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Reinefjorden Ferry: How to get to Vindstad & Kjerkfjorden (2026)

If you plan to visit Reine and its surroundings, the Reinefjorden ferry is your ticket to some truly amazing spots. This passenger-only ferry connects Reine with the tiny villages of Vindstad, Kjerkfjorden, and Rostad, which you can only reach by boat. From Vindstad, you can hike to Bunes Beach, a stunning sandy beach surrounded by towering cliffs, and hikers on the Lofoten crossing use the ferry to link the stages between Horseid and Bunes.

We get a lot of questions about the Reinefjorden ferry, and for good reason. The timetables change, the booking system changes, and the parking situation in Reine seems to change every season. Reliable information is hard to find online, and what’s out there is often outdated, only in Norwegian, or hidden behind a paywall.

So we do the legwork ourselves. We live just around the corner, so we walk to the harbour to check the parking and the prices, we test the booking systems on our own phones, we listen to the problems our guests run into, and we call or email the ferry company whenever something isn’t clear.

In this guide, you’ll find the current ferry schedules, a step-by-step guide to booking your ticket (including what to do if the app doesn’t cooperate), ticket prices, where to park, and everything else you need to know before you go.

Updated September 2026: The Reinefjorden ferry is extremely popular, so book your spot in advance. If the ferry is full, they may run a second trip, but at twice the regular price.

Table of Contents

Why take the Reinefjorden ferry?

Seeing the inner part of Reinefjorden is absolutely mind-blowing. The tiny houses nestled along the shore give you a real sense of how massive the steep granite peaks around the fjord are.

When I first arrived in Lofoten in 2012, I wondered why I should take a boat into a fjord I could already see from the road between the villages. Well, the thing is, you only see a fraction of the fjord from the road. I’m still speechless every time the boat passes the characteristic triangular Olstinden and I get my first peek of Segla, with the houses of Rostad below it. The views from the boat are spectacular!

You can also hop off in Vindstad and take an easy hike to Bunes Beach, a huge sandy beach surrounded by towering cliffs.

The ferry, MS Brit, is fully electric, so you glide through the fjord without engine noise, exhaust, or vibrations. All you hear are the waves around you. Last but not least, the ferry is part of the local public transport network, so it’s very affordable compared to guided fjord trips like the tours to Trollfjorden near Svolvær or the sightseeing cruises on the famous fjords of western Norway.

 

Good to know: On the way in, the boat stops at Rostad and Kirkefjord, so the trip from Reine to Vindstad takes about 40 minutes. The trip back to Reine takes about 25 minutes.

 

Reinefjorden Ferry Timetable: Autumn & Winter 2026/2027

Reinefjorden ferry winter timetable 2026/2027 with departures between Reine, Vindstad, Kjerkfjorden and Rostad

The current timetable is valid until January 31, 2027.

Prebooking by phone required: From October 12 to December 27, 2026 (weeks 42–52) and from January 4 to March 21, 2027 (weeks 1–11), you must prebook the ferry by calling +47 994 91 805.

For those of you who still master the nearly lost art of reading public transport timetables, the image above has it all. For everyone else, here are the departures in plain text:

DayFrom ReineFrom Vindstad
Monday – Thursday10:00, 14:1510:45, 15:00
Friday10:00, 14:15, 20:3010:45, 15:00, 21:15
SaturdayNo departuresNo departures
Sunday13:30, 17:0514:15, 17:50

If you plan to hike to Bunes Beach, keep a close eye on the return times so you don’t get stranded in Vindstad.

 

Reinefjorden Ferry Timetable Summer 2026

Reinefjorden ferry summer timetable 2026 with departures between Reine, Vindstad, Kjerkfjorden and Rostad

During the summer season (June to mid-August), the ferry runs 2–4 times a day.

DayFrom ReineFrom Vindstad
Monday08:00, 10:00, 15:00, 17:3008:25, 10:25, 15:45, 17:55
Tuesday – Thursday10:00, 15:00, 17:3010:35, 15:45, 17:55
Friday10:00, 15:00, 17:30, 20:3010:35, 15:45, 17:55, 20:55
Saturday11:00, 15:0011:25, 15:45
Sunday11:00, 15:00, 17:3011:25, 15:45, 17:55

 

Summer: Departures from Vindstad back to Reine

If you plan to hike to Bunes Beach, keep a close eye on the ferry schedule so you don’t get stranded in Vindstad on your way back.

Here are the departures from Vindstad back to Reine during the summer season (June 1 – August 16):

DayDepartures from Vindstad
Monday08:25, 10:25, 15:45, 17:55
Tuesday – Thursday10:35, 15:45, 17:55
Friday10:35, 15:45, 17:55, 20:55
Saturday11:25, 15:45
Sunday11:25, 15:45, 17:55

Note: From August 17, the Reinefjorden ferry switches to the winter schedule with only two to three daily departures.

Winter: Departures from Vindstad back to Reine

DayDepartures from Vindstad
Monday – Thursday10:45, 15:00
Friday10:45, 15:00, 21:15
SaturdayNo departures
Sunday14:15, 17:50

Using the Reinefjorden ferry on the Lofoten crossing hike

Many hikers use the Reinefjorden ferry on the multi-day Lofoten crossing, which can be done from west to east (Å to Delp) or from east to west (Delp to Å). Between the stages, you have to take the boat between Kjerkfjorden (near Horseid Beach) and Vindstad (near Bunes Beach), since the steep ridge between the two beaches can’t be hiked.

Only some departures stop at Kjerkfjorden, so plan this part carefully.

Hiking from Delp to Å: Kjerkfjorden to Vindstad

SeasonDayDeparts KjerkfjordenArrives Vindstad
Summer (June 1 – August 16)Every day15:2515:40
Winter (August 17 – May 31)Monday – Friday10:25, 14:4010:40, 14:55
Friday (extra)20:5521:10
SaturdayNo departures
Sunday13:55, 17:3014:10, 17:45

Hiking from Å to Delp: Vindstad to Kjerkfjorden

SeasonDayDeparts VindstadArrives Kjerkfjorden
Summer (June 1 – August 16)Monday08:2508:40
Monday – Friday10:25, 17:5510:40, 18:10
Friday (extra)20:5521:10
Saturday11:2511:40
Sunday11:25, 17:5511:40, 18:10
Winter (August 17 – May 31)No direct connection

Winter tip: In the winter schedule, the boat goes straight from Vindstad back to Reine without stopping at Kjerkfjorden. To get from Vindstad to Kjerkfjorden, you’ll have to ride back to Reine and catch the next departure out. For example, leave Vindstad at 10:45, arrive in Reine at 11:10, and take the 14:15 boat to Kjerkfjorden (arriving 14:40). Call +47 994 91 805 to check whether they can stop on request.

When booking in the Reis app, Kjerkfjorden is listed as Kirkefjord hurtigbåtkai. During weeks 42–52 and 1–11, all winter departures must be prebooked by phone.

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How to book the Reinefjorden ferry online (Update 2026)

You might think booking the ferry is easy, and it has indeed gotten easier, since you can now book it in the Reis app and on the Entur website. But what’s easy for Norwegians, or at least for people with a Norwegian phone number and the Norwegian payment app Vipps, isn’t always easy for visitors from abroad.

We always like to test things ourselves before we write a how-to, because on paper everything looks easy. Until you try.

So here’s how it actually works.

Option 1: The Reis app

ChatGPT and other AI overviews will tell you to download the Reis app from Reis Nordland (App Store / Google Play) and buy your ticket there. Sounds simple. But any normal person opens the app, types in that they want to go from Reine to Vindstad, and expects a button to buy a ticket. That button never shows up.

Here’s what you actually need to do:

  1. Tap Tickets in the menu at the bottom of the app.
  2. Scroll all the way down and choose Single ticket for express boat.
  3. The app will ask you to log in. This is where it can get tricky, depending on where you’re from.

You’ll get three login options:

  • Log in with Vipps (only works for Norwegians)
  • One-time code via SMS
  • Use the app anonymously

Using the app anonymously seems like the obvious choice, but it won’t let you buy a ticket. So go for the one-time code via SMS and cross your fingers that the code actually reaches your foreign number.

If you get the code, you’re out of the woods. Choose your trip from Reine hurtigbåtkai to Vindstad hurtigbåtkai (for Bunes Beach) or Kirkefjord hurtigbåtkai (for Kjerkfjorden and Horseid Beach), or the other way round, and pay by card. Your seat is reserved automatically.

Option 2: The Entur website

If the SMS code never arrives, your next option is the Entur website at entur.no. I also tried the Entur app, but it didn’t give me any option to buy tickets for this route, so stick to the web version.

You’ll need to log in here too, but Entur lets you get the one-time login code by email instead of SMS. And voilà, you can buy your ticket.

Online booking in both the app and on Entur closes one hour before departure.

Option 3: When nothing else works

If both methods fail, you can call the ferry operator, Moskenes Shipping, at +47 994 91 805. Keep in mind that ticket sales are handled by Reis Nordland, so the crew may not be able to help with app or website problems.

In that case, your best bet is to ask the staff at your accommodation to buy the ticket for you. Or show up early, join the queue, and hope there’s a free seat. You can still buy a ticket on board with a card if there’s space, but cash is no longer accepted.

Good to know: Please be at the quay at least 15 to 20 minutes before departure, even with a booking, or you may lose your reserved seat.

How much does the Reinefjorden ferry cost?

Right now, a one-way adult ticket from Reine to Vindstad costs 59 NOK. Honestly, that’s an incredible bargain compared to fjord cruises in places like Svolvær or Tromsø.

To be fair, it’s a local ferry, so you won’t get a guide or commentary on board. (We actually think that would be really cool, since the villages and settlements in Reinefjorden have plenty of fascinating stories about what life there was like, and still is.) Still, you get to see a ridiculously beautiful landscape from the water, which is always the highlight of any fjord cruise.

Prices may go up

Over the last few years, the Reinefjorden ferry has become hugely popular with visitors. Nordland County Council now describes it as a route used almost entirely by tourists, and passenger numbers have grown sharply.

To keep up with all that traffic, the county has proposed adding 100 NOK to the ticket price. The extra income, estimated at around 3 million NOK a year, would fund a grant scheme that Moskenes Municipality can apply to for maintaining and upgrading the quays the boat depends on. The municipality has said it can’t cover this maintenance on its own. Any leftover funds could also go to quays elsewhere in Nordland.

People registered as living in Kjerkfjorden, Vindstad, or Rostad will get the surcharge refunded, so those who rely on the boat in their daily lives won’t pay more.

Good to know: The price increase is still a proposal, so check the current price in the Reis app or on entur.no before you go.

 

Where does the Reinefjorden ferry depart from?

Some older blog articles (and signs in Reine) still say the ferry leaves from the pier near the Circle K gas station. That used to be true, but it’s no longer the case.

The ferry from Reine to Vindstad now departs from the large parking area at Reine harbour (Reine Ytre Havn). Just type “Reine Hurtigbåtkai” into Google Maps.

Parking in Reine

The parking around Reine keeps constantly changing, so many blogs and websites have outdated information. Here’s what’s there now (September 2026).

Honestly, the situation is far from ideal, and, in our opinion, the municipality, the private parking owners, and tourists looking for a cheap place to park all play a part.

There used to be more places to park around Reine, like the free parking at the Reinehalsen crossroad. But when the parking lots fill up, many visitors don’t move on to find another spot. Instead, they squeeze in wherever they can: along the road, in private driveways, or even stopping in the middle of the road for a “quick” photo. This blocks traffic and creates dangerous situations, especially with buses, motorhomes, and trucks on the narrow roads.

The municipality and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) have responded by closing the free parking areas, digging ditches along the roads, and placing large stones along the roadside to stop people from parking there. Today, the whole of Reine is a no-parking zone, and you can only park in marked parking areas.

At the same time, the remaining paid parking isn’t making things easy either. Prices aren’t clearly displayed, they’re honestly quite high, and the payment systems can be confusing, especially if you’re driving a rental car.

So here’s our advice: plan your parking before you arrive, and read the section below carefully.

 

Municipal parking at Reine Ytre Havn

The closest parking to the ferry is the large lot at Reine harbour (Reine Ytre Havn). It has usually plenty of space, even for large motorhomes, plus a free waste disposal station for motorhomes and paid public toilets.

Now comes the catch. You pay per hour, either through the EasyPark app or at the parking machine. That’s fine for a couple of hours, but it gets very expensive if you leave your car overnight to camp at Bunes Beach.

Prices for cars (2026):

  • 07:00–23:00: 45 NOK per hour (includes VAT)
  • 23:00–07:00: 12.50 NOK per hour (includes VAT)
  • Maximum per 24 hours: 623.75 NOK (includes VAT)
  • First 30 minutes free

Warning for rental car drivers

This parking lot causes problems for visitors with rental cars all the time, and we hear about it constantly. The parking uses cameras that read your licence plate, and payment is linked to whoever has that plate registered in EasyPark. Many rental cars are already registered, either by the rental company or by a previous renter.

In practice, this is what happens: you try to pay at the machine, and it tells you the car is already registered and you’re free to leave. You open the EasyPark app, and it either can’t find your car or says the parking has already been started. Other payment apps don’t recognize the plate either. The instructions at the machine for paying afterwards don’t always work, and visitors have reported that they couldn’t reach anyone by phone.

The result: you drive off without knowing whether you’ve paid, and a few weeks later, your rental company charges you the parking fee plus an admin fee. Visitors have reported admin fees of 120 to 300 NOK, and you won’t know the parking price in advance. 

How to avoid it:

  • Before your trip, ask your rental company whether the car is registered with EasyPark and what their admin fee is for parking charges.
  • If the car isn’t registered, set up the EasyPark app and add your licence plate before you arrive in Reine.
  • If you want to be sure you pay the right amount yourself, park at the Fellesdrift Reine YH lot further into the harbour, where you can pay with Vipps, SumUp, cash, or card, or at Reine Kulturhus.

Fellesdrift Reine YH parking at Reine Ytre Havn

If you drive further into the harbour area, you’ll find another parking area run by Fellesdrift Reine Ytre Havn. This is a better option for overnight stays.

Price: 250 NOK per day

You can pay by Vipps, SumUp, cash (the exact amount in an envelope), or card. To pay by card, send the owners a message and they’ll come by with a terminal.

Parking at Reine Kulturhus (by the tourist information)

At Reine Kulturhus, you’ll find the “tourist information”, a souvenir shop, a café, and public toilets. It’s also the closest paid parking to the Reinebringen trailhead, about a 20-minute walk away.

Parking here used to be paid at the cash register inside the shop, with clear and fair prices:

Old prices: 50 NOK per hour, 150 NOK for 3 to 5 hours, or 300 NOK for 24 hours

In spring 2026, the owners switched to a camera parking system that reads your licence plate when you drive in and out. Since the switch, the prices seem to have gone up. A lot.

The new prices aren’t clearly displayed, and many visitors have been surprised by the bill afterwards. Based on what visitors report paying in summer 2026, expect roughly 100 to 120 NOK per hour, which adds up to around 250 to 350 NOK for a 3-hour Reinebringen hike. That’s about two to three times what the same hike used to cost.

Our tip: If you’re staying for more than an hour or two, the municipal parking at Reine Ytre Havn is usually cheaper (see the rental car warning above).

 

Reinefjorden Ferry Tips: What to Know Before You Go

  • Arrive at least 20 minutes before departure. Every now and then, people get left behind on the quay even with a booking. When we spoke with the ferry company, they told us it’s important to be in the queue at least 20 minutes early. When boarding starts, step forward and let the crew know you’ve booked.
  • Book your ticket in advance. The ferry is very popular, especially in summer. You can still buy a ticket on board with a card if there’s space, but on busy days you risk being left behind. If the boat is full, they may run a second trip, but at twice the regular price. Online booking closes one hour before departure.
  • Cash is not accepted on board. You can only pay by card.
  • Have a backup if the SMS code doesn’t arrive. If you can’t log in to the Reis app with a foreign phone number, buy your ticket on entur.no, where you can get the login code by email instead.
  • Check the return times before you start hiking. The last boat back from Vindstad leaves early in the evening, and there are only two departures on most winter days. Missing it means getting stranded in Vindstad.
  • There are no Saturday departures in winter. From August 17 to May 31, the ferry doesn’t run on Saturdays.
  • Prebook by phone in the quietest weeks. In weeks 42 to 52 and 1 to 11, all departures must be booked by calling +47 994 91 805.
  • Not every departure stops at Kjerkfjorden. In summer, only some boats stop there, and in winter, the boats from Vindstad go straight back to Reine. If you’re doing the Lofoten crossing hike, check the Kjerkfjorden tables above carefully.
  • Rostad is an on-demand stop in summer. Call +47 994 91 805 if you want to get on or off there.
  • The ferry doesn’t go to Forsfjorden. We’ve confirmed this directly with the ferry company. The route only serves Rostad, Kjerkfjorden, and Vindstad.
  • Plan your parking. Park only in marked parking areas in Reine, since the whole village is a no-parking zone. If you’re driving a rental car, read our parking warning above before you leave the car at Reine Ytre Havn.

 

Missed the boat? Private water taxi and charter trips

If the regular ferry doesn’t fit your plans, Moskenes Shipping, the company that runs the Reinefjorden ferry, also offers private water taxi rides and charter trips. They have several boats of different sizes, so they can adapt the trip to your group and destination.

A water taxi can take you to places in and around Reinefjorden, like Vindstad, Kjerkfjorden, Rostad, Sørvågen, and Å. This can be a lifesaver if you:

  • missed the last boat back from Vindstad
  • want to travel on a Saturday in winter, when the regular ferry doesn’t run
  • are doing the Lofoten crossing hike in winter and need to get from Vindstad to Kjerkfjorden
  • are travelling as a group, a photographer, or planning a private event

Phone: +47 994 91 805
Email: [email protected]

FAQ about the Reinefjorden Ferry

Do I need to book the Reinefjorden ferry in advance?

It’s strongly recommended, especially in summer. The ferry is very popular, and if it fills up, the company may run a second trip at double the regular price. You can book online through Reis Nordland. During certain winter weeks, you must prebook by calling +47 994 91 805.

Yes, you can still pay on board by card. Keep in mind that passengers with a booking get priority, so buying on board means you risk not getting a seat on busy days.

The ferry departs from the large parking area at Reine harbour (Ytre Havn). Some older articles mention the pier near the Circle K gas station, but that information is outdated.

Plan to be in the queue at least 20 minutes before departure, even if you have a booking. When boarding starts, step forward and let the crew know you have prebooked.

It’s a short and easy walk of about 3 km each way, usually an hour to an hour and a half one way. Always check the return departures before you set off so you don’t get stranded in Vindstad.

Yes, the trail is walkable year-round, but it can be icy or snowy between late autumn and spring. Wear sturdy boots, bring traction spikes (sometimes there is a need for snowshoes), and remember that winter has fewer departures and no Saturday sailings.

The municipal lot at Reine harbour charges by the hour, which gets expensive overnight. For longer stays, the Fellesdrift Reine YH parking further into the harbour area (250 NOK per day) or the Reine Kulturhus parking (300 NOK for 24 hours) are better options.

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Comments

One Response

  1. Dear Ivar and Radka,
    Your article about Reinefjord Ferry is absolutely amazing and helping, it has so much info and details !
    We are planning to take this Ferry from Reine on 18 March 2025. We are a family of 12 adults

    May we ask you a few questions which will be extreme helpful for us to plan ahead :
    1. Is the trail from Vinstad jetty to Bunes Beach still easily walkable during winter in March?
    2. Is there a way we can take this Ferry, and walk to Bunes Beach, and back to take the Ferry, and still be able to reach Reine before 1pm ?
    3. When taking this Ferry, will we be able to see some beautiful Fjord sceneries?
    4. We are 12x persons, do we need to pre-book? or we can just purchase the ticket at the ticket counter?

    thank you
    IngMing

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