Kirkenes
Plan your visit
Kirkenes is located in the north-eastern corner of Norway, at the border with Russia. Here is what you need to know to get here and find accommodation.
Kirkenes on the map
Kirkenes is located in the far north-east of Norway – 15 km from the Russian border, 500 km north of the Arctic Circle and closer to Moscow than to Bergen.
Getting to Kirkenes
By plane
The fastest option to Kirkenes is by plane. Kirkenes Airport Høybuktmoen (KKN) has daily departures.
- Norwegian and SAS fly to Kirkenes from Oslo Airport – travel time approx. 2 hours
- Regional routes via Tromsø and Alta with Widerøe
- Check the airlines' websites for updated routes and prices
Hurtigruten
Kirkenes is the northernmost stop on Hurtigruten's classic coastal route from Bergen – a journey along the Norwegian coast that is an experience in itself.
- Bergen to Kirkenes takes approx. 6 days northbound along the coast
- Stops at over 30 ports along the way, including Ålesund, Tromsø and Honningsvåg
- Perfect combination: travel with Hurtigruten one way and fly the other
- See hurtigruten.com for departures and prices
By car
If you want to take your time and experience Finnmark along the way, driving is a great option.
- The E6 is the main road to Kirkenes – it goes all the way to the town centre
- From Oslo it is approx. 2,400 km, equivalent to 2–3 days of driving
- Roads can be challenging in winter – check vegvesen.no for road conditions
- Gives you freedom to stop along the way at North Cape, Alta and across the Finnmark plateau
Accommodation
Hotel · Open year-round
Scandic Kirkenes
Centrally located hotel in Kirkenes town centre with modern facilities. Suitable for both leisure and business travellers.
Hotel · Open year-round
Thon Hotel Kirkenes
Thon Hotel is located in the heart of Kirkenes and offers comfortable rooms with views of the Arctic landscape.
Snow hotel · December – April
Kirkenes Snow Hotel
A truly unique accommodation built from ice and snow every year. Artistically decorated rooms, ice bar and reindeer skin on the beds. See our experience page for more information.
Practical tips
Dress for the season
In winter, temperatures can drop to −30°C. Bring extra layers, good boots and mittens.
Plan around your experience
Northern lights and the snow hotel require a winter visit (Sep–Apr). Midnight sun and kayaking are best May–August.
Time zone
Kirkenes follows Norwegian time (CET/CEST). Russia does not observe summer time, so the neighbour to the east is 2 hours ahead in winter and 1 hour ahead in summer.
Far to the north-east
Kirkenes is Norway's second easternmost town. It is actually closer to Moscow than to Bergen from here.