Hurtigruten is the Norwegian Coastal Express: a line that follows the coast from Bergen to Kirkenes, beyond the Arctic Circle, with up to 34 ports of call. The round trip takes 12 days, the one-way northbound voyage 7 days, and the company has sailed this coast since 1893.
Unlike a classic cruise, the Coastal Express serves towns and villages, with sometimes very short calls. This guide details the itineraries, the ships, what is included, the prices noted and how to get started. Information noted on Hurtigruten’s official French site on 14 October 2026; we did not sail on board and do not publish passenger reviews.
Hurtigruten: the essentials
- Line: Bergen – Kirkenes, up to 34 ports of call, about 2,500 nautical miles (4,630 km / 2,877 mi) round trip
- Durations: 12 days round trip, 7 days Bergen-Kirkenes, 6 days Kirkenes-Bergen
- Calls: from 10 minutes in villages to a few hours in towns
- Northern lights: season from October to late March according to the company
- Included: full board on all the crossings listed; excursions extra
- Getting there: the line starts in Norway, at Bergen; you travel there on your own
The Coastal Express: how does it work?
The historic line leaves Bergen, goes up the Norwegian coast, crosses the Arctic Circle and reaches Kirkenes, in the far north-east of the country, before coming back down. On the round trip, the ship calls at 34 ports; the northbound Bergen-Kirkenes leg has 34, the southbound Kirkenes-Bergen leg 33. Stops last 10 to 45 minutes in villages and a few hours in towns: you do not visit every port, but follow the rhythm of coastal life.
| Voyage | Duration | Ports of call | “From” price noted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen (round trip) | 12 days | 34 | €2,342 |
| Bergen – Kirkenes (northbound) | 7 days | 34 | €1,800 |
| Kirkenes – Bergen (southbound) | 6 days | 33 | €1,217 |
| Round trip from Trondheim | 11 days | 27 | €2,591 |
| North Cape line, round trip from Oslo | 15 days | 13 | €3,249 |
To make the most of the Lofoten during or after the call, see when to go to the Lofoten, between long summer days and aurora nights.
The Hurtigruten ships
The French site presents nine ships, without publishing their detailed characteristics except in a few cases. The company states fewer than 500 passengers on board across its fleet.
| Ship | Information published by the company |
|---|---|
| MS Trollfjord | Dedicated to Signature cruises |
| MS Midnatsol | “Signature” fleet |
| MS Vesterålen | Coastal Express, 274 passengers, refurbished in 2025 |
| MS Richard With, MS Nordlys, MS Kong Harald, MS Polarlys, MS Nordnorge, MS Nordkapp | Ships of the fleet, no capacity detail on the site |
What is included (or not)
- Included: full board on all the Coastal Express crossings listed; on the Signature cruises and the North Cape line, meals and drinks at the restaurant and bar.
- To check: Wi-Fi and gratuities are not detailed on the pages we consulted; ask when you book. Optional excursions are extra, and baggage handling and insurance are not included in the escorted trips the line offers.
When to go with Hurtigruten
The company places the northern lights season from October to late March, with dedicated winter cruises. Spring and summer bring the midnight sun north of the Arctic Circle and very long days. For the climate month by month, see when to go to Norway and our page on the Norwegian fjords cruise.
Getting to the start of the line
The Coastal Express starts at Bergen (or at Kirkenes, Trondheim or Oslo for the North Cape line). You can book the crossing alone and fly to Bergen on your own, or choose an escorted trip with flights included; we have not checked the flight terms of those packages, so compare them with a flight booked yourself.
Who is it for?
- Fans of landscapes and Arctic nature: fjords, coast, the Lofoten Islands, northern lights in winter.
- Independent travellers: the one-way trip and the calls in towns let you combine with a stay ashore, for example in Tromsø or the Lofoten.
- Less suitable: for anyone seeking entertainment, pools and shows; the short calls do not always allow you to get off.
Strengths and points to watch
- Strengths: a unique route along the coast, mid-size ships, full board, the option of a one-way trip.
- Points to watch: excursions extra and often in English; winter weather; high prices, to compare by season and the promotions shown.
Hurtigruten or Ponant?
For the Far North, Ponant offers expedition cruises on small luxury ships, with French and English spoken on board and an all-inclusive package. Hurtigruten follows a regular line with many ports of call and an atmosphere closer to itinerant travel. Our comparison of cruise lines sums up the differences.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Hurtigruten Coastal Express take?
12 days for the Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen round trip, 7 days for the northbound Bergen-Kirkenes leg and 6 days for the southbound Kirkenes-Bergen leg, according to the official site.
How much does a Hurtigruten cruise cost?
On 14 October 2026 the site showed prices from €1,217 per person for the southbound Kirkenes-Bergen leg, €1,800 for the northbound leg and €2,342 for the round trip, excluding flights. Prices vary with date and cabin.
Can you see the northern lights with Hurtigruten?
The company places the aurora season from October to late March and offers dedicated winter cruises. Seeing them always depends on weather and solar activity.
Where do the crossings start?
At Bergen (or at Kirkenes, Trondheim and Oslo depending on the line). There is no departure from a French port.
Are meals included?
Yes, full board is included on the Coastal Express crossings. Excursions are extra.
Our sources
- Hurtigruten, official site hurtigruten.com/fr-fr: home and offers, “The Coastal Express”, “Our ships”, “What the price includes and does not include”, consulted on 14 October 2026
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.