Lofoten Travel Forum

I will spend a few days in Lofoten in mid-Dec. Any mid-range accommdation recommended in Leknes? Is there any bus or boat from Svolvaer to Narviks connecting the 11:10 train?

Thanks.

The closest I got was Nor-Way bussekspress. A direct route, but not corresponding at all with the 11.10 train. Routes changes on November 7th. You could try phoning them. The website is www.nor-way.no

Jon

In addition to the bus there is fast ferry from Svolvaer to Narvik.
http://www.ovds.no/engelsk/timetable/index.html

Until end of september the ferry arrive Narvik at 12 am, but in winter the passenger ferry arrive Narvik only at 12 pm, midnight. Maybe stay the night at a hotel in Narvik?

Leknes is probably the least interesting part of Lofoten, but if you will be renting a car doing daytrips then it is probably not that important. Mid December is the darkest time of year in Lofoten so a central location in Leknes might work well. There is a special kind of light that time of year. If the right condition the sun not being able to rise above the horizon, will shine on the clouds from below . the For some info try: www.lofoten.com

My link to the Lofoten site didn't work but try this:
http://www.lofoten.com/tourist/forside/en/index.htm
or
http://www.lofoten.com/tourist/

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

Thanks all. I think I can only take the afternoon train at 1545, if I don't want to spend a night in Narvik. Anyway,

I plan to go from Bodo to Leknes by plane for 2 days, then move to Svolvaer for another day. My friend and I I don't drive and we will rely on public buses, although the services might be limited in winter. Is Leknes is really the least interesting part of Lofoten?

In fact, we go there for northern light. I've heard that there's good chance to see it in Lofoten.

Any suggestions are welcome!

Nor-Ways route 760 is in Narvik 1515. Plenty of time to take the train at 1545.

Jon

I did not intend to scare you. I am not from Lofoten myself, but have family in the area.

Leknes is the community centre of Lofoten, but is situated in a more flat area and is not as mountainous as the rest of Lofoten. Leknes is however a good place to stay when exploring the southern part of Lofoten by public transport, especially out of season. I suggest doing a daytrip to Reine 1,5 hours by local bus from Leknes. The area of Reine lies in a very scenic part of Lofoten, probably quite deserted in December but the journey to and from would be worth it. Travelling by air from Bodo to Leknes can be pretty expensive but maybe there is a good offer.

Another suggestion would be to skip Leknes and instead go by Hurtigruten coastal express from Bodo to Svolvaer. The ferry leaves Bodo at 3 p.m and arrives Svolvaer at 9 p.m. and will cost 358 kroner per person. It is a big ship and a nice experience. If staying in Svolvaer, make sure to make a daytrip to Henningsvaer, 1 hour by public transport from Svolvaer. Henningsvaer is one of my favourite places in Lofoten. I would definitely try visiting Gallery Lofoten at the quay in Henningsvaer, with beautiful paintings of Lofoten and artists from Lofoten. I am not sure about opening hours in winter. They also have a very nice slideshow there, so if it’s bad weather when you are there, you can still see slides of Northern lights and mountain peaks. Doing this you may have the possibility to stay the night in Narvik and take an earlier train. Would probably go by bus from Svolvaer to Narvik for a nice scenic view. The bus is going on a ferry from fiskebol to Melbu and the scenery is great.

Jon, is the connection "smooth"? I can see that the train and bus stations are not that close. Will the bus drop off in front of the train station? Is the bus always on time? I'm just afraid that 30 mins is not enough for the change. Thx.

The buses are usually in route. Must be something very special if they are not. In december snowstorms may make delays but usually they dont. It may not even be snow at all.. Ask the busdriver to let you off near the trainstation. Its not far from the main road. Just 2 - 3 minutes walk. The busstation is about 10- 15 minutes walk.

Hope you will have a nice trip. And remember, its hardly any daylight here in december.... But I guess you already knows that...

Best wishes from Narvik .

Jim

Sorry for the late reply. Narviking is right. Buses are mostly on route, as in all of Norway, and you can ask the busdriver to let you of on the nearest spot. A few minutes walk is al you'll be doing.

Jon