Ryan Rumpca
October 2021
If you’re anything like me, you have found that there aren’t many resources detailing how Americans can get to the Faroe Islands. You have found that any search engine results only show extremely expensive and time-consuming flights. Don't be discouraged. In this guide I will detail the fastest and cheapest way to travel from the U.S to the Faroe Islands.
The Problem
When researching my trip to the Faroe Islands I was put off by the high costs for flights. All of my searches resulted in flights from Minneapolis-St. Paul costing $1400 USD or more. Not only was the cost high, but the shortest duration was 16 hours of travel, with most trips taking an average of 24 hours. The shortest return flight that wasn't outrageously expensive was 32 hours. The costs were over my budget and spending four precious days traveling is definitely not ideal. I was defeated and eventually chose to put off my Faroe Island trip for somewhere cheaper and more time effective. That was until I found this method.
The Solution
Most flight search engines will only give you results for consecutive flights that can be done within one airline/conglomerate. If you are willing to sacrifice the time it takes to retrieve bags from baggage claim (if applicable) and return through security, you might have the opportunity to save yourself a significant amount of time and money. If you don’t have bags and are only traveling with a carry on, even better! In this example I will be using the Minneapolis/St.Paul airport (MSP) as my airport of departure. While this method might not be an exact match for you, I anticipate you will still be able to profit.
Step 1.
Flight from MSP>KEF via airline of choosing. MSP (Minneapolis/St.Paul) offers direct flights to KEF (Keflavik, Iceland) via Icelandair, Delta, and others.
Plan for this trip to arrive in the morning of a Monday or Friday. At the time of the original writing of this post (Fall 2021), there are plenty of flight options going between Minneapolis and Keflavik.
Step 2.
Flight from KEF>FAE via Atlantic Airways. KEF (Keflavik, Iceland) offers direct flights to FAE (Vagar, Faroe Islands) with the flight lasting only an hour and a half. As of the original writing of this post, these flights run Monday/Wednesday/Friday in the summer months, and Monday/Friday in the other months. The flights leave at 11:40am Iceland local time. This is why I mentioned to schedule your arrival to Iceland in the morning. You will arrive in the Faroe Islands in the early afternoon, giving yourself plenty of time to get a rental car, get your bearings, or even start adventuring right away.
Step 3.
Enjoy your stay in the Faroe Islands!
Return Trip
I would suggest using the same route on your return trip. The flight from FAE>KEF (Vagar, Faroe Islands, to Keflavik, Iceland) usually has a 9:40am departure, arriving in Keflavik at 10:40am local time. Plan your flight from Keflavik to whatever destination accordingly given that time constraint. Even better yet, take an extra day or two on your way back to the States to get a taste for the wonders of Iceland.
The Results
Regarding time and money saved, this method is a no brainer. Total travel time would take anywhere from 48 to 56 hours roundtrip using the original method. This solution cuts that time in half, with most round trip times lasting between 20-26 hours of travel time.
Regarding price, search engines were resulting in $1400 minimum price (without luggage). Using the solution method, the sum came to be around $900, including bags.
Conclusion
The Faroe Islands are small, remote, and lightly traveled. Getting to the Faroe Islands is usually difficult and costly no matter where you are departing from. By using Iceland as a springboard, Americans can visit the Faroe Islands in half the time and almost half the cost. Having more time to explore and more money in your pocket is a sure way to start your adventure off on the right foot. If you like this post, check out my other posts about the Faroe Islands HERE.
Ryan is a freelance photographer and FAA part 107 commercial drone pilot based out of Duluth, Minnesota, United States. Ryan enjoys the extremes of mother nature and is constantly seeking out new experiences that will push the boundaries of his own comfort zone just a little bit more. An avid hiker, camper, and traveler, Ryan enjoys his time experiencing the elements. Catch him up the North Shore or exploring remote places on the other side of the globe.