Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen
The Coastal Express – Roundtrip
The original Norwegian coastal voyage – connecting fjords, towns & people since 1893
- Regular departures
- 12 days
- 34 Stops
- Full board (breakfast, lunch, & dinner)
Discover Bodø, a vibrant city in Northern Norway, before heading to Saltstraumen, home to the world’s most powerful tidal current.
Highlights
Enjoy a guided tour around the town of Bodø.
View the Saltstraumen tidal current from shore.
Take home a pack of salt flakes produced at Saltstraumen.
Look out for the sea eagles that soar around the area.
How it works
Our guided bus tour begins in Bodø, Northern Norway’s second-largest town, home to around 50,000 residents and located just north of the Arctic Circle.
From here, we continue to Saltstraumen, the world’s strongest tidal current. This natural phenomenon has attracted visitors for more than 3,000 years—and it never disappoints. Every six hours, up to 400 million cubic meters of seawater rush through a strait just 492 feet wide (150 m), reaching speeds of up to 20 knots.
As a souvenir, you’ll receive a box of locally produced salt flakes to take home. Harvested over 48 hours and influenced by water temperature, season, and humidity, each crystal is unique. It’s the perfect Arctic-inspired addition to your cooking.
Before you book
Activity level
Moderate: Some mobility needed
Group size
Groups up to 96 guests
Availability
Year-round
Transport
Bus
Food & drink
No food or drink included
What to bring
Comfortable shoes, warm and windproof clothing
Good to know
Automated audio guide available in multiple languages. The strength of the Saltstraumen current depends on the tide and cannot be guaranteed.
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 Stops
- Full board (breakfast, lunch, & dinner)
Bergen – Kirkenes – Trondheim
The Coastal Express – To the Viking Capital
The original Norwegian coastal voyage, returning via Trondheim – home of Viking kings
- Regular departures
- 11 days
- 34 Stops
- Full board (breakfast, lunch, & dinner)
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 Bodø
Discover more ways to explore this beautiful coastal destination
Guest favorite
Arctic Coastal Walk
Enjoy a guided walk along the coast in Bodø and learn how a love of nature and the outdoors is an integral part of Norwegian culture.
Year-round
RIB Safari to Saltstraumen
Ride a RIB to the world’s most powerful tidal current, watching for Sea Eagles along the way.
Spring, Summer, fall
Sámi Adventure
Meet the Sámi Oksal family near Bodø, hear joik music, drink chaga tea, and feed reindeer.
Winter, Spring