Lofoten Travel Forum

hi, My girlfriend and I are planning a Scandinavia backpacking tour this summer. We very much want to get to lofoten Islands. I realize it is less budget-friendly than other places (not that Scandinavia is realy budget friendly anyhow...). My question is - is it possible at all to tour lofoten relying on bus/train. Would we need to rent a car. And if it is necessary to rent a car in order to enjoy the island - does anyone have a recommendation for local car rental agencies or any other cheaper arrangement. and what is the best way to get in and out of the islands. I think we will take the train to Bodo, and we will want to leave through Narvik, because we will be heading by train to Sweden.
Thanks,
Roy

you don't need to depend on a car anywhere in scandinavia.
you will find some of the best public transport in the world there.
one of the reasons why the tax is so high on cars in scandinavia is because a lot of money is fulled in to public transport.

Hi !

Do a look here :

http://www.lofoten-tourist.no/

I think it's helpfull .

Have a nice trip !

There are short distances in Lofoten. Have always seen a lot of backpackers there. You can take the local bus between places and hire bikes for "local" explorations.
The train stops in Bodö (can't go further north by train in Norway). Next to the train station in Bodö is the quai where the ferry (run by OVDS) to Moskenes goes, very frequent during summertime.
Work your way through Lofoten (5 islands, connected with roads) via Vesterålen to Narvik where the swedish bound railway will take you over to sweden.

Å - Sörvågen - Moskenes - Reine = walking distance!

Another link, for the two islands furthest to the west
http://www.lofoten-info.no/default.htm
- incl bus scheldue
- incl OVDS' ferry sheldue Bodö-Moskenes, choose car ferries. As you see, you can also have a boat tour via the islands Röst and Væröy with this ferry. (Værøy and Röst belongs to Lofoten Islands - the only one without road connections)

It is highly possible to tour Lofoten with a bus. Take the car ferry to Moskenes and continue to the southern tip Å, there are a nice hostel there and also some afordable rooms above the fishing museum. There are several busses going from Å following road 10. Try going by bus all the way to Narvik, very senic. I would make a detour to Henningsvær and visit the gallery Lofotens Hus with showing scenic pitures of the ocean and landscape. There is also a good slide show there.

Bus routes (only in Norwegian, but click and make a try):
http://www.nordtrafikk.no/sub_body.asp?meny_parent=173&side_id=83&divisjon=hovedsider