✈️ Getting to Varanger

✈️ By plane

The simplest option is to fly to Kirkenes Airport (KKN) via Oslo. SAS and Norwegian operate this route daily, typically with 1–2 flights per direction. The flying time from Oslo is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Vadsø Airport (VDS) is an alternative with a shorter transfer to central Varanger. Widerøe flies here from Kirkenes several times daily, as well as direct flights from Tromsø.

Bardufoss and Tromsø are other entry points if you plan to drive eastward along the coast — this gives a classic Northern Norway road trip that comes highly recommended.

🚌 By bus

Snelandia runs the Varangerexpressen (route 064) between Kirkenes, Varangerbotn, Vadsø and Vardø. There are departures 3 times daily on weekdays and Sundays, and the trip from Kirkenes to Vadsø takes approximately 3 hours. Tickets can be purchased at snelandia.no.

The bus service is sufficient for travelling between the main towns, but for exploring the fjords, the national park and more remote destinations a car is strongly recommended.

🚗 By car

A car gives you the greatest freedom in Varanger. From Tromsø it is approximately 8–9 hours along the E6 to Vadsø. From Kirkenes it is approximately 2.5 hours. The roads in Finnmark are spacious and well maintained, but winter driving requires studded tyres and good preparation.

Cars can easily be rented at Kirkenes Airport (Hertz, Avis, Europcar). Bear in mind that distances in Finnmark are large: from Vadsø to Vardø is approximately 70 km, and from Vadsø to Berlevåg is 1.5 hours.

⛴️ By Hurtigruten

Both Hurtigruten and Havila Kystruten call at Vadsø, Vardø, Båtsfjord and Berlevåg on their daily route between Bergen and Kirkenes. The ship takes approximately 5–6 days from Bergen, and many choose a shorter segment — for example from Tromsø to Kirkenes.

Havila and Hurtigruten are a wonderful option for those who want to see the coastal landscape from the sea, though not the fastest alternative.