How to travel to and in Faroe Islands
Although the Faroe Islands may seem remote with their location in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean they can boast of very good connections to mainland Europe. We offer you our assistance in searching the best connection for you!
By air: There are direct flights from Denmark, England, Iceland and Norway year round.
By sea: There is a direct ferry Norröna with a link to Hirtshals in Denmark twice a week during the summer and once a week during the winter. Additionaly Norröna sails from Iceland to the Faroe Islands once a week during the summer connecting the Faroe Islands to Iceland and mainland Europe via the North Atlantic link.
Getting around: The road infrastructure in the Faroe Islands is very well developed and 70% of the population is connected by excellent roads, bridges and subsea tunnels – one of the subsea tunnels even has a fascinating light show installation by an artist. The car is the most common means transport and you will find several car rental agencies represented in the Faroe Islands. Furthermore, busses, ferries and even helicopters service most villages and islands on a regular basis.
Electricity and communication
The Faroese standard is a two-pin electric outlet with 220 volts AC and is common to most of the European countries. The telecommunications networks are of a high standard and cover most parts of the country.
To call Faroe Islands from abroad dial +298 + the 6 digit local number. If your mobile phone uses the GSM standard it is operational in the Faroe Islands, when there is a roaming agreement between your telephone company and a Faroese telephone company. If not, you can purchase a local Pay-As-You-Go telephone card/SIM card. You can buy Pay-As-You-Go telephone card in telecom shops, petrol stations and large supermarkets.
The expansion of the internet network is regularly developed and today nearly 100% of the Faroese have the possibility of broadband internet access. Internet terminals offering broadband access are found in tourist information offices, public libraries, hotel lobbies and some cafés
Safety and Health
The health risks while travelling in the Faroe Islands are minimal and it is not necessary to take special precautions. There should be no risk involved in eating local food or drinking water straight from the tap. In fact the water from the tap is both fresh and good.
Moving out into the countryside, you have to approach the Faroese landscape with great care. Please bear in mind that the weather can change any minute and so hiking and sailing conditions quickly can become hazardous.
In relation to crime, the Faroe Islands are one of the safest places in the world. Street crime is practically non-existent and you can walk around the streets in at any time of the day or night.
First aid is provided at the hospitals in Tórshavn, Klaksvík and Tvøroyri. For emergency assistance dial 112.
Equiment list
Most airlines allow 20kg of baggage weight. So it is good to know what you really will need for your journey. Of course, this depends on what you are planning to do hiking and outdoor activities, staying in hotels or on campgrounds, travelling by bus or with a private car. So we just like to give you a general list which reflects our experience about things are essential for a visit to the Faroe Islands.
Weather protection
To be best prepared for the weather condition – do it like an onion: use a multi-layer principal!
Adequate outdoor clothing should meet the following criteria:
- Insulate the body from cold
- water and wind proofed
- breathable to allow body moisture to escape
- light, flexible and packable.
Unfortunately no single item of clothing exists that fulfills all of the demands above. The solution is in the onion-principle with multi layers!Mostly used is a 3-layer structure whereby each has its own specialized role and purpose. A simple layering system consists of a transfer base layer next to your skin, next adjustable insulating layers, and then an outer shell to protect you from water and wind. And of course, take also care about:
- warm cap and gloves
- comfortable and waterproofed shoes
Helpful stuff
- Credit card: it is common to pay everything by credit card
- Camera equipment: Faroer Islands is a photographers paradise and you should ensure to have enough memory cards with you
- Binocular: for watching wildlife like birds and whales
