Quick answer. Vágar Airport is on the island of Vágar, about 45 minutes to an hour from Tórshavn by road, through the Vágatunnilin subsea tunnel. Bus 300 runs to the capital and takes cards on board; a taxi costs several hundred kroner. Most visitors pick up a hire car, and the tunnel toll, about DKK 100 return, is the first charge of the trip. You need very little cash in the Faroes; there is a machine in the terminal if you want some. Arrivals also has a duty-free shop, worth knowing because wine and spirits are otherwise sold only in state shops. There is no Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner on the islands.
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Where to get Danish kroner at FAE
The Faroes run on cards, so the cheapest kroner are usually the ones you never withdraw. If you want cash, the bank machine beats any exchange. Figures are for the krone equivalent of $100, at roughly DKK 6.5 = $1.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay by card in kroner (no-FX-fee card) | Everywhere | Network rate, nothing to withdraw | ~$100 |
| Bank ATM in arrivals | Arrivals | Network rate; any fee shown on screen | ~$100-102 |
| Accepting 'charge in USD' at a hotel or hire desk | Terminals island-wide | +3-7% conversion markup | ~$103-107 |
| Exchanging dollars at a bank | Tórshavn branches | Spread plus a handling fee | ~$104-108 |
The machine at Vágar (FAE), and the road to Tórshavn
Vágar's small, modern terminal handles Atlantic Airways flights from Copenhagen, Billund, Edinburgh, Reykjavík and seasonal routes, and SAS from Copenhagen. A cash machine is in the arrivals area, run by a Faroese bank, and gives Danish kroner. Hire-car desks are in the same hall, and Atlantic Airways' subsidised helicopters to the small islands leave from here. The money surprises in the Faroes are tolls, hiking fees and the alcohol monopoly, all covered in our Faroe Islands money guide. The Denmark money guide explains the krone itself.
Arrivals hall
Atlantic Airways and SAS, from Copenhagen, Billund, Edinburgh, Reykjavík and seasonal routes
The cash machine is in the public area. Decline any offer to convert into dollars. The duty-free shop in arrivals sells wine and spirits; outside the airport, those are sold only in the state-run Rúsdrekkasøla shops.
Hire-car desks
Local and international rental companies
Desks in the arrivals hall; cars in the car park outside. A credit card is needed for the deposit. Ask whether the car has a tunnel subscription, so you know whether to pay tolls yourself.
Helicopter departures
Atlantic Airways' subsidised helicopter routes to the small islands
Seats are few and some routes are one-way only for visitors. Book ahead by card, and keep a little cash if you are heading to Mykines, which has no machine.
Do you actually need cash at Vágar (FAE)?
No. The bus, taxis and hire desks take cards, and the tunnel toll is paid by card at a petrol station or online:
Bus 300 to Tórshavn (under DKK 100): About 45 minutes to an hour; pay by card on board; timed to meet most flights.
Hire car (varies): Essential outside Tórshavn; add tunnel tolls of DKK 100 to 175.
Taxi to Tórshavn (several hundred kroner): Book ahead; few taxis wait at the airport.
Helicopter to the small islands (low, subsidised fares): Limited seats; book ahead.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Vágar (FAE) to Tórshavn?
No. Bus 300 takes cards on board, taxis and hire desks take cards, and the tunnel toll is paid by card. Keep a few hundred kroner for honesty boxes, remote cafes and Mykines.
Can I order Danish kroner before flying?
Faroese notes are not sold abroad, but Danish kroner spend the same on the islands. CEI Currency Exchange ships Danish kroner to a US address in 2-5 days; a few hundred is plenty.
How do I get from Vagar Airport to Torshavn?
By bus 300, which runs to the capital in about 45 minutes to an hour and takes cards on board, or by hire car or pre-booked taxi. The road passes through the Vagatunnilin subsea tunnel, which charges a toll of about DKK 100 for a return trip, paid at a petrol station or online.
Is there duty-free at Vagar Airport arrivals?
Yes, a duty-free shop in the arrivals area. It matters more than usual in the Faroes, because supermarkets sell only light beer, and wine and spirits are sold only in the state shops, which close on Sundays. Check your duty-free allowance.
Can I use euros or dollars at Vagar Airport?
Generally not. Prices are in Danish kroner, and cards are accepted almost everywhere. Pay by card in kroner, or withdraw a little from the machine in arrivals.