Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten: the back story
About Hurtigruten: the back story
Captain Richard With founded the coastal route in 1893, and Hurtigruten’s ships have sailed it every week, in every season, ever since. The Original Coastal Express takes 12 days from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, calling at 34 ports northbound and 33 southbound.
A lifeline since 1893
In 1893 Captain Richard With began a coastal steamship service that would tie Norway’s long, broken coast together. For more than 130 years, as Hurtigruten puts it, its ships have brought “food, medicine, letters, and loved ones” to towns and fishing villages, “through sun, snow, and storms”. The ships still carry cargo, cars and local passengers, and at many ports you will see families waiting on the quay.
Twelve days, 34 ports
The Original Coastal Express sails from Bergen to Kirkenes, near the Arctic border, and back in 12 days: about 2,500 nautical miles, 34 ports northbound and 33 southbound, by day and by night. Some calls last 15 minutes, others several hours, long enough to walk Bergen’s UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf or ride a husky sled near Kirkenes. You can also sail a single stretch as a port-to-port voyage.
“USA has Route 66. Japan has the Shinkansen. For Norway, we have Hurtigruten’s The Coastal Express.” Hurtigruten.
Two ways to sail
Original voyages keep the working rhythm of the route, with breakfast, lunch and dinner included in Torget, the main restaurant. Signature voyages, on MS Trollfjord and MS Midnatsol, are all-inclusive, with three restaurants, a generous drinks package, longer stops in up to 14 ports and a larger expedition team. The Svalbard Line sails 15 days from Bergen to Longyearbyen and Ny-Ålesund under the midnight sun; the North Cape Line sails from Oslo in winter.
Norway on a plate
Norway’s Coastal Kitchen sources from around 70 local farms, fisheries and bakeries; ingredients are taken aboard at 15 of the 34 ports. On Signature ships, Røst serves a homage to fish and stockfish, Brasserie Árran cooks Sámi-inspired dishes such as bidos and souvas, and Flora changes its menu every night. Even the sparkling wine, Havets Bobler, is aged under the Norwegian Sea.
The Northern Lights Promise
The coast is a summer voyage of midnight sun and a winter voyage of polar night and aurora. On voyages of 11 days or more departing between 20 September and 31 March, if the Northern Lights do not appear within sight of the ship, Hurtigruten offers a 6- or 7-day voyage at no charge.
Our advice: for the classic experience, book the full 12-day Coastal Express in an Arctic Superior cabin or a suite, and add a Kysten dining upgrade. If you prefer longer port days and drinks included, choose a Signature voyage on MS Trollfjord or MS Midnatsol.
Why it's on our list
- Founded 1893 by Captain Richard With
- 34 ports, Bergen–Kirkenes
- 12 days, about 2,500 nautical miles
- Local Norwegians still travel aboard
- Northern Lights Promise in winter
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Hurtigruten: the back story before you go.