Bergen to Kirkenes and back, calling at 34 ports along the world's most beautiful coastline. Sailings for 2026, 2027 and 2028 with fares from £1,499 per person.
12 Days · 11 Nights · Bergen to Kirkenes to Bergen
The complete Norwegian coastal voyage
Many travellers dream of experiencing the complete 12 day Hurtigruten voyage on the ship of their choice, so it is not surprising that so many opt for the Coastal Express round voyage from Bergen, north to Kirkenes and back, enjoying the incredible scenery and the fabulous communities the ships let you visit along the way.
The ship sails northbound to Kirkenes over seven days, then turns south for the five day return to Bergen. Ports visited by night on the northbound voyage are seen by day on the southbound journey, so you get to know the very best of the dramatic Norwegian coastline. Of the 34 ports of call, the main ones are listed in the itinerary below. With daily departures throughout the year, you can choose the date and the ship that suit you.
£1,499per person, from
Northern Lights Promise included on departures 20 September to 31 March
Sail on any departure between 20 September and 31 March and if the Northern Lights do not occur within sight of the ship during your voyage, Hurtigruten will give you a 6 or 7 day northbound or southbound voyage free of charge. The promise applies to voyages of 11 days or more, and this voyage is 12 days, so every departure in that window qualifies. See the Northern Lights Promise for conditions.
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Hurtigruten's Coastal Express Voyage
The Itinerary
Your voyage day by day
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 wander among the stalls at the fish market. Take the funicular railway 320m up Mount Fløyen, just outside the city, for 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.
Your 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 the view from Mount Aksla, but beware, there are 418 steps to the top. In the summer months, the next destination is the spectacular UNESCO listed Geirangerfjord. En route to the end of this beautiful fjord you pass sheer 800m cliffs and impressive waterfalls.
When visiting the old royal city of Trondheim, be sure to get a good view from the Gamle Bybrua, the 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, and 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 arrives at Rørvik.
This morning, between Nesna and Ørnes, you pass a globe on a small islet which heralds your crossing of the Arctic Circle. 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 the rorbuer, the traditional red fishermen's residences. The Lofoten Islands are a truly extraordinary experience.
During the night your ship navigates the narrow Raftsund strait. After a stop in Harstad, situated on Hinnøya, the largest island of Norway, 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 number of people arriving here has created a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous restaurants and cafes constantly teeming with life.
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. At 71° 10' 21" north it puts you a mere 2,000 kilometres from the Geographical North Pole, and standing atop the North Cape Plateau you get the eerie feeling of being at the end of the world.
The area is also known for its bird life. 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 Finnkjerka, a rock formation sacred to the indigenous Sami people.
The last port on the voyage north is Kirkenes, and at longitude 30 east you are actually further east than Istanbul and St Petersburg. The well policed Russian border and the Kola peninsula are close by, which explains why the road signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian.
Being at the north easterly terminus of Hurtigruten, the only choice from here is to set south again, but spending a few days in Kirkenes offers the opportunity to take part in some of the adventurous Arctic activities available nearby. See our Kirkenes hotels for extended stays.
Breakfast at the North Cape, including a visit to a Sámi family, forms part of an early morning excursion at extra cost. Your next stop, Hammerfest, was a settlement back to the Stone Age and still plays an important role as a fishing port. Founded in 1789 to develop trade with Russia, Hammerfest confirmed its position as Norway's polar capital of its time, acting as a base for hunting expeditions to the High Arctic. Here the Meridian Column, erected in 1854, commemorates the first precise measurement of the globe, an achievement so important that it has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As early as 1891, wave energy provided power for the first electric street lighting in Northern Europe, and energy innovation is still a signature of Hammerfest, with its large liquid gas plant just outside town. From here your next major stop is Tromsø, where you are invited to take part in a very special musical experience, a midnight concert in Tromsø's beautiful wooden cathedral. Or head to one of the town's many friendly pubs and sample the local brew, Mack's Arctic Beer.
The Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands are among today's highlights. Before you reach them, you pass through Risøyrenna, a channel specially constructed for Hurtigruten, providing the vessels an inside route between Harstad and Sortland. Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten was founded, is the location of the Hurtigruten Museum, and entry is free for all Hurtigruten passengers.
You continue through the Raftsund, the picturesque narrow channel between the Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands where, time and weather permitting, you take a detour into the spectacular Trollfjord, where steep cliffs hug the ship's sides. Then it is on to Svolvær, the main settlement of the Lofoten Islands, followed by Stamsund, where the majestic peaks of the huge Lofoten Wall can be viewed. You leave the islands during the evening and set course for the mainland.
The Helgeland coast, with hundreds of islets, fertile farmland and steep granite walls, is worth getting up early to experience. Today is also your last one north of the Arctic Circle, which you cross between Ørnes and Nesna. This part of the coast is rich in local lore, with stories including the legend of the Seven Sisters, a picturesque row of peaks, and the myth of how the arrow from Hestmannen's bow formed the hole in Torghatten Mountain.
The Vega Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies close to your call at Sandnessjøen. The islands were inscribed on this prestigious list for the unique interaction between man and nature; over centuries the local population have protected the eider duck nests in return for the highly valuable down from the birds.
Today gives you another opportunity to explore the city of Trondheim. Nidaros Cathedral, in which three Queens and seven Kings have been crowned, is Scandinavia's largest medieval building, and Norway's crown jewels are kept in the adjacent Archbishop's Residence. Passing the islands of Munkholmen and Hitra, you then cross the open sea to Molde, known as the city of roses for its lush Gulf Stream location.
You will notice the steep, grey, pointed peaks of the Romsdal Alps glinting in the sun. The town of Kristiansund, located on the scenic Atlantic Road, holds the rather obscure title of Norway's cured cod capital because of the nature of its main export.
Today your Hurtigruten voyage comes to an end when you arrive in the City of Seven Mountains, Bergen. But before that, you still have a few nautical miles of fascinating scenery ahead of you, such as the picturesque Nordfjord below the enormous Jostedalsbreen glacier, Norway's longest fjord, the mighty Sognefjord, and the picturesque Bergen Archipelago. Take home your memories of the world's most beautiful voyage and the many seafaring companions and friends you have made along the way.
All prices are in pounds per person, based on two people travelling together sharing a twin cabin, voyage only. The ship departure date determines the price of your voyage. The price you pay for your cabin depends on when you book; early bookers get the from price shown, and as cabins fill the price rises, so booking early is strongly advised.
Departure month
Polar Inside
Polar Outside
Arctic Superior
Expedition Suites
July 2026
from £3,673
from £4,127
from £5,036
from £7,369
August 2026
from £3,547
from £3,562
from £4,660
from £6,838
September 2026
from £3,025
from £3,365
from £4,220
from £6,838
October 2026
from £2,099
from £2,351
from £3,086
from £5,772
November 2026
from £1,499
from £1,679
from £2,204
from £4,470
December 2026
from £1,499
from £1,679
from £2,204
from £4,412
Departure month
Polar Inside
Polar Outside
Arctic Superior
Expedition Suites
January 2027
from £1,799
from £2,015
from £2,717
from £4,904
February 2027
from £2,199
from £2,463
from £3,235
from £5,526
March 2027
from £2,299
from £2,575
from £3,380
from £5,761
April 2027
from £1,899
from £2,127
from £2,810
from £4,757
May 2027
from £2,756
from £3,045
from £4,024
from £6,173
June 2027
from £3,006
from £3,367
from £4,322
from £6,862
July 2027
from £2,859
from £3,202
from £4,231
from £6,862
August 2027
from £2,657
from £2,975
from £3,932
from £6,376
September 2027
from £2,488
from £2,786
from £3,682
from £5,971
October 2027
from £2,184
from £2,446
from £3,233
from £5,242
November 2027
from £1,714
from £1,880
from £2,484
from £4,028
December 2027
from £1,678
from £1,880
from £2,484
from £4,028
Departure month
Polar Inside
Polar Outside
Arctic Superior
Expedition Suites
January 2028
from £2,066
from £2,314
from £3,058
from £4,959
February 2028
from £2,319
from £2,597
from £3,432
from £5,566
March 2028
from £2,404
from £2,692
from £3,557
from £5,769
Cabin grades. Polar Inside: I, K · Polar Outside: J*, L*, N, SD, O · Arctic Superior: P, U · Expedition Suites: Q, M, MG · * cabin with limited view
All prices are shown in £s per person, based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin cabin, voyage only. Not all cabin grades are available on all ships. Cabin single supplements are available on request. Please see Fare Options to see what is included in the different fares.
Your Fare
What is included
Every fare covers the voyage itself in your chosen cabin category on a full board basis, with an English speaking tour leader on board. Beyond that, what you get depends on whether you book the Basic or Select fare, or an Expedition Suite. Anything shown as an upgrade can be added to your booking for an extra charge, so just ask when you book.
What's included
Basic Cabin assigned at check in
Select Choose your cabin
Suite Expedition Suites
Food and drink on board
Full board Breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the voyage
Included
Included
Included
Unlimited tea and filter coffee A selection of teas and on-tap filter coffee, available all day
Not included
Included
Included
Welcome basket Sparkling wine and a basket of treats on arrival
Upgrade
Upgrade
Included
Flexible dining times Pick the dining slot that suits you
Not included
Not included
Included
Dinner in the fine dining restaurant Kysten Dishes built on the best ingredients of the Norwegian coast, on ships that carry Kysten
Upgrade
Upgrade
Upgrade
Accommodation on board
Cabin or suite selection Choose the location and grade of your cabin or suite. Choice of cabin number is included on voyages of more than 11 days, so it applies on this one
Not included
Included
Included
Priority check-in Fast-track check-in for a smooth start
Not included
Not included
Included
Life on board
Free WiFi In your cabin and throughout the ship
Upgrade
Included
Included
Knowledgeable Expedition Team Insights, guidance and activities, on board and ashore
Included
Included
Included
Access to the Photo Programme and app Share your photographs with fellow passengers and enter the daily competitions
Included
Included
Included
Traditional Norwegian wool sweater A warm Norwegian welcome gift to take home
Not included
Not included
Included
Not included: flights and transfers, travel insurance, optional excursions, luggage handling, gratuities and fuel surcharges. You can arrange travel insurance online here, and it is a condition of booking that every passenger has cover in force. If you would prefer flights and transfers included in one package, see the Coastal Express with charter flights.
Flights & Packages
Arrival, departure and flight options
Hurtigruten can arrange flights with several scheduled airlines, including SAS, Norwegian and KLM, from a wide choice of UK and Irish airports; connections and airlines vary depending on your departure and arrival airports. Booking a complete package gives you the advantage of having everything organised from start to finish, and you benefit from protection under Hurtigruten's ATOL licence.
If you choose not to book flights with us, you can still book transfers on certain routes, as well as pre and post voyage tours, excursions and hotels.
Package
Starts / Ends
Included in price
Price
Classic Round Voyage Flight Package
Bergen / Bergen
Flight UK to Bergen, transfer to ship, then transfer ship to airport and flight Bergen to UK
Call
Classic Round Voyage Extension Package
Bergen / Bergen
Flight UK to Bergen, transfer to hotel, 1 night B&B in Bergen, transfer to ship, then transfer ship to airport and flight Bergen to UK
Call
All package 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. Call 0333 405 0194 for a package quote for your preferred dates.
