaniemi (RVN) to Tromsø (TOS) during the winter season.
The flight duration is approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes, making it the fastest and most convenient way to travel between these two Arctic destinations.
✈️ For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with the airlines or use reliable flight search platforms to plan your trip.
If you’re planning to travel from Rovaniemi to Tromsø by bus, you’ve got two options: regular buses or the Arctic Route by Best Arctic.
Regular buses are more of an adventure—the schedules can be tricky to navigate, they’re not always easy to book online, and the journey usually requires a bus change in Kilpisjärvi.
For a more straightforward and comfortable experience, the Arctic Route by Best Arctic is the way to go, mainly because online booking is so much easier. That said, you’ll still need to change buses in Kilpisjärvi. Moreover, this service only runs from December 1 to March 31, so it’s a seasonal option for winter travelers.
Winter is the perfect time to travel to Tromsø from the UK, thanks to the abundance of seasonal direct flights.
Norwegian Air operates direct flights from London Gatwick to Tromsø twice a week during the northern lights season, specifically on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Similarly, SAS offers direct flights from London Heathrow to Tromsø three times a week, with flights available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
EasyJet also connects London Gatwick to Tromsø with direct flights twice a week, departing on Mondays and Fridays.
✈️ For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with the airlines or use reliable flight search platforms to plan your trip.
Wizz Air operates direct flights from London Luton Airport (LTN) to Tromsø Airport (TOS) four times a week during the winter season. These flights are typically scheduled on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
✈️ For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with the airlines or use reliable flight search platforms to plan your trip.
EasyJet and Norwegian operate direct flights from Manchester to Tromsø during the winter season. EasyJet flights start on November 19, 2024, and operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
✈️ For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with the airlines or use reliable flight search platforms to plan your trip.
EasyJet operates direct flights from Bristol to Tromsø, starting in November and running through the northern lights season. These flights typically operate twice a week.
✈️ For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with the airlines or use reliable flight search platforms to plan your trip.
SAS and Norwegian offer frequent flights from UK airports like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh to Oslo, where you can connect to Tromsø.
✈️ For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with the airlines or use reliable flight search platforms to plan your trip.
While there are no direct flights from the US to Tromsø, there are several efficient ways to get to Tromsø from the States.
Most US travelers fly to Oslo (OSL) as their first stop. Airlines such as Norwegian, SAS, and Delta frequently offer connections to Oslo from major US cities like New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), and Chicago (ORD).
From Oslo, you can take a direct flight to Tromsø with airlines like Norwegian or SAS.
✈️ For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with the airlines or use reliable flight search platforms to plan your trip. .
Another popular route is flying to London (LHR or LGW), which has seasonal direct flights to Tromsø during winter, operated by airlines like SAS or Norwegian.
Norwegian operates direct flights four days per week during the winter season (Mo, We, Fr, Sun).
SAS operates direct flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Tromsø Airport (TOS) three times a week during the winter season. (Th, Sa, Sun).
✈️ For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with the airlines or use reliable flight search platforms to plan your trip.
Transavia and easyJet operate direct flights from Amsterdam to Tromsø during the winter season.
Transavia offers flights twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays. easyJet operates flights three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
✈️ For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with the airlines or use reliable flight search platforms to plan your trip.
Lufthansa and Discover Airlines operate direct flights from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Tromsø Airport (TOS) during the winter season.
These flights are available five days a week, typically on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
✈️ For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with the airlines or use reliable flight search platforms to plan your trip.
From Asian cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, or Tokyo, there are frequent direct or one-stop flights to key European hubs:
✈️ Frankfurt (FRA)
✈️ Amsterdam (AMS)
✈️ London (LHR/LGW/STN)
Airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Lufthansa, and Qatar Airways offer excellent connectivity between Asia and Europe.
👉 For more information on flying to Tromsø via Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or London, check out our section on getting to Tromsø from the US. ✈️🌍
| City | Airline(s) | Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Madrid | Iberia | December 1 |
| Barcelona | Vueling | November 30 |
| Milan | Norwegian, EasyJet | October 29 (Norwegian), December 4 (EasyJet) |
| Paris | Air France, Norwegian, Transavia France, EasyJet | October 28 (Norwegian), November 28 (EasyJet), December 21 (Transavia France) |
| Gdansk | Wizz Air | |
| London | Norwegian, SAS, EasyJet, British Airways | October 27 (Norwegian), November 2 (SAS), November 11 (EasyJet), December 1 (British Airways) |
| Luton | Wizz Air | October 27 |
| Manchester | EasyJet, Norwegian | November 19 (EasyJet), October 30 (Norwegian) |
| Bristol | EasyJet | December 5 |
| Amsterdam | Transavia, EasyJet | November 5 (Transavia), December 15 (EasyJet) |
| Geneva | EasyJet, Norwegian | December 5 (EasyJet), November 1 (Norwegian) |
| Zurich | Edelweiss | October 30 |
| Brussels | Norwegian | October 31 |
| Frankfurt | Lufthansa | |
| Munich | Lufthansa, Norwegian | November 2 (Lufthansa), October 26 (Norwegian) |
| Berlin | Eurowings, Norwegian, EasyJet | December 1 (Eurowings), October 27 (Norwegian), December 6 (EasyJet) |
| Hamburg | Eurowings | December 15 |
| Düsseldorf | Eurowings | November 30 |
| Stuttgart | Eurowings | January 25, 2025 |
| Vienna | Austrian Airlines | December 4 |
| Helsinki | Finnair (increased frequency) | December 3 |
| Rovaniemi | Finnair | October 27 |
| Stockholm | SAS, Norwegian | October 31 |
| Copenhagen | SAS, Norwegian | October 27 |
Tromsø is a bucket-list destination that’s more accessible than ever, thanks to the growing number of direct flights from various European cities.
However, before you head off, keep in mind that Tromsø is in the Arctic, and winter can be unpredictable. This past Christmas, for example, we saw over a week of storms that caused flight cancellations and delays.
So, what is the best advice we can give you for planning a winter trip to Tromsø?
Make sure you have solid travel insurance to protect both your wallet and your peace of mind from unexpected changes.
If you have questions about planning your journey, feel free to ask in the comments, join our Facebook group for travel tips to Tromsø and Lofoten, or check out our new Reddit community.
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