Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 81 00 30 30;
www.hurtigruten.com
)
For more than a century, Norway's legendary Hurtigruten coastal ferry has served as a
lifeline linking coastal towns and villages and it's now one of the most popular ways to ex-
plore Norway. Year in, year out, one of 11 Hurtigruten ferries heads north from Bergen
every night of the year, pulling into 35 ports on the way to Kirkenes, where it then turns
around and heads back south.
The northward journey takes six days, the return journey takes 11 days and covers a dis-
tance of 5200km. In agreeable weather (which is by no means guaranteed) the fjord and
mountain scenery along the way is nothing short of spectacular. Most of the ships are mod-
ern, others are showing their age; the oldest ship dates from 1956, but all were substan-
tially remodelled in the 1990s.
Onboard, meals are served in the dining room and you can buy snacks and light meals in
the cafeteria.
FARES
Long-haul Hurtigruten trips can be booked online, while all tickets can be purchased from
most Norwegian travel agencies. The Hurtigruten website carries a full list of international
sales agents. You can also purchase tickets through
Fjord Tours
.
Summer fares, which run from mid-April to mid-September, are considerably more ex-
pensive than winter prices. Prices depend on the type of cabin, which range from those
without a view to supremely comfortable suites. Sample fares (per person in a twin-bedded
cabin):
Bergen
-
Kirkenes
-
Bergen
From €1652 (November to February) up to €4411 (June and
July).
Bergen
-
Kirkenes
€847 to €2528.
Kirkenes
-
Bergen
€778 to €2483.
It is also possible, of course, to book shorter legs, although you'll probably need to do this
once you're in Norway; the Hurtigruten website makes shorter-haul bookings near-on im-
possible. Cars can also be carried for an extra fee. Children aged four to 16, students, and
seniors over the age of 67 all receive a 50% discount, as do accompanying spouses and
people aged 16 to 25. Ask also about cheaper, 21-day coastal passes if you're aged
between 16 and 26 years.
EXCURSIONS
It's possible to break up the trip with shore excursions, especially if you're travelling the en-
tire route. Each of the excursions, which are organised by the shipping company, may only
be available on either northbound or southbound routes: there are 24 northbound and 15
