Bergen – Kirkenes
The Coastal Express – North
The northbound leg of our classic coastal route, from Bergen to Arctic Norway
- Regular departures
- 7 days
- 34 Ports
- Full board
Highlights
Cabins with wonderful large windows – perfect to catch a glimpse of Northern Lights in the clear night sky
Enjoy local food
Possibility to add optional winter excursions
How it works
These cosy homes follow the example of the traditional hunting and fishing huts, called “gamme”, which can be found all over the arctic Sami areas. The cabins are specially designed with large windows for scanning the skies for the Northern Lights from autumn to spring, or enjoying the glow from the Midnight Sun in summer. In winter, the cabins are covered in snow, giving them the appearance of igloos from the outside.
All cabins are equipped with a kettle, air conditioning, floor heating, twin beds, and a modern bathroom with toilet and shower.
The meals are served in the adjoining restaurant, Låven, which is situated only 50 metres away from the cabins. Dinner and breakfast are included in your booking of the night. In the same building, you will also find a sauna.
Planned itinerary
Day 1
Start your Snowhotel and Gamme cabin adventure from the Hurtigruten ship right after disembarkation or from your hotel in Kirkenes in the afternoon. A Snowhotel transfer bus will pick you up from either the port at 09:00 or from your hotel at 13:00. We also offer a transfer from/to Kirkenes Airport at an extra cost. Please check your itinerary for what has been confirmed, no separate voucher is required. Transfer is by bus or minibus to the Snowhotel, situated 10 km from Kirkenes in Sandnes.
Check in to the cabins is from 15:00. Depending on the arrival time, you have the possibility to join one of the free optional activities organised by the Snowhotel, including a puppy walk in the morning, snow fun during the day and others available day to day. Alternatively, you can rent a kick sledge, snowshoes, cross-country skis, a bike to explore the local wilderness or visit with the reindeers onsite.
In the evening, enjoy a complimentary welcome drink in the Snow Bar before tucking in to a traditional, locally sourced three-course dinner at 19:00. Afterwards, you can get cosy in your cabin and enjoy the view.
Day 2
After spending the night in your wooden cabin, you can enjoy breakfast at the restaurant Låven. A transfer will pick you up at 11:30 to take you to either Thon Hotel Kirkenes or the Hurtigruten port. Luggage will be picked up at a designated time, and your bags must be securely packed and put on the porch outside your cabin by then.
Before you book
Activity level
Easy: Suitable for most people
Availability
Year-round
Transport
Bus
Food & drink
Dinner
Voyages with this excursion
This excursion is available on select Hurtigruten voyages along the Norwegian coast. Explore all voyages.
Available: Year-round
Kirkenes – Bergen
The Coastal Express – South
The southbound leg on our classic coastal voyage, exploring beautiful archipelagos & fjordlands
- Regular departures
- 6 days
- 33 Ports
- Full board
Bergen - Kirkenes - Bergen
Astronomy Cruise on the Coastal Express
Our classic route during aurora season, with expert astronomer & exclusive excursions
- October 2026 - March 2027
- 12 days
- 34 Ports
- Full board
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions our guests ask most often
If an excursion is not fully booked, any remaining slots will be available for purchase on board through your Expedition Team. These will be charged in Norwegian Kroner at your ship’s exchange rate.
However, to ensure yourself a spot, we recommend booking in advance.
You will be able to view them all by logging into your booking here.
If you booked through a travel agent, you can reach out to them for this information.
Yes, you will get a full refund to your original payment method. If that's not possible, we will reach out to check your payment details.
Each of our excursions has a rating to illustrate the level of fitness required. There are four categories, with 1 being the easiest and 4 the most difficult.
Level 1 = Easy: suitable for most
Excursions at this level are physically undemanding and suitable for most people. Level 2 = Moderate: some mobility needed
Excursions in this category involve a small amount of physical activity, but on easy terrain with few major challenges. Level 3 = Active: good mobility needed
Excursions in this category are more active and involve outdoor pursuits that require a decent level of fitness. You may be expected to carry your own backpack and equipment. They are not suitable for those with limited mobility.
Level 4 = Challenging: good mobility and fitness needed
These are our most challenging excursions, and require a good level of fitness. They may involve hiking or biking on uneven terrain and may also require specialist equipment. You would be expected to carry your own backpack and equipment. Excursions in this category are not suitable for those with limited mobility.
Prices can vary depending on the season you travel. Costs such as exchange rates and local prices may change from year to year, so we show a “starting from” price as a guide. The exact price will be confirmed when you book.
Other excursions in Kirkenes
Discover more ways to explore this beautiful coastal destination
Snowhotel – A Unique Winter Experience
Enjoy a special Arctic experience at the Snowhotel, constructed entirely from snow and ice and decorated with snow sculptures.
Year-round
King Crab Adventure (Winter)
Accompany a Norwegian fisherman for the day and learn how they catch king crab in winter and then feast on the day’s catch.
Winter, Spring
Guest favourite
Husky Tour
Ride a husky sled near Kirkenes, tour the Snowhotel and meet the resident reindeer.
Winter, Spring
Snowmobile Safari
If you fancy racing a snowmobile across a vast snowy expanse and meeting the people who live here then this excursion may be for you.
Winter, Spring
Riverboat to the Norwegian Border (Kirkenes)
Explore Russia´s frontier with Norway along the river that divides the two distinctly different yet strangely similar countries.
Summer, Autumn
ATV/Quad-safari to the Norwegian border (Kirkenes)
Discover the town of Kirkenes, the surrounding nature, historical sights and the Russian border on this motorized quad bike adventure.
Summer, Autumn
King Crab Adventure (Summer)
Join fishermen out on the surrounding fjords of Kirkenes to see them catch king crabs. A chef will then prepare them for an all-you-can-eat king crab buffet.
Summer
Guest favourite
Kirkenes Snowhotel
Tour the famous ice hotel, drink in the ice bar and meet reindeer and huskies.
Year-round
Guest favourite
The Norwegian Border
Visit the Norwegian-Russian border by bus and a WWII bomb shelter near Kirkenes.
Year-round