Good at transport since the Viking Age!

The Viking expeditions covered large areas, both in Norway, the Nordic countries and out into the world. They were exceedingly capable seafarers, who sailed from Scandinavia to North America in the west and Constantinople and Baghdad in the east. This was possible thanks to their shipbuilding prowess and exceptional sailing skills. They had, after all, the very best means of transport: Viking ships. They are key to understanding the Vikings’ ability to travel. The ships, which are so characteristic of the Nordic Middle Ages, were a vital element in raids, trade journeys, discoveries and colonisation.

Be inspired by the Vikings when you travel to Fjord Norway. There’s always a suitable means of transport for reaching your destination. Don’t just visit the cities or the fjords. Experience it all. You can travel around easily and quickly, by car, boat, bus or plane. 
 

Getting here – by plane or boat

Bergen and Stavanger operate direct flights to many cities in Europe, and also have daily services to Oslo. 

Widerøe connects towns and cities with daily services from Bergen and Oslo to Ørsta, Sandane, Ålesund, Molde, Kristiansund and Sogndal, to mention a few. The short flights are among the most spectacular in Norway, flying over fjords and mountains, small villages and farms. On Avinor’s website, you can find an overview of the services and practical information about transport to and from the airports. 

Fjord Line is an alternative to flying, with departures from Hirtshals, Stavanger and Bergen all year round. You can bring your car on the trip or travel as a foot passenger. 
 

Travelling around 

By bus 

The regional bus companies Nettbuss and NOR-WAY Bussekspress operate daily services between Bergen, Stavanger and Ålesund and the towns and villages between them, with connections to Oslo and Trondheim. Travelling by bus is one of the cheapest travel options, and you can often get a discount if you buy tickets in advance using the simple online booking solution. 
 

By boat 

Rødne gives passengers the opportunity to experience the fjords from out on deck – all year round. You can go on a fjord cruise to the spectacular Lysefjord from Stavanger, and to the wild and beautiful Mostraumen from the quay in Bergen. The express boat Hardangerfjordekspressen operates daily departures to the idyllic village of Rosendal, and stops at Flesland where you can book a seat on the bus to the airport. There is a ‘ski boat’ for skiing enthusiasts from Stavanger to Sauda every Saturday and Sunday during the winter season, which corresponds with a bus to the ski centre. 

Go Fjords sells a combined boat and bus ticket from Stavanger to Preikestolen Mountain Lodge, where the path to the famous mountain plateau starts, every Saturday and Sunday in October. The hike to the Pulpit Rock takes around four hours, and it makes for a perfect day trip from Stavanger for those who wish to enjoy the clear, cold autumn air and fantastic views. Remember to check the weather forecast and wear the right clothes when you are going to hike in the mountains in autumn.
 

By train 

You can travel from Oslo to Stavanger, Bergen and Åndalsnes with Vy. The Bergen Railway is a popular travel route, and the trip from Oslo to Bergen takes around seven hours. You can stop and spend a night somewhere en route, and if you book well in advance, you can also get discount, mini-price tickets. The world famous Flåm Railway connects the mountain station Myrdal and Flåm. 

Fjord Tours has put together a simple package trip that includes the Bergen Railway and the Flåm Railway, and a short bus trip and fjord cruise on the Nærøyfjord. On Norway in a Nutshell, you can experience the fjords in winter and the magnificent World Heritage landscape on a day trip from Oslo or Bergen, or as a one-way trip between the two cities. 
 

By car 

Travelling by car is not a given during the winter season. If you are not used to driving on slippery winter roads, we recommend that you leave the driving to an experienced driver or choose a different means of transport (see the options above).

In periods with a lot of snow and rough weather, the mountain passes may be closed or only open for convoys, and the changing weather can mean poor visibility and slippery roads. You can find up-to-date information about road status at vegvesen.no. 

Specially-designed picnic areas and viewpoints that merge into the landscape make the country roads in Fjord Norway truly unique. The Norwegian Scenic Routes Hardangervidda, Ryfylke, Atlanterhavsvegen, Jæren and Hardanger are all open throughout the year, and the Norwegian Scenic Route Gaularfjellet is usually open from April to December. The car hire companies Avis and Hertz have broad networks in cities and towns, enabling you to choose between round trips or one-way trips. Many people choose to drive over Hardangervidda on the trip between Oslo and Bergen to experience the wild mountain plateau. It can, however, make for a challenging drive in the late autumn and winter.
 

Travel planners and tour guides 

In our tour guide, you can see our top tips for trips by car and public transport, with exciting activities and experiences en route.. 

If you are going to combine two or more transport routes, the national travel planner en-tur.no provides up-to-date timetables for regional and local bus, ferry and train services.