Everything You Need to Know About Booking Flights to the Faroe Islands

Look at a map of Europe, and you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Faroe Islands are nigh-on impossible to get to. But despite being geographically isolated, this stunning archipelago is surprisingly easy to reach. Nonetheless, booking flights to the Faroe Islands may include a few more steps than what you’re used to. 

I visited the Faroe Islands for the first time in March 2024 and was blown away by its natural beauty. However, it took me much longer to check the Faroes off my bucket list than I would have liked. The main reason is that I didn’t know where to start with organizing my trip. To ensure that this doesn’t happen to you and you can experience this wonderful gem for yourself, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide. 

My aim is that you’ll have all the essential information you need to book your flights to the Faroe Islands and plan a memorable trip. Expect to learn about flight routes, average costs, and what to do once you’ve booked your flights.

How Many Airports Does the Faroe Islands Have?

Vágar Airport (FAE) is the only commercial airport on the Faroe Islands, and as such, it’s where all international flights arrive. The airport is around 45 minutes from the capital, Tórshavn; I found it to be relatively small but rather efficient. 

Which Airlines Fly to the Faroe Islands? 

A handful of international airlines, namely Atlantic Airways, SAS, Wilderøe, and Icelandair, fly to the Faroe Islands.

Atlantic Airways is the Faroe Islands’ national airline. Some of its routes are seasonal, but others are year-round. Its main route is from Copenhagen, which is how I reached the archipelago. 

Wilderøe operates flights from Bergen to the Faroe Islands from March through December. You might want to consider combining your adventure with a trip to Norway’s second-biggest city; Bergen itself is a lovely place to visit for a few days. Icelandair operates direct flights from April to October.

Top Tip: Fly With Atlantic Airways If Possible

Besides having the most flights year-round, I recommend flying with Atlantic Airways because they have a more generous baggage allowance. Even if you buy the cheapest flight ticket, you can check in one bag weighing up to 23kg (in addition to your carry-on baggage allowance). 

The two more expensive flight tickets, Flex and Flex+, let you check in two pieces of baggage up to 23kg each. 

From Which Cities Can You Fly to the Faroe Islands? 

Copenhagen is the main flight route to the Faroe Islands, with multiple daily flights throughout the year. The journey takes around two hours. 

It’s also possible to fly to the Faroe Islands from the UK. Atlantic Airways operates two flights per week from Edinburgh to the Faroe Islands from March to December. Meanwhile, you can catch flights from London Gatwick twice per week from June to August. 

You can catch year-round flights from Reykjavík, Billund, and Oslo, too. If you’re flying via the Icelandic capital, I recommend visiting Reykjavík for a few days and then continuing your onward journey.

Other flight routes to the Faroe Islands include:

• Paris: April to October 
• Aalborg:  Summer 
• Gran Canaria: December to April 
• Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca: June to August 

If you’re visiting the Faroe Islands from North America, your easiest year-round option is to first fly to Reykjavík or Copenhagen. 

Why I Recommend Flying to the Faroe Islands From Copenhagen

Since you can catch daily flights from Copenhagen, I think that the Danish capital is your best option. Maybe I’m biased because I live here, but I also think that Copenhagen is an amazing city to visit for a short layover. You’ll find plenty of things to do here, regardless of whether you’re visiting in the winter or another time of the year.

Copenhagen Airport is also very efficient and a pleasant place to wait for your flight. It has several excellent shops and restaurants, and you’re also not too far from the city center if you have some time to spare.

How Much Do Flights to the Faroe Islands Cost?

Expect to pay between $200 and $500 for flights to the Faroe Islands. I paid just over $275 for return flights between Copenhagen and the Faroes in March 2024, but when researching this article, I actually found cheaper flights in the summer. 

In addition to your flights to and from the Faroe Islands, you should budget accordingly for any connecting flights from your home country—especially if you’re visiting from North America.

To help you find ideal prices, I suggest using Google Flights’ average price checker. You can also set up notifications on Skyscanner so that you know when prices increase or decrease.

Do I Need a Visa to Visit the Faroe Islands?

You might need a tourist visa to visit the Faroe Islands, but it depends on your nationality. It’s also important to remember that your visa must specifically be for the Faroe Islands if you do need one. Having one to visit Denmark is not enough, even though the Faroes are part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

If you’re an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, you don’t need a visa to visit the Faroe Islands. I recommend having at least six months’ validity left on your passport. 

You also don’t need a visa to visit the Faroe Islands if you’re a citizen of the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand.

One important thing to note is that if you’re a citizen of a country requiring a visa to visit the Faroes, you’ll still need one even if you have a Danish residence permit. You can apply for a visa to visit the Faroe Islands (and check if you need one) on the Danish immigration service’s website. This page on the Faroese government website might also be useful for you. 

If you’re in doubt, it’s best to contact your country’s embassy or consulate and determine whether you need a visa or not. 

When Is the Best Time to Book Flights to the Faroe Islands?

I suggest booking your flights to the Faroe Islands 3-6 months in advance for the summer and around two months beforehand in the off-season. Availability for routes in the off-season is normally good, but it’s a good idea to confirm your trip beforehand if you’re visiting between June and August. 

Besides booking your flights in advance, I also suggest ensuring that you’ve sorted your accommodation before you arrive in the Faroe Islands. 

My Top Tips for Finding Flights to the Faroe Islands

Here are some of my top tips for finding better flights to the Faroe Islands for your needs.

• Use the multi-city option on Skyscanner if you live somewhere that doesn’t have direct flights to the Faroe Islands. Copenhagen is the best year-round option for connecting flights. 
• Search for flexible dates, especially in the off-season. I recommend looking for flights based on the month(s) you want to visit and then narrowing down the dates you wish to fly on. 
• Fly mid-week if possible. It’s often less expensive to fly during the week to the Faroe Islands. You will, of course, need to consider any annual leave you have and work around this. 

You can compare your flight routes and options, along with booking hotels and car rentals, here.

Arriving at Vágar Airport: What to Expect and How to Continue Your Onward Journey

Vágar Airport is small and quite efficient. You shouldn’t have to wait too long when clearing passport control. If you’re flying from Copenhagen, you may not even have border checks (still bring your passport, though, as they do sometimes occur). 

After leaving the airport and collecting your baggage, you can get a taxi wherever you need to go next. I took one to Tórshavn and shared it with two other people, and I booked it in advance via this website. 

You can get a bus from the airport for your onward journey, but they can be infrequent and I therefore don’t recommend it. 

It’s also possible to pick up your rental car from Vágar Airport and continue your onward journey. You can compare your options and book one via the widget below.

One thing I need to note: The turbulence can be pretty bad when you fly into the Faroe Islands. When I visited in March 2024, it was the worst turbulence I have ever experienced. Be prepared to potentially experience this, especially if you fly in the off-season when stormy weather is more common.

Essential Steps After Booking Your Flights to the Faroe Islands

Once you’ve sorted your visa (if applicable) and booked your flights, you’ll then need to find your accommodation and confirm it. Depending on where you choose, you may be able to choose a flexible payment option; for example, I stayed at Hotel Hafnia and had the choice to pay at the property. 

Booking your car rental in advance is also essential; you can search for and compare your options here. If you’re visiting the Faroe Islands without a car, you may want to book tours to see the main sights. For example, I booked a tour with Guide to Faroe Islands during my first visit in March 2024.

It is, however, also possible to get around with public transport; you can check the Faroe Islands’ public transport website for more information.

Conclusion

The Faroe Islands are an amazing outdoor adventure waiting for you, and knowing how to book your flights will make it much easier to plan your trip. The archipelago is surprisingly easy to visit by air, even though it can be quite expensive. 

Booking your flights in advance is a good idea, and you should also ensure that you have your accommodation sorted. Knowing whether you need any extras, such as cars and tours, is also a good idea. Having read this guide, you should now have the information you need to start planning your adventure.