Hurtigruten is the name of a Norwegian coastal transport service which is over a hundred years old. Hurtigruten or Coastal Express was established in 1893 by the North Norwegian steamship company Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskap as a weekly sailing route between Trondheim and Kirkenes in Norway. Aided by government subsidies Hurtigruten expanded its route to the current 11 day round trip between Bergen and Kirkenes, which includes 32 other ports. Hurtigruten has played an important role providing the long Norwegian coast with reliable transport services for goods and people. It still plays an important role even though other types of transport (on roads and in air) are taking over. Today Hurtigruten is recognised as one of Europe's biggest attractions and is internationally acknowledged as the "world's most beautiful sea voyage". It is presently operated by OVDS and TFDS .

Sailing list

External links

• Hurtigruten
• Pictures from a cruise in 2000