Faroe Islands
Getting around Faroe Islands: trains, buses, driving and domestic flights
There are no trains in the Faroe Islands. A hire car is the practical default: about 45 minutes from Vágar Airport to Tórshavn, 1 hour to Gjógv, DKK 600–1,200 a day plus tunnel tolls. Without a car, use Bygdaleiðir buses (Tórshavn–airport 55 min, DKK 20–100), Strandfaraskip ferries and subsidised Atlantic Airways helicopters. Book summer cars and the Mykines boat early; weather cancels both.
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- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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GuideFaroe Islands
Key facts
- Trains
- None anywhere in the islands
- Best default
- Hire car, DKK 600–1,200 a day plus tunnel tolls
- Airport to Tórshavn
- About 45 min by car or bus
- Bus (Bygdaleiðir)
- Tórshavn–airport 55 min, DKK 20–100; few Sunday departures
- Ferries (Strandfaraskip)
- Tórshavn–Suðuroy 2 h; Klaksvík–Kalsoy 20 min; Sørvágur–Mykines 45 min, DKK 40–400
- Helicopter (Atlantic Airways)check
- 10–20 min hops, DKK 145–215 one way; residents have priority
- Tunnel tolls
- Eysturoy and Sandoy tunnels billed after you drive
- Driving side
- Right; headlights on at all times
At a glance: mode by trip type
Match the mode to what you actually want to see. Villages and trailheads sit off the bus network, so a car buys time; the outer islands are reachable only by ferry or helicopter, so the timetable sets your day.
| Mode | Typical time | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hire car | 45 min airport–Tórshavn; 1 h to Gjógv | DKK 600–1,200 a day plus tolls | Villages, trailheads, flexible days |
| Bus (Bygdaleiðir) | Tórshavn–airport 55 min | DKK 20–100 | Main-village links without a car |
| Ferry (Strandfaraskip) | 20 min to 2 h | DKK 40–400 | Suðuroy, Kalsoy, Mykines |
| Helicopter (Atlantic Airways) | 10–20 min hops | DKK 145–215 one way | Island hops, e.g. Mykines |
| Guided tour | Day tours | DKK 800–1,500 | Non-drivers, one-day coverage |
Step by step: planning your transport
1. Decide whether you drive. If you are comfortable on narrow roads, single-lane tunnels and occasional sheep, book a car before you book anything else. Summer fleets are small and sell out.
2. Book the car early and check the pickup point. Most rentals sit at Vágar Airport or in Tórshavn; confirm whether the tunnel tolls are billed to your card later or paid at a booth.
3. Build the ferry and helicopter days around fixed departures. The Sørvágur–Mykines boat is weather-dependent and sells out; the Klaksvík–Kalsoy ferry is short but has a limited evening service.
4. Keep a weather day spare for every three planned. Fog, wind and swell cancel boats, helicopters and hikes with little notice.
5. If you are not driving, base yourself in Tórshavn and take buses to the main villages, then join a guided day tour for the places buses do not reach.
- Book the car first, then ferries, then accommodation.
- Check Sunday bus times before you commit to a village base.
- Screenshot timetables; mobile coverage is good but not everywhere.
Notes, traps and rules
Tunnel tolls on the Eysturoy and Sandoy links are usually billed after you drive, so the cost arrives on your card days later, not at a barrier. Ask the rental company how they handle it.
Buses are punctual but sparse. Some villages have almost no Sunday service, and a missed last bus can mean an expensive taxi or an unplanned night.
The Mykines boat and all helicopter flights are weather-dependent. Residents have priority on helicopters, and tourists are often limited to one-way bookings — check the current rules before you rely on a flight.
Guided tours cancel with weather too, so do not treat a tour as a guaranteed weather-proof plan.
Fuel stations are concentrated around Tórshavn, the airport and the larger villages; fill up before heading north or out to the outer islands.
FAQ
Sources and verification
Questions people ask
What is the best way to get around Faroe Islands?
A hire car. It reaches villages and trailheads the buses skip, and costs DKK 600–1,200 a day plus tunnel tolls. Without a car, use Bygdaleiðir buses between main villages, Strandfaraskip ferries and Atlantic Airways helicopters for the outer islands.
Do I need a car in Faroe Islands?
For villages, trailheads and flexible timing, yes. If you stay in Tórshavn and take guided day tours, you can manage without one, but you will see less and depend on sparse bus times.
Are there rail or bus passes for Faroe Islands?
There are no trains. Buses are run by Bygdaleiðir and fares are per trip, roughly DKK 20–100; check current multi-day or travel-card options with the operator before you buy.
How do I get from Vágar Airport to Tórshavn?
About 45 minutes by car or by bus. The bus is the cheap option; a hire car gives you the freedom to stop on the way.
Can I reach the outer islands without a car?
Yes, by Strandfaraskip ferry or Atlantic Airways helicopter. Both are weather-dependent, and the Mykines boat sells out, so book ahead and keep a spare day.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialVisit Faroe Islands
- officialStrandfaraskip Landsins (ferries and buses)
- officialAtlantic Airways (helicopter)
- secondaryWikivoyage – Faroe Islands