Norwegian Fjords Overland: Edinburgh to Tromsø by Rail, Bus and Ferry
13 days · Norway & Northern Scotland
G Adventures charges £5,600
No-markup version: ~£1,585 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 13-day version of G Adventures' Edinburgh-to-Tromsø expedition cruise, swapping the ship for scheduled ferries, trains and coastal buses. You still hit the Orkney and Shetland Neolithic sites, Bergen's Bryggen, the Flåm Railway, Geirangerfjord, Trondheim, Torghatten, Vega, Svartisen, the Lofoten islands and Tromsø — using NorthLink ferries, Vy trains, the Hurtigruten/express boats and Norwegian long-distance buses. Slower and less remote than a small-ship cruise, but a fraction of the price and entirely independent. Costs are approximate budget-traveller estimates in GBP, assuming hostel dorms/simple guesthouses, self-catering where possible, and May–September travel (Norwegian high season is expensive — book trains and ferries early).
Day-by-day
Edinburgh to Kirkwall by overnight ferry
Edinburgh → Kirkwall, Orkney
Spend the morning in Edinburgh (Old Town, Arthur's Seat if you're fresh) then walk or take the bus to Leith for the NorthLink Ferries sailing to Kirkwall. The overnight crossing takes roughly 6.5 hours; book a reclining seat or shared cabin in advance. Stock up on snacks at a Leith supermarket — onboard food is pricey.
🚌NorthLink Ferries Leith–Kirkwall overnight sailing, approx. £35–55 per person (seat); shared cabin ~£25–40 extra
🛏NorthLink ferry reclining seat or shared cabin (or Kirkwall hostel if arriving by day sailing)
- →Arthur's Seat hike
- →Old Town wander
- →NorthLink overnight ferry to Orkney
Orkney's Neolithic heartlands
Kirkwall & Stenness, Orkney
Get a local bus or hire a bike (Orkney Cycle Hire) and head west to the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. The Ring of Brodgar and Standing Stones of Stenness are free and open access; Skara Brae and Maeshowe are Historic Environment Scotland sites — buy a combined ticket or an Explorer Pass. Finish with a pint in Kirkwall and a look at St Magnus Cathedral.
🚌Local Orkney bus or bike hire, ~£10–15
🛏Kirkwall hostel or guesthouse, ~£28 dorm / £55 double
- →Ring of Brodgar
- →Standing Stones of Stenness
- →Skara Brae prehistoric village
- →Maeshowe chambered tomb
- →St Magnus Cathedral
Orkney to Shetland, Jarlshof and the cliffs
Lerwick, Shetland
Take the morning NorthLink ferry from Kirkwall to Lerwick (~5.5 hours, book ahead in summer). On arrival explore Lerwick's lodberries and the Shetland Museum (free). If timings allow, bus out to Jarlshof's Viking/Norse ruins at Sumburgh, or head to Sumburgh Head for puffins and seabirds (best May–July) via the local bus.
🚌NorthLink ferry ~£35–50; local bus to Sumburgh ~£6 return
🛏Lerwick hostel (e.g. Islesburgh House) or guesthouse, ~£30–60
- →NorthLink ferry Kirkwall–Lerwick
- →Shetland Museum
- →Jarlshof Norse ruins
- →Sumburgh Head seabird cliffs (seasonal)
Fly south to Bergen
Bergen, Norway
Loganair flies Sumburgh–Bergen (via Aberdeen, or direct on some seasonal services) — book well ahead, it's the fastest way across the North Sea. Alternatively ferry back to Aberdeen then fly to Bergen. Settle into a Bergen hostel, then walk Bryggen's UNESCO wharf, ride the Fløibanen funicular (~£12) up Mount Fløyen for the classic view, and eat fish soup or a fish-cake at the Torget market.
🚌Loganair Sumburgh/Aberdeen–Bergen flight ~£90–140 one-way; Fløibanen ~£12
🛏Bergen hostel (e.g. Marken Guesthouse) dorm ~£35–45
- →Bryggen waterfront walk
- →Fløibanen funicular to Mount Fløyen
- →Torget fish market
The Flåm Railway and a Nærøyfjord cruise
Bergen → Flåm → Bergen
Book the Vy 'Norway in a Nutshell' style package yourself: train Bergen–Myrdal, then the famous Flåm Railway down to Flåm, and an electric fjord cruise through the UNESCO Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen, then bus/train back to Bergen — or simply ride the Flåm Railway return and cruise the fjord from Flåm. All bookable individually via vy.no and norwaysbest.com for around £55–75 for the rail and £45–55 for the fjord cruise.
🚌Bergen–Myrdal train ~£18; Flåm Railway ~£40; fjord cruise ~£50; return bus/train ~£25
🛏Bergen hostel, ~£35–45 dorm
- →Vy train Bergen–Myrdal
- →Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana)
- →Nærøyfjord electric boat cruise
Bergen to Ålesund by coastal express boat or bus
Ålesund, Sunnmøre
Take the Hurtigruten or the express boat/bus route north toward Ålesund (long day, 8–10 hours; consider breaking the journey). In Ålesund, wander the Art Nouveau district rebuilt after the 1904 fire, then climb the 418 steps to Fjellstua viewpoint (free — a great budget alternative to Aksla's restaurant). The Sunnmøre Museum and Fisheries Museum are cheap rainy-day options.
🚌Express boat/bus Bergen–Ålesund ~£45–70
🛏Ålesund hostel or budget hotel, ~£40–60
- →Ålesund Art Nouveau walk
- →Fjellstua 418-step viewpoint
- →Sunnmøre Museum
Geirangerfjord and Dalsnibba
Geiranger
Bus from Ålesund to Hellesylt or Geiranger (summer services via FRAM). Cruise the Geirangerfjord on the public car ferry or a sightseeing boat past the Seven Sisters waterfalls, then take the seasonal bus up to Dalsnibba skywalk (~£28) for the classic UNESCO fjord panorama. Serious hikers can do the Skageflå or Vesteråsdal loop instead.
🚌Ålesund–Geiranger bus ~£20; fjord ferry ~£15; Dalsnibba bus ~£28
🛏Geiranger campsite cabin or hostel (e.g. Geiranger Camping), ~£35–55
- →Geirangerfjord ferry cruise
- →Dalsnibba Skywalk coach
- →Skageflå farm hike (optional)
Over the mountains to Trondheim
Trondheim
Long scenic bus/train day via Åndalsnes and the Raumabanen railway (one of Norway's prettiest lines) or direct coach to Trondheim. In town, visit Nidaros Cathedral (Norway's national shrine, ~£10) and the open-air Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum, or squeeze in a short Bymarka forest walk if you have daylight left.
🚌Geiranger–Åndalsnes–Trondheim bus/train ~£45–60
🛏Trondheim hostel (Trondheim Vandrerhjem) or budget hotel, ~£35–55
- →Raumabanen scenic railway
- →Nidaros Cathedral
- →Sverresborg Folk Museum
- →Bymarka forest walk
Torghatten's hole-in-the-mountain and Vega island
Brønnøysund & Vega
Take the train/bus north to Brønnøysund, then the short ferry to Torget and hike the easy 1-hour trail up through the natural hole in Torghatten mountain. In the afternoon, catch the ferry to Vega — a UNESCO World Heritage fishing landscape — and walk between the old fishing villages and eider-duck houses on the coastal path.
🚌Train/bus to Brønnøysund ~£30; Torghatten bus/ferry ~£8; Vega ferry ~£10
🛏Vega guesthouse or rorbu, ~£45–65
- →Torghatten hole-in-the-mountain hike
- →Ferry to Vega island
- →UNESCO Vega fishing villages walk
Across the Arctic Circle to Svartisen and Bodø
Bodø & Svartisen
Continue north by coastal express boat or bus toward Bodø, crossing the Arctic Circle. From the Holand area take the local boat across Svartisvatnet to the foot of Svartisen glacier for a self-guided walk to the ice edge (no crampons needed for the viewpoint — only on a guided glacier walk). Overnight in Bodø or a nearby fjord-side base.
🚌Express boat/bus north ~£50–70; Svartisen boat ~£20
🛏Bodø hostel or budget hotel, ~£40–60
- →Arctic Circle crossing
- →Svartisen glacier viewpoint walk
- →Bodø harbour and waterfront
Ferry to Lofoten: Nusfjord and Henningsvær
Lofoten Islands
Take the Bodø–Moskenes ferry (book ahead, ~£15–25 passenger) into Lofoten, then bus/train to Leknes or Svolvær. Visit the Stockfish Museum at Å, the preserved fishing village of Nusfjord and the art-village harbour of Henningsvær, ending with a short evening hike for the midnight-sun light (June–July). A Trollfjord RIB or sightseeing boat runs from Svolvær if you want the dramatic fjord by water.
🚌Ferry ~£18; local Lofoten buses ~£15; optional Trollfjord RIB ~£65
🛏Lofoten hostel/rorbu (e.g. Svolvær or Å), ~£45–70
- →Bodø–Moskenes ferry
- →Stockfish Museum, Å
- →Nusfjord fishing village
- →Henningsvær
- →Trollfjord boat trip (optional)
Lofoten hiking and north to Tromsø
Lofoten / Tromsø
Morning hike Reinebringen or Ryten if weather allows (both free, 2–4 hours). In the afternoon take the Hurtigruten or express boat/bus north toward Tromsø, or fly Svolvær/Evenes–Tromsø if you're short on time. Arrive in the 'Gateway to the Arctic' for a late-evening harbour walk.
🚌Boat/bus Svolvær–Tromsø ~£50; alternative short flight ~£70–110
🛏Tromsø hostel (e.g. Tromsø Vandrerhjem) or budget hotel, ~£45–70
- →Reinebringen or Ryten hike
- →Coastal journey north
- →Tromsø harbour evening walk
Tromsø: Arctic history, cable car and a slow finish
Tromsø
Visit the Polar Museum (Roald Amundsen's expedition history), wander the Arctic Cathedral across the bridge, and ride the Fjellheisen cable car (~£20) for views over the islands and mountains. If it's winter, book a northern-lights chase; in summer, do an easy coastal hike. Trip ends here — Tromsø has direct flights to Oslo and the UK.
🚌Local buses ~£5; Fjellheisen ~£20
🛏Tromsø hostel or budget hotel, ~£45–70 (final night or depart)
- →Polar Museum
- →Arctic Cathedral
- →Fjellheisen cable car
- →Coastal hike (optional)
- →Northern lights chase in winter (optional)
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,585 | £5,600 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £4,015 per person (72%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,585
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Norwegian Fjords Overland: Edinburgh to Tromsø by Rail, Bus and Ferry cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,585 per person for 13 days in Norway & Northern Scotland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £5,600 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,585 — a saving of roughly £4,015 (72%) per person.
How long is the Norway & Northern Scotland trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 day-by-day stops through Norway & Northern Scotland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Norway & Northern Scotland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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