Vadsø lies in the far north-east of Norway, on the Varangerfjord in East Finnmark. The quickest way here is to fly via Kirkenes or Tromsø. Many visitors also combine Vadsø with the rest of Varanger by car, by bus or with Hurtigruten — or on a package tour.
Flights
Vadsø Airport (VDS) is at Kiby, about 4 km east of the town centre. Widerøe is the airline that flies here. From Oslo, the easiest option is to fly to Kirkenes or Tromsø and continue with Widerøe.
- Kirkenes
- 15 min, direct — around two flights a day each way. One of Norway’s very shortest air routes.
- Tromsø
- 2–3 flights a day, with a stop on the way (in Hammerfest, among other places).
- Alta
- Daily connection, with a stop or change in Berlevåg or Kirkenes.
- To Oslo
- Kirkenes, Alta and Tromsø all have daily direct flights to Oslo with SAS and Norwegian.
From the airport, take Vadsø Taxi, bus 150 or a hire car.
direct with a stop
Car
From Kirkenes, follow the E6 west to Varangerbotn, and from there the E75 along the Varangerfjord to Vadsø. The E75 continues on to Vardø.
| Route | Distance | Summer | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkenes Airport – Vadsø | 162 km | approx. 2 hrs 30 min | approx. 3–3½ hrs |
| Kirkenes town centre – Vadsø | 173 km | approx. 2 hrs 40 min | approx. 3–3½ hrs |
| Vadsø – Vardø | 74 km | approx. 1 hr 10 min | approx. 1½ hrs |
Summer: driving time without stops. Winter: our estimate — snow, ice and the polar night mean lower speeds, and in bad weather roads in Finnmark may be closed or have convoy driving. Watch out for reindeer on the road all year round.
Road reports from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration →
Car hire
Both Avis and Hertz have car hire at Vadsø Airport and in town. It pays to book in advance.
Hertz
- Pick-up
- Vadsø Airport and Sør-Varangerveien 4
- Phone
- 958 86 161
- Open
- Monday–Friday 08:00–16:00
Avinor also lists Sixt at the airport — see car hire at Vadsø Airport.
Bus
Route 150 Varangerexpressen runs between Kirkenes and Vardø, via Kirkenes Airport, Varangerbotn and Vadsø. You don’t need to change buses.
- Kirkenes town centre
- approx. 3 hrs 10 min to Vadsø
- Kirkenes Airport
- approx. 2 hrs 45 min to Vadsø
- Vadsø – Vardø
- approx. 1 hr 15 min
- Departures
- Four on weekdays, three on Sundays, none on Saturdays (autumn 2026).
Buy your ticket in the Snelandia Mobillett app or at billett.snelandia.no. The bus also stops at Vadsø Airport.
Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten calls at Vadsø on the northbound voyage, early in the morning — around 07:00 in the autumn timetable — before continuing to Kirkenes. Southbound, the ships sail straight from Kirkenes to Vardø, without stopping in Vadsø. The ships dock at the harbour terminal in the town centre.
- Vardø – Vadsø
- approx. 3 hrs, northbound
- Vadsø – Kirkenes
- approx. 2 hrs, northbound
- Kirkenes – Vardø
- approx. 3½ hrs, southbound without stopping in Vadsø
northbound, via Vadsø southbound, straight to Vardø
Package tours to Vadsø
Would you rather someone else organised the trip? These tour operators include Vadsø in their programme. You book directly with the operator.
- All yearHavila Voyages · NorwegianCoastal voyages heading north, with an excursion from VadsøAll of Havila’s northbound voyages to Kirkenes call at Vadsø. From 26 May to 15 September you can join the Arctic Rappell Route: a boat trip from Vadsø and a 75-metre abseil down a sea cliff, before you board again in Kirkenes.
- 6–12 March 2027AviFauna Naturresor · SwedishVaranger – skåda med kameraA photo tour for bird enthusiasts, stopping in Vadsø for birdwatching in the harbour and at the feeding stations. Overnight stays in Kirkenes, Båtsfjord and Vardø.
- 13–18 August 2027Opplev Finnmark · NorwegianKulinarisk opplevelse til vakre VarangerA food and hiking trip on the Varanger Peninsula, including a visit to Vestre Jakobselv in Vadsø Municipality.
- By arrangementBussring · NorwegianEast Finnmark, 5 or 7 daysA round trip for groups, based in Vadsø and Kirkenes. Dates and prices are agreed with Bussring.
Do you run tours that visit Vadsø? Let us know.
Once you are here
Vadsø town centre is small and easy to get around on foot or by bike. If you are heading further out on the Varanger Peninsula — to Ekkerøy, Vestre Jakobselv or elsewhere in Varanger — your own car or a hire car is the most practical option. Vadsø Taxi drives both in town and to the airport.