Harstad/Narvik Evenes Airport (EVE) is the gateway to the northern fjords, the Lofoten wall, and the wide skies of Vesterålen. Because distances are long and the weather can change fast, planning your onward journey pays off. Whether you prefer a quick airport bus, a scenic drive along the E10, or a multi-stop adventure with ferries and bridges, you have solid options year-round.
If you want the short version: Harstad and Narvik are easiest by airport coach or rental car, with travel times around an hour. Lofoten and Vesterålen are best by car for flexibility, though regional buses run several times daily to the main towns. You can reach Lofoten ferry-free on the modern Lofast road, while Vesterålen connects via the Tjeldsund Bridge and Gullesfjord.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the practical ways to get from Evenes to Harstad, Narvik, Lofoten, and Vesterålen, including timings, what to expect on the road, and local tips from someone who’s driven these routes more times than I can count.
Understanding Harstad/Narvik Evenes Airport
Evenes sits between the regions it serves: Harstad in Troms and Narvik in Nordland. The airport is compact and efficient, with car rentals on site, clear signage in English, and a small café. You’ll find airport coaches timed to larger flights, taxi ranks just outside arrivals, and parking right next to the terminal. If you plan to drive, pre-booking a rental car is highly recommended in summer and around Christmas/Easter when vehicles sell out.
Transport Options at a Glance
Airport coach: Reliable and simple for Harstad and Narvik. You buy tickets on board or online; they accept cards. Luggage space is generous.
Regional buses: Good value and surprisingly comfortable. They link Evenes with Svolvær, Leknes, Sortland, Stokmarknes and more. Fewer departures than city routes, so check times and plan connections.
Car rental: The most flexible way to see Lofoten and Vesterålen. Distances look short on the map but roads are narrow and scenic, so build in time for photo stops.
Taxi and private transfer: Door-to-door convenience if you’re a group or arriving late. Norwegian taxi prices are high, so ask for a fixed quote in advance.
Evenes to Harstad
By airport coach, the ride is typically about 50 to 70 minutes depending on stops. Coaches are timed to flight arrivals and drop you at central Harstad. If your accommodation is outside the center, local buses and taxis are easy from the terminal stop.
By car, expect 45 to 60 minutes. You’ll cross the Tjeldsund Bridge with a sweeping view of the strait, then continue toward Harstad on well-maintained roads. In winter, this stretch is kept clear but can be windy; slow down before exposed bridge sections. Parking in Harstad is straightforward, with garages and street parking using the EasyPark app.
Tip: If you land late, Harstad makes a good first night. Hotels are walkable from the bus stop, and you can set off rested for Lofoten or Vesterålen in the morning.
Evenes to Narvik
The airport coach to Narvik is similarly simple, usually 60 to 75 minutes to the bus terminal by the fjord. It’s a painless way to reach town if you don’t need a car.
Driving takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, with lovely views of fjords and mountains as you approach Narvik. If you’re continuing south or east after Narvik, note that the E6 is Norway’s main north–south artery. In winter, carry extra windshield washer fluid; passing trucks will spray slush and salt.
Tip: If your plan is skiing at Narvikfjellet, consider staying car-free. The town is compact, and ski buses or short taxis work fine.
Evenes to Lofoten (Svolvær, Henningsvær, Leknes, Reine/Moskenes)
Here’s the part many visitors worry about. The good news: you can reach Lofoten completely ferry-free via the modern Lofast connection. The drive is one of Norway’s great road trips.
By car
- Evenes to Svolvær: roughly 2.5 to 3 hours in normal conditions.
- Evenes to Henningsvær: add 20–30 minutes beyond Svolvær.
- Evenes to Leknes: about 3 to 3.5 hours.
- Evenes to Reine/Moskenes: 4 to 5 hours, depending on stops and weather.
The E10 is narrow in places, with tunnels and viewpoints that will tempt you to pull over. Use designated lay-bys only, never stop on the road crest for photos. In summer, traffic can be heavy through fishing villages; patience is your friend. In winter, the E10 is ploughed frequently, but black ice and drifting snow are real. Good tires are mandatory and keeping speed gentle is the local secret to staying out of the ditch.
By bus
Regional buses link Evenes/Narvik with Svolvær and Leknes several times a day. Travel time is longer than driving but you can relax and watch the scenery. For villages like Henningsvær, Reine, or Å, you’ll typically change buses in Svolvær or Leknes. If you’re staying in one town and doing guided tours with pickups, the bus works fine.
What about ferries?
You don’t need a ferry to reach Svolvær and Leknes from Evenes. Ferries within Lofoten are optional scenic extras. The Moskenes–Bodø ferry is an alternative if you’re continuing south to the Bodø mainland, but it’s not required to get from Evenes to Lofoten.
Local tip: If you’re arriving late and the weather looks iffy, stop in Svolvær for the first night. The stretch beyond to Haukland, Uttakleiv, and Reine is the most winding and exposed; better enjoyed in daylight.
Evenes to Vesterålen (Sortland, Stokmarknes, Andenes)
Vesterålen has wider horizons and gentler crowds than Lofoten, with excellent whale safaris out of Andenes. From Evenes you cross Tjeldsund Bridge and follow signs via Gullesfjord.
By car
- Evenes to Sortland: about 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Evenes to Stokmarknes (Hadsel): around 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Evenes to Andenes: 4 to 5 hours, depending on winter conditions and stops.
Roads here are less twisty than western Lofoten but still watch for reindeer near dusk. They blend into the landscape and step onto the road without hurry.
By bus
Regional buses connect Evenes with Sortland and Stokmarknes regularly; to Andenes you’ll have fewer departures and often a connection at Sortland. If you’re planning a whale safari in Andenes, align your bus arrival with the tour start or stay the night before.
Local tip: If you’re splitting time between Lofoten and Vesterålen, base yourself in Sortland or Stokmarknes for a night or two. You’re well-positioned to reach both archipelagos without repacking every day.
Should You Rent a Car?
If you plan to explore beaches, trailheads, photo stops and smaller fishing villages, yes. A car unlocks dawn light and late-night aurora chases. Just keep a few things in mind:
- Book early in July, August, and the Northern Lights peak from September to March. Small airports mean limited fleets.
- Automatic vs manual: Automatics are common but still fewer than manuals. If you only drive automatic, reserve specifically.
- Winter tires: From late autumn to spring, your rental will have studded or friction winter tires. Drive smoothly and keep longer following distances.
- Tolls: Many Norwegian roads use automatic tolling tied to the rental plate, billed later. You don’t need to stop and pay.
- Fuel and charging: Stations are frequent on main routes; if you rent an EV, fast chargers exist in Harstad, Narvik, Sortland, Svolvær, and Leknes. Plan charging with a margin in winter.
What If You Don’t Want To Drive?
You can still have a great trip. Pick one hub town and use guided tours that include hotel pickups. In Lofoten, Svolvær and Leknes have the most options year-round. In Vesterålen, Sortland and Stokmarknes are good bases; Andenes works if whale safari is your main goal. For Harstad and Narvik, city stays with day tours to fjords, museums, and short hikes are easy without a car.
Timing Your Connections
- Flight + bus: Airport coaches are usually timed to major arrivals, but if you’re landing on a late regional flight, check the last departure ahead of time. If you miss it, taxis and pre-booked transfers are your fallback.
- Bus + bus: Regional connections are often reliable, but in winter build in buffer time. If you have a fixed activity booking the same day you travel, go earlier or stay one night near your activity base.
- Red-eye landings: If you land near midnight, I often advise staying in Harstad or Narvik first, then continue to Lofoten/Vesterålen after breakfast. You’ll drive safely with views you can actually enjoy.
Packing and Weather Sense
- Layers and shoes: Even in summer, carry a warm layer and waterproof jacket. For winter, insulated boots with good grip are more useful than fashion sneakers.
- Headlamp in winter, eye mask in summer: You’ll thank yourself north of the Arctic Circle.
- Snacks and water: Small shops shut early outside towns. Keep something in the car or bag, especially if you’re connecting buses.
- Battery and navigation: Mobile coverage is good on main routes, but download offline maps and keep a power bank handy.
Apps and Tickets That Help
- Airport coach websites or apps for Harstad and Narvik list the next departures and allow card payment.
- Regional travel apps for Troms and Nordland show buses across the county borders. You can plan Evenes to Svolvær/Leknes/Sortland in one go. Timetables update seasonally.
- Parking apps like EasyPark simplify city stops in Harstad and Narvik.
- Weather and road: Yr for weather, and the national road authority’s site for road conditions and webcams. If a storm is brewing, leave earlier or wait it out. Locals do.
Itinerary Ideas That Work
- Harstad first night, Lofoten next: Land, bus to Harstad, sleep, rent a car in the morning and drive to Svolvær for two to three nights, then down to Leknes or Reine.
- Narvik and Ofoten rail feel: Land, bus to Narvik, explore Narvikfjellet and war history, then drive the E10 west to Svolvær.
- Vesterålen slow travel: Land, drive to Sortland, spend days split between Stokmarknes (museum, bridges) and Andøya for beaches and whales. Add one Lofoten day via the Lofast road.
Common Questions I Hear
Is winter driving safe for visitors? Yes, if you’re comfortable and cautious. The roads are maintained, but storms happen. If you’re uneasy, stick to buses and guided tours.
Do I need to book buses ahead? You can usually buy on board, but for airport coaches and long regional legs booking ahead locks your seat in high season.
Can I rely on taxis for everything? In the cities, yes. Between villages, taxis are available but expensive and need advance booking.
Is there a faster way to reach southern Lofoten? Not from Evenes. If Reine or Å is your only goal, some travelers fly into Leknes or Svolvær via Bodø and skip the long drive, but flight availability varies.
Travel in Northern Norway rewards the ones who give themselves time. Whether you ride the bus with a thermos of coffee or meander by car from viewpoint to viewpoint, the journey from Evenes sets the tone. Plan your connection, keep an eye on the weather, and let the E10 do the rest.