Røst Airport

Rost Airport (RET) sits on the southern tip of the island of Rost, the southernmost inhabited island in the Lofoten archipelago. The airport handles daily flights to Bodo and Leknes, operated by Widerøe, and serves as the primary link for the island's 500 residents to the Norwegian mainland and beyond. Despite its small size — the terminal consists of a single room — the airport is efficient, stress-free, and equipped with free parking, Wi-Fi, and full wheelchair accessibility. Flights are short: 25 minutes to Bodo, 20 minutes to Leknes, and through-ticketing arrangements with SAS and Norwegian allow passengers to check baggage all the way to destinations across Norway and Europe. The airport itself is unstaffed except during flight times, but when it is open, the atmosphere is friendly and unhurried — a welcome contrast to larger hubs.

Getting There

Rost Airport is located on the island of Rost, which itself is accessible only by air or sea. The nearest mainland city is Bodo, 100 kilometres to the east. From Bodo, Widerøe operates two to three daily flights to Rost, with a flight time of 25 minutes. Alternatively, the ferry "Rost" runs from Bodo to Rost twice daily (journey time 4–5 hours), and a car ferry from the neighbouring island of Moskenes also connects to Rost during summer. Once on the island, the airport is a five-minute drive from the main village of Rostlandet. Taxis are available on request — the airport has a phone for calling a taxi — and walking is possible if you have light luggage. There is no public bus service. The free car park at the airport has spaces for about 30 cars, so driving rentals or private vehicles is straightforward.

Inside the Terminal

Passengers arriving or departing at Rost Airport will find a single-room terminal that handles both arrivals and departures. On arrival, the process is simple: walk across the tarmac and into the terminal, where baggage is delivered on a small carousel. There is no jet bridge — passengers walk to and from the aircraft. The terminal has a waiting area with wooden benches, a coffee machine (free of charge), and a counter for check-in and baggage drop. Wi-Fi is available throughout; the connection is reliable but not high-speed. Wheelchair accessibility is excellent: the entrance is level, the car park has designated accessible spaces, and the single toilet is wheelchair-accessible. Wheelchair rental is available upon request — contact the airport in advance. Security screening is present but quick; there is no separate screening for domestic flights. Busiest times are Monday at 8 am, Tuesday at 8 am, Wednesday at 8 pm, and Thursday at 8 pm, when flights to Bodo depart and morning connections are most frequent. At other times, the terminal is quiet or empty.

Rost Airport and Rost

Rost is a place that rewards the curious. The island is flat and treeless, shaped by centuries of wind and sea, and its landscape is dominated by grassy meadows, rocky shores, and dramatic cliffs. The main attraction is the birdlife: Rost is home to one of the largest puffin colonies in Norway, with hundreds of thousands of nesting pairs on the cliffs of Vedøy and other islets. Sea eagles, gannets, and cormorants are also abundant. Birdwatchers visit from around the world, especially from May to August. The island's history is tied to fishing — specifically, the production of "Roststock," a type of dried cod hung on wooden racks (hjeller) that dot the island. This traditional method of preservation has been practiced for centuries and remains an economic mainstay. The culture is quiet, rugged, and welcoming; the local museum (Rost Museum) offers insight into the island's maritime heritage and the 19th-century fishing trade. Hiking is popular, with trails crossing the island's interior and leading to coastal viewpoints. There are no large hotels, but small guesthouses and holiday apartments cater to visitors. The island's isolation and small scale make it ideal for travellers seeking a genuine escape, far from the tourist crowds of the main Lofoten islands.

Practical Information

The airport is not open daily year-round; its operating hours correspond to flight schedules. Typically, the terminal opens 30 minutes before a scheduled departure and closes shortly after the last flight arrives. During winter, flights may be cancelled due to snow or fog, though the airport has a Category I instrument landing system for low visibility. For the most accurate schedule, check the Avinor website (http://www.avinor.no/) or call +47 67 03 00 00. The free car park is a major perk — parking in other parts of Lofoten can be expensive and limited. To secure through-checked baggage, book flights on a single ticket with SAS or Norwegian; this is possible even on the small Widerøe aircraft. One concrete tip: arrive at the airport early enough to enjoy a free coffee from the machine and chat with the staff. They know the island well and can recommend local sights, hiking routes, or which guesthouse has the best seafood dinner.