Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
by King Oscar II in 1873, Nord-kapp became a pilgrimage spot for Norwegians. It's also,
bizarrely, one for Thais, of all people, thanks to a visit by King Chulalongkorn in 1907.
Now here's a secret: Nordkapp isn't continental Europe's northernmost point. That
award belongs to Knivskjelodden, an 18km-round-trip hike away, less dramatic, inaccess-
ible by vehicle - and to be treasured all the more for that.
Getting There & Away
There are a few options for getting to and from Nordkapp and Magerøya.
The Hurtigruten coastal ferry calls by Honningsvåg. Its 3½-hour northbound stop allows
passengers a quick buzz up to Nordkapp.
An express bus connects Honningsvåg with Alta (Nkr405, four hours, one to two daily)
and there's also a run to/from Hammerfest (Nkr390, 3½ hours, one to two daily).
The road approach from the E6 is via Olderfjord, where the E69 branches north. The one-
way toll for the 6.8km-long Nordkapptunnelen is a heavy Nkr145 for a saloon car and
driver plus Nkr47/24 per adult/child passenger - nothing compared to the Nkr460 exacted
for a motor home.
Getting Around
Car & Motorcycle
Until the blacktop road to Nordkapp was constructed in the mid-1950s, all access was by
boat. Nowadays, the route winds across a rocky plateau past herds of grazing reindeer.
Depending upon snow conditions, it's open to private traffic from April to mid-October. In
fringe months, ring the tourist office if the weather looks dicey.
A taxi to/from Nordkapp from Honningsvåg costs Nkr1300, including an hour of waiting
at the cape - plus that Nkr235 admission charge per passenger.
InHonningsvåg,
Avis ( 78 47 62 22)
hasaspecialfive-hourdealoncarhireforNkr870,
including petrol and insurance. The
Shell petrol station (
78 47 60 60)
offers a similar
four-hour deal for Nkr950.
Public Transport
Between mid-May and late August, a local bus (adult/child Nkr100/50, 45 minutes) runs
daily at 11am and 9.30pm between Honningsvåg and Nordkapp. It sets off back from the
cape at 1.15pm and 12.45am (so that you can take in the midnight sun at precisely mid-
night). From 1 June to 15 August, there's a supplementary run at 5pm, though this returns
