A Full Guide to Parking in Tromsø (Tips, Garages, & More)

Post overview: Are you heading to Norway’s Arctic and are curious about parking in Tromsø? This guide contains everything to know before you go, including information about the EasyPark app, street parking, parking garages, and some rules/regulations. We also disclose pricing and some insider tips.

One thing is for certain: parking in Tromsø is expensive. If you can avoid renting a car for your trip, do it. However, if you’re insisting on renting a car (and are a skilled driver), please proceed with this post that tells you everything you need to know about parking in Tromsø.

Tromsø’s parking situation is often the bane of my existence. I have my own car and am always in Tromsø for a week or so when I am there. The amount of money I spend on parking is essentially the price of an affordable hotel when it’s all said and done. But… you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.

In this guide, I break down how to park your car in Tromsø, including various lots across the city center, how to use the EasyPark App, and some things to know before you consider driving into the city center. Do know that most hotels in the city do NOT offer free parking with your stay.

If you have any questions, let us know down in the comments. Thanks!

Parking in Tromsø Overview

The one thing you’re going to need to know before diving into this post is that parking in Tromsø is expensive. And almost never free.

There are a few parking garages and lots throughout the Tromsø city center, as well as limited street parking. The main parking garages in Tromsø are Fjellet (the tunnel parking), Seminaret, and Vervet. There are also smaller lots scattered throughout the center of town, but they are often filled with locals’ cars while they are at work. All of these lots are paid.

Street parking is kind of a nightmare in Tromsø, so I would recommend not doing it at all. There is a 1-hour time limit, and during the winter months, you often can’t park there at all. Most places don’t allow overnight parking at any time of the year, too.

If you are going to be street parking at all, you will need to use the EasyPark app. I discuss more about it below.

There is also a bit of information about Tromsø Airport parking, which is a lot that is rather affordable compared to city center parking (although you really shouldn’t use it unless you’re flying). I have used it before when I went to Svalbard, and it was such a sigh of relief compared to the prices I pay in the center.

Okay, let’s get into things!

Street Parking in Tromsø

Across Tromsø city center, there are around 750 street-based parking spots; these are all paid for during the week and on Saturday. In general, street parking is free in the evenings and on Sundays. These spots are marked with a white P on a blue background sign.

Under the sign, you will see the timeframe during which it is paid and the max parking time. The first time frame is for weekdays and typically states 08-20 (8 am – 8 pm).

Underneath this time is a time in brackets, which is typically 08-18 (8 am – 6 pm), which is the paid parking time on Saturdays.

Sundays and times outside of those stated are free. Under the timeframes, there might be additional text, which will state the max amount of time you are allowed to park there during the paid period, which will typically read as follows: “Maks 2 time mot avgift”, which translates as “max 2 hours of parking”.

Additionally, some areas in the city also state that parking overnight is not allowed; these will appear as red numbers displaying a time range, typically between 23-07.

If you see a blue parking shield with the following text (like above): P-kort for beboere og næringsdrivende, you should not park there, as this is only for residents or permit holders. 

By the parking area, there should be a machine where you can pay with cash or, most of the time, a card.

Alternatively, use the EasyPark app; the machine will indicate the correct parking area to be selected on the EasyPark app. I love using the EasyPark app for street parking, as I can adjust the time when needed, and if I know I will only be there for 10 minutes, I can pay for very small incremental amounts of parking within the app.

For example, if you arrive at the parking spot at 7.50 pm, you can just pay for those 10 minutes in the app. If you turn the dial on EasyPark past the paid parking time, it won’t charge, nor will it take payments on Sunday if parking is free then.

More About the EasyPark App

Parking throughout Tromsø is controlled either by parking meters or the EasyPark app. The easiest way to manage your parking is by far using the app, and it is how I personally pay for my parking throughout the Nordics.

Before arriving in Tromsø, I recommend having the EasyPark app downloaded and set up. If you are traveling with your own car, then you can already put your license plate into your profile. However, if you are renting a car, you will need to add the car to the app when you pick it up.

Once in the app, you can opt for a paid subscription or the free version. If you are planning on using the app a lot, I would recommend getting the paid version, which costs around 5 euros a month and can be cancelled at any point. The free version will include a service fee of 15% of the cost of your parking, which can quickly add up given the cost of parking in the city. 

Payment for EasyPark can be made with credit cards, PayPal, or direct debit. Other options may be available depending on the type of phone you use and the country your app store is in.

On the app, you can see where parking is allowed and whether it is camera-monitored parking or not. For regular parking places, once you park, open the app, make sure you’re in the correct parking zone, and then turn the dial to set how long you need to park.

If you realize you need it for longer, then you can open up that app before the time expires and add more time. For camera-monitored parking areas, once you park, open the app and confirm the parking start, and it will then track your coming and going based on number plates. 

EasyPark is the most widely used app, but there are a few places that don’t accept it, so you will need to check whether you can use the app there or otherwise pay at a meter instead of EasyPark. 

Parking Garages in Tromsø

There are three main parking garages in the city center, each with its own rules. Unlike street parking, there are parking fees 24/7 in these garages. In parking garages, you must ensure that you are parked within the space to avoid any parking fines.

Fjellet Parking Garage (Where I Usually Park)

Fjellet Parking Garage (Fjellet P-Hus) is a large underground/tunnel based parking area in Tromsø and has around 900 parking spaces and is open 24/7. I tend to park here when I am in the city for the day, as I always seem to find a space.

Within the tunnel network, there are parking sections and then a long main service road which has street parking-style options. When you enter the garage, you will get a parking ticket, which you need to keep either with you or in your car.

You will pay for your parking before leaving at one of the machines located within the parking facility. Prices are as follows: Monday to Saturday, between 8 am and 6 pm 45NOK ($4.50)  per hour; outside of these hours 25NOK ($2.50) per hour.

There is a max 24-hour parking fee of 450NOK ($45). You can park in the tunnel for up to 14 days; for longer stays, you need to arrange it in advance. If you lose your ticket, you will be charged the 24-hour parking fee.

I find the most challenging part of this garage to be the entrance and exit points, as it is quite an extensive network! I tend to use the entrance at Håkon den Gamles gate 1 to enter, and kind of exit wherever is easiest. Within the tunnels, GPS doesn’t work, so just enjoy the surprise exit point! 

Cars with trailers and Motorcycles are not allowed to park in the garage, and cars over 2.20m will not fit. There are no electric car charging points in Fjellet Parking Garage.

Seminaret Car Park

To the right after crossing the bridge into Tromsø, you will find Seminaret P-Hus, which is an above-ground parking garage. Spaces here are limited, as the first level is only for permit holders, while the top level is paid parking open to everyone.

Unlike Fjellet parking, this is a barrier-free parking area, and parking will need to be paid in advance via a prepayment machine or the EasyPark app.

The parking prices are as follows: Monday to Saturday, between 8 am and 6 pm 45NOK ($4.50)  per hour; outside of these hours 25NOK ($2.50) per hour. There is a max 24-hour parking fee of 450NOK ($45).

If you intend to park there for more than 14 days, you will need to arrange this in advance. However, if you plan to stay longer than four days, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a month pass for the garage. 

Purchasing a monthly pass is a little bit complicated, as you will need to sign up on the Tromsø Parkering website. This will need to be done well in advance of your arrival, as you will need to submit an application to the authority. This isn’t the most convenient option for those hiring a car. The price for a monthly pass is 1796 NOK (about $190).

Vervet Parkhus

In the city’s newest district, you will find the new Vervet Parkhus. An underground garage with 246 parking spaces, 122 of which offer EV charging. This parking garage is definitely on the expensive side, and I personally wouldn’t choose to park there unless there are no other options.

The garage is open daily between 6 am and midnight. You can still park there overnight; you just won’t be able to access your car during the middle of the night. 

The first 15 minutes are free; after that, you will be charged by the half hour. Between 8 am and 6 pm, the price is 23.75 NOK ($2.50) per 30 minutes. Outside of these hours, the price is 10.75 NOK ($1.15) per 30 minutes. There is also an additional service fee of 1.25 NOK ($0.15) per 30 minutes, but this is capped at 20 NOK ($2.10) per day.

The max parking fee per 24 hours is 500 NOK ($53). Parking is monitored by license plate recognition, so to pay, you can either confirm it in the EasyPark app, use a machine in the parking garage before you leave, or pay via the Parkly website within 48 hours of leaving the garage.  

The price for charging your EV is 5 NOK ($0.50) per kWh. This can also be paid for via the EasyPark app. The app will also show you the most reliable chargers in the garage, and how many are available to use within the garage. 

One big positive of the garage is that it is heated, which is great if your car has got iced up while driving around outside of the city center! There are also high ceilings within the parking area, meaning some taller cars can also park there. 

Parking at the Tromsø Airport

If you are visiting Tromsø as part of a longer Northern Norway trip, and don’t plan to use your car while in the city center, then I recommend utilizing the parking at the Tromsø Airport. The long-term parking spots at the airport are far cheaper than in the city center, with daily rates starting at 193 NOK ($20.50) a day for the outdoor P3 car park. 

You can book the parking directly via the Tromsø airport website. You will need to, however, specify the exact dates and time you plan to park there to secure a parking spot. After dropping off your car, you will then have to take a bus or taxi from the airport to the city center. 

Parking at Hotels in Tromsø

Unfortunately, the vast majority of hotels in Tromsø do not offer free parking. In the city center, there are a few hotels where you can pay for private hotel parking, but these prices start at 350 NOK ($37) per night.

These hotels include First Hotel Skansen and First Hotel Tromsø City. St Elisabeth Hotel & Spa also offers private parking at 400 NOK ($42.50) a night. Many of the hotels further out of the city center also offer paid parking at a cheaper rate. The Moxy, which is closer to the airport, charges 170 NOK ($18) a night. 

If parking is a must, then it might make more sense to book an apartment close to the city center with parking. 

Tromsø Parking Rules and Regulations

The traffic rules in Norway are pretty much the same as anywhere else in mainland Europe, and it is advisable to learn them before arriving. For example, there is no turning right on a red light, and in 30 zones you must give way to cars coming from the right.

There is no general street parking in the city center, so you must only park where there is a white P on a blue sign displayed. For more information on some of the rules, you can see the Tromsø Parkering website.

If you are stopping for a quick moment to pick someone up or drop something off, do not park with your hazard lights on, as this typically signifies a medical emergency.

Traffic and parking violations in Norway come with very hefty fines, so I highly recommend staying on the right side of the law. If it is not clear you can park somewhere, I wouldn’t risk it and would just look for a place where you can definitely park.

Where to Park in Tromsø FAQ

Is parking free in Tromsø city center?

No, it is not free to park in Tromsø city center. There is also no free parking at most hotels in the city center. This leaves a few options for visitors and it is all paid.

What parking options are there in the center?

In Tromsø center, you can park at one of the designated parking lots like the Fjellet Parking Garage (Fjellet P-Hus), Seminaret P-Hus, or Vervet P-Hus. These are all paid options. Parking on the side of the street is permitted for only one hour during the week (and a bit longer on Sundays). Overnight parking is never permitted in Tromsø’s city center.

Should I rent a car for northern lights hunting, or take a tour?

No, you should not rent a car specifically for a northern lights tour unless you’re someone who has seen the northern lights many times and are capable of going to find clear skies on your own. In addition, you must be skilled with winter weather (ice and snow) to drive in and around Tromsø. Do not consider renting a car if you are not.

You can easily take a northern lights tour in Tromsø from August until April, so there is no need to rent a car during this time.

Do snow and winter weather change the parking rules?

Yes, a heavy snowfall can actually make street parking illegal altogether. During the winter, it is safer to park inside a parking garage.

Do you have any questions about where to park in Tromsø? Let us know in the comments. Thanks!

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