Vardø Airport, Svartnes (VAW)
Vardø, NO 🇳🇴 Medium Airport Scheduled Service
ICAO
ENSS
IATA
VAW
Elevation
42 ft
Region
NO-56
Local Time
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GPS Code: ENSS
Local Code: Not available
Location: 70.3554° N, 31.044901° E
Continent: Europe
Type: Medium Airport
What Travelers Say
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Online Reviews Summary
Vardø Airport, Svartnes (VAW) appears to be a small, regional airport primarily serving domestic flights within Norway. Traveler sentiment, while not extensively detailed in numerous qualitative reviews, suggests a generally efficient and functional experience, particularly concerning security processes. The airport's modest size likely contributes to relatively quick transit times.
What Travelers Love
- Efficient Security Checks: Security screening at VAW is rated highly (90%), with an estimated average wait time of 31 minutes, and as low as 17 minutes during off-peak hours.
- Quick Immigration: Passport control has an estimated average wait time of 8 minutes, indicating a smooth process for international arrivals, although the airport primarily handles domestic flights.
- Proximity to City Center: The airport is conveniently located approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Vardø city center, with an estimated travel time of 5 to 10 minutes.
- Free Parking: Travelers benefit from free parking at Vardø Airport.
Common Complaints
- Limited Terminal Facilities/Amenities: While terminal facilities are rated at 80%, detailed descriptions of amenities are scarce, suggesting a basic offering. The airport has a single terminal building with a capacity for thirty passengers per hour. WiFi is rated at 50%, and food and retail services at 60%, indicating these areas might be limited.
- Expensive Flights and "Milk Run" Routes: Flights to Vardø are noted as potentially expensive and often involve multiple stops as part of Widerøe's "milk run" routes, which can be an adventure but also time-consuming.
- Potential for Delays due to Weather/Interference: There has been at least one instance of a Widerøe plane aborting a landing due to GPS interference, and the region is known for its strong winds and potential for fog, which could impact travel.
Vardø Airport, Svartnes, offers a straightforward and generally efficient travel experience for its domestic passengers, characterized by short security and immigration wait times and convenient access to the town. However, travelers should anticipate limited amenities and potentially higher flight costs due to its remote location and small operational scale.
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Current Weather Conditions
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Airport Routes
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
Newly Discovered
- Vadso (VDS) new
- Batsfjord (BJF) new
- Kirkenes, Hoybuktmoen (KKN) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
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Top Airlines
Operating at Vardø Airport, SvartnesAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wideroe's Flyveselskap A/s
WIF
/ WF
|
3 | 34 | 3 | Jan 25, 2026 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
15/33 |
3707 ft | 98 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| AFIS | VARDO INFO | 122.15 MHz |
Ground Transportation
Taxis
Vardø Taxi is the local provider. Taxis do not typically wait at the airport, so it is essential to pre-book your ride, especially to coordinate with your flight's arrival. They can be reached by phone to make a reservation.
Rental Cars
Several major car rental agencies like Hertz, Avis, and Sixt offer services at Vardø Airport. There are no staffed rental desks in the terminal. You must book your vehicle in advance, and it will be waiting for you in the airport car park upon arrival.
Public Transportation
An airport bus service (Flybuss), operated by Boreal, connects the airport with Vardø town center. The bus schedule is synchronized with Widerøe's flight arrivals and departures. There are no other regular, scheduled public bus routes that stop directly at the airport.