HI
Wanted to know what is the best and fastest way to reach Vesterålen from Helgeland - flight or ferries?
How long would a ferry take to reach Vesterålen? Do I need to make prior bookings? I want to do the whale safari (in mid- August 2010) by Arctic Whale Tours which start from Stø.
Thanks
You have not stated from where on Helgeland. Helgeland is large. There are 4 airports on Helgeland, and Hurtigruten also calls at several ports there.
Plane is no doubt the quickest. Check http://www.wideroe.no. It is the only airline which has flights where you want to go.You can look at the interactive route map to see where there are flights. Whatever airport you start at, you will have to change flight in Bodø.If you book your ticket now, it might also turn out to be the cheapest. An example, I just checked prices from Brønnøysund to Stokmarknes August 12th. It is possible to get tickets from 916NOK and the time will be 3.5 hours.
By ferry I assume you mean Hurtigruten. That will require more time, example given 25,5 hours from Brønnøysund to Sortland and you will arrive at Sortland 2.30 a.m. The price will most probably be higher, at least if you are going all the way from Brønnøysund. Go to http://www.hurtigruten.no to check yourself. Price will vary with from where you travel and if you get a cabin or not. It is possible to travel without a cabin. You can also save money by bringing your own food.
To decide what is the best choice for you, you will have to consider if it is most important to get from A to B as quick as possible, or to get an experience. Travel by Hurtigruten can be an experience. You will see the coast and Lofoten from the ship, and at least in Bodø (2.5 hours) and Svolvær (1hour) you will be able to go ashore. Another factor to
If you are travelling without a cabin, you do not have to prebook a ticket on Hurtigruten. But expect to pay full price. (You will most probably have to do that anyway.)
Else, I have not looked into how to get from Sortland or Stokmarknes to Stø. You could try to look at http://www.177nordland.no/
Edited by: IngaF
Edited by: IngaF