Haugesund Airport Mini Guide
What can You tell me About Haugesund?
Haugesund is one of the most important places in Norway and was the key to the birth of the country. There, in 872 at the Battle of Hafrsfjord, the Viking clans were finally united into a Western Norwegian confederacy under the leadership of Harald Fairhair who was born and lived near Haugesund. Today, the event is marked by the National Monument and whilst the city, whose fortune was built on fishing and shipping, still thrives, its new wealth comes from the oil industry.
How do I Get to Haugesund?
The airport accepts flights from many European destinations with the largest operator being Ryanair who fly to Haugesund from
London Stansted. Once at the airport, it’s only a thirty minute journey into the city.
What is Haugesund Airport Like?
It’s a small but busy modern airport built on the island of Karmoy. A bridge links the island with the mainland and city of Haugesund. It has a reasonable range of facilities for a small airport which last year served over half a million passengers.
What can I Expect when I Arrive?
The airport is compact so there’s little chance of getting lost. If you need help or advice, there is an information desk just after the baggage reclaim. The staff here are happy to help with accommodation enquiries, questions about transport and also offer tourist information. There are no banks or ATMs in the airport so if you haven’t brought currency with you, you’ll have to ask the taxi driver to take you to one! If you are self-catering or simply hungry, there’s a small supermarket at the airport selling essential groceries plus snacks, papers and magazines.
You have numerous ways of getting from the airport to your destination including the airport bus which is cheap but takes a little longer than the shuttle which operates around the times of the Ryanair flights. Taxis are reasonably priced for the 30 minute journey and if you’ve pre-booked a hire car, the desks are found in the arrivals hall. To get to Haugesund from the airport, travel across the bridge to the mainland signposted Haugesund and head north into the city.
What About on Departure?
If you need assistance, you must let the airline know 48 hours in advance. They will inform the airport of your needs and a member of staff will be on hand when you arrive to assist you. Once you’ve checked in, you can spend some time in the small duty free shop which has the full range of items you’d expect including a good selection of spirits, or visit the supermarket for some food for the flight. If you’re hungry before your flight there’s a restaurant called Fresh and Tasty which serve pizzas and filled baguettes accompanied by soft, alcoholic or hot beverages. There’s no Wi-Fi at the airport so for your last few moments in Norway you’ll have to settle down with your paperback!
Haugesund is pivotal in the history of Norway. It was there that King Harald Fairhair united the country. One of the best places to find out more is to visit the Nordvegen History centre, a short distance by hire car from the centre of Haugesund. At the centre, a guide dressed as Harald, takes you through 3,500 years of Norwegian history.
Next to the centre there’s a reconstruction of a Viking farm which helps you to understand the difficulties faced by the ancestors of modern day Norwegians. Finally, visit St Olav’s Church and see Norway’s tallest pillar next to it.