The Hurtigruten 7 Day Coastal Express North 2024/25

Joining the Hurtigruten ship in Bergen, you embark on the Coastal Express journey that will take you from the lush green south to the wild and remote north. The coastal voyage spends seven days and six nights travelling north and calls at a total of 34 ports from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the north.

Every day offers a new highlight such as the Art Nouveau town of Ålesund, medieval Trondheim and the visually awesome UNESCO World Heritage Site of Geirangerfjord. Disembarking in Kirkenes you have the opportunity to extend your trip in northern Norway to Finland or Russia, before catching your flight south to Oslo.

Day 1 - Embarkation in Bergen :

Ports visited today : Bergen

Before you check in, explore the charming port and Hanseatic city of Bergen. Stroll through the narrow medieval streets of the UNESCO-listed Bryggen quarter, visit the Hanseatic Museum or stroll among the stalls at the fish market. Take the funicular railway 320m up Mount Fløyen, located just outside the city, and you'll enjoy the best view of Bergen and its fjords. In the evening your Hurtigruten voyage sets off through the Hjeltefjord, following in the wake of the Vikings who sailed from here to the Shetland Islands and beyond.

Available Extensions :

Bergen Hotels and Extensions

Day 2 - Ålesund and Geirangerfjord :

Ports visited today : Florø, Måløy, Torvik, Ålesund, Molde.

Your Hurtigruten ship navigates the skerries and islands further north before reaching Ålesund. Marvel at the inspiring architecture in the Apotekergate and Kongensgate pedestrian precinct, perfect examples of the Art Nouveau style. Don't miss out on the view from Mount Aksla but beware, there are 418 steps to the top!

In the summer months, the next destination will be the spectacular UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord. En route to the end of this beautiful fjord you pass sheer, 800m cliffs and impressive waterfalls.

Available Excursions :

2B Geiranger with Trollstigen Pass

2C Art Nouveau Tour, Ålesund

2D Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium and Mount Aksla

2F A Taste of Norway

2G A Mountain Hike in the Hjørundfjord

2H Hike with a Visit to a Shieling

2L Hjørunderfjorden, Geiranger and Trollstigen Pass

Day 3 - The Royal City of Trondheim :

Ports visited today : Kristiansund, Trondheim, Rørvik.

When visiting the old royal city of Trondheim, be sure to get a good view from the Gamle Bybrua ("Old Town Bridge"). Dating from 1861, this neo-gothic wooden bridge used to be the only way into the town centre. Nidaros Cathedral, built between 1070 and 1300, is Norway's largest Gothic religious edifice. In the neighbouring Archbishop's Palace, the Norwegian Crown Jewels are kept.

In Trondheim itself, the Hanseatic, waterside storehouses built on wooden stilts are just as charming as the Rococo-style Stiftsgården, the largest wooden building in Norway and residence for the Royal Family when visiting Trondheim. You then set a course for the northwest, past the beautiful Kjeungskjær lighthouse and thousands of little islands and picturesque rocky outcrops. After passing through Stokksund, the ship will arrive at Rørvik.

Available excursions :

3A Nidaros Cathedral and Ringve Museum

3B Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral

3D Trondheim City Walk

3G Kayaking on the River Nid

3H Cycling in Trondheim

3L The Northernmost Tram Ride

Day 4 - Arctic Circle and Lofoten Islands :

Ports visited today : Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen, Nesna, Ørnes, Bodø, Stamsund, Svolvær.

This morning, between Nesna and Ørnes, you pass a globe on a small islet which heralds your crossing of the Arctic Circle. Hurtigruten passengers sailing in Arctic waters for the first time are given an Arctic Circle baptism by Njord, the ruler of the Seven Seas. This comes in the form of an ice cube down your front or back, but is entirely optional.

In the evening you reach Svolvær, the main settlement on the Lofoten Islands. These islands are renowned for their small, picturesque fishing villages with their bohemian atmosphere surrounded by majestic granite cliffs and white sandy beaches. Complete your visit with a stroll between the stockfish racks and 'rorbuer', the traditional, red fishermen's residences. The Lofoten Islands are a truly extraordinary experience.

Available excursions :

4A Glacier Adventure, Svartisen

4B Arctic Coastal Walk

4C Experience Bodø and Saltstraumen

4D Saltstraumen - Rib Safari

4E Lofotr Viking Feast, Winter

4F Lofotr Viking Feast, Summer

4G Highlights of Lofoten

4H Lofotpils Brewery

4L Farm Visit in Lofoten

Day 5 - Tromsø, Gateway to the Arctic :

Ports visited today : Stokmarknes, Sortland, Risøyhamn, Harstad, Finnsnes, Tromsø ,Skjervøy.

During the night the ship navigates the narrow Raftsund strait. After a stop in Harstad, situated on the largest island of Norway, Hinnøya, you continue via Finnsnes to Tromsø for a prolonged stay. Many of the epic Arctic expeditions used Tromsø as a starting point; the famous explorer Roald Amundsen sourced both crew and supplies here.

With the presence of the Norwegian Polar Institute, the city has cemented its position as the Polar Capital of Norway. Ishavskatedralen, the Arctic Cathedral, is the most famous landmark with its modern design and extraordinary stained glass window. Tromsø is also home to the world's northernmost university and the large number of people arriving here has created a vibrant cultural scene with numerous restaurants and cafes constantly teeming with life.

Available excursions :

5A The Arctic Capital Tromsø

5B Dog Sledging

5C Scenery & Huskies

5D Polar History Walk

5G Kayaking in Tromsø

5M Cross-Country Skiing

5N Snowshoeing in Tromsø

Day 6 - Honningsvåg and the North Cape :

Ports visited today : Øksfjord, Hammerfest, Havøysund, Honningsvåg, Kjøllefjord, Mehamn, Berlevåg.

Following the scenic sailing through Magerøysund and after an early stop in Hammerfest, you arrive in Honningsvåg. This small port is the gateway to the wonders of the spectacular North Cape which rises 300m from the ocean, and at 71° 10' 21" north it puts you a mere 2,000 kilometres from the Geographical North Pole. Standing atop the North Cape Plateau you'll get the eerie feeling of being at the end of the world.

The area is also known for its bird life, and Gjesværstappan, a bird sanctuary with up to 250,000 seabirds is home to some High Arctic species that can only be observed here on the Norwegian mainland. This evening, as you approach Kjøllefjord, you pass a rock formation that is sacred to the indigenous Sami people, Finnkjerka.

Available excursions :

6A The North Cape

6B Bird Watching Safari

6C Sámi Culture

6D Snowmobile Trip in Lapland

6E Sámi Autumn

6H Fishing Village Visit

6J Expedition to the North Cape - The Historical Route

6L Winter Expedition in the Arctic Wilderness

Day 7 - Kirkenes, The Voyage Turning Point :

Ports visited today : Båtsfjord, Vardø, Vadsø, Kirkenes.

The vistas become more dramatic as your Hurtigruten ship approaches the finale of the northbound voyage here in the far reaches of Europe. Benefiting from the warm currents of the Gulf Stream, this region is rich in sea life, and the coast is largely ice free in winter allowing ships access to most harbours. Soon you reach Kirkenes, from where the emotive border with Russia a few kilometres away or the Sami communities of Northern Finland may be visited. And at longitude 30 east, you are actually further east than Istanbul and St. Petersburg. Here you bid farewell to your fellow passengers, the ship and crew. Transfer to the airport or your hotel if you have booked an optional night in Kirkenes.

Available excursions :

7A The Russian Border

7B River Boat Safari to the Russian Border

7C Snowmobile Safari

7D Kirkenes Snow Hotel

7E ATV/Quad Safari to the Russian Border

7F Husky Adventure

7H King Crab Expedition

7I Mountain Hike with Husky

Available Extensions :

Kirkenes Hotels and Extensions

One of the unique features of the Hurtigruten voyage is that with daily departures throughout the year you can choose the date and ship that suits your taste. With several UK airports to choose from this gives you great flexibility to decide your own schedule. See FLIGHT PACKAGES below.

DEPARTURES 2024/25 :

Coastal Express North Fares 2024/25

PLEASE NOTE:

• *Limited View
• All prices are shown in £s per person, based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin cabin, voyage only.
• The ship departure date determines the price of your voyage.
• Not all cabin grades are available on all ships.

Please also see FARE OPTIONS to see what is included in the different fares.

Cabin Single Supplements available on request.

The price you pay for your cabin will depend on when you book. Early bookers will get the 'from' price. As the cabins get booked up, the price will rise. It is strongly advised to book early to get the best fare.

Arrival, Departure & Flight Options

Hurtigruten can offer flights with several scheduled airlines, including Scandinavian Airlines, Norwegian, BMI and KLM depending on your preferred departure airport.

Booking a complete package with Hurtigruten gives you the advantage of having everything smoothly organised for you from start to finish at the same time as your voyage. You will also benefit from protection under Hurtigruten's ATOL licence.

Flights can be arranged from the following airports :-

Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham Tees Valley, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, Humberside, Leeds/Bradford, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Norwich.

Connections and airlines will vary depending on the departure and arrival airports.

If you choose not to book flights with us, you can still book transfers for certain routes, as well as pre and post tours, excursions and hotels.

All above prices are in £s per person based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin room.

Extra nights in Bergen can be booked. Prices on request.