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When you’re on a road trip in Norway, especially in Northern Norway, taking ferries is part of the trip. First because it’s super convenient, then because it saves quite a lot of time, and finally because the boat crossings are always spectacular.
And now you want to discover the Lofoten Islands. Honestly, it’s a great idea. Although it’s a very large archipelago, there are several ways to get to the Lofoten Islands, including the ferry.
Of course, everyone thinks of the ferry between Bodo and Moskenes, the great classic. But there is another one, less known and super convenient: between Svolvaer and Skutvik. Free for a long time, it became paid again in 2026 (I explain everything below), but it remains the smart shortcut between the Lofoten Islands and the E6.
When can you take the ferry between Svolvaer and Skutvik
Very easy: the ferry runs from June 1st to August 31st, the whole summer season (dates checked for 2026).
Outside the tourist season, there is no boat, sorry! You will either have to drive around, or take the ferry between Bodo and Moskenes, which runs all year round.
What are the ferry timetables
Same, it’s easy.
There are only 2 crossings per day, and the trip takes between 2h and 2h30, depending on the (on-demand) stop at the pretty little island of Skrova. Here are the 2026 timetables:
Svolvaer – Skutvik:
- 9:30 –> 12:00
- 17:10 –> 19:40 (departure at 16:50 on Saturdays, 17:30 on Sundays)
Skutvik – Svolvaer:
- 12:15 –> 14:15
- 19:55 –> 21:55 (departure at 19:35 on Saturdays, 19:40 on Sundays)
You can find all the timetables on the Torghatten Nord website.
Can you board with a car
Yes! And that’s the big advantage: you can board with a car, campervan or motorbike, or as a foot passenger.
But be careful: this type of boat only takes around thirty vehicles.
Do you need to book or arrive early
You cannot book in advance. It’s first come, first served. And as the crossing is popular, it’s better to arrive quite early, especially for the morning one.
How early? Hard to say, but be aware that there are far more people at weekends.
How much does the ferry cost
The free ride is over: since 2026, the crossing is paid in summer.
A bit of background. The line was one of the free ferries since 2022 (small routes with fewer than 100,000 passengers per year). But the scheme was so successful that Nordland county introduced a summer rate from May 1st to August 31st, 2026: travel only becomes free from the 7th trip on the route with the same vehicle. It’s designed for locals. And since this ferry only runs in summer… in practice, as a traveller, you will pay.
2026 fares for Svolvaer – Skutvik:
- car under 6 metres: 337 NOK (about €29), all passengers included
- campervan or van from 6 to 8 metres: 720 NOK
- motorbike: 103 NOK
- foot passengers and bikes: still free
Payment is automatic via licence plate reading, like on all Norwegian ferries: nothing to pay on board. With a prepaid AutoPASS ferje account, the car drops to about 168 NOK (-50%): I explain it all in my article about AutoPASS and in my complete guide to taking ferries in Norway.
It’s still half the price of the Bodo – Moskenes ferry (605 NOK per car), and the crossing is as popular as ever.
To sum up:
- the ferry runs in June, July and August
- the crossing takes 2h30 one way, 2h the other
- there are 2 daily crossings
- 337 NOK per car in 2026 (summer rate) — foot passengers and car passengers travel free
Other resources for your trip to Norway
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT NORWAY
- Complete guide to planning your holidays in Norway
- Must-see summer destinations in Norway for a first visit
- Paying for ferries and tolls with Autopass, Skyttelpass and Autopassferje
- Calendar of road closures in Norway
TROMSO AND ITS REGION
- Tips for a successful stay in Tromsø
- Affordable and convenient accommodation in Tromsø
- When to visit Tromsø: the best time
- Tourist map of Tromsø with the most beautiful spots
- Timetables and prices for the ferry between Tromsø and Senja
- Timetables and fares for the ferry between Tromso and the Lyngen Alps
- Must-do activities in Tromsø, summer and winter
LOFOTEN ISLANDS
- Planning your trip to the Lofoten Islands
- The activities you absolutely must do in the Lofoten Islands
- Where to stay in the Lofoten Islands without breaking the bank
- how to take the ferry between Bodo and the Lofoten Islands (Moskenes) + Vaeroy
SENJA
- Why you absolutely must visit Senja!
- When to take the ferry between Senja and Tromso
- Staying in a hotel in Senja: watch out for the pitfalls
- The interactive map of Senja with all the most beautiful places
BERGEN AND THE FJORDS
OSLO
