Evenes airport guide
First-time visitor guide to Harstad/Narvik Evenes Airport with car rental tips and driving directions.
Photo: UnsplashHarstad/Narvik Airport Evenes (airport code EVE) serves as the main gateway to Northern Norway. The airport has recently been rebranded to include "Lofoten" in some marketing materials, a reflection of how many travelers use it as a starting point for Lofoten trips. Despite the multiple names, it's the same airport (a compact, efficient facility that handles nearly 800,000 passengers annually).
Opened in 1972, Evenes sits in Evenes Municipality in Nordland county. It's roughly equidistant between the towns of Harstad (45 km) and Narvik (57 km), and serves both as their main air connection. For tourists, it's the practical choice for reaching Lofoten, Vesterålen, and the entire Ofoten region.
Flights and connections
The airport operates around 20 daily flights. SAS, Norwegian, and Widerøe run regular services to Oslo, Bergen, Tromsø, Trondheim, and Bodø. Widerøe also connects to smaller regional airports like Andenes. International connections are available via Oslo, and there are seasonal charters to Southern European destinations.
The terminal has five gates, a 2,808-meter runway, and all the standard facilities. Flight times from Oslo are around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Airport facilities
What you'll find at the terminal
Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal
Café and dining options
Tax-free shop
ATM and banking services
VIP lounge for business travelers
Meeting rooms available for rent
Assistance services for passengers with disabilities
Play area for children
The terminal is compact enough that you won't get lost, but has everything you need for a comfortable wait. If you have extra time, there's not much to do in the immediate vicinity of the airport. Plan to head to your destination rather than lingering.
Parking
Evenes has about 1,000 parking spaces spread across several areas, plus 40 covered spaces in the underground parking beneath the terminal. The airport uses Autopay, an automatic license plate recognition system, so you don't need to worry about tickets or time limits. Cameras read your plates on entry and exit, and you pay at the end.
Parking areas
P1: Short-term parking (30 min for NOK 30)
P4/P5: Combined short and long-term parking
Underground: Covered parking under the terminal
Disabled parking: Free for 4 hours outside the terminal, or reserved spots at regular rates
Renting a car
A rental car is the practical way to explore the region. Public transport exists. There are buses to Harstad, Narvik, Sortland, and Lofoten, but schedules are limited and won't get you to the most interesting spots. With your own car, you have flexibility.
Major rental companies have desks in the terminal building. Most require drivers to be at least 19 years old with a valid license. During winter, all rental cars come equipped with winter tires, mandatory in Norwegian conditions. You can also request child seats and GPS navigation.
Self-service kiosks allow pickup and return outside normal hours, which is useful for early morning or late evening flights.
Driving times from Evenes
Harstad ~45 km, 45-50 minutes
Narvik ~57 km, 55-60 minutes
Svolvær (Lofoten) ~170 km, 2.5 hours
Å (end of Lofoten) ~300 km, 5 hours
Sortland (Vesterålen) ~100 km, 1.5 hours
Andenes ~180 km, 3 hours
If you're heading to Lofoten, consider whether Narvik makes sense as a first or last night stop. The town is closer to the airport and has good accommodation options. It also gives you time to adjust if you arrive late.
Other ground transport
Flybussen connects the airport to Harstad (50 min), Narvik (75 min), and Sortland. Services are timed to flight arrivals and departures, but check schedules. They're not as frequent as you might expect.
Taxis are available from Evenes Taxi and Flytaxi Harstad. Given the distances involved, taxi rides can be expensive. Rental cars often make more economic sense if you're staying more than a day.
Tips for first-time visitors
Book your car in advance especially during summer and ski season. Limited supply at the airport means late bookers sometimes find nothing available.
Allow buffer time for winter travel. Weather can delay flights and road conditions may require slower driving.
Don't plan to explore near the airport There's not much there. Head to Narvik, Harstad, or Lofoten instead.
Bring layers Even in summer, temperatures can vary significantly between the coast and mountains.
Related guides
Sources
Written and edited by
Almaz Ermilov, Aleksei Poroshin and Vitalijus Zubrickas
Published January 1, 2026