Alta Airport serves the Norwegian city renowned for its UNESCO-listed rock carvings, among Europe's most extensive, just minutes from the city center.
It is a popular departure point for northern lights viewing, thanks to its geographic position often favored by clear skies compared to other northern Norwegian areas.
How to get to Alta Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to ALF
Parking near Alta Airport
In front of the terminal is a small parking area.
Rates are in line with Norwegian standards.
How to get to Alta from ALF
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Alta Airport
The arrivals area includes desks from the main car rental companies.
A driver's license, passport and credit card are needed; in winter, snow tires are normally already included.
Hotels near Alta Airport
Central Alta
5-10 minutes by car or taxi from the airport, about 3.5 km; several hotels in the centre offer a shuttle on request.
Best for: Those who want the city centre, the Northern Lights Cathedral and the restaurants a short walk away, with a brief transfer from the airport.
- The Northern Lights Cathedral and shops within walking distance
- The shortest transfer among all those covered in this guide, just a few minutes by taxi
- Outside the centre there are few signs of life: evening life is concentrated on a couple of streets
- For arctic excursions (igloo, huskies) you still need a car or an organised tour
Recommended hotels
Alta river valley (Sorrisniva)
About 20-25 minutes and 10-13 km from the airport heading up the Alta river valley; some properties offer a paid shuttle on request.
Best for: Those who want an immersive arctic experience — ice igloos, husky sled rides, themed dinners — without going back to town in the evening.
- The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, rebuilt every winter, carved from 250 tonnes of ice and 7,000 m3 of snow
- A quiet area along the river, away from the city lights: better for watching the northern lights
- You need a car or an organised transfer: there is no public transport along the valley
- The Igloo Hotel is only open seasonally, from late December to early April
Recommended hotels
- Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel The world's northernmost ice hotel, rebuilt every winter on the banks of the Alta river; a starting point for huskies, snowmobiles and Sami experiences. Seasonal opening, from 20 December to 7 April. View availability
- Trasti & Trine Boutique Hotel A lodge set in the forest along the Alta river, about 10 km from the city; dinners with local ingredients and a kennel with 60 Alaskan huskies for excursions. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is compact, with heavy seasonal tourist traffic related to the northern lights.
It's advisable to arrive at the airport with 2 hours' notice before flights.
Map of Alta Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. What are the Alta rock carvings?
A vast complex of prehistoric carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage site, among the largest and most important in Europe, depicting hunting scenes and daily life from thousands of years ago.
Q. Why is Alta popular for the northern lights?
Its relatively drier climate and often clearer skies compared to other areas of northern Norway make it one of the preferred destinations for viewing them, with numerous tours organized from the town.
Q. Is it worth renting a car in Alta to visit the rock carvings and the best spots for the northern lights?
Yes: both the rock carving site and the darkest, most scenic areas for viewing the northern lights are outside town, and public transport in this part of Finnmark remains limited outside school hours.
Q. Does Alta Airport have direct international flights?
Connections are mostly domestic, to Oslo, Tromsø and other Norwegian cities; check the available options when booking.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
