Narvik in a nutshell
Narvik lies on the Ofoten Railway, which the rail administration lists with connections toward Kiruna, Luleå and Stockholm. The station opened in 1902. There is no direct rail line from Narvik to Bodø, so the train here points east, into Sweden, and not along the Norwegian coast.
The town works as a base for three things: a train excursion up the Ofoten line, skiing on the mountain above town and a museum about the war of 1940. This is an independent guide, not run by the municipality, the ski area or a train operator. It covers the state of things in October 2026, which matters because the gondola is closed.
What to know before you go
Four points that older pages and brochures often get wrong.
The gondola is closed
The operator page that the old cable car product now redirects to announces a new gondola for January 2027. The old gondola and the mountain restaurant stay closed until then. Older summer offers should not be treated as bookable.
The Arctic Train is an excursion
It runs from Narvik to Bjørnfjell and back. It is a sightseeing trip on the Ofoten line, not a through service to Kiruna. The listed length varies, see the section on the railway below.
Two different museums
The War Museum and the Narvik Museum are separate houses with separate tickets. Prices of one do not apply to the other.
Not a coastal express port
Narvik is not a regular port in the Havila schedule for the northern Norwegian coast. For the coastal voyage see the Hurtigruten page.
Narvik tours and train trips
The Arctic Train on the Ofoten line and other trips around Narvik, with live prices and availability.
The Ofoten Railway and the Arctic Train
The rail administration points travelers to the national operators SJ and Entur for timetables and tickets. For a regular trip toward Kiruna, plan the journey with those operators. This site has no verified fare or travel time for that line, so none is given here.
The Arctic Train is the tourist version. It runs from Narvik to Bjørnfjell and back. The product page gives 2 to 3 hours in its text and 3 to 5 hours in its metadata, so ask for the exact departure and return times when you book.
Skiing and the mountain above town
Narvikfjellet is the ski area above Narvik. The operator describes a larger rebuild with a new gondola, a new express lift and a panorama run, connected to the plans for the 2029 ski world championships. The new gondola is planned to take 8 minutes to the upper station at 656 m. Sports facilities are planned to be ready in autumn 2027.
That means the mountain is in a construction phase. The one fixed date is January 2027 for the gondola, and it is a plan, not an opening. The last lift ticket price list found for the area covers the 2025/26 season. Prices for winter 2026/27 should be checked with the operator before you travel.
Status in October 2026
What is open, closed or only planned.
| Item | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Old gondola and mountain restaurant | Closed | Closed until the new gondola opens |
| New gondola | Planned for January 2027 | 8 minutes to the upper station at 656 m |
| New sports facilities | Planned for autumn 2027 | Linked to the 2029 championships |
| Arctic Train | Sold as an excursion | Narvik to Bjørnfjell and back, length varies by listing |
| War Museum | Listed daily 10–16 | Kongens gate 39, hours from a reseller listing |
| Narvik Museum | Separate museum | Railway and ore port, tickets are not the War Museum's |
Narvik and the war of 1940
Narvik is known in Norway for April 1940, when the German attack on the country reached the town. The War Museum at Kongens gate 39 covers the attack, the occupation and the consequences of the war. Allow enough time to read the displays.
A reseller listing gives daily opening from 10:00 to 16:00 and asks you to order a personal guided tour at least one day ahead, for an extra fee. Holiday hours are not confirmed, and the current ticket prices for children, students and families are not listed here, so check with the museum before a short visit.
Do not mix it up with the Narvik Museum run by Museum Nord, which is about the railway and the ore port. Its 2026 ticket manual belongs to that house only.
Combine Narvik with other places
Narvik fits into a longer trip through northern Norway.
Road trips
How to link Narvik with the Lofoten and Senja routes, and what to know about winter driving.
Bodø
Saltstraumen, the Lofoten ferry and the flights to the islands.
Northern lights
When the dark season runs and how to read forecasts.
Best time to visit
Light, rain and the seasons across the north.
If you continue north toward Troms, Tromsø has its own city guide, and the Lyngen Alps have a separate guide for ski touring and hiking.
Narvik: frequently asked questions
Is the Narvik gondola open?
No. The operator page says the old gondola and the mountain restaurant stay closed and announces a new gondola for January 2027. Treat that date as a plan until the operator confirms an opening.
Can I take a train from Narvik to Kiruna?
The rail administration lists connections from Narvik toward Kiruna, Luleå and Stockholm and refers to SJ and Entur for planning and tickets. Check the timetable for your date, since fares and travel times are not given on this page.
How long is the Arctic Train?
The listing gives 2 to 3 hours in the description and 3 to 5 hours in other fields. Ask the booking page for the exact times of your departure.
Is there a train from Narvik to Bodø?
No. The Ofoten Railway leads toward Sweden, and there is no direct rail line between Narvik and Bodø. See the Bodø page for the way along the coast.
Where is the war museum and when is it open?
The War Museum is at Kongens gate 39. A reseller lists daily opening from 10:00 to 16:00. Confirm holiday hours with the museum before you go.
Does the coastal express stop in Narvik?
Narvik does not appear as a regular port in the Havila schedule for the northern coast. Read the Hurtigruten page for the ports that do.