Flights and hotels
How to get to the Faroe Islands, and where to stay
The Faroe Islands are closer than you think. How to fly there from the UK, get from Vágar Airport to Tórshavn, and four hotels in the capital.
The plane banks between steep green mountains, the wind tugs at the wings, and down by the cliffs a waterfall drops straight into the sea. The Faroe Islands are 18 islands in the middle of the North Atlantic, and they are closer than you think.
Here is how to get to the Faroe Islands from the UK, how to get from the airport to Tórshavn, when a package makes sense, and four hotels in the capital.
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Flights to the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands have one airport, Vágar, on the island of the same name. From the UK there are direct flights from Edinburgh for most of the year and from London in summer. Otherwise you fly via Copenhagen, which has daily flights taking just over two hours.
Book flight and hotel together: See Faroe Islands holiday packages
Flights only: Search flights to the Faroe Islands
From Vágar Airport to Tórshavn
The drive from the airport to Tórshavn takes around 40 minutes, through a subsea tunnel between Vágar and Streymoy. Bus 300 runs between the airport and Tórshavn in about an hour.
Most visitors hire a car. The islands are linked by tunnels and bridges, and with a car you reach the waterfalls, villages and viewpoints at your own pace. Some of the subsea tunnels charge tolls, and the rental companies often offer a tunnel pass.
By ferry from Denmark
If you want to bring your own car, the ferry sails from Hirtshals in northern Denmark to Tórshavn. The crossing takes around a day and a half, and the route continues to Iceland.
Where to stay in the Faroe Islands
Tórshavn is the natural base for a first visit. Most of the hotels and restaurants are here, along with the old Tinganes quarter of turf roofs and red wooden houses. With a car you can reach most of the islands as day trips.
Hotel Føroyar
The view over Tórshavn from Hotel Føroyar.
Hotel Føroyar: the view over the whole capital
Hotel Føroyar sits on the hillside above Tórshavn, with windows facing the town, the harbour and the island of Nólsoy out in the fjord. In the evening you watch the lights come on below, and the Ruts restaurant serves dinner with the same view.
The hotel has a spa with massages and a gym open around the clock. The centre is a short drive or an easy walk downhill.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Føroyar
Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands
Hilton Garden Inn in Tórshavn.
Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands: modern and practical
Hilton Garden Inn is one of the newest hotels in Tórshavn, about a quarter of an hour on foot from the Tórsbreyt shopping street and the Listasavn Føroya art museum. Rooms are bright and modern, and many look towards the mountains.
After a day in the wind and rain, the hot tub and sauna are exactly what you need.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hilton Garden Inn
Hotel Brandan
Turf roofs at Hotel Brandan.
Hotel Brandan: spa and Nordic calm
Hotel Brandan is about ten minutes on foot from the art museum and the Tórsvøllur football stadium, with Nordic interiors, a bar and a café. Guests praise the friendly staff.
It has spa treatments, a sauna and a gym, and suits anyone who wants a calm base between trips out to the islands.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Brandan
Havgrím Seaside Hotel 1948
Sea views from Havgrím.
Havgrím Seaside Hotel 1948: a small hotel by the sea
Havgrím is a small hotel with just 14 rooms, right by the sea in Tórshavn. Big windows face the ocean, and you can watch the weather roll in over the fjord from your bed.
It has a bar, café, terrace and garden. Choose it when you want somewhere personal rather than a big hotel.
Book your stay: See rooms at Havgrím Seaside Hotel 1948
When is the best time to visit the Faroe Islands?
Summer (June to August): long light days, puffins on Mykines and the best weather for hiking. Book three to four months ahead.
Spring and autumn: fewer visitors and dramatic weather. Pack waterproofs whatever the season.
Winter: short days and strong winds, but quiet and cheaper. Always check road conditions before driving.
Frequently asked questions about getting to the Faroe Islands
How do I get to the Faroe Islands from the UK?
There are direct flights from Edinburgh for most of the year and from London in summer. Otherwise you fly via Copenhagen, which has daily flights to Vágar taking just over two hours.
How long does it take from Vágar Airport to Tórshavn?
It takes around 40 minutes by car from Vágar Airport to Tórshavn, through a subsea tunnel. Bus 300 covers the same route in about an hour.
Do I need a car in the Faroe Islands?
A hire car is the easiest way to see the Faroe Islands, because many of the waterfalls, villages and viewpoints are off the bus routes. The islands are linked by tunnels and bridges.
When is the best time to visit the Faroe Islands?
June to August brings the longest days and the best conditions for hiking and puffin spotting. The weather changes quickly all year, so pack windproof and waterproof clothing.
Where should I stay in the Faroe Islands?
Stay in Tórshavn on your first visit. Most of the hotels and restaurants are there, and you can drive to the rest of the islands as day trips.