These spectacular islands are an attractive destination for many, but getting there is a challenge. Here are your options for travel to the Faroe Islands.
Even for the most seasoned traveller, the rugged Faroe Islands remain something of an enigma. Located about halfway between Scotland and Iceland in the Atlantic Ocean, these remote islands are a curious speck on the map for many on transatlantic flights.
But some curious travellers do make the effort. They are the ones rewarded with the wild and windswept scenery, and rare birdlife that call the islands home. They also get a taste of traditional coastal culture from fishing to handicrafts.
Although the Faroes are under the sovereignty of Denmark, the islands are self-governing and have an independent culture. Dramatic waterfalls and quaint villages combine with traditional culture and a rich history from the Viking Age to give a memorable experience to all.
Tourism in the Faroe Islands
Of course, limited numbers of tourists are no bad thing. If travel to the Faroe Islands was easier, more visitors would create problems for the delicate environment and limited infrastructure.
That being said, tourism is on the up. Recently-launched direct flights from western Norway and France are opening up the islands to a new type of traveller.
In the compact Torshavn, new hotels have just about kept up with the growing demand. But the islands are far from being overwhelmed. Even in high season, there are plenty of places on the islands where you can find peace and quiet.
If you are interested in visiting the Faroe Islands, you have two main options. You can take a flight from Copenhagen year-round or one of several seasonal routes.
For the truly adventurous, there is a car ferry from Denmark to Iceland that calls at the Faroes on the way.
Faroe Islands by air
The only airport on the Faroe Islands is Vágar Airport (FAE), often listed by airlines simply as Faroe Islands. This small airport is about 40 minutes from Torshavn. There is a public bus (timetable varies), a shared taxi, individual taxis or car rental.
Since its creation in 1988, Atlantic Airways has become the main airline for the Faroe Islands. It is best-known for operating daily flights to and from Copenhagen, all year round. On most days, there are morning and evening departures.
But the airline also operates flights from many other destinations, including year-round service from Billund (Denmark), Keflavik (Iceland) and Oslo (Norway), although not as frequent as the Copenhagen service.
Seasonally, Atlantic offers flights from Aalborg, Edinburgh, Paris, Barcelona, Mallorca and Gran Canaria. Some of this are of course intended for sun-starved Faroese to enjoy some sun, especially the Gran Canaria service that runs through the winter.
Atlantic isn’t your only option though. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) also operates flights from Copenhagen. This route can prove useful when connecting from SAS flights across the region or other Star Alliance member airlines including Air Canada, Lufthansa and United.
Whether SAS works for you will depend on when you want to fly. In the spring and summer there are daily flights up to six days a week, but there are several weeks with no service at all in the late autumn and winter.
If you live in Norway, there is also another option for you. Widerøe operates twice-weekly flights from Bergen.
If you do plan on renting a car while in the Faroe Islands, this is best done at the airport. But be sure to arrange a reservation in advance, as available cars are limited.
Faroe Islands by ship
Of course, flying is by far the easiest and quickest option for international travellers. However, for a more traditional, some might say romantic experience, consider travel by ferry. This is made possible because of the Faroese-owned Smyril Line.
Smyril operates the year-round car ferry Norröna from Hirtshals in Denmark to Seyðisfjörður in Iceland. It stops at Torshavn in both directions. Locals use the service as a car ferry to visit friends and family, while tourists use it as an alternative to flying, especially as the Faroe Islands and Iceland both lend themselves to road trips.
The flexibility of the route means curious travellers can create a fantastic Nordic itinerary incorporating Denmark, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
For example, you could fly from North America or Europe into Iceland, then spend a few days enjoying Reykjavik and the famous sights of south-west Iceland. Then, make your way to the east coast to board the Smyril Line ferry.
You can then spend some time in Torshavn and the Faroe Islands before sailing onwards to Denmark. From Denmark, you could travel to Copenhagen and home from there, or take a ferry to Norway.
Smyril Line knows it has a good offer for tourists, so it offers package deals. It offers passengers the opportunity to spend three nights in the Faroe Islands and/or one or two weeks in Iceland as part of their trip.
Have you been to the Faroe Islands? How did you get there and what was your experience? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.