Our Review of Tromso Airport (TOS)

Table of contents: Our Review of Tromso Airport (TOS) Pros and Cons of Tromso Airport (TOS) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Tromso Airport (TOS)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides, since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Other Reviews

Review Sources

This summary is based on user reviews from Google (aggregated ratings and comments) and Skytrax Tromsø Airport reviews, two of the most widely used platforms for airport feedback. These sources combine hundreds to thousands of real passenger experiences, offering a balanced view of the airport’s strengths and weaknesses.

Summary of Reviews

Overall, Tromsø Airport receives solid but mixed feedback, generally rated around 3.6–4.2 out of 5 on Google and similar platforms.

What passengers like most

Efficiency and speed: Many travelers highlight how quick security and boarding processes are.
Compact size: The airport is frequently described as “small, easy, and convenient,” making navigation simple.
Cleanliness and comfort: Reviews often mention a clean environment and modern feel.
Friendly staff: Positive interactions with staff are commonly noted.
Location: Its proximity to the city and good transport connections are highly valued.

On Skytrax, users describe it as a “small and friendly airport” with good punctuality and overall smooth operations.

Most common complaints

Limited space and crowding: During peak times (especially winter), the airport can feel cramped.
Few shops and restaurants: Many reviews mention a lack of variety in food and retail options.
Basic facilities: Some passengers feel the airport lacks amenities compared to larger hubs.
Occasional organization issues: Complaints include signage, queues, or baggage handling delays.
Inconsistent service experiences: While many reviews praise staff, some report unhelpful service in specific situations.

Final Rating and Verdict

Final score: 7.5 / 10

Tromsø Airport performs very well in what matters most: efficiency, accessibility, and ease of use. It is particularly well suited for a regional airport serving Arctic tourism.

However, the score is slightly reduced due to limited facilities, occasional crowding, and lack of premium services.

Conclusion

TOS is a highly functional and traveler-friendly airport, ideal for short and smooth journeys, but it does not aim to compete with large international hubs in terms of comfort or amenities.

Pros and Cons of Tromso Airport (TOS)

Pros

1. Compact and easy to navigate
The airport is small and well-organized, allowing passengers to move quickly between check-in, security, and gates.

2. Short waiting times
Security and boarding processes are generally fast compared to larger international airports.

3. Close to the city centre
Located just 5 km away, transfers to Tromsø are quick and convenient (10–15 minutes).

4. Efficient overall experience
Minimal walking distances and clear signage make it stress-free, even for first-time travelers.

5. Good access to Arctic destinations
It serves as a key hub for northern Norway, with strong domestic connections and seasonal international routes.

Cons

1. Limited dining and shopping options
The airport has only a few cafés and shops, especially compared to larger airports.

2. No luggage storage facilities
There are currently no lockers or left-luggage services available.

3. Limited lounge availability
There are no major airline lounges, and premium facilities are minimal.

4. Can get crowded in winter
During peak Northern Lights season, the airport can feel busy and somewhat constrained.

5. No rail connections
There is no train, metro, or tram access—transport relies entirely on buses, taxis, or cars.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Tromsø Airport (TOS), officially known as Tromsø Airport, Langnes, is the main gateway to northern Norway and the Arctic region. Located just 5 km from Tromsø city centre, it offers fast and convenient access to one of the world’s most popular destinations for Northern Lights tourism. Despite handling millions of passengers each year, the airport remains compact, efficient, and easy to navigate.

Terminal Overview

Tromsø Airport has one terminal building, divided into domestic and international areas. Everything is located within a short walking distance, making it very user-friendly.

Ground floor: Check-in, arrivals, baggage claim
Upper level: Security, departure gates, shops, and restaurants

Walking from check-in to the gate usually takes less than 10 minutes, even during busy periods.

Flights and Connections

TOS mainly handles domestic flights within Norway (Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim) along with seasonal international routes to European cities such as London and Helsinki.

Airlines operating here include SAS, Norwegian, Widerøe, and some seasonal carriers.

The airport serves as an important hub for regional connections across northern Norway.

Transport to and from the Airport

Getting to and from Tromsø Airport is quick and straightforward:

Bus: The most economical option (10–15 minutes to city centre)
Airport shuttle (Flybussen): Direct service to major hotels
Taxi: 10 minutes, higher cost but very convenient
Car rental: Ideal for exploring surrounding areas

There is no train or metro system, so all transport is road-based.

Facilities and Services

Although small, the airport offers all essential services:

Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal
Cafés, snacks, and casual dining options
Duty-free shop for international departures
ATMs and basic passenger services
Car rental desks in arrivals

However, some facilities are limited:

No luggage storage
Limited late-night food options

Parking

Tromsø Airport offers several parking options, all within walking distance:

P2: Indoor garage (premium, covered)
P3: Short-term parking in front of terminal
P4: Mid-range outdoor parking
P7: Budget long-term parking (3–7 min walk)

All areas offer free parking for the first 10 minutes.

Travel Experience

One of the biggest advantages of Tromsø Airport is its efficiency and simplicity. Security lines are usually short, distances are minimal, and the overall experience is stress-free compared to larger airports.

However, during peak winter season (Northern Lights tourism), the airport can become busier than usual.

Final Overview

Tromsø Airport is a modern, compact, and highly efficient airport, perfectly suited to its role as a gateway to the Arctic. While it lacks the extensive facilities of larger hubs, it compensates with speed, ease of use, and excellent accessibility.

Whether you’re arriving for an Arctic adventure or departing after experiencing the Northern Lights, TOS offers a smooth and straightforward airport experience.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation