Tromso is on an island in the middle of a fjord. There is a long ridge of rock that runs along the length of the island. The old town city center and harbour is on the south east side of the island. Tromso Airport or Lufthavn is on the other side of the island.

It is the largest airport in Northern Norway. It opened in September 1964. Prior to this date Tromso was only accessible from the air by sea boats.

The current terminal was built in 1998 to cope with the increase in air traffic along with a new control tower and passenger jet air bridges at a number of the gates. They should be built at every gate as the weather north of the Arctic circle can be very harsh. It is not nice standing in line to get up the steps into an aircraft, or queuing to get into the immigration control office in freezing pouring rain or sleet. There is a small bank in the airport but if it is closed there is and ATM where you can obtain money if you need to.

Tromso Airport is one of the most northern commercial airports in the world. It is at 69° north. That is the same latitude as the top of Alaska. Behind the airport is the bridge that links Tromsoya island to the island of Kvaloya It is called Sandnessund Bridge (Sandnessundbrua) and is a reinforced cantilever road bridge. It is 1220 metres long, the main span is 150 metres, and the maximum clearance to the sea is 41 metres. The bridge has 36 spans.

It was opened for traffic in 1973. As you leave the airport by bus, coach, rental car or taxi look out for a very unusual Arctic sculpture. It looks like a tent without any canvas. In fact it is meant to be a replica of the fish drying racks you see along the Arctic coastline at fishing villages.

Tromso Airport Scheduled bus services

A regular bus service connects the airport to Tomso city centre with a journey time of 25 minutes. Buses 40 and 42 stops at the airport. It costs half the price of the Airport Express Coach Flybussen but takes longer.

Tromso Airport Express Coach Flybussen

The Tromso Airport Express Coach Flybussen goes from Tromso airport to the city centre in about 15 minutes. It is quicker but double the price of the slower scheduled bus services.

Tromso Airport Taxi service

A taxi for the same route is likely to cost six times the price of the regular bus service but if there is four of you in a group a taxi will be cheaper than going into town by the Airport Express Coach Flybussen. The journey time is about 10 minutes.

Tromso Airport Car Hire Rental

As you leave the Tromso Airport arrival lounge you will find the car rental concessions on your left.

Travel books