Travel to Bergen

Flying to Bergen

Norwegian and British Airways provide flights from the UK to Bergen. Norwegian also operates direct flights from the USA. Fares are usually higher in the summer months. 

Flight times

From London - 1 hour 55 minutes; New York - 7 hours 5 minutes; Los Angeles - 15 hours (including stopover); Toronto - 9 hours 10 minutes (including stopover); Sydney - 27 hours (including stopover).

Travel by road

The letter 'E' (plus a number) designates main routes, while the letter 'R' (plus a number) indicates lesser roads. Traffic drives on the right and overtakes on the left. The speed limit on motorways is usually 90kph (56mph), although in some places this increases to 110kph (68mph), while it is 80kph (50mph) outside towns, 50kph (31mph) in populated areas and 30kph (19mph) in certain residential streets. All passengers must wear seat belts. Motorcyclists must wear helmets. All vehicles must have dipped headlights on at all times. Overseas national driving licences and International Driving Permits are both valid in Norway. Third-party insurance is compulsory and a Green Card is recommended.

The Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) (tel: 08505, in Norway only; www.naf.no) operates an emergency breakdown service which can be used by anyone who is a member of a major international motoring organisation.

Emergency breakdown services

NAF (tel: 08505, in Norway only).

Routes

Bergen is connected to Oslo by the E16, which runs Bergen-Voss-Aurland-Lærdalsøyri-Fagernes-Hønefoss-Sandvika. From Sandvika, the road joins the E18 into the centre of Oslo. This is the fastest route to Oslo, with the world's longest road tunnel (24.5km/15 miles) linking Aurland with Lærdal and cutting out the need for a ferry. There is a shorter route, via the R7 through Geilo, but this involves some precipitous climbs across the 1,250m-high (4,125ft) Hardangervidda Pass and a ferry crossing from Brimnes to Bruravik, so it is slower.

The route to and from Trondheim is rather more complicated, with several alternatives of varying suitability according to the time of year (many mountain roads are closed due to snow from October to May). The shortest route to Bergen from Trondheim (summer only) is south via the E6 across the Dovrefjell range, turning west onto the vertiginous N15 at Otta and proceeding via Lom to Sogndal, from where the E39 links with Lavik, where a ferry crosses Sognefjorden to Oppedal. From there, the E39 continues south to Bergen. In winter, it is easier to travel via Oslo using the E6 and E16.

Coaches

Nor-way Bussekspress (tel: +47 8154 4444; www.nor-way.no) operates services between Oslo and Bergen, with several services in each direction daily. The journey takes between 10 and 11 hours. The Central Bus Station is located at Strømgaten 8. There is a free connection between Bergen bus station and the city centre.

Time to city

From Oslo - 6 hours 30 minutes; Stavanger - 5 hours; Trondheim - 9 hours 30 minutes; Lillehammer - 6 hours 30 minutes.

Travel by Rail

Services

Bergen Jernbanestasjon (Bergen Railway Station), Strømgaten 4, is centrally located and is the final stop for trains running from Oslo. Services are often rather slow, but trains are clean and comfortable.

Operators

Norwegian State Railways (NSB) (tel: 8150 0888; www.nsb.no) operates several services daily in each direction between Oslo and Bergen on the Bergen Railway, one of the highest railways in Europe. There is also a sleeper service every night except Saturday. You must reserve seats on express services before travelling. 

Journey times

From Oslo - 6 to 7 hours; Trondheim - 14 hours (with changes); Stavanger - 15 hours (with changes); Stockholm - 14 hours 30 minutes (with changes).

Travel by boat

International ferry services dock at Skoltegrunnskaien. Onshore facilities include bunkering, showers, a launderette and power supply, which are available between May and September. Keys are available (a deposit and a fee are required) from the quayside tourist information office.

Ferry operators

The ferry terminal at Skoltegrunnskaien has basic facilities with a café and snack bar. Fjord Line (tel: +47 5146 4099; www.fjordline.com) operates year-round overnight services connecting Bergen with Hirtshals in Denmark via Stavanger.

There is also an extensive network of domestic coastal services, including the Hurtigruten coastal steamer (tel: +47 8100 3030; www.hurtigruten.com) linking Bergen with other Norwegian ports and the North Cape. Many international cruise ships call at Bergen during the summer months.