Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen
The Coastal Express
The original Norwegian coastal voyage – connecting fjords, towns & people since 1893
- Regular departures
- 12 days
- 34 Ports
- Full board
Enjoy a guided bus tour of Storskog, a border station located on Norway's easternmost edge, and enjoy views over the town of Kirkenes from Prestfjellet Mountain.
Highlights
Learn more about the area’s unique intercultural history and heritage
Tour the WWII bomb shelter at Andersgrotta and watch a short documentary
Stop at Prestfjellet Mountain viewpoint which overlooks Kirkenes and the coast
Visit Norway’s only border station with Russia, located at Storskog
How it works
Flanked by the scenery of the Siberian Taiga, a vast forest that extends across eastern Europe for thousands of square miles, your bus drives from Kirkenes across the calm Pasvik River and through the beautiful Pasvikdalen Valley. Rich with flora and fauna, the valley is home to Norway’s biggest population of brown bears.
Stopping at Storskog, you’ll stand at one of the most guarded crossings in Europe. Although not permitted to cross over the boundary, you can take pictures.
You'll then visit Andersgrotta, Kirkenes’s largest WWII bomb shelter, where a fascinating film brings to life the experiences of local people during the war years.
Before returning to the ship, you'll make a final ascent of Prestfjellet Mountain for a sweeping panoramic view over Kirkenes and the surrounding landscape.
Before you book
Activity level
Easy: Suitable for most people
Group size
Groups up to 90 guests
Availability
Year-round
Transport
Bus with guide
Food & drink
No food or drink included
What to bring
Comfortable shoes, warm and windproof clothing
Good to know
This excursion runs in the morning. Guests disembarking in Kirkenes need an evening flight out of town or an overnight stay to take part.
Voyages with this excursion
This excursion is available on select Hurtigruten voyages along the Norwegian coast. Explore all voyages.
Available: Year-round
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
Bergen - Kirkenes - Bergen
The Coastal Express - Northern Lights
Our classic route during aurora season, including direct flights from regional UK airports
- October 2026 - January 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
Gamme Cabins by Kirkenes Snowhotel
Stay overnight in a beautifully designed wooden cabin, in winter along with one of the world's most unique hotels, the Snowhotel, or closed to nature during the Arctic summer.
Year-round
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