A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Sandoy
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**This post is the 9th of a 11-post series discussing what to see in this part of the Faroe Islands (You can check out the other parts in the list below, separated by each specific island (just click on the island name to see the blog post. Everything is also summarized in another post here.**
The Faroe Islands, or the Faroes, are an archipelago located in the North Atlantic Ocean and are a part of Denmark. The subpolar oceanic climate, moderated by the Gulf Stream, make the temperature of the Faroes nearly constant throughout the year. Origins of the Faroe Islands date back as early as 500 AD, thought to be settled by people from Great Britain or Ireland. [Funfact: The population of sheep (70,000) outnumber the human population (54,000)]
Tórshavn (Blog Post: A Journey to the Faroese Capital of Tórshavn)
Vágar (Blog Post: A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Vágar)
Streymoy (Blog Post: A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Streymoy)
Eysturoy (Blog Post: A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Eysturoy)
Bordoy (Blog Post: A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Bordoy)
Kalsoy (Blog Post: A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Kalsoy)
Vidoy (Blog Post: A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Vidoy)
Mykines (Blog Post: A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Mykines)
Sandoy (Blog Post: A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Sandoy)
Kunoy (Blog Post: A Journey to the Faroe Islands: The Island of Kunoy)
The Waterfalls of the Faroe Islands (Blog Post: The Waterfalls of the Faroe Islands)
In this blog post, I will cover the island of Sandoy. A Google Map of these places I will talk about can be seen at the end of this article. Check out my drone video of the Faroe Islands below!
How to Get to the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are accessed primarily through Vágar Airport (FAE), the only airport in the archipelago. Vágar Airport connects the islands to major Northern European hubs:
Copenhagen Airport (CPH), Denmark: Several daily flights by Atlantic Airways and SAS; flight time about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Reykjavik Keflavik Airport (KEF), Iceland: Seasonal flights by Atlantic Airways, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI), UK: Seasonal summer flights lasting roughly 2 hours.
Most travelers connect via Copenhagen, which has extensive international connections.
How to Get to Sandoy Island
Step 1: From Vágar Airport to Gamlarætt Ferry Terminal (Streymoy Island)
Drive: About 45 km from Vágar Airport to Gamlarætt ferry terminal near Tórshavn, roughly 45 minutes via the Vágatunnilin tunnel.
Bus: Take bus 400 from Vágar Airport to Tórshavn (50 min, ~60 DKK), then local bus 401 or taxi to Gamlarætt (10 min).
Step 2: Ferry from Gamlarætt to Sandur (Sandoy Island)
Ferry Duration: Approximately 30 minutes crossing the Sound of Sandoy.
Ferry Schedule: Typically 3 to 5 sailings daily, with increased frequency during summer months.
Cost: Around 100 DKK (~13 EUR) for a one-way passenger ticket; cars and bicycles can also be transported for additional fees.
Step 3: Getting Around Sandoy Island
Largest Village: Sandur, located right at the ferry terminal.
Driving: The island is about 30 km long. From Sandur, driving to other villages like Skopun and Dalur takes 10–20 minutes on well-paved roads.
Bus: Local bus route 500 connects Sandur with other villages.
Frequency: About 3 trips daily.
Fare: 20–40 DKK (~3–5 EUR).
Taxi: Available but limited—best to arrange in advance.
Summary Tips
The ferry is the only direct public transport to Sandoy, so check the ferry timetable carefully.
Renting a car on Streymoy before heading to Sandoy offers the most freedom to explore.
Sandoy’s roads are quiet and scenic, perfect for a relaxed drive.