Hurtigruten - The world’s most beautiful Sea Voyage
Calling at 35 ports, Hurtigruten/The Norwegian Coastal Voyage is the lifeline along a stretch of the coast, characterized by its tremendous distances, scattered settlements and dramatic scenery. Hurtigruten/The Norwegian Coastal Voyage has always been there, has always arrived and has always been reliable for more than 100 years. Hurtigruten/The Norwegian Coastal Voyage today is a fascinating mixture of first-class passenger vessels and local working ships. Every day of the year, a ship leaves Bergen on the 11-day voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back.
Norway’s dramatic 1,250-mile west coast is one of Europe’s great attractions and for more than 100 years, this popular journey has been offering travelers unspoiled destinations rich in history, culture and stunning scenery.
From £790 per person based on 2 people.
What is included:
- 12 day round trip from Bergen - Full board
What is not included:
- Travel Insurance
- Flights
- Car rental
About Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten or Hurtigruta (English: Coastal Express) is a Norwegian passenger and freight line with daily sailings along Norway’s spectacular west coast. Ships sail almost the entire length of the country, completing the roundtrip journey in 11 days. The trip has been described as the “World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage.” Highlights include the Hanseatic League city of Bergen, the Geiranger fjord (summer only), and the Lofoten Islands.
Hurtigruten traces its origins more than one hundred years back; it was established in 1893 by government contract to improve communications along Norway’s long, jagged coastline. Originally, only one shipping company, Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskab, was willing to take on the job of sailing the then poorly charted waters; the voyage was especially difficult during the long, dark winters. Hurtigruten, which roughly translates as “the express route,” was a substantial breakthrough for communities along its path. Mail from central Norway to Hammerfest had taken 3 weeks in the summer (and up to 5 months in winter), now it could be delivered in a mere seven days.
Encouraged by Vesteraalens’ early success, several other shipping companies obtained concessions on the route, and the Hurtigruten service expanded to the current round trip between Bergen in the southwest, and Kirkenes in the far northeast. A fleet of 11 ships ensures that each of the 34 ports is visited twice daily; once by “Nordgående” (Northbound) and once by “Sørgående” (Southbound).
Beginning in the 1980’s, the role of Hurtigruten changed; operating subsidies were gradually phased out and the operators put more emphasis on tourism. New, bigger and more luxurious ships were introduced, with attention given to jacuzzis, bars, restaurants and other comforts. However, Hurtigruten still serves important passenger and cargo needs, and operates 365 days a year.
The last two independent shipping companies, Ofoten og Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskab (OVDS) and Troms Fylkes Dampskibsselskap (TFDS) merged on March 1, 2006 and changed their name to Hurtigruten Group. Besides the traditional coastal voyage, the new company also operates ferries and high-speed regional express ships in Norway, and exotic South American and Antarctic cruises.
Read more about Hurtigruten:
- GoNomad.com - Norway´s Viking Voyage: Hurtigruten
- Time.com - Wonders of Europe: On Top of the World
- Wikipedia - Hurtigruten
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