Brits dreaming of fjords, colourful Scandi houses and dazzling aurora displays could soon have a new direct way to reach Norway – and it wouldn’t involve flying.
Newcastle City Council is exploring the possibility of reviving a direct ferry link between Tyneside and Bergen, which could restore a North Sea crossing that disappeared more than 15 years ago.
While no deal has been signed and no operator confirmed, local leaders say early discussions are under way.
The route once served as a direct sea journey from Newcastle to Norway’s second-largest city, but it was scrapped in September 2008 when operator DFDS withdrew the service, citing soaring fuel costs.
Since then, travellers have largely relied on flights, which often involves a change in Amsterdam, to make the trip.
Air travel to Norway became easier in 2025 when Jet2 launched a direct Newcastle to Bergen flight, a journey that clocks in at just one hour and 25 minutes.
However, ferries continue to be a preferred choice for those heading to the Nordic country, as not only do they offer stunning views of the seascape along the way, they also tend to be far more environmentally friendly than flying.
On 21 January, Newcastle Council leader Karen Kilgour brought the idea to a meeting, where she noted she would ‘love to see the return of the ferry’ and would ‘continue to work with partners and our friends in Bergen to explore all ways of bringing it back’.
Local leaders at Newcastle City Council are exploring the possibility of resurrecting a direct ferry link between Tyneside and Bergen – meaning UK travellers can sail directly to Norway
For now, she has acknowledged the service is not yet ‘economically viable’, with tighter border controls adding further complications compared with the past.
Previous attempts to resurrect the ferry route have fallen flat over the years, and officials admit they face significant hurdles before any ship could set sail again, as reported by Time Out.
Newcastle’s strong relationship with Bergen is rooted further than tourism – it stretches all the way back to World War II, when Bergen began gifting Newcastle a Christmas tree each year in thanks for British support.
Although the physical tree exchange ended in 2022 due to environmental concerns, the tradition lives on symbolically, with the mayor of each city still swapping festive decorations each year.
Bergen, often dubbed the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’, is known for its colourful wooden waterfront, a working mountain funicular and a lively mix of old-school bars.
With 2026 predicted to be the strongest year for northern lights sightings in a decade, the new announcement couldn’t come at a better time for travellers eager to head to Norway by sea, and marvel at its fjords and wintry landscape along the way.
Meanwhile, for expats looking to relocate to a country that not only brings them happiness, but serves as the ideal place to raise a family, Norway has proved to be a solid choice.
New research has found the Scandinavian country was also the happiest spot for expats.
The original North Sea crossing was scrapped in September 2008 when operator DFDS withdrew the service, citing soaring fuel costs
The study considered various factors including crime, healthcare access, education and average earnings to determine the best place for families to relocate to.
The analysis of 20 different aspects found Norway came out top, scoring 71.73 out of 100.
An impressive 94.06 per cent of families living there expressed how they were happy.
This puts Norway 11 per cent above the average in Europe, which is 84.76 per cent.
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The UK could be getting a direct ferry to Norway for the first time in 18 years
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