Troms Province

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Troms Province, in northern Norway, gathers fjords, islands, and mountains beneath an Arctic sky. Around Tromsø, cultural life meets wild coastlines, while inland valleys hold Sami heritage. Travellers come for the midnight sun, the aurora, and the rare sense of space found at these latitudes.

Essentials

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Getting there

Arriving in Troms Province

Troms is vast, and its geography shapes every approach. There is no railway within the province itself, so most travelers arrive by air, or combine rail and road with a final coach, ferry, or rental car. The principal gateway is Tromsø, while Harstad, Bardufoss, and the northern coast have their own smaller airports and connections.

By Air

Air travel is the most practical way to reach Troms from outside Northern Norway. Several airports serve the province, but each suits a different part of it.

• Tromsø Airport (TOS) is the main international and domestic gateway. It has direct flights from Oslo (about 2 hours), Bergen, Trondheim, and seasonal or year-round routes from several European cities. From the airport, the Flybussen airport express reaches central Tromsø in roughly 15–20 minutes; local buses and taxis are also available. Rental cars can be collected at the terminal.
• Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes (EVE) serves Harstad and southern Troms, as well as Narvik in Nordland. Direct flights from Oslo take about 2 hours. Airport coaches run to Harstad (around 45 minutes) and Narvik (about 1 hour); for Tromsø, you will usually need a connecting flight or an onward bus via Narvik or Harstad.
• Bardufoss Airport (BDU) is useful for inner Troms, including Bardufoss, Målselv, and Setermoen. Flights from Oslo take about 2 hours. Airport buses and local coaches connect to nearby towns, and some services continue toward Tromsø; check schedules carefully, as they can be limited.
• Sørkjosen Airport (SOJ) serves the northern parts of Troms, including Nordreisa and Skjervøy. It receives regional flights, often via Tromsø. From the airport, bus or taxi connections reach Storslett and other local destinations.

For the widest choice of flights and the smoothest onward connections, Tromsø Airport is usually the best starting point. Book early for winter and summer travel, when demand is highest.

By Train

No railway reaches Troms Province. The practical railheads are Narvik and Bodø, both in Nordland, from which travelers continue by bus, ferry, or air.

• Narvik is the closest railhead to Troms. It is served by the Ofotbanen line, with connections from Kiruna and Stockholm in Sweden. From Narvik, long-distance coaches run to Tromsø (roughly 4–5 hours), Harstad (about 2.5–3 hours), and other Troms destinations. This is often the most direct rail-and-bus route from Swedish Lapland.
• Bodø is the northern terminus of the Nordland Line, with connections from Trondheim (about 9–10 hours) and Oslo (roughly 18–24 hours with connections). From Bodø, you can take a long-distance bus toward Tromsø (often 12–14 hours with transfers), the Hurtigruten coastal ferry to Harstad, Finnsnes, or Tromsø (about a day), or a short flight to Tromsø.

Train travel in Norway is scenic but slow, and the final leg into Troms requires patience. Reserve seats and connecting coaches in advance, especially in summer and during winter holidays.

By Bus and Coach

Long-distance coaches tie Troms to the rest of Northern Norway and to neighboring parts of Finland and Sweden. Services are reliable but infrequent, so planning is essential.

• From Narvik, coaches run to Tromsø via the E6 and E8, a journey of roughly 4–5 hours. This is a common route for travelers arriving by train from Sweden.
• From Harstad, buses reach Tromsø in about 3 hours, often via Finnsnes or the E6 corridor.
• From Alta in Finnmark, coaches connect to Tromsø in around 6–7 hours.
• Seasonal services such as the Arctic Route link Tromsø with Rovaniemi (about 8–9 hours), Kiruna (about 6–7 hours), and the Lofoten Islands. These are popular in winter but do not always run daily.

Booking ahead is wise, particularly on weekends and in winter. Luggage space can be limited, and some routes require a change of coach at Narvik, Finnsnes, or Nordkjosbotn.

By Car

Driving to Troms is a serious undertaking, but it offers the greatest freedom once you are in the province. The main artery is the E6, which runs north–south through Troms and connects to the rest of Norway.

• From the south, the E6 passes through Nordland and enters Troms near Narvik, continuing through Setermoen, Bardufoss, and Nordkjosbotn before heading toward Finnmark.
• The E8 links Tromsø to Finland at Kilpisjärvi and joins the E6 at Nordkjosbotn. This is the usual route from Finnish Lapland.
• The E10 connects Lofoten and Kiruna in Sweden to Bjerkvik, near Narvik, from where you can join the E6 and E8 toward Tromsø and the rest of Troms.
• Typical driving times are long: Oslo to Tromsø is roughly 1,600–1,700 km and at least 24 hours of driving, better spread over 3–4 days. Bodø to Tromsø is about 600 km and 9–10 hours. Narvik to Tromsø is about 250 km and 4–5 hours. Rovaniemi to Tromsø is around 600 km and 8–9 hours.

Expect mountain passes, ferry crossings on some approaches, and rapidly changing weather. In winter, snow, ice, and darkness demand winter tyres, headlights, and an emergency kit. Check road conditions with Statens vegvesen and ferry schedules before setting out. Fuel stations can be sparse, and tolls are common.

Practical Advice for the Journey

• Book flights, coaches, and ferries well in advance, especially for winter aurora season and the summer midnight-sun period.
• Allow generous transfer time. Weather delays and road closures are not unusual in Northern Norway.
• If you are not driving, flying to Tromsø is the simplest option; if you are coming from Swedish Lapland, the train to Narvik followed by a coach to Tromsø is efficient.
• The Hurtigruten coastal ferry is a comfortable, if slower, way to reach Harstad, Finnsnes, or Tromsø from Bodø and points south.
• In winter, carry warm layers, food, water, and a fully charged phone, even on short journeys. In summer, expect cool coastal weather and long daylight hours.
• Distances within Troms are considerable. Check local bus schedules carefully, as rural services may run only a few times a day.