How to Get to the Arctic Cathedral
Getting to the Arctic Cathedral from Tromsø centre: the 20-minute walk over the bridge, buses 24 and 26, the 2026 bridge works, parking, and the walk on to Fjellheisen.
From the city centre, walk: the Tromsø Bridge takes you to the Arctic Cathedral in about 20 minutes, and it stayed open to walkers and cyclists throughout the 2026 repair works. By bus, routes 24 and 26 stop at Tromsdalen kirke beside the church, paid by bank card or the Svipper app; during the bridge works some departures detour through the tunnel and skip that stop. There is parking beside the cathedral, and the Fjellheisen cable car is about ten minutes’ walk further on. If you would rather not work out the buses, OK Tromsø’s walking tour ends inside the cathedral with the bus and the entry included, from $70 a person, rated 5.0 from 13 reviews (checked October 2026).
The options side by side
| Way | Time from the centre | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| On foot over the Tromsø Bridge | About 20 minutes | Free | Open to walkers at all hours, also during the 2026 works; cold and windy in winter |
| Bus 24 or 26 to Tromsdalen kirke | A few minutes plus waiting | Svipper fare, card or app | Some departures skip the stop during the bridge works |
| Taxi | About 10 minutes | About NOK 150 to 250 to the cable car next door | Through the Tromsøysund tunnel while the bridge is shut to cars |
| Car | A short drive | Parking beside the cathedral | Through the Tromsøysund tunnel during the works |
| Walking tour with OK Tromsø | Part of a 2.5-hour tour | From $70 | Bus over the bridge and cathedral entry included |
On a phone, swipe the table sideways for the details.
Walk, buses, payment and parking from the Arctic Cathedral’s access page; the bridge works and the bus detours from Troms county and Svipper; the tour from GetYourGuide (checked October 2026); the taxi time and fare are Fjellheisen’s figures for its lower station, ten minutes’ walk from the cathedral; read in October 2026.
Walking over the bridge
The walk starts in the centre, at Stortorget or by Tromsø Cathedral, and climbs onto the Tromsø Bridge, about a kilometre long, across the strait. The Arctic Cathedral is in front of you the whole way, at the mainland end; the cathedral calls it a lovely 20-minute walk with views of the city and the strait. In winter the bridge is exposed: dress for wind, and the pavements can be icy, so shoe spikes help.
The bus, and the 2026 bridge works
The cathedral’s access page sends visitors on routes 24 and 26 to the stop Tromsdalen kirke (Tromsdalen Church), and its visit page lists routes 20, 24, 26 and 28 from the city centre. Buses are cashless: pay by bank card on board or buy a ticket in the Svipper app.
In 2026 the Tromsø Bridge was closed to cars from 7 April for concrete repairs and a wider cycle lane. Walkers and cyclists can cross throughout. Buses cross between 07:00 and 17:00 (not at all from 20 June to 16 August) and go through the Tromsøysund tunnel at other times, and Svipper’s notice lists Tromsdalen stops skipped on the detour, Tromsdalen kirke among them on several lines. Svipper also reported on 20 October 2026 that the reopening for cars, planned for 2 November, was put back to no later than 27 November. Check the Svipper app on the day, or walk.
Check dates for the walking tour →
By car, taxi and on to Fjellheisen
There is parking right beside the cathedral, at Hans Nilsens vei 41. While the bridge is closed to cars, drive through the Tromsøysund tunnel. The Fjellheisen cable car’s lower station is at Solliveien 12, about 800 metres south of the cathedral, ten minutes on foot; Fjellheisen asks visitors to use its temporary parking at Solstrandvegen 30 during its own building works. Bus 26 from Torgsenteret also stops at Fjellheisen.
Walking Tour to the Cathedral
Starts at Tromsø Cathedral, walks the centre, takes the bus over the bridge with you and ends in the Arctic Cathedral.
Check dates →Island Tour with the Cathedral
Pickup at the Scandic Ishavshotel or the cruise terminal, adapted vehicles, the Arctic Cathedral with entry at the end.
See the island tour →Fjellheisen Cable Car
From the lower station near the cathedral to 421 metres; runs 09:00 to midnight.
See the cable car ticket →Prices and ratings from GetYourGuide (checked October 2026); operators change prices, so treat them as a guide, not a quote.
Once you are there: opening hours, tickets and what to see inside.
The walk, bus routes, payment, parking and address from the Arctic Cathedral’s access and visit pages; the bridge works from Troms county’s notice of 31 March 2026 and Svipper’s notice of 20 October 2026 (updated 29 October); Fjellheisen’s address, parking, bus and height from its own website; distances measured on the map; read on 29 October 2026. Tour details from GetYourGuide, read in US dollars on 29 October 2026.
Let a Guide Take You Across
OK Tromsø's 2.5-hour walking tour: the centre with a local guide, then the public bus over the bridge to the Arctic Cathedral, with the bus ticket (valid 90 minutes) and the cathedral entry included. Groups of up to 10, from age 10. On GetYourGuide in October 2026, free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check Dates