Bergen
Start and end your voyage in historic Bergen – framed by mountains and sea. Wander Bryggen’s UNESCO-listed wharfs, explore hidden lanes, and savour the spirit of Norway’s most storied coastal city.
The Coastal Express
Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen
The original Norwegian coastal voyage – connecting fjords, towns & people since 1893
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Our classic roundtrip route along the length of Norway’s coast, named ‘The World’s Most Beautiful Voyage’
The coastal voyage that started it all. Calling at 34 unique ports along Norway’s coast and sailing the route northbound and southbound, the voyage covers 2,500 nautical miles of ever-changing scenery.
Up to £1,200 off
Price from £1,924-13%
£1,674per person
Lowest rate - Sailing December 2026
12 days
Full board
34 Ports
Regular departures
If the aurora doesn't occur within sight of the ship on your voyage of 11 days or more, we'll give you a 6-day southbound voyage free of charge. Valid for departures between 20 Sep - 31 Mar.
The original Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen (BKB) route
Iconic towns, deep fjords and picturesque coastal villages
Full-board dining with Norway's Coastal Kitchen
Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner made from the region's finest local ingredients
Comfortable cabins with private bathrooms
Choose from spacious suites to inside or outside cabin options
Up to 6 port calls each day
Short and long stops, offering a deeper look at coastal life
Enhance your voyage with optional seasonal excursions
Such as hiking, dogsledding, boat safaris, e-bike tours and cultural visits
Highlights of this voyage
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Tromsø encounters
Experience Tromsø, the lively “Gateway to the Arctic”, where polar history, northern culture, and café life blend beneath snow-capped mountains and an ever-changing canopy of light.
Lofoten wonders
Sail beneath the jagged peaks of the Lofoten Wall, a dreamscape of sea and stone. Wander harbours lined with red rorbuer cabins and watch seabirds wheel above mirrored fjords.
The North Cape
Stand at the edge of Europe atop the North Cape plateau – a place of wind, vast skies, and unbroken horizons where the Arctic Ocean stretches toward the pole.
Art Nouveau Ålesund
Discover Ålesund’s elegant Art Nouveau architecture and lively harbours, where spires and sea meet under mountain light. Wander cobbled streets, visit local cafés, and watch fishing boats drift between colourful waterfront houses.
Cross the Arctic Circle
Cross the Arctic Circle – a symbolic passage marked by ceremony, laughter, and sea spray – as stories of explorers and coastal traditions come alive under endless skies.
Trondheim heritage
Walk through Trondheim’s cobbled streets to Nidaros Cathedral – Norway’s Gothic masterpiece and sacred heart – then linger by the river cafés of Bakklandet, where old timber wharfs meet city life.
Helgeland Coast legends
Cruise past mythic peaks like the Seven Sisters and Torghatten’s hollow heart – landscapes woven with legend, glinting under the soft Nordic light that defines Norway’s southern shores.
Coastal flavours
Savour Norway’s coast through its cuisine – from Arctic char and king crab to freshly baked bread and creamy brunost (brown cheese). Each meal celebrates local ingredients shaped by sea, season, and tradition.
The route
You can drag or zoom in on the map to explore the route in more detail.
What's included
On board, you'll enjoy outstanding food, facilities and hospitality, so you can concentrate on simply enjoying the beauty of Norway.
What to expect on an Original voyage
Life on our small ships is comfortable, informal and friendly – and Norway’s coast always feels close by.
A calm and cosy space to rest
Feel a sense of koselig – a warm, contented sense of belonging – in your onboard accommodation. Choose between four categories, from cosy inside cabins to spacious suites with sea views.
Relaxed dining gives you a taste of Norway
Whether you choose fine dining, crowd-pleasing dishes in the bistro, pastries from the bakery or a little bit of everything on our main restaurant, each morsel you eat on board connects you to the coast.
Coastal knowledge, always close at hand
Our Expedition Teams share their stories and local insight to help you get even more from your voyage. Learn about the places you visit in a lecture, ask for excursion recommendations or join a guided hike.
A different kind of cruise experience
We’ve been carrying visitors, locals and cargo along the Coastal Express route, steady as the tides since 1893. Our iconic postal ships call at 34 picturesque ports between Bergen and Kirkenes all year round – but it’s never just about the schedule. It’s about feeling the true pulse of everyday life along “The World’s Most Beautiful Voyage”.
On an Original voyage, you don’t just cruise Norway’s coast. You live it.
Our ships sailing this route(8)
Different ships sail this route depending on your departure date – but you’ll stay on the same ship for the whole voyage.
Optional excursions and extensions(20)
Choose these and many more when booking your voyage online, or take your time to decide and add them later in MyBooking.
Day 2
Geiranger With Trollstigen Pass
The Geirangerfjord 8h
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Available
Jun - Aug
Day 2
Art Nouveau Walk (Winter)
Ålesund 2h
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Available
Nov - Mar
Day 3
Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral
Trondheim 2h
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Available
Sep - Oct + Nov - Mar
Day 3
Nidaros Cathedral & Ringve Museum
Trondheim 3h
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Available
Apr - May + Jun - Aug
Day 4
Svartisen Glacier
Ørnes 5h
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Available
Jun - Aug
Day 4
RIB Safari To Saltstraumen
Bodø 2h
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Available
Apr - May + Jun - Aug + Sep - Oct
Day 5
Dog Sledding (Tromsø)
Tromsø 3h 30min
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Available
Nov - Mar
Day 5
The Arctic Capital: Tromsø
Tromsø 3h 30min
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Available
all seasons
Day 6
The North Cape
Honningsvåg 3h
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Available
all seasons
Day 6
Birdwatching Safari
Honningsvåg 3h
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Available
Jun - Aug + Sep - Oct
Day 7
Riverboat to the Norwegian Border (Kirkenes)
Kirkenes 2h 30min
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Available
Jun - Aug + Sep - Oct
Day 7
The Norwegian Border
Kirkenes 3h
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Available
all seasons
Day 8
Midnight Concert in the Wooden Cathedral
Tromsø 1h 15min
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Available
all seasons
Day 8
Breakfast at the North Cape
Honningsvåg 6h
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Available
Jun - Aug + Sep - Oct
Day 9
A Taste of Vesterålen
Harstad 4h 15min
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Available
all seasons
Day 9
Lofoten Islands
Svolvær 3h 30min
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Available
Apr - May + Jun - Aug
Day 10
UNESCO Vega Archipelago
Sandnessjøen 5h
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Available
Jun - Aug + Sep - Oct
Day 10
Visit the Salmon
Brønnøysund 2h 30min
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Available
all seasons
Day 11
Trondheim With Nidaros Cathedral
Trondheim 2h
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Available
all seasons
Day 11
The Atlantic Road
Kristiansund 4h 30min
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Available
Apr - May + Jun - Aug
Special Offers(3)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ships sail on The Coastal Express route?
Seven ships sail the Coastal Express route, and your ship will depend on your departure date. All offer similar facilities and experiences, though MS Vesterålen is smaller and offers a more classic, intimate feel.
What is the difference between sailing The Coastal Express in summer and winter?
The Coastal Express sails year-round, as it has done since 1893. Summer is the most popular season, with long days to explore under the Midnight Sun, while winter offers the chance to see the Northern Lights. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are quieter times to travel, with fewer crowds and spectacular seasonal colours along the coast.
How long does the ship stay in each port?
On a roundtrip voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, The Coastal Express calls at 34 unique ports - 34 northbound and 33 southbound - throughout the day and night. Some are short stops of only 15–30 minutes, while others last several hours, giving you more time to explore. The longest port calls include Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø and Kirkenes.
Are all meals included?
Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, and are served in the main restaurant, Torget. Tea, filter coffee and water are also available throughout the day. Additional food and drink packages - such as upgrades to include dining in Kysten - can be purchased online, by calling our Customer Service Centre, or when on board.
Is Wi-Fi available on board?
Yes, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship - both in your cabin and in communal areas.
What activities are offered on board?
There is so much more to do on board than just watch the Norwegian coast sail by. Our Expedition Team run daily lectures, presentations, on-deck talks and evening gatherings tailored to the season. Expect around 10–15 lectures on topics such as history, wildlife, geology and the Northern Lights (in winter) or the Midnight Sun (in summer). You’ll also find a sauna on board (open daily 06:00–22:00 - not on MS Vesterålen) and outdoor hot tubs on certain ships (MS Nordnorge, MS Nordkapp, MS Polarlys and MS Richard With).
Which languages are spoken on board?
Norwegian and English are the official onboard languages. Some members of the Expedition Team, reception staff and service crew also speak German. On board MS Richard With, some of the Expedition Team also speak French. Most of our excursions are guided in two or three languages. Please contact the Expedition Team on board for further information.
Are shore excursions included in the price?
No, excursions are not included in the price of the voyage. These can be booked for an additional cost - either when you book your voyage, in the My Booking portal, or with the Expedition Team on board.
Can I book flights, hotels and transfers with Hurtigruten?
Yes. We have a variety of options available with flights, transfers and hotels. For peace of mind, when you book the whole package directly with Hurtigruten, you’ll have access to assistance 24/7 including while you are travelling. Find out more:
Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?
Yes. All our ships welcome wheelchair users and have accessible cabins with automatic doors. Passengers need to bring their own wheelchair and, if assistance is required, travel with a companion. Please let us know at the time of booking so we can make the right arrangements.