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Getting to and around Northwest

Planning your trip to Northwest Norway is straightforward. Explore Ålesund, Geiranger, the Atlantic Road, Trollstigen, Molde, Kristiansund, and many other attractions across Møre og Romsdal. Travel by train to Åndalsnes in the centre of Romsdal, arrive in Kristiansund by high-speed ferry from Trondheim or Smøla, or explore the region at your own pace by coach, car, or plane.

By coach

Express coaches connect Northwest Norway with Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim, operating day and night, serving destinations including Ålesund, Molde, Kristiansund, Åndalsnes, Ørsta/Volda, and Ulsteinvik.

Getting around the region by public bus transport is easy. The FRAM express service links Volda, Ørsta, Ålesund, Molde and Kristiansund, with connections to destinations such as Åndalsnes and Sunndalsøra.

Timetables and tickets

  • entur.no – journey planner and ticket booking for coaches, local buses, high-speed ferries and trains throughout Norway. Download the “Entur” app
  • frammr.no – timetables, tickets and travel information for the whole of Møre og Romsdal.
  • FRAM – telephone +47 71 28 01 00. The FRAM app is available from the App Store and Google Play

We recommend purchasing tickets in advance via the Entur or FRAM app, or through their websites. On some services, you can also pay by bank card on board. Please note that many long-distance coach services require advance booking.

Reach the region's top attractions by coach

During the summer season, a public bus transport service operates between Ålesund, Åndalsnes and Geiranger via Trollstigen. Check the timetable here. You can also travel on parts of the route. Advance booking is recommended.

You can also visit the Atlantic Road by bus. Scheduled services run from Kristiansund, with some also operating from Molde. The nearest stops are Vevang and Kårvåg. Please note that these are regular public bus services; they do not stop for sightseeing or photo opportunities, and do not stop directly on the Atlantic Road itself. Check timetables at entur.no or frammr.no.

Regular bus services also connect the Art Nouveau town of Ålesund with destinations across the region. For timetables and journey planning, visit entur.no or frammr.no.

By rail

Travel along the Rauma Railway between Dombås and Åndalsnes, recognised as Europe's most scenic train journey by Lonely Planet. From Oslo or Trondheim, take the Dovre Railway to Dombås and change there for the Rauma Railway.

From Åndalsnes station, connecting coach services operate to Ålesund, Molde and Kristiansund. Train and coach timetables are coordinated for easy onward travel.

By sea – coastal voyages, ferries, and fjord cruises

Both Hurtigrutenand Havila Kystrutencall daily at Ålesund, Molde and Kristiansund on their northbound and southbound sailings. Torvik on the Sunnmøre coast is also a regular port of call. During parts of the spring and autumn seasons, northbound sailings additionally call at Geiranger and Hjørundfjorden.

High-speed ferries

Fjord cruises and local boat services

For more boat trips and fjord cruises, including journeys through the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, see our guide to fjord cruises to/from Ålesund and Geiranger: Fjordcruise from Ålesund to Geiranger

By car and rental car

All roads lead to Northwest Norway. Many of them offer unforgettable journeys in their own right. You've probably heard of the National Tourist Routes through Trollstigen and Geiranger, and along the Atlantic Road. For more inspiration, explore our articles on Norway’s most spectacular road tripsand Winter-open roads and attractions in Møre og Romsdal.

Driving from Oslo: Follow the E6 north from Oslo. From there, take the E136 towards Åndalsnes, Molde, and Ålesund. If you're heading for Geiranger, the Sunnmøre Alps, or Runde, you can leave the E6 earlier and follow Route 15 towards Stryn.

Driving from Bergen: Follow the E39, which runs through Northwest Norway and provides easy access to the region's main attractions and destinations.

Driving from Trondheim: Follow the E39 south towards Northwest Norway. Alternatively, take the E6 to Oppdal and continue on Route 70 to Sunndalsøra.

Useful links

Rental car in Northwest Norway

Many attractions are hard to reach by public transport alone. Car hire is available in Ålesund, Geiranger, Hareid, Ulsteinvik, Molde, Kristiansund, Åndalsnes, and at the airport between Volda and Ørsta.

Traffic information

Statens vegvesen (the Norwegian Public Roads Administration) offers real-time traffic updates across the country.

Download the app in App Store or Google Play.

By air

Northwest Norway is served by four airports. Ålesund Airport, Vigra, is the region's main gateway, offering the widest choice of international routes and departures.

AES – Ålesund Airport, Vigra

  • Domestic and international flights
  • Approximately 20 minutes from Ålesund town centre
  • Airlines: SAS, Norwegian, Widerøe, KLM and Wizz Air
  • Daily flights to Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim
  • Scheduled services to Amsterdam, Gdańsk, Alicante, London and Copenhagen
  • Airport coaches connect the airport with Moa and Ålesund town centre (LINK)
  • Taxis are available at the airport

From Ålesund Airport, driving times are approximately: 20 minutes to Ålesund, 1 hour 45 minutes to Hjørundfjord (Sæbø), Ulsteinvik and Åndalsnes, 2 hours to Molde, 2 hours 20 minutes to Geiranger, 3 hours 15 minutes to Kristiansund

MOL – Molde Airport, Årø

  • Domestic flights
  • About 10 minutes from Molde town centre
  • Airlines: Norwegian and Widerøe
  • Daily flights to Oslo and Bergen
  • Express coaches and local buses stop 300 metres from the terminal. Check timetables at FRAM and Entur
  • Taxis are available at the airport

From Molde Airport, driving times are approximately: 1 hour 45 minutes to Ålesund, 1 hour to the Atlantic Road, Kristiansund and Åndalsnes, 2 hours 30 minutes to Geiranger

KRS – Kristiansund Airport, Kvernberget

  • Domestic flights
  • About 25 minutes from Kristiansund town centre
  • Airlines: SAS and Widerøe
  • Daily flights to Oslo and Bergen
  • Regular bus services connect the airport with Kristiansund centre in about 25 minutes. Check timetables at FRAM and Entur
  • Taxis are available at the airport

From Kristiansund Airport, driving times are approximately: 45 minutes to the Atlantic Road, 1 hour to Molde, 1 hour 35 minutes to Sunndalsøra, 1 hour 45 minutes to Smøla

HOV – Ørsta/Volda Airport, Hovden

  • Domestic flights
  • Less than 10 minutes from the centres of Ørsta and Volda
  • Airline: Widerøe
  • Daily flights to Oslo, Bergen and Sogndal
  • Bus route 340 between Ørsta and Volda serves the airport in connection with arriving and departing flights. Journey time to the town centres is 5–10 minutes. Timetables are available from frammr.no and entur.no
  • Express coaches also stop at Hovdebakken, just 650 metres from the airport

Frå Ørsta-Volda Airport, driving times are approximately: 30 minutes to Ulsteinvik, Hjørundfjord (Sæbø) and Grodås (Hornindal), 1 hour to Runde, 1 hour 10 minutes to Ålesund, 2 hours 30 minutes to Geiranger

Plan your trip

Use the Travel Plannerto find your favourite activities and view the distance and travel time between locations. Travel time is based on car travel.