Booking & Trip Planning
6 min readHow to Book the Faroe Islands: Flights, Ferries, and the Hiking Hut System
This article is part of: Faroe Islands in THE LONG EXHALE
The Faroe Islands have no airport runways longer than 1,500 meters. That means small aircraft, limited routes, and weather-dependent landings. There are no trains. The road system connects main islands, but ferries connect everything else. Accommodation is limited. None of this is a problem if you understand the booking sequence.
Here's the order that works.
Step 1: Book Flights (3–4 Months Ahead)
The main airport is Vágar (FAE), served by Atlantic Airways and occasionally SAS. Flight options:
Copenhagen → Faroe Islands direct:
Atlantic Airways, 2 hours, ~$120–180 (DKK850–DKK1,250) one-way. Not daily — typically 1–2 times per week.
Copenhagen → Reykjavik → Faroe Islands:
SAS or Atlantic Airways. 3–4 hours total. ~$150–220 one-way. More frequent (often daily).
Edinburgh → Faroe Islands direct:
Atlantic Airways, ~2.5 hours. ~$150–200 one-way. Rare but sometimes available.
Reality check: Flights fill fast, especially summer and holiday weeks. Book 8–12 weeks out if traveling in peak season (June–August). Winter has more availability but worse weather (occasional cancellations).
Use Skyscanner or Google Flights to find options, then book direct on Atlantic Airways (atlanticairways.com) for the best rates.
Step 2: Reserve Your Base Accommodations (2–3 Months Ahead)
Book your main residence first. You'll day-trip from here. Tórshavn (capital) is most convenient, but Streymoy, Vágar, and Eysturoy islands all have options.
Accommodation booking sites:
Booking.com — largest selection
Airbnb — many cottage and villa options
Local guesthouses — direct booking, sometimes cheaper
Prices: $40–80/night budget, $80–120 mid-range, $120–180+ splurge.
Book your longest stretch (typically 5–7 nights) first. This is your logistics hub. Everything connects from here.
Step 3: Plan Your Ferry & Road Routes (Before You Book Extra Accommodation)
The Faroes have 18 islands. Not all are inhabited. Ferries connect them, but schedules are seasonal and sometimes weekly, not daily.
Streymoy → VágarLocal ferry, included in road fee
Streymoy → EysturoyBridge (tunnel)
Eysturoy → BorðoyFerry
Borðoy → ViðoyFerry
Mývatn → Other islandsVariable
Critical step: Check the ferry schedule at Strandfaraskip Faeroya (SSL.fo) before booking accommodation on outer islands. If you want to stay on Viðoy and ferries only run twice weekly, that affects your flexibility.
Step 4: Car Rental (1–2 Months Ahead)
You need a car. Roads are single-lane with passing areas. Some tunnels are single-lane with traffic lights. An international driving permit is required for non-EU drivers.
Companies: Avis, Hertz, Budget. Expect $40–60/day for a small car. Book ahead — inventory is limited.
What you need: International driving permit (get before departure), EU license or US/Canadian license + IDP, credit card for deposit, minimum age (usually 20–25).
Step 5: Book Secondary Accommodations on Outer Islands (4–6 Weeks Ahead)
If you want to stay on quieter islands (Mývatn, Viðoy, Sandoy), book secondary guesthouses now. These are less reliably available than Tórshavn properties.
Many guesthouses are family-run and book direct. Call ahead or use Booking.com.
Step 6: Reserve Hiking Accommodations (If You're Doing Multi-Day Hikes)
The Faroes have a network of hiking huts (called "hytter"), but they're different from European Alpine huts. They're basic shelter — bunk beds, minimal facilities. You pack in your own food.
Booking system: Fiil.dk (Danish booking platform) or direct contact with hut owners.
Cost: $20–30 per night.
Hut routes:
Beinisvørð Hut (Viðoy island) — multi-day base
Saksun area huts (Streymoy) — day-hike accessible
Múlafossur hut (near Vágar) — short hikes nearby
Book these 2–3 months ahead if they're on your plan. Capacity is tiny (6–12 people per hut).
The Booking Timeline Table
12 weeks out
Check Atlantic Airways flight dates. Block your top 3 options.
10 weeks out
Book flights.
8 weeks out
Check ferry schedules on SSL.fo. Decide which islands you want.
8 weeks out
Book car rental.
6 weeks out
Book main accommodation in Tórshavn.
4 weeks out
Book outer island guesthouses if applicable.
4 weeks out
Book hiking hut stays if applicable.
2 weeks out
Confirm all bookings via email. Download ferry schedules offline.
1 week out
Check weather forecast. Prepare for changes.
Real Logistics Warnings
Weather delays: Planes can't land in severe wind. If you fly in and storm sets in, you might be stuck in Tórshavn or a ferry might not run. This isn't frequent, but it's possible.
Ferry reliability: Ferries run reliably within a season, but weather can cause delays. The system accounts for this — locals know about it.
Road closures: Some high passes close in winter. Check before driving to outer islands in Nov–Feb.
Limited supply shops: Outer islands have minimal grocery stores. Buy food in Tórshavn before heading out.
Money Moves
Book ferries through SSL.fo for best rates
Get a Faroe Islands road pass ($15 for 7 days unlimited road + included ferry to Vágar)
Use Danish krone (not all places accept card; bring cash)
Restaurant food is expensive ($18–28 for dinner); cook some meals in your accommodation
If you're ready to navigate the Faroes' minimal infrastructure, here's your booking roadmap.
Plan Your Faroe Islands Trip → | Read the Full Faroe Islands Guide →
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