Kirkenes Airport, located at Høybuktmoen, serves Norway's easternmost city, just kilometers from the Russian border.
It is the classic departure or arrival point for the Hurtigruten coastal route and an Arctic outpost with a history tied to proximity with the former Soviet Union.
How to get to Kirkenes Airport, Høybuktmoen
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to KKN
Parking near Kirkenes Airport, Høybuktmoen
The parking, compact, occupies the space opposite the terminal.
Rates are in line with Norwegian standards.
How to get to Kirkenes from KKN
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Kirkenes Airport, Høybuktmoen
Major car rental companies operate with dedicated desks near arrivals.
Basic documents are a driver's license, passport, and credit card; in winter, experience driving on snow and ice may be required.
Hotels near Kirkenes Airport, Høybuktmoen
Central Kirkenes
Flybussen in about 20 minutes from the airport (13-15 km), with schedules built around flights to/from Oslo; a taxi covers the same route at any time, at a higher cost.
Best for: Those who want the Hurtigruten harbour, the church and the Second World War museums a few minutes on foot, with the Flybussen stopping near the hotels.
- Harbour, church and the Andersgrotta bunker museum within walking distance of the centre
- The Flybussen with stops near the main hotels
- The Flybussen follows the schedules of Oslo-Kirkenes flights, not all the regional Widerøe connections
- Little else beyond the historic centre: excursions (sledding, bear watching) require an organised transfer
Recommended hotels
- Thon Hotel Kirkenes On the Bøkfjorden waterfront, a minute on foot from Kirkenes church and a few minutes from the Hurtigruten pier; an à la carte restaurant with local cuisine and organised snowmobile and dog-sled safaris. View availability
- Scandic Kirkenes On Kongens gate, in the heart of Kirkenes and about 2 km from the Hurtigruten pier; a convenient chain base, also designed for groups and conferences. View availability
Snowhotel at Sandnesdalen
About 8-10 km from central Kirkenes and about 10 km (15 minutes) from Høybuktmoen airport; the transfer must be arranged with the property, there are no public buses.
Best for: Those seeking the experience of sleeping in an ice igloo or a cabin on the fjord, halfway between the airport and the city centre.
- Ice rooms freshly carved every year with themed sculptures, plus heated cabins for those who don't want to sleep at just a few degrees above freezing
- A spa, sauna and a sled-dog kennel on site
- Isolated: without your own car you depend on transfers organised by the property
- No nightlife or alternative restaurant nearby
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is modest in size, with seasonal traffic related to arctic tourism.
Before departure, it is advisable to allow 2 hours as a safety margin for flights.
Map of Kirkenes Airport, Høybuktmoen
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can you visit the border with Russia from Kirkenes?
The area has been affected by travel restrictions following the Russia-Ukraine conflict: always check the latest situation before considering any visit.
Q. What is the Hurtigruten route?
A historic coastal ferry line connecting dozens of ports along the entire Norwegian coast: Kirkenes is its northernmost point, the terminus of the journey north.
Q. Does Kirkenes have a history linked to the Soviet Union?
Yes, the town was liberated by the Red Army in 1944 during the Second World War, an episode still remembered in local memory today.
Q. Can my phone connect to a Russian network near Kirkenes?
It can happen, since the town is just a few kilometres from the Russian border: it's worth checking your carrier's roaming settings to avoid unexpected costs if your phone connects to a foreign network.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
