Cheap flights to Ålesund
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Quick summary
Country
Norway
Continent
Europe
Airport
AES
Currency
Norwegian krone
Time zone
UTC+1
Deals already spotted to Ålesund
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Airport and transfer
Vigra airport, linked to town by undersea tunnels
Ålesund Airport, Vigra (AES)
The airport is on the island of Vigra, in the neighbouring municipality of Giske. A road with two undersea tunnels (Ellingsøy and Valderøy) links it to the centre, so no ferry is needed; the airport bus takes about 25 minutes to the centre according to Wikivoyage. Domestic flights go to Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim, and a few international routes (Copenhagen, Amsterdam, London and others) according to Wikipedia (DE); routes change from season to season.
Approximate times, based on Wikivoyage (EN) and Wikipedia (DE); check bus timetables before travelling. We do not quote fares.
The town centre
Ålesund spreads over several islands joined by bridges. According to Wikivoyage, most sights are within a 20-minute walk of the old centre, so the airport is the only real distance to plan for.
No train to the town
No railway line reaches Ålesund. The nearest station is Åndalsnes, roughly 100 to 120 km away depending on the source, reached by bus. By road, the E39 (towards Bergen and Trondheim) and the E136 both cross the municipality.
Art Nouveau centre and landmarks
A town rebuilt in stone after the 1904 fire
On the night of 23 January 1904 a wind-driven fire destroyed almost the whole town: about 800 houses burned and more than 10,000 people were left homeless, according to Wikipedia (FR, ES). The centre was rebuilt within a few years in stone and brick in a very consistent Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) style, with thousands of craftsmen and architects coming from Germany; Kaiser Wilhelm II backed the effort.
Brosundet facades
Houses with turrets, gables and carved ornament line the Brosundet canal and the harbour. The easiest way to see them is to wander without a fixed route and look up: turrets, masks and copper spires appear at street corners. Kongens gate 10B, built in 1907, is described by Wikipedia (DE) as the narrowest house in Norway.
The Aksla viewpoint
A flight of 418 steps from the town park leads to the top of Aksla, with views over canals, islands and sea (Wikivoyage and Wikipedia DE agree on that figure). Two viewpoints, Fjellstua and Kniven, are signposted at the top; the steps can be slippery in wet weather, and you can also go up by taxi or the small tourist train, according to Wikivoyage.
Other landmarks
In the town park, a statue of Rollo, given by Rouen in 1911, and an obelisk recall the help received after 1904. The Molja lighthouse (1858) now holds hotel rooms, and the Løvenvold cinema (1923) is still in use. Around Midsummer, the Slinningsbålet bonfire is one of the tallest wooden bonfires in the world according to Wikipedia (DE).
Excursions and distances
Geirangerfjord, the Atlantic Road, Runde and the Sunnmøre mountains
Geirangerfjord
Ålesund is the main base for a trip to the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord. According to Wikivoyage, in summer the Hurtigruten ship goes to Geiranger and back in a day; otherwise you take a bus to Hellesylt and then the fjord cruise to Geiranger. Plan a full day and check the seasonal timetables.
The Atlantic Road
It lies further north-east, between the Molde and Kristiansund areas, and is mostly done by car. Weather can make it spectacular or difficult: allow a margin rather than a packed day, and check road conditions.
Runde and the coast
To the south-west, the island of Runde is described by Wikivoyage as the southernmost of Norway's great bird rocks. The islands of Sula and Giske offshore are reached by road. We give no precise road distances because we could not cross-check them: measure them on a map before you go.
Museums
Art Nouveau, rural life, fishing and an aquarium
Jugendstilsenteret
The Art Nouveau Centre occupies the former Swan Pharmacy (Svaneapoteket). It tells the story of the 1904 fire and the rebuilding of the town, with period interiors. It is the most useful visit for understanding what you see in the streets.
Town and fishing museums
Aalesunds Museum covers the history of the town, and a fishing museum looks at its role as a major fishing port, according to Wikipedia (DE). Opening hours vary a lot with the season: check them before you go.
Sunnmøre and the Atlantic Sea Park
The open-air Sunnmøre Museum brings together more than 55 relocated old houses, replica Viking ships and the medieval Borgund church, according to Wikivoyage; it can be reached by local bus. The Atlanterhavsparken, on the island of Hessa, is described as the largest saltwater aquarium in northern Europe. We do not quote admission prices.
Food and drink
Fish, bacalao and the catch of the day
A big fishing port
Ålesund is one of Norway's main fish-export centres, and local cooking depends on it. The signature dish is klippfisk, salted dried cod known locally as "bacalao" according to Wikivoyage, served as a stew or baked.
Where to eat
Seafood restaurants around the harbour serve the day's catch; Sjøbua is named by Wikivoyage. For a simple meal, pizza, kebab and burger places cost less. A Norwegian food festival is held in town every year, according to Wikipedia (FR).
Drinks
Beer is sold in supermarkets until early evening; spirits and most wine can only be bought at the state-run Vinmonopolet shops, according to Wikivoyage. Bars close by 3 a.m. at the latest. Prices stay high, as everywhere in Norway.
Getting around
Walking, local buses and the Hurtigruten
On foot and by bus
The centre can be covered on foot, in under 20 minutes from end to end according to Wikivoyage. Local buses are frequent on weekdays but much reduced on Sundays and Saturday evenings. Regional buses link Bergen, Trondheim and the fjord villages.
Taxi and car
Taxis are expensive even for short rides, and more so in the evening and at weekends. A rental car makes the Geirangerfjord, the Atlantic Road and the islands easier, but tunnels and toll bridges are numerous: find out how to pay tolls.
By boat
Ålesund is a port of call for the Hurtigruten coastal ship, heading to Bergen and Kirkenes (Havila Voyages is also named by Wikipedia ES). It is an unusual way to reach Geiranger in summer, or to continue along the coast.
Budget and precautions
A high budget, like the rest of Norway
Price level
Norway is an expensive destination: restaurants, alcohol, accommodation and taxis weigh heavily, especially in summer. Simple meals and sandwiches lower the bill, and tap water is drinkable. We do not quote prices because we could not cross-check them and they change quickly.
Flights
The flight is the most variable cost. SniperAir tracks fares to AES and compares them with the route's history, but does not sell or book tickets. Bergen (BGO) and Trondheim (TRD) are other entry points worth watching, with a longer onward journey.
Entry rules and weather
Norway is in the Schengen area but not in the European Union: check entry requirements on official sites. Pack a waterproof jacket in any season, and sturdy shoes for the Aksla steps. Also read your home country's official travel advice.
When to go
Mild, wet and windy, with long summer days
Winter (December to February)
Mild but windy and wet oceanic climate; the town is quiet and fjord excursions depend on the weather.
Spring (March to May)
Days lengthen quickly and the Geirangerfjord waterfalls are swollen by snowmelt; many seasonal services reopen in May.
Summer (June to August)
Best season for cruises and the Atlantic Road, with very long days, but crowds and higher prices.
Autumn (September to November)
Soft light and fewer cruise passengers, but this is the wettest period: allow some margin.
Climate figures
Ålesund has a temperate oceanic climate: about 3 °C on average in January and 14 to 15 °C in July, and around 1,500 mm of rain a year, with December, October and September the wettest (Wikipedia EN, yr.no data 1991-2020). Real temperatures vary a lot from day to day: check forecasts before you go.
By trip length
What to do in Ålesund depending on your trip length
The essentials
Brosundet facades, the climb to Aksla and the Jugendstilsenteret.
Going deeper
A full day at the Geirangerfjord, plus the Atlanterhavsparken or the Sunnmøre museum.
Excursions
The Atlantic Road, the island of Runde or a stretch of the coast by Hurtigruten.
In pictures
Ålesund in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Ålesund
How do I get from Ålesund airport to the centre?
Vigra airport (AES) is linked to town by road, through undersea tunnels and without a ferry. The bus takes about 25 minutes to the centre according to Wikivoyage; a taxi is possible but costs more.
Why is Ålesund's architecture so distinctive?
After the 1904 fire the town was rebuilt within a few years, in stone and brick, in a consistent Art Nouveau style that is unique in Norway.
When is the best time to visit Ålesund?
Summer for cruises and the Atlantic Road, spring for waterfalls, autumn for fewer people but more rain.
Is Ålesund expensive?
Yes, like the rest of Norway: restaurants, alcohol and taxis are costly. The flight is the most variable cost, and SniperAir alerts you when a fare drops.
How long do I need for Ålesund and its surroundings?
One day for the town and Aksla, two to three days to add the Geirangerfjord and the museums, four days or more for the Atlantic Road and Runde.
How do I get around Ålesund?
On foot in the centre, by local or regional bus, by taxi (expensive) or by rental car for the fjords. No train reaches the town.
What should I eat in Ålesund?
Fish and seafood, with klippfisk ("bacalao") as the speciality. Spirits are only sold at Vinmonopolet.
How do I get an alert when a flight to Ålesund falls under my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Ålesund as destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected; SniperAir does not sell or book tickets.
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