How To Get Around Tromsø (6 Diverse Options for Your Trip)

 Are you visiting Tromsø and are curious about how to get around the city? The Arctic city is surprisingly walkable and most people won’t even need to use another form of transport when there!

In this guide, I highlight some diverse ways for getting around Tromsø. I discuss how to get around Tromsø by bus, on foot, with a tour… and more!

Quick Tromsø Travel Guide


If you’re traveling to Tromsø last minute, be sure you have hotels and tours booked ahead of time. Below are some of my top picks:

🇳🇴 Top activities and tours in Tromsø:

  1. Best northern lights tour from Tromsø (my favorite aurora tour in Tromsø!)
  2. Reindeer feeding and Sami culture tour (most popular Sami tour; great for kids!)
  3. Ethical whale-watching tour with orcas and humpbacks (a Nov-Jan must!)

🛌 Top places to stay in Tromsø:

  1. Clarion ‘The Edge’ (Tromsø’s most beautiful hotel – on the sea!)
  2. Thon Hotel Tromsø (I stayed here twice and recommend it!)
  3. Radisson Blu (many tours leave from here – by harbor)

🍲 Popular places to eat in Tromsø: Fiskekompaniet, RUDA, Smak, Raketten Bar & Pølse, Bardus Bistro, Burgr, Mathallen

✈️ Want to get from the airport to Tromsø hassle-free? Find the best airport transfer option here!

If you have any questions about the best ways to get around Tromsø, or even what my preferred method of transportation in Tromsø is, leave a comment below or feel free to send me a message. Thanks!

1. Walking around Tromsø

The great thing about Tromsø is that the city center is very walkable.

Many of the popular tourist attractions are located close together, including the Polar Museum, the Perspective Museum, the Tromsø Cathedral, and the Troll Museum. Because of this, you’ll have no issue putting together an itinerary for sightseeing around these parts!

The beautiful scenery (as you walk around Tromsø)
The beautiful scenery (as you walk around Tromsø)

Even attractions located out of the city center (including The Arctic University Museum of Norway and Arctic Cathedral) can be reached within a 35-minute walk or so.

Norway also offers a 10,000-step challenge for some of its cities, with Tromsø being one of them. You can follow various routes, with some tailored towards art and history. There’s also plenty of information for those with reduced mobility.

2. Taking a City Bus (Svipper)

Getting around Tromsø by bus is very popular because it is very easy! City buses run daily from early morning to night, with there also being a night bus service on Friday and Saturday.

Tickets can be purchased onboard, at ticket machines and sale points, or on the Svipper app.

Svipper bus in Tromsø
Svipper bus in Tromsø
Taking a bus around Tromsø (can be crowded in winter).
Taking a bus around Tromsø (can be crowded in winter).

The app will also come in handy as you can plan your journey, look for departures, and check prices, as well as purchase your ticket. You can also plan your journey on the En Tur app.

Those who purchase the Tromsø Pass can enjoy a free bus ticket (either 24 hours or 7 days). This ticket can be used on all city buses.

3. Going by Taxi

For those who’d prefer more convenience or struggle with their mobility, you can get around Tromsø by using a taxi. And if you’re just moving about the city center, it is more affordable than it is in other cities (in my opinion).

Popular companies in the city include Din Taxi and Tromsø Taxi, both of which offer a full range of services. Both companies have a call center, or you can book online (or via the Taxifix app in the case of Tromsø Taxi). Download Taxifix in the iOS store here or the Google Play store here.

Uber was also launched in the city recently, offering travelers a fast and convenient way to get around.

Just be aware that taxi prices in Tromsø can be expensive, especially compared to other European cities, so it isn’t the best option for those on a lower budget. But, as mentioned above, I still think it is more affordable than other Norwegian cities (and you can find set rates on Tromsø Taxi’s site linked above).

4. Renting a Car

Although you won’t need a car rental to explore the city center, it will come in handy for those who want to head out of Tromsø.

Many attractions in the surrounding area such as the Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden and the Arctic University Museum of Norway are accessible on foot or by bicycle, but traveling by car will get you there much quicker.

One of my past rental cars in a Tromsø parking garage
One of my past rental cars in a Tromsø parking garage

At Tromsø airport, there’s a variety of car rental companies to choose from including Europcar, National Car, and Sixt.

For the best rental prices, I’d recommend checking out Discover Cars. This platform offers more vehicle availability and tends to have the best deals! This is where I have also rented all of my cars in Norway over the years!

5. Renting a Bike

If you’re feeling active, getting around Tromsø on a bicycle is a great option! It’s faster than walking and you won’t need to use public transport.

You can rent city bikes and e-bikes from Tromsø Outdoor (located in the city center) with prices typically starting from around 315 NOK ($32) for a 3-hour rental.

The bikes are equipped with a water bottle holder, rear luggage rack, stand, and mud fenders. You’ll also have a helmet, reflective vest, bike lock, repair kit, pump, and more included in your rental.

Tromsø Outdoor also offers e-bikes although these are considerably more expensive!

With this company, hotel delivery and pick-up are available and you can rent additional items including bike bags and bike racks. Please note that while this is a viable option, it is probably best to do outside of the winter season (for obvious reasons!).

6. Taking a Tour

Finally, you can explore Tromsø on a tour.

This private city tour lasts for 2 to 4 hours and you’ll have an experienced guide who will teach you all about the local area. You’ll have a flexible itinerary and the tour can be altered depending on your interests (whether that be food, culture, or sightseeing).

Another thing to remember when visiting Tromsø is that many of the outdoor activities are located out of the city center, so are best accessed by tour. This reindeer and Sami cultural tour is a popular option and one that I think can’t be missed on a visit to Tromsø!

Transportation to a tour | How to get around Tromsø, Norway
Transportation to a tour | How to get around Tromsø, Norway

Do you have any questions about getting around Tromsø? Let me know in the comments.

Fortunately, it is a very walkable city so I think that is a solid way to access all of the main sites… but this gives plenty of additional options in case you’re staying somewhere slightly outside the city center!

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