Tromsø

Introduction

Tromso City

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Cities north of the Arctic Circle in Europe are not quite as rare as hens' teeth - as Tromsø proves. In both directions the Hurtigruten boat calls on the same day that it passes the glorious Lyngen Alps and on both days it passes them at sunset, northwards after an afternoon in Tromsø, southwards en route for Tromsø at midnight.

Sights and Activities

If you reach Tromsø on the Hurtigruten's northern voyage, there is a shore trip around the city visiting the so-called 'Ice Cathedral.' Unless you plan to use the funicular on your southbound return (and possibly even if you do) you could consider foregoing the trip and riding a local bus to the funicular. The church at Hammerfest can be adequate compensation for missing the 'Ice Cathedral' and the view from the top of the funicular is a stunner. What's more, it's cheaper!

Events and Festivals

Getting There

By Plane

There are several daily flights between Tromso and Oslo by different airlines (SAS, Norwegian Air Shuttle, both Oslo-Rygge and Oslo Gardermoen Airport). Norwegian Air Shuttle also flies to Bergen, Bodø, London and Trondheim, while SAS also serves Alta, Bodø, Longyearbyen, Trondheim and Stockholm. Nordavia has flights to Arkhangelsk and Murmansk, airBaltic flies to Riga and Oulu, and Widerøe has flights to Alta, Andenes, Bergen, Hasvik, Hammerfest, Harstad/Narvik-Evenes, Hasvik, Honningsvåg, Kirkenes, Lakselv, Sandefjord [seasonal; summer], Stokmarknes, Sørkjosen and Vadsø. Finally, BH Air has seasonal (summer) flights to Burgas.

Airport buses linking the airport with the town are synchronized with at least SAS flights, but increasingly also with other flights. City buses stop at the fork near the airport. Taxis are available, as are rental cars, both relatively expensive of course.

By Train

Still not possible, the nearest railroad station is in Narvik.

Tromso - An unique city in the Arctic

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By Car

If you drive the E-6 from the south or E-6/E-8 from the north, leave E-6 in Nordkjosbotn and follow E-8 to Tromso. If you have been driving in the Lofoten Islands or Vesteraalen and want to take a short-cut to Tromso you can take a car-ferry from Andenes to Gryllefjord, drive from Gryllefjord to Botnhamn on the northern part of Senja, take a car-ferry from Botnhamn to Brensholmen (the route is signposted, by ferry-signs marked Kvaløya), from there it is approximately 70 kilometres by road to Tromso. NOTE: These car-ferries only run in the summer months. Dates and timetables can be found on the Senjafergene website.

By Bus

Connections both north and south. If you want to go to Harstad or Finnsnes/Senja, it is generally faster and more comfortable to go by boat. For Narvik, the bus is probably the best option.

By Boat

Hurtigruten, of course. In addition, there is a speedferry-connection (hurtigbåt) between Tromso and Harstad (only passengers, no cars). This route also calls at Finnsnes. There are two daily trips in each direction in weekends, and three or four on weekdays.

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

City bus from the airport to the city centre takes about 10 minutes and costs 27NOK. City busses are available for transport in the city. Taxis are also available.

By Foot

The city centre is quite compact and easily traversed on foot.

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Post

Red mailboxes are found easily and post offices are plentiful, with opening hours on most being 9:00am to 5:00pm, with usually shorter hours on Saturday. Stamps can usually only be found at post offices although some popular tourist venues might carry them. Norway's postal system, "Posten", has a good website with a lot of English information including up to date prices and also details about the opening hours of the nearest post office. The most commonly sent format for travellers, letters and cards up to 20 grams, currently require the following stamps:

• Within Norway: 7 NOK.
• Within Europe: 9 NOK.
• Worldwide: 11 NOK.