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Our famous route connecting local communities since 1893

Our Original voyages connect Norway’s local communities and have been the heart and soul of the coast since 1893.  

What to expect on your Original voyage

A living legacy

Experience the original Coastal Express that Hurtigruten founded over 130 years ago, loved for generations.  

All the flavours of Norway

Local ingredients for our Norway’s Coastal Kitchen onboard food concept are sourced where we sail at 15 ports.  

Communities of all sizes

The Coastal Express sails day and night to 34 diverse ports, from frontier Arctic cities to quiet fishing villages.   

Travel like a local

Travel alongside local Norwegians as our ships bring passengers, cargo, and cars to different communities. 

The Original, since 1893

USA has Route 66. Japan has the Shinkansen bullet train. For Norway, we have Hurtigruten’s The Coastal Express. Welcome to the original Norwegian coastal voyage, sailing our famous route that began all those years ago by our founder, Captain Richard With

For over 130 years, our fleet of ships has faithfully served the people of the Norwegian coast every year, every season, every week, through sun, snow, and storms. We’ve brought food, medicine, letters, and loved ones from near and far, and connected the nation together. 

MS Nordlys sailing in the breathtaking Geirangerfjord, one of the most spectacular fjords in Norway

Our Original voyages

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The Coastal Express

The voyage that gave us our name, heralded as ‘The World’s Most Beautiful Voyage’ by Lonely Planet. 

  • Sailing all year 

  • 12 days, visiting 34 ports twice 

  • Average of 6 ports per day 

  • Port calls both day and night, staying from 10 minutes to 4 hours

  • 70+ optional seasonal excursions 

Sailing under the magic of the Northern Lights

The Coastal Express - Flights & Tours

Packaging our Original voyages together with inclusive flights, hotels, and overland tours. 

  • 12-day The Coastal Express – including direct flights from the UK 

  • 12-day Astronomy Voyage 

  • 16-day Complete Norway – Northern Lights

  • 16-day Complete Norway – Midnight Sun

You can explore the sights of Trondheim on an optional guided tour

The Coastal Express - Short Voyages

Pick from different sections of our famous route for the ideal long weekend or for tailormade trips. 

  • Sailing all year 

  • 5 days or less 

  • Average of 6 ports per day 

  • Port calls both day and night, staying from 10 minutes to 4 hours in port 

‘The World’s Most Beautiful Voyage’

That’s how Lonely Planet described The Coastal Express. It is 12 days, 34 ports big and small, and 2,500 nautical miles from southwestern Norway to the Arctic Norwegian border and back.  

Our Original voyages on The Coastal Express take you to places in Norway of unmatched scenery and wonder: the world’s most spectacular fjords, mountains, and islands. Land of the never-ending Midnight Sun in summer. Realm of the mesmerising Northern Lights all other seasons of the year.  

Looking out over the Art Nouveau city of Ålesund from Mount Aksla
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The charm of everyday Norway

Our fleet has sustained Norway’s coastal communities over some four generations. Generations who have grown up welcoming us week in, week out, as we bring goods and visitors from afar.  

It’s only natural then that our ships have a special place in the hearts of many local Norwegians, like a member of the family or a faithful old friend. 

Many Norwegians still use our ships today to return to their home on the coast. For our guests, you’ll see heart-warming scenes of people greeting and hugging one another at many of our ports. 

Local ingredients, local flavours

With our Norway’s Coastal Kitchen concept, our ships are floating kitchens, sourcing ingredients where we sail on the bountiful Norwegian coast. At 15 of the 34 ports The Coastal Express sails to, we pick up regional food and drinks to serve you on board. It’s as fresh and as local as it gets.  

Most of the food and drink on board our Original voyages are farmed, fished, foraged, and made in Norway from a vast network of Norwegian suppliers. In this way, the fjords are our fish tanks, the mountains our herb garden. 

Cheese from Aalan farm

Excursions on our Original voyages

These add-on seasonal experiences create special memories for your voyage, allowing you to go further, see deeper, and enjoy more of Norway. With different activity levels and themes to choose from, you can tailor-make your trip to you and your interests.

A church in the village of Sæbø in the Hjorundfjord

Hjørundfjord - tastes and traditions

Explore the beautiful Hjørundfjord aboard a vintage ship and treat your tastebuds to a delicious four-course meal made of premium local ingredients and prepared on a 16th century farm.

Starts from

Ålesund

Seasons

Winter (Nov - Mar)

Price from

£226

Duration

6 hours 30 minutes

A RIB tour in Bodo and Saltstraumen

RIB Safari To Saltstraumen

Journey by boat to Saltstraumen, home to the world’s strongest tidal current. Learn more about the history and geology of this fascinating area during the boat ride.

Starts from

Bodø

Seasons

Spring (Apr - May), Summer (Jun - Aug), Autumn (Sep - Oct)

Price from

£159

Duration

2 hours

A group of Sami people in traditional dress

Sámi Culture

Meet an indigenous Sámi family in their traditional gamme to learn more from them about their way of life and their remarkable culture.

Starts from

Kjøllefjord – beautiful wilderness where nature rules

Ends at

Mehamn

Seasons

Spring (Apr - May), Summer (Jun - Aug), Autumn (Sep - Oct)

Price from

£117

Duration

2 hours 30 minutes

A group of people riding skis on a snowy hill

Husky Tour

Be immersed in the Arctic wilderness on a husky sled ride that brings you through forests, across plains, and over frozen lakes.

Starts from

Kirkenes – right on the border

Seasons

Spring (Apr - May), Winter (Nov - Mar)

Price from

£285

Duration

3 hours

Driving the Atlantic Road on a sunny day

The Atlantic Road

Enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful drives as we follow the scenic Atlantic Road on this relaxing journey along the majestic coastline.

Starts from

Kristiansund – home of the Bacalao

Ends at

Molde – the City of Roses

Seasons

Spring (Apr - May), Summer (Jun - Aug)

Price from

£167

Duration

4 hours 30 minutes

Our Coastal Express fleet

Fall into the peaceful rhythm of life at sea, gazing at the coast from the lounge, gym, sauna, or outdoor hot tubs. To learn more about Norway, join the Coastal Experience Team for a lecture.

MS Kong Harald sailing quietly along the Norwegian coast

MS Kong Harald

Norway’s reigning monarch, a seasoned sailor, lends his name to this remarkable hybrid vessel.
Hybrid
Exploring the Norwegian coast with MS Midnatsol

MS Midnatsol

Previously MS Maud, MS Midnatsol is named after the Midnight Sun, the phenomenon that occurs in northern Norway every summer when the sun doesn’t set for 24 hours.
MS Nordlys sailing past Torghatten, an icon on the Norwegian coast

MS Nordlys

Both the name and the interior design of this modern ship are inspired by the spectacular Northern Lights.
MS Nordkapp sailing on a summer’s day along the Norwegian coast

MS Nordkapp

MS Nordkapp is named after the northernmost point on mainland Europe: North Cape (71ºN) - one of the geographical highpoints you can visit on a Hurtigruten voyage.
MS Nordnorge on a winter sailing near Molde

MS Nordnorge

MS Nordnorge is aptly named for northern Norway, most of which lies above the Arctic Circle.
MS Polarlys sailing past the statue of Fiskerkona as it enters the port of Svolvær

MS Polarlys

Polarlys is Norwegian for `polar light´, and refers to the natural Arctic phenomenon we pursue in winter.
MS Richard With arriving in the port of Finnsnes

MS Richard With

MS Richard With proudly carries the name of Hurtigruten's founder.
Hybrid
MS Vesterålen is the smallest ship in the Hurtigruten fleet

MS Vesterålen

MS Vesterålen is one of the oldest and smallest ships, named after an archipelago in Nordland country and the first Coastal Express steamship from 1893.

Discover our Signature voyages

All-inclusive sailings to our top handpicked places on the coast

  • Several hours to fully experience up to 14 ports    

  • All-inclusive and award-winning Norway’s Coastal Kitchen cuisine  

  • Wide choice of inclusive drinks in the ship's restaurants and bar   

  • Larger Coastal Experience Team on board for more guiding  

Signature Voyages