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Crossing the Atlantic Ocean in the Sandoyartunnilin (Sandoy Tunnel)

Florian Buechting Other Transportation No Comments

On 21st December 2023, travel and commuting in the Faroe Islands reached another evolution. On that day, the Sandoyartunnilin (Sandoy Tunnel) opened to traffic. For the first time, there was the possibility to have road traffic between the main island Streymoy and the island of Sandoy without the usage of ferries. When I visited the country in September 2024, I was very excited use this toll tunnel and thus for the first time visit Sandoy. It was the second major tunnel project on the Faroe Islands after the Eysturoyartunnilin. I take you on this impressing road trip in my Pictured Story.

 

Sandoyartunnilin – Connection & Road Toll

The Sandoy Tunnel has been built in an impressing time of four years. It has a length of some 10.8 km. The Streymoy entrance is close to Kirkjubour next to the harbor there, whiile the Sandur exit is close to road 12 in the middle between Sandur and Skopun (it has to cross a mountain first). On its deepest point, it is 155 meter below water level. The steepest grade of Sandoyartunnilin is 5%. As on all Faroese streets outside cities, the speed limit is 50km/h. Apart from cars, the tunnel also allows to have regular public bus services (route 650) between the Faroese capital Torshavn and Sandur. On weekdays, there are eight services in each direction,

The tunnel has been built by the Faroese government and operates as a toll tinnel. The one-way crossing of the tunnel for a car is 175 DKK, roughly 23 EUR. Please note, that, similiar to the Eysturoyartunnil, the toll has to be paid in each direction, so that you end up with a total return fee of 350 DKK. Motorcycle crossings are 160 DKK each way. If you have a rental car, these fees are automatically charged on your credit card. In other cases you can pay the road toll up to six days after crossing online. With the introduction of the tunnel, there are no more ferries from Gamlaraett to Sandoy. The ferry there only operates to Hestur now.

 

 

Sandoyartunnilin – Impressions

The first pictures below show my trip from the main island to Sandoy. The entrance is very close to the former ferry connection (see above, now only route 61 to Hestur). With a few switchback, you almost go down to sea level, where you enter the tunnel. The tunnel itself comes with one lane in each direction. Overtaking is of course not allowed. There are multiple emergency bays. On several spots, there are painting by the artist Edward Fuglo. They are inspired by historic cave painting. The quality of my pictures is obviously rather poor, as you cannot slow down or stop to take pictures.

In the vice versa direction, the tunnel starts right before a mountain and first crosses landside. The trip is equivalent. You of course can explore some of the paintings better, as you look into the opposite direction. The drive is spectacular, but also a bit of frightening – better don’t imagine the masses or water above you during the tunnel crossing. When I left the tunnel on the Streymoy side, I had a lovely view over the area, which I just had to share with you.

 

 

Postings about Road Trips

Here are all road trips on Flyctory.com

 

All “classic” blog posts

No reviews – just debating and certain topics – these are my “traditional” blog posts in the categories Just blogging, Just blogging on music and Sports Blogging:

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