View source for Transport in the Faroe Islands

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is a legitimate description when the title is already adequate; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{more citations needed|date=April 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}

[[Image:New smyril 11.56.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Ferries of [[Strandfaraskip Landsins]], with the new vessel [[MS Smyril|MS ''Smyril'']] on the left]]
The [[Faroe Islands]] is served by an internal transport system based on roads, [[ferries]], and [[helicopter]]s. As of the 1970s, the majority of the population centres of the Faroe Islands have been joined to a single road network, connected by bridges and tunnels.

International transport, both for passengers and freight, remains difficult due to high costs, long distances, and bad weather, especially during the winter. Exporting domestically produced goods is thus expensive; this limits the development of a commodity-based economy.

== History ==
The general history of the Faroese transportation system can be divided into four periods:

===Before 1900===
During this first period, transportation was rather primitive; it consisted of row boats, walking, and, in certain places, horse transport (for the upper class).{{Citation needed|date=January 2018}} Boats were used for transport between villages, even on the same island, as land transport was difficult due to the steep mountains.<ref name=ing1913>{{cite web |last1=Jagd |first1=N |url=http://www.e-pages.dk/ingarkiv/3131/15 |title=Havne paa Færøerne |website=www.e-pages.dk |pages=505–513|publisher=[[Ingeniøren]] |date=1913-09-27}}</ref>

===1900 to the end of World War II===
The second period commenced in the late-19th century, when ferry connections began to emerge. The ferries were largely private initiatives, but they increasingly came to be operated by the public sector. This was supplemented by an emerging culture of automobiles. After [[World War II|World War&nbsp;II]], a large part of the Faroe Islands was accessible via ferries and automobiles; private buses and taxis operated as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.countrybus.co.uk/busesandbridges.htm|title=A note on some Faroese transport history old and new|website=www.countrybus.co.uk|access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref>

===The end of World War II to the 1970s===
The third period was characterized by modernization. The introduction of the car ferry made it possible to drive between the various city centres of the country. It became possible to drive from the capital [[Tórshavn]] to [[Vágur]] and [[Tvøroyri]] in the south, to [[Fuglafjørður]] and [[Klaksvík]] in the north, and to the airport at [[Sørvágur]] in the west. [[Vágar Airport]] was built by the [[The British occupation of the Faroe Islands 1940-1945|British during World War&nbsp;II]]; it was reopened as a civilian international airport in&nbsp;1963. Additionally, the road network was further developed. Tunnels to distant valleys and [[firth]]s such as [[Hvalba]], [[Sandvík]], and [[Norðdepil]] were constructed in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Coping with distances : producing Nordic Atlantic societies|last=Br̆enholdt|first=Jryyen Ole|publisher=Berghahn Books|year=2007|isbn=978-1306545839|pages=113|oclc=875641038}}</ref>

===1970s onwards===
[[Image:Norðoyatunnilin Leirvík - Klaksvík.jpg|thumb|right|Entrance to the [[Norðoyatunnilin]] at [[Leirvík]] on [[Eysturoy]]]]
The fourth period saw the emergence of a "mainland" thanks to tunnels and bridges. In&nbsp;1973 the [[Streymin Bridge]], the first bridge between two Faroese islands, was established between [[Norðskáli]] on [[Eysturoy]] and [[Nesvík]] on [[Streymoy]]; in&nbsp;1976 the new tunnel between Norðskáli and Eysturoy was completed. The Faroes' two largest islands were connected into what is now referred to as "Meginlandið", the Mainland. In&nbsp;1975 the [[causeway]] between [[Viðoy]] and [[Borðoy]] was constructed, in&nbsp;1986 a similar one between Borðoy and [[Kunoy]] was established, and in&nbsp;1992 the capital Tórshavn was granted a first-class connection to the northern parts of the islands, creating the infrastructural prerequisites for a mobile society on the mainland.

The newest developments of the Faroese transportation network are the [[Tunnels of the Faroes|sub-sea tunnels]]. In&nbsp;2002 the tunnel between Streymoy and [[Vágar]]—the latter is the airport island—was finished, and in&nbsp;2006 the [[Norðoyatunnilin]] between Eysturoy and Borðoy was finished.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/features/underwater-tunnels-revolutionize-the-faroes#gs.nuZbfLM|title=Underwater Tunnels Revolutionize the Faroes|work=The Maritime Executive|access-date=2018-06-05|language=en}}</ref> A toll, payable at petrol stations, of 170&nbsp;DKK (130&nbsp;DKK in June 2013) is charged to drive through these two tunnels; the others are free. Now more than 85% of the Faroese population is accessible by automobile.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sah.org/community/sah-blog/sah-blog/2016/10/25/connectivity-and-green-craft-exploring-the-infrastructure-and-architecture-of-the-faroe-islands|title=Connectivity and 'Green' Craft: Exploring the Infrastructure and Architecture of the Faroe Islands|website=www.sah.org|access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref> On 19 December 2020 the [[Eysturoyartunnilin]] between Streymoy and Eysturoy opened for traffic.

====Future====
In early 2014 all political parties of the [[Løgting]] agreed to the construction of two tunnels: [[Eysturoyartunnilin]], a tunnel connecting [[Eysturoy]] and [[Streymoy]], which was completed in 2020, and [[Sandoyartunnilin]], a tunnel connecting Streymoy and [[Sandoy]], will be completed by 2023.{{needs update|date=May 2025}} The combined cost of the project is estimated at almost 3 billion DKK, and it will be the most expensive construction project in Faroese history.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kvf.fo/greinar/2020/12/02/60-prosent-av-sandoyartunlinum-borad |title=60 prosent av Sandoyartunlinum borað |last1=Mohr |first1=Bjarni |date=2 December 2020 |website=kvf.fo |access-date=21 December 2020}}</ref> Eysturoyartunnilin has the world's first under-sea [[roundabout]]. Its three tubes are 7.1&nbsp;km, 2.1&nbsp;km and 1.8&nbsp;km long, linked together by the roundabout. Sandoyartunnilin will be 10.6&nbsp;km long.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://aktuelt.fo/tunnilin+skal+upp+baedi+a+strondum+og+i+runavik.html#.UvX022Sovoo| title = Aktuelt.fo, Tunnilin skal upp bæði á Strondum og í Runavík}}</ref>

There have been talks about a possible tunnel between Sandoy and [[Suðuroy]]. The tunnel would be around 20–25&nbsp;km long. If completed this would mean that 99% of the Faroes would be connected by road.

== Railways == <!-- This section is linked from [[Rail transport in the Faroe Islands]] -->

There are no passenger railways on the Faroe Islands due to the difficult landscape, small population, and relatively short distances.

Two railways have operated on the islands. A tunnel and rail system supplied a NATO radar installation, now decommissioned, which previously existed on a mountaintop in the southern part of Streymoy Island. The [[Gjógv#Gjógv incline railway|Gjógv incline railway]] operates a freight service between the harbour and the village of Gjógv on Eysturoy island.

== Roads ==
[[File:Oyrarbakki 2019.jpg|thumb|[[Streymin Bridge]], connecting [[Streymoy]] and [[Eysturoy]], was opened in 1973.]]
[[Image:Inside Norðoyatunnilin 1.jpg|thumb|right|"Light Art" inside the [[Norðoyatunnilin]]]]
{{see also|List of tunnels of the Faroe Islands}}
Roads have become the main method of transportation on the islands, replacing boats. In 2021, there were 16,289 petrol cars, 9,795 diesel cars, and 567 electric cars.<ref>{{cite web |title=Big increase in electric car sales |url=https://kvf.fo/greinar/2021/12/02/electric-car-sales-almost-doubled-year |website=Kringvarp Føroya |language=fo |date=2 December 2021}}</ref> 
[[Google Street View]] became available for some roads in November 2017, supplied by residents and sheep rather than Google cars.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.denverpost.com/2017/11/07/sheep-with-cameras-tiny-islands-onto-google-street-view/ |title=How sheep with cameras got some tiny islands onto Google Street View |first=Karin |last=Brulliard |date=7 November 2017|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] / Denver Post|access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>

=== Highways ===
''total:'' {{convert|960|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="landsverk-vegir">{{cite web| url=http://landsverk.fo/Default.asp?sida=698| language=fo| title=Vegir| publisher=Landsverk| location=Tórshavn| access-date=12 April 2011 }}</ref>
:''national [[highway]]s:'' {{convert|460|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="landsverk-vegir" />
:''local roads:'' {{convert|500|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="landsverk-vegir" />

=== Bus services ===
The national bus network (''Bygdaleiðir'', Village routes) is operated by [[Strandfaraskip Landsins]] operating the characteristic blue buses. Most [[Minibus|minibuses]], [[Bus|buses]] and [[Coach (bus)|coaches]] in current service are built by either [[Volvo Buses|Volvo]] or [[Irisbus]]/[[Iveco Bus|Iveco]]. In 2024, they introduced their first [[Battery electric bus|Battery-Electric buses]], the [[Iveco E-Way]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWT48cfz9c0 |title=IVECO E-WAY - THE FAROE ISLANDS |date=2023-07-19 |last=Bussmagasinet |access-date=2025-06-04 |via=YouTube}}</ref> The principal route is [[Tórshavn]]-[[Klaksvík]] (via the [[Norðoyatunnilin]] tunnel and [[Streymin Bridge]]). Although individual buses are generally owned by individuals or small companies, the timetables, fares, and levels of service are set by [[Strandfaraskip Landsins]] and the government.

The municipalities of Tórshavn, Klaksvík, [[Eysturkommuna]] and [[Sunda, Faroe Islands|Sunda]] operate their own free-of-charge local services, usually referred to as ''Bussleiðin''. Tórshavn's Bussleiðin has five routes and is operated by the Tórshavn municipality. Like Bygdaleiðir, the actual buses are privately owned, but contracted to Bussleiðin. Klaksvík's service commenced in 2014.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://klaksvik.fo/bussleid| title = Bussleiðin in Klaksvík}}</ref>

== Sea ==
[[Image:Norroena in torshavn.jpg|thumb|right|150px|The ''Norröna'' of the Smyril Line at [[Tórshavn]] in 1997. This vessel has since been replaced by the new ''Norröna''.]]

=== Ports and harbours ===
* [[Tórshavn]]
* [[Klaksvík]]
* [[Tvøroyri]]
* [[Vágur]]
* [[Vestmanna]]
* [[Kollafjørður]]
* [[Runavík]]
* [[Fuglafjørður]]
* [[Krambatangi]]
* [[Gamlarætt]]

=== Merchant marine ===
''total:'' 6&nbsp;ships ({{GT|1,000|metric|disp=long}} or over) totaling {{GT|22,853|metric}}/{{DWT|13,481|metric|disp=long}} (1999 est.)
:''ships by type:''
:* [[cargo ship]] 2,
:* [[oil tanker|petroleum tanker]] 1,
:* [[Reefer ship|refrigerated cargo ship]] 1,
:* [[roll-on/roll-off]] 1,
:* short-sea passenger 1.

=== Ferries ===
The Faroese ferry company [[Strandfaraskip Landsins]] operates a network of ferries, in addition to the rural blue buses, called Bygdaleiðir (Villagelines). Their largest vessel is the ''Smyril'', a roll-on/roll-off ferry which maintains the link between Tórshavn and the southern island, [[Suðuroy]]. This vessel entered service in&nbsp;2005. Another ferry, ''Teistin'', a roll-on-off ferry, maintains the link between the island of [[Sandoy]] and Streymoy; the ferry port on Streymoy is at [[Gamlarætt]] near [[Kirkjubøur]] and [[Velbastaður]] on the south-west coast of Streymoy. A [[Sandoyartunnilin|sub-sea tunnel]] is under construction between Sandoy and Streymoy, it will open in 2023 according to the plan. After that there will not be need of a ferry between the two islands. The proposed [[Suðuroyartunnilin]] would also remove the ferry services to Skúvoy and Suðuroy.

Since the early 1980s, [[Smyril Line (international ferry service)|Smyril Line]] has operated a regular international passenger, car and freight service using a large, modern, multipurpose ferry, the ''Norröna''. The weekly service links the Faroe Islands with [[Seyðisfjörður]], Iceland, and [[Hirtshals]], Denmark.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://en.smyrilline.fo/Files/Images/smyrilline_2018/PDF/Schedules/2022/EN_Sailing_Schedule-2022.pdf| title=Sailing Schedule 2022| publisher=Smyril Line| access-date=6 August 2022 }}</ref>

== Air ==
[[File:Atlantic Airways AgustaWestland AW139.jpg|thumb|[[Atlantic Airways]] [[AgustaWestland AW139]] at [[Froðba]] helicopter station.]]
{{main|List of airports in the Faroe Islands}}
[[Atlantic Airways]] is the national airline of the Faroe Islands, and has its operating base at [[Vágar Airport]]. It operates regular flights to [[Iceland]], [[Denmark]], [[Norway]], and [[Scotland]] while there are also seasonal flights connecting the Faroe Islands with destinations including [[Barcelona]], [[Mallorca]], [[Lisbon]], and [[Stewart International Airport]], New York.<ref name="visitfaroe">{{Cite web |url=http://visitfaroeislands.com/plan-your-stay/getting-here/by-air/ |title=Getting here by air |publisher=VisitFaroeIslands.com}}</ref>

Originally state-owned, the airline has been partially privatised. The Government has plans to continue selling its remaining share in the airline. As a private company, Atlantic Airways continues to provide the Faroe Islands [[search and rescue]] capability, under contract to the government.

===Airports===
The Faroe Islands has only one commercial airport. [[Vágar Airport]] is located close to the village of [[Sørvágur]], on the island of [[Vágar]]. It has a paved 1,799 m / 5,902&nbsp;ft runway, and was originally built by British [[Royal Engineers]] during the Second World War. The main airlines operating regular scheduled flights are [[Atlantic Airways]] and [[Scandinavian Airlines]]. Other airlines operate charter flights.

===Heliports===
Helicopters provide domestic scheduled transportation, medical evacuation, and search & rescue activities.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://helicopterinvestor.com/articles/atlantic-airways-takes-delivery-second-new-aw139-147/ |title=Atlantic Airways takes delivery second new AW139 |last=Parkin |first=Jeremy  |publisher=HellicopterInvestor.com |date=7 April 2016}}</ref>

There are public (passenger and freight) heliports at [[Froðba]], [[Hattarvík]], [[Kirkja]], [[Klaksvík]], [[Mykines, Mykines|Mykines]], [[Skúvoy, Skúvoy|Skúvoy]], [[Stóra Dímun]], [[Svínoy]], and [[Tórshavn]] (Boðanes). There are air ambulance heliports at [[Skopun]] and [[Tórshavn]] (hospital).

== See also ==
* [[Transport in Denmark]]
* [[Tunnels of the Faroes]]
* [[Smyril Line]]
* [[Strandfaraskip Landsins]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20010207185721/http://smyril-line.com/ Smyril Line]}}
* [http://www.ssl.fo/ Strandfaraskip Landsins] – the website of the public transport service, including schedules for busses and ferries
* {{Wikivoyage-inline|Faroe Islands}}
* [https://www.guidetofaroeislands.fo/travel-information/how-to-get-from-vagar-airport-to-torshavn Getting around Faroe Islands from Vagar Airport]

{{Faroe Islands topics}}
{{Transport in Europe}}

[[Category:Transport in the Faroe Islands| ]]
[[Category:Transport in Denmark|Faroe Islands]]
[[Category:Tourism in the Faroe Islands]]