If you’re sitting in a café in Copenhagen right now, nursing a six-dollar latte and looking at the rain, the Faroe Islands probably feel like a different planet. They basically are. While the Danish capital is all about sleek bicycles and Michelin-starred moss, the Faroes are a jagged, green, wind-whipped archipelago in the North Atlantic that looks like someone dropped a piece of Norway into the ocean and forgot about it. Getting from Copenhagen to Faroe Islands is surprisingly easy, yet it’s one of those trips where a single mistake—like booking the wrong side of the plane—can cost you the best view of your life.
It’s about a two-hour flight. That’s it. You can leave the flat pavement of Denmark at noon and be standing on a cliff edge by three.
But here’s the thing. Most people just click "buy" on the first ticket they see. They don't think about the fog. They don't think about the ferry. They definitely don't think about the fact that Vagar Airport (FAE) is one of the trickiest landings in Europe. If you want to do this right, you have to understand the weirdly symbiotic relationship between these two places. Denmark and the Faroes are part of the same Kingdom, but once you cross that stretch of ocean, the rules of nature change completely.
The Reality of Flying Copenhagen to Faroe Islands
Flying is the standard. It’s the default for a reason. You’ve got two main choices: SAS and Atlantic Airways.
Atlantic Airways is the national carrier of the Faroes. Honestly, if you can, fly with them. Why? Because their pilots are basically wizards at navigating the "Lego-brick" runway at Vagar. The airport is tucked between a lake and a fjord, and the fog rolls in whenever it feels like it. Atlantic’s planes are specially equipped with RNP AR technology—basically a super-precise GPS landing system—that allows them to land in visibility that would send an SAS flight back to Copenhagen. I’ve seen it happen. You’re halfway there, the pilot says "no go," and suddenly you’re back at Kastrup Airport eating another expensive hot dog while your Faroese vacation stays 800 miles away.
Why the Seat Choice Matters (Seriously)
When you're booking your flight from Copenhagen to Faroe Islands, the "A" seats are your best friend. On a clear day—and yeah, those actually exist—approaching the islands from the east gives you a panoramic view of the southern islands like Suduroy and Sandoy. If the wind is right and you approach from the west, you might see the famous "lake above the ocean" (Sørvágsvatn) as you descend. It’s better than any inflight movie.
Prices vary wildly. You might find a round trip for 1,200 DKK if you book months out. If you wait until a week before? Prepare to pay 4,000 DKK. The Faroes have exploded in popularity because of Instagram, but the seat capacity hasn't kept up. It’s a supply and demand nightmare in July.
The Slow Way: The MS Norröna
Not everyone flies. Some people have time, a car, or a weird obsession with the North Sea.
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To take the boat, you actually have to leave Copenhagen. You head over to Hirtshals in North Jutland. From there, you board the MS Norröna, operated by Smyril Line. This isn't just a ferry; it's a massive vessel that handles the roughest water on the planet.
- The Route: It takes about 36 hours.
- The Vibe: It feels like a floating hotel mixed with a grocery store delivery hub.
- The Benefit: You can bring your own car. Renting a car in the Faroe Islands is insanely expensive. Like, "check your bank account and cry" expensive. Bringing your own vehicle from Denmark can actually save you money if you’re staying for more than two weeks.
But let's be real. The North Sea in autumn is not for the faint of heart. If you get seasick, the Norröna will be your personal purgatory. But watching the cliffs of the Faroes rise out of the mist at 5:00 AM from a ship deck? That’s something a plane passenger will never understand.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Transition
People think because they’re staying within the Kingdom of Denmark, everything will be the same. Wrong.
First, the money. They use the Faroese króna. It’s pegged to the Danish krone, so the value is identical, but the bills have birds and fish on them instead of bridges. You can use Danish notes there, but good luck using Faroese notes back in Copenhagen. Most Danish shops will look at a Faroese bill like it’s Monopoly money. Use your card. Apple Pay works almost everywhere, even in tiny villages with more sheep than people.
Then there's the language. Everyone speaks Danish, sure. But Faroese is the soul of the place. It sounds like Old Norse—what the Vikings would have sounded like if they’d had better coffee. Learning a simple "Takk" (Thank you) goes a long way.
The Weather Factor
Copenhagen weather is "gray." Faroese weather is "violent."
When you travel from Copenhagen to Faroe Islands, you are moving from a temperate climate to a subpolar oceanic one. You might experience four seasons in ten minutes. I once saw a rainbow, a hailstorm, and blinding sunshine all while standing in the same spot in Tórshavn. Your fashionable Copenhagen trench coat is useless here. You need Gore-Tex. You need layers. You need to accept that your hair will look like a bird's nest the entire time.
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Navigating Tórshavn After Your Arrival
Once you land at Vagar, you aren't actually in the capital. Tórshavn is about a 45-minute drive away.
You have three choices:
- The Bus: The blue 300 bus is reliable and cheap. It waits right outside the terminal.
- The Shared Taxi: "Auto" is a big thing here. You book a seat in a van. It’s cheaper than a private cab but faster than the bus.
- Rental Car: Pick it up at the airport. You’ll need it to see the "real" Faroes, like the waterfall at Gásadalur, which is actually right next to the airport.
Most people rush straight to Tórshavn. Don't. If the weather is clear when you land, go to Gásadalur immediately. The weather might be garbage for the rest of your trip, so grab the iconic "waterfall into the ocean" shot while the sun is out.
The Cost of Living Jump
You thought Copenhagen was expensive? The Faroes say, "Hold my beer." Actually, don't, because that beer will cost you 80 DKK.
Because almost everything (except fish and lamb) is shipped from Denmark or the UK, grocery prices are high. If you’re on a budget, hit the Bónus or á-skila supermarkets. They are the same chains you see in Iceland and Denmark. Avoid eating out every night unless you have a corporate expense account or a very healthy inheritance.
One thing that is cheaper? The air. It’s free, and it’s arguably the cleanest on earth.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of the journey from Copenhagen to Faroe Islands, you need a bit of a strategy. It's not a trip you just "wing."
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Book your tunnel passes. The Faroes have these incredible sub-sea tunnels. Some have roundabouts with blue lights (the one between Eysturoy and Streymoy is a work of art). Most rental cars have a toll chip, but check. You don't want a surprise bill three months later.
Download the "RK" app. It’s the public transport app for the islands. It’s surprisingly good. Even if you have a car, sometimes taking the ferry to Kalsoy (the "James Bond" island) is easier if you know the schedule down to the minute.
Pack for the "Faroese Layer." Forget fashion. You want a base layer of merino wool, a fleece, and a waterproof shell. If you bring an umbrella, the wind will simply turn it into a modern art sculpture within thirty seconds.
Respect the Land. This is the most important part. The Faroes have seen a massive surge in hikers. Many trails are on private sheep-farming land. Some now require a "hiking fee" (which can be as much as 200 DKK). It feels steep, but it goes toward maintaining the trails and protecting the environment. Don't be the person who ignores the signs and tramples the moss.
The journey from the urban cool of Copenhagen to the raw power of the Faroe Islands is one of the best short-haul trips in the world. It’s a transition from man-made beauty to nature-made chaos. Just remember to pack your hiking boots, book Atlantic Airways for the tech advantage, and always, always keep your camera ready for the moment the clouds break over the cliffs of Mykines.
Before you leave Copenhagen, check the Faroese weather portal (DMI or the local site, kvf.fo). If a storm is coming, your flight will be delayed. Use that extra time to grab one last decent pastry at Juno the Bakery, because you're about to trade cinnamon rolls for dried mutton and wind-chill. It’s a fair trade.
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