Vadsø Airport - Flight Information and Guide (VDS)

Vadsø Airport serves the administrative capital of Troms og Finnmark County, in the far northeast of Norway, just minutes from the city center.

Vadsø has a historic Finnish-origin community (Kven) and was once an important mooring point for airships during Arctic expeditions of the early twentieth century.

Content verified on 04/09/2026

Official source: avinor.no/en/airport/vadso-airport

How to get to Vadsø Airport

Vadsø town center is just minutes from the airport: transfer takes approximately 4-5 minutes by bus or taxi.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach the city center of Vadsø in just a few minutes.

By Train

It is not possible to reach this airport by train.

By Bus

Line 150 connects the airport to the city centre in approximately 5 minutes, with three daily services on weekdays and Sunday.

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Tips The airship mooring mast in Vadsø, used during Amundsen and Nobile's polar expeditions in the 1920s, is still visible and is an interesting historical testimony.

Average travel time to VDS

TrainNot available

Shuttle bus5 minutes (limited services)

Taxi / Private hire4 minutes (11-14 USD)

Parking near Vadsø Airport

The parking is small and is located right opposite the terminal.

Rates are in line with Norwegian standards.

How to get to Vadsø from VDS

By Train

There is no direct train to the airport.

By Bus

Line 150 connects the airport to the city center in about 5 minutes, with limited service.

By Taxi

Taxis charge approximately 11-14 USD to the city center (approximately 4 minutes).

Need an airport transfer?

Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com

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Car rental at Vadsø Airport

It is possible to rent at desks from the main car rental companies in the arrivals area.

You will need a driver's license, passport, and credit card; in winter, snow tires are typically already included.

Hotels near Vadsø Airport

Vadsø is the administrative capital of eastern Finnmark, on the Varangerfjorden, with a single chain hotel a few minutes from the airport. There is no real choice of area: you sleep in the centre, close to the harbour and the town hall, with the ferry to Vardø and the king crab excursions as the main attractions. No airport bus: only taxi or rental car.

City centre

Central Vadsø

About 4 km from the airport, 5-10 minutes by taxi; there is no bus dedicated to Widerøe flights.

Best for: Those based in Vadsø for the king crab, the town museum or the ferry to Vardø, wanting the only full-service hotel in the city.

Pros

A central hotel, a short walk from Vadsø church and the tourist office
A convenient starting point for king crab fishing excursions in the Varangerfjord

Cons

Small rooms and bathrooms not always impeccable according to the most recent reviews
Limited parking and very few restaurant alternatives to the hotel in the centre

Recommended hotels

Scandic Vadsø The city's only chain hotel, about 4 km from the airport and a short walk from the town hall and Vadsø church. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport serves Vadsø, the county's administrative capital, historically linked to the Sami community and early 20th-century polar expeditions using airships.

Shopping & Duty Free

A proper duty-free area is not available due to the airport's small size.

Lounges & relaxation

No dedicated VIP lounges are present.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

The terminal offers Wi-Fi coverage in its public areas.

Families & Children

With no significant family user base, dedicated family services remain limited.

Terminal guide

The terminal is modest in size, consistent with its role as a regional administrative hub.

To avoid any risk, it is advisable to arrive with 1.5–2 hours of advance time for flights.

Map of Vadsø Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is the Vadsø airship mooring mast?

A historic structure used in the 1920s during Roald Amundsen's and Umberto Nobile's polar expeditions, which set off from here towards the North Pole with airships such as the Norge.

Q. Who are the Kven?

An ethnic minority of Finnish origin historically settled in northern Norway, with their own culture and language, particularly present in the Vadsø area.

Q. Is Vadsø the region's administrative capital?

Yes, it hosts the administrative offices of Troms og Finnmark county, in the far north-east of the country.

Q. Does Vadsø airport have many flight connections?

Flights, mainly to Kirkenes and Tromsø within the Finnmark regional network, run at limited frequency: it's worth booking ahead, especially in the winter months when local demand rises.