Senja Island is becoming an increasingly popular destination, both in summer and winter. Most visitors start their trip by renting a car in Tromsø. Once you’ve rented a car, you have two main options to get to Senja: either drive via the mainland or take the ferry connecting Tromsø and Senja, which runs between Brensholmen and Botnhamn.
In this article, we’ll focus on the Tromso–Senja ferry and take a closer look at its schedule, capacity, pricing, and potential downsides.
In our Facebook group, we frequently receive questions about the possibility of taking a day trip from Tromsø to Senja using this ferry. Simply put, it is possible, even in winter, as the ferry operates year-round.
However, you should be aware of a few things and potential catches:
✅ The ferry operates all year round.
✅ The Tromso-Senja ferry operates on summer and winter schedules.
✅ Google Maps does not show you the option to take the ferry during the winter.
✅ The ferry capacity is small, and there are often long queues in the summer, especially when traveling from Tromso to Senja.
✅ You can not pre-book the Brensholmen-Botnhamn ferry.
Senja Island is easy to reach, and you can get there in a few different ways. One of the most popular options is driving from Tromsø, the closest major city. Depending on your destination on Senja and the route you take, the drive usually takes around 2 to 4 hours.
The mainland route is straightforward: drive via Fv862 and E8, then cross over to Senja using the Gisundbrua bridge. It’s a simple, reliable way to go, and you won’t have to worry about ferry schedules.
You can combine the drive with a ferry ride if you want to mix things up. From Tromsø, head west towards Kvaløya Island and take the ferry between Brensholmen and Botnhamn. The ferry crossing lasts about 45 minutes, and it’s a nice, scenic way to reach Senja.
👉 For a full guide on how to get to Senja from Tromsø, especially in winter, check out our detailed article!
Since 2021, the Brensholmen-Botnhamn ferry has been operating year-round. However, Google Maps and some tourist businesses still need to update their information and mistakenly think it’s a summer-only ferry.
Like many other ferries in Norway, the Brensholmen-Botnshamn ferry also has fewer departures during the winter and more in the summer.
Winter Schedule: January 1, 2024 – April 20, 2024 & September 11, 2024 – December 31, 2024
Summer Schedule: April 21, 2024 – September 10, 2024
In a press release from September 5, Tromsø County announced that a “new” ferry will be serving the Brensholmen–Botnhamn route. While the capacity will be smaller, there will be more frequent departures. Unfortunately, the PDF schedule hasn’t been updated yet, so please check the Torghatten website for the most up-to-date schedule information.
Are you planning to rent a car in Tromso?
Even though the ferry’s capacity increased when it started operating year-round, it’s still a small ferry with space for about 30 cars.
In a press release on September 5, Tromsø County announced that a “new” ferry will be serving the Brensholmen–Botnhamn route. The ferry’s capacity will be reduced to 25 car units, but this smaller size should be offset by more frequent departures during the winter 2024/25 season.
The demand on this route skyrockets in the summer, with many tourists and motorhomes trying to travel between Tromsø and Lofoten via Senja and Vesterålen. However, the ferry is becoming increasingly popular among tourists during the winter.
During every summer ferry departure, some cars are inevitably left behind at the terminal. Motorhome owners often park overnight at the terminal to secure a spot. So, arrive as early as possible and be prepared for a potentially long wait.
“The traffic has been tremendously high, to put it mildly,” says chief officer Mathias Tøllefsen. “Cars are left behind at the ferry dock almost every trip,” adds captain Eirik Bendiksen.
Unfortunately, there’s no option to pre-book this ferry, even though I’m sure many would be willing to pay an additional reservation fee, like with the Bodø-Moskenes ferry, to ensure they have a secured spot on board.
The price of the Brensholmen-Botnhamn ferry depends on the size of your vehicle. If you don’t have any discount cards and own a conventional (non-electric) car, be prepared to pay (as of 2024):
💰 64 NOK per motorcycle
💰 197 NOK for a car up to 6 meters
💰 428 NOK for vehicles between 6 and 8 meters
Capacity issues aren’t the only problem that can complicate your trip between Tromsø and Senja. It’s also possible that you’ll arrive at the ferry terminal and find that the ferry isn’t running due to weather conditions or technical issues.
Unfortunately, it’s often difficult to get this information in advance. Interestingly, there’s an active Facebook group called ‘Går ferga Botnhamn-Brensholmen i dag?’ (Does the Botnhamn-Brensholmen ferry go today?).
Don’t worry if you don’t secure a spot on the ferry or if it doesn’t arrive. Luckily, you won’t be stranded on the island. Senja is connected to the mainland via the Gisund Bridge, linking Finnsnes to Silsand on Senja Island.
Depending on your destination on Senja, it might be faster to drive via the mainland. For example, if you’re heading to the Senja Observatory (a renowned luxury accommodation in the southern part of the island).
In the summer, most Senja locals prefer the mainland route due to long ferry queues and the uncertainty of securing a spot on board.
It’s also safer to take the mainland route in the winter since the Kvaløya road from Tromsø to Senja is narrow and full of potholes. Similarly, the road along Senja’s western coast is narrow, winding, and not as frequently plowed as the main roads E6 & 855.
👉 For a detailed guide on all the ways to travel from Tromsø to Senja, we’ve got a separate article that breaks down all your options!
It’s safe to say both locals and tourists would love a bigger ferry with more frequent departures—and ideally at a lower price, or even free. But as we know, it’s tough to get everything we want. 😅
In Norway, ferries are run by the county governments, so the funding and management of ferry services depend heavily on local budgets and priorities.
The Brensholmen–Botnhamn ferry is set to become permanent by the end of the year, once the trial period wraps up in September 2024.
In a press release from September 2024, Troms County announced that they are planning to implement measures at the ferry docks to accommodate a larger ferry starting May 1, 2025.
In recent years, the Norwegian government has made some ferry routes without mainland connections free, aiming to improve access to transportation in the country’s more remote areas. Sounds great, right? Well, not everyone’s thrilled.
Making ferries free has definitely been a relief for some locals, but it’s also brought some frustration. While it saves money for those who rely on these ferries, it’s also created more competition for spots—especially during the busy tourist season.
Locals and commuters now find themselves battling for space with tourists, which can be a bit of a headache when ferries are already full.
And let’s be real—nothing is truly free. Our taxes pay for these ferries. Some locals would actually rather pay a fee if it meant more frequent sailings or a guaranteed spot on board.
There’s also been talk about whether tourists should be charged while locals ride for free. It’s a valid point—why should locals have to cover the costs of ferry services that tourists are using?
We’re curious to see where this debate goes and what the future holds for ferry travel in Norway!
Senja Island is easy to reach from Tromsø with a few different options. The drive takes 2 to 4 hours, depending on where you’re headed on Senja. You can either drive via the mainland using the Gisundbrua bridge or take the scenic ferry from Brensholmen to Botnhamn, which takes about 45 minutes.
If you’re looking for a quicker option, the express boat from Tromsø to Finnsnes takes just 1 hour and 20 minutes, with multiple departures daily.
For more detailed info on how to get to Senja, especially in winter, check out our full guide here: How to get to Senja from Tromsø.
Yes, an all-year car ferry operates from Brensholmen, located on the island of Kvaløya, about an hour’s drive from Tromsø to Botnhamn on Senja Island. Additionally, there is also a passenger-only speedboat service that runs between Tromsø and Finnsnes on Senja.
Yes, the ferry between Brensholmen and Botnhamn (Tromsø —Senja ferry) operates all year round. However, since the year-round ferry service is relatively new, some web pages and even Google Maps haven’t been updated, and they don’t show this route in winter.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to pre-book the Tromsø-Senja ferry at this point.
The Tromsø-Senja ferry is not free. The price of the Brensholmen-Botnhamn ferry depends on the size of your vehicle. If you don’t have any discount cards and own a conventional (non-electric) car, be prepared to pay (as of 2024):
💰 64 NOK per motorcycle
💰 197 NOK for a car up to 6 meters
💰 428 NOK for vehicles between 6 and 8 meters
Dogs and other small animals are allowed to be brought on buses, express boats, and ferries. On the ferry, dogs should either be in the vehicle or a cage on the car deck or other designated area.
Senja is indeed mind-blowing! Its breathtaking mountains surpass even those of Tromsø, and in terms of natural beauty and hiking opportunities, it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Lofoten. Senja is a paradise for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers alike. However, you might find Senja less appealing if you prefer city life. It’s relatively undeveloped, with few shops, accommodations, restaurants, and gas stations scattered across the island. But for those seeking unspoiled natural beauty and outdoor adventures, Senja is an absolute gem waiting to be explored.
The ideal duration of your stay in Senja depends on your interests and itinerary. I would recommend at least two to four days to fully immerse yourself in Senja’s breathtaking scenery and outdoor activities.
While visiting Senja on a day trip from Tromsø is technically possible, it’s not ideal. If you plan to do so, I recommend taking a morning ferry from Brensholmen and returning to Tromsø via the mainland. A few companies offer guided day trips to Senja from Tromsø.
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Hi! We are Ivar & Radka, an international couple who runs the Guide to Lofoten. More about us
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