Here’s how to make good choices whilst travelling in the Stavanger region

Bus and train

The Jæren railway runs from Stavanger to Egersund, with several stops along the way in Jæren. If the train does not take you all the way to your destination, check Kolumbus' travel planner for local bus connections.

Kolumbus is responsible for bus and express boat services in Rogaland and works to connect these with trains, cycling, walking and car sharing. You can also find information about city bikes from Kolumbus.

Getting to and from

Bus services such as Haukeliekspressen (Oslo–Haukeli–Haugesund), Sør-Vest Ekspressen (Kristiansand–Egersund–Stavanger) and Kystbussen (Bergen–Haugesund–Stavanger) connect the Stavanger region with destinations to the north, south and east. Locally, bus services throughout the region are operated by Kolumbus and Boreal. By train, you can take Sørtoget between Stavanger, Kristiansand and Oslo.

During the main season, you can also travel by bus to major attractions such as Preikestolen and Kjerag:

• Bus to Preikestolen with Boreal
• Express bus to Preikestolen with Go Fjords
• Express bus to Kjerag with Go Fjords

Fjord sightseeing by electric boat

MS Rygerelektra is a fully electric catamaran that sails from Stavanger to the Lysefjord. The catamaran is owned and operated by Rødne Fjord Cruise.

Brim Explorer also offers quiet fjord cruises using electric and hybrid-electric boats. Electric propulsion reduces local emissions and engine noise. Without the powerful vibrations and engine noise of a conventional diesel-powered boat, the experience on board is noticeably quieter (source: Why silent fjord cruises are changing the way we experience Norway).

See new places from the saddle

Jæren is relatively flat, making the area well suited to cycling. Norway Bike Rental offers bikes for longer trips, while Paa Hjul offers bikes for shorter rides.

Jærruta offers complete packages including accommodation, meals and bike hire. The route can be explored by e-bike, with or without a guide, depending on what you want from your stay. Along the way, you can experience the distinctive light, the landscape, views of the North Sea and plenty of impressions from the saddle. Read more about the Jærruta cycling route.

Day trips by bike

Are you going on a day trip by bike, here are some useful examples of bike distances:

From Stavanger city centre

• Swords in rock (Approx. 6 kilometres, 25 minutes)
• Vistestranden beach, via the lakes Store Stokkavatnet and Hålandsvatnet (Approx. 13 kilometres, 45 minutes)
• Solastranden beach (Approx. 18 kilometres, 1 hour)

From Clarion Hotel Air, Sola

• Solastranden (Approx. 2 kilometres, 6 minutes)
• Borestranden (Approx. 16 kilometres, 50 minutes)

From Egersund city centre

• Vannbassengan swimming area (Approx. 1,5 kilometres, 10 minutes)
• Trollpikken (6,8 kilometres, 30 minutes, plus parts of the hike on foot)
• Skadbergsanden (Approx. 7,5 kilometres, 30 minutes)
• Sogndalstrand (Approx. 30 kilometres, 1 hour and 40 minutes)

Read also:

Getting to and around the Stavanger region

Hiring a car during your trip?

Several car hire companies offer electric and hybrid cars. At Hertz, you can search for available electric and hybrid cars.

Explore on foot

Walk from beach to beach, start somewhere and see where you end up, hike to a new summit every day, wander through streets and alleyways or run through the forest. We hope you use your feet as much as possible and experience small and memorable moments along the way, barefoot, in hiking boots, sandals, trainers or high heels. The world is at your feet, including the Stavanger region, on the edge of Norway.

Choose Norway all year round

The Stavanger region can be experienced throughout the year. Autumn, winter and spring offer different experiences from the summer months. By travelling outside the main season, you can help support activity at accommodation providers, restaurants and activity companies throughout more of the year. Popular places may also be less busy than during the peak summer months.

Hiking is possible during much of the year, but conditions vary depending on the weather and season. In winter, we recommend hiking with a nature guide.

Stay longer, eat and shop locally

Consider staying longer in one place rather than changing hotels every night. This gives you more time to discover what the surrounding area has to offer. Support local businesses, try food and drink from the region and take home locally made products or souvenirs.

Hotels with environmental certification

Several accommodation providers in the Stavanger region hold environmental certifications. Region Stavanger members include Sola Strand Hotel and Utstein Kloster Hotell, both of which are Eco-Lighthouse certified. All Thon Hotels in Norway are Eco-Lighthouse certified, while a large proportion of Strawberry's hotel operations are Nordic Swan Ecolabel certified.

Want to explore more options? You can filter accommodation in the Stavanger region by environmental certification.

See environmentally certified accommodation in the Stavanger region

Help take care of Norwegian nature

Norway's right to roam (Allemannsretten) lets you explore and enjoy the outdoors. With this right come responsibilities, including showing consideration for nature, wildlife, landowners and other people enjoying the outdoors. As a visitor, it is important to know and follow the rules.

Read more about the right to roam and the rules that apply.

Things you can do

Do not disturb wildlife, and always take your litter and other waste with you. If you come across litter along the way, you can also pick it up if it is safe to do so.

You can also join organised clean-ups. Ryddeaksjon Jærkysten is an initiative by Jæren Friluftsråd to clean beaches and coastal areas. Ryfylke Friluftsråd also regularly organises clean-up days. Find out how you can take part.