❄️🚌🚶♂️ Tromsø and the North: winter commuting without a car
Winter here means polar nights, wind and ice, but also well-honed logistics. This guide tells you how to get to your office or co-working space in Tromsø safely and predictably without a car: which tickets and apps to use, when it's best to walk, what to do in case of storm warnings and what to rely on late at night.
🌌 Winter specifics: polar night, wind, slippery conditions
Polar night in Tromsø lasts approximately from 27 November to 15 January, with a ‘twilight window’ during the day (approximately 9:00–14:00). Plan your main trips and outdoor routes for this time. Outside the ‘window,’ use reflectors (on your jacket/backpack), a headlamp or a clip on your collar. On windy days, keep an eye on official storm warnings (MET Norway), which are published in advance and updated as conditions change. It is wise to postpone trips or stay closer to home when warnings are issued.
🚌🚶 Public transport and walking routes
City and regional buses in the ‘Arctic capital’ — via the Svipper system: the app shows real-time arrivals, allows you to plan your route and buy tickets (24 hours, 7 days, 30 days). The central hub is Prostneset, near the tourist office. To save money, take advantage of the off-peak periods in Tromsø (weekdays 09:00–14:00 and 17:00–01:00). From 1 February 2025, the basic adult ticket will cost NOK 48, off-peak NOK 26; for longer periods, 30-day passes are more advantageous.
It is safer to walk on well-lit pavements and ‘gang-/sykkelvei’ (pedestrian and cycle paths) along the main streets, where there is better cleaning and gritting. Wear reflectors (at least on both sides, at knee/shin level) — this greatly increases your visibility to drivers in city lighting.
🚖 Taxi/carpool as a backup plan
If buses are running less frequently due to wind/snowfall or you need to travel at night, use licensed services. Official companies operate at the counter at the arrivals exit and in the city centre; pre-order numbers are Tromsø Taxi: 03011 (or +47 7760 3000), Din Taxi: 02045. In the city centre, there are counters at Stortorget, near the Aurora cinema, in the Bankgata area, etc.
⚖️ When to walk and when to drive
On icy days (wind + wet snow), it is often safer to walk on flat streets with removable studs/brodder than to wait for a transfer at an open bus stop. However, in strong winds with snow/ice drifts, it is better to shorten your route and take a direct bus/taxi. The city's local strategy is to prioritise the safety of ‘soft’ road users; choose routes with low traffic and good lighting.
✅ Mini checklist / ‘Quick route’
- Install Svipper, add your favourite stops, and set up Apple/Google Pay.
- Buy the right ticket (off-peak, 7/30 days) — it's often cheaper than single tickets.
- Wear reflectors + brodder; check the ‘twilight window’ and wind forecast.
- On windy days: one direct bus → short walk; keep your taxi number handy.
Winter commuting in the ‘Arctic capital’ works if you rely on three things: up-to-date information on Svipper, good timing (travel during the ‘twilight window’) and visibility/traction on your feet. Add a plan B for storms, and your journey to the office or co-working space will be predictable even on a polar night.
FAQ
Download Svipper, link your map, add your favourite stops near your home/office and turn on delay notifications. The main routes go through Prostneset, so a ‘home → hub → office’ combination is convenient. During the polar night, move your outdoor activities to the ‘twilight window’ between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. On days with MET Norway warnings, allow an extra 15–20 minutes or switch to a taxi.
Use certified reflectors (CE EN17353) — two or more, on your backpack and leg/sleeve, plus a headlamp or clip-on light. This gives drivers up to 10 seconds to react instead of ~2 at city speeds. Add a ‘brodder’ and gloves with non-slip palms — for ladders and sloping pavements.
Look for continuous pavements/underpasses and well-lit ‘gang-/sykkelvei’. Avoid short ‘shortcuts’ via steep courtyard stairs. A long but flat route along a main road with ‘pocket’ stops is usually faster and safer than crossing multiple lanes at a zebra crossing. In heavy snow/wind, duplicate your route by bus with a minimum number of changes.
If you missed the last convenient bus, the storm warning has been raised to ‘yellow/orange’, or you have a long stretch along an open embankment ahead, take a taxi from the centre or pre-book one through a call centre/app. City numbers: 03011 / 02045.
