Routes at a glance
| From | How | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tromsø | Flight to Honningsvåg | About 1.5 hours | Small propeller aircraft, often via Hammerfest |
| Alta | Car or bus | 3–3.5 hours | About 210 km on the E6 and E69 |
| Tromsø | Coastal ship | About 18 hours | Daily; northbound call allows a North Cape excursion |
| Hammerfest | Coastal ship or bus | 5–6 hours by ship; about 3 hours by road | Easy to combine both towns |
| Honningsvåg | Bus or tour to North Cape | About 45 minutes | Scheduled buses mainly in summer |
| Kirkenes | Coastal ship | About 1.5 days | Southbound sailing along the Finnmark coast |
By coastal ship
The Bergen–Kirkenes coastal route calls at Honningsvåg every day. The northbound ship stays for around three hours in the middle of the day, long enough for an excursion to the plateau; the southbound call is short and early in the morning. Many travellers sail in from Tromsø or Hammerfest and fly out.
By road
The E69 leaves the E6 at Olderfjord and follows the shore of Porsangerfjorden before diving through the 6.9 km North Cape Tunnel, which runs up to 212 metres below sea level, on to Magerøya. The tunnel is free. Fuel up in Honningsvåg; there is nothing at the plateau but the visitor centre.
The winter convoy
From about October to April the last 13 km from the Skarsvåg junction to the plateau is often open only for convoys led by a snowplough at fixed times, and it closes altogether in bad weather. Rental cars are permitted, but drivers must follow the convoy rules. Check the Norwegian road authority’s traffic information on the day.
Getting around locally
- Honningsvåg is small enough to cover on foot; the quay, hotels and museum are a few minutes apart.
- Taxis and car hire are available but limited — reserve ahead, especially when a cruise ship is in port.
- Local buses link Honningsvåg with Skarsvåg, Gjesvær and Kamøyvær on school-day timetables; they are infrequent.
- Cyclists reach the Cape every summer, but the tunnel and the exposed plateau road make it a serious ride.
- Reindeer wander on the roads from May to September. Slow down and let them pass.
