By taxi
Taxi is generally expensive in Norway. Throughout Bergen, there are a number of taxi stalls where taxis are parked waiting for customers. During the day, taxis will usually not pick up customers nearer than 300 metres from the stalls, except when called to an address. During the night in the weekends, taxi queues can be very long up to one hour, and all customers are therefore required to go to the stalls. It is possible to order taxis to addresses also at this time of the week, but you shouldn't really expect the taxi to arrive.
The places where the taxis are stationed changes from time to time because of renovation of the city streets, but usually you will find them at the bus station, the railway station, Festplassen, Ole Bulls plass, Torget and in Torggaten and Vetrlidsalmenning. Look for signs saying "Taxi". Some taxi stalls are only open during night, and vice versa. Information about this is printed on a separate sign below the taxi sign. If no taxis are available at the taxi stall, call 07000 Bergen Taxi, 08000 Norgestaxi, +47 55 70 00 00 Taxi 1 or +47 55 70 80 90 Bryggen Taxi. Note that there is usually a fee associated with calling a taxi. Taxis may also be ordered in advance by calling one of these numbers, which is recommended if you have the possibility.
Fares are approximately the same regardless of the taxi company. All companies are regarded as reliable and safe. If several taxis are available at a taxi station, you may pick the one you want from the line.
It can be added that taxi drivers rarely expect or receive any tip.
On foot
Within the city center, walking is the best way to get around. You can walk across the downtown in 20 minutes in any direction. The most central streets of the city generally have a good accessibility for the disabled. The most important pedestrian crossings have sound signals and are indicated by tactile paving. They are also accessible with a wheelchair. Although paved stone is a popular material in the streets, it is rarely used in pedestrian areas. A map with more information on this subject is available from the municipality's website (http://www.bergen.kommune...).
By Light Rail
A light rail line runs between the city centre and southwards towards Nesttun. This is the primary means of public communication to southern parts of Bergen. The line passes the railway station, the bus station, Brann soccer stadium and the student homes at Fantoft along the route. The line operates from 6AM to 1AM, seven days a week, generally with a 10-minute frequency a bit more often during rush hours, 15-minute frequency on Saturday mornings, 30-minute frequency on Sunday mornings. The entire journey takes about 25 minutes.
Night lines operate all Friday and Saturday night with departures every 30 minutes.
You need to buy your ticket from the ticket machine at the station before you board. Apart from that, the ticket and fare card system is the same as for buses, see the Get around by bus section for more details. It's possible to change from bus to light rail and from light rail to bus within the time of validity of a ticket. Tickets for the night lines must be bought on board. Fare cards can not be used. The price is 60 kr.
The light rail is accessible with a wheelchair. All stops are announced and displays also show the name of the next stop.
By bike
Getting around by bike can be difficult in Bergen. Many central streets are paved with cobblestone, and there are only a few roads with designated cycling lanes. Cycling in such lanes can even be dangerous, as car and bus traffic may cross the lane. It is however legal to cycle on the sidewalks as long as you do not disturb pedestrians. Front and rear lights are mandatory after dark. Bicycle theft and vandalism is common, so be careful where you leave your bike and always use a lock.
By train
There is one local commuter train service, between downtown Bergen and the not-so-interesting suburb of Arna in the east schedules (http://www.nsb.no/getfile.php/www.nsb.no/nsb.no/PDF/Rutetabeller/Norsk/2008/043Bergen-Arna2008.pdf available from the Norwegian State Railways' web site). If you for whatever reason are going to Arna, the train is by far the fastest option from downtown since the roads run around the mountains while the railway line runs straight through them.
By car
It is an expressed goal of both local and national authorities to cut car traffic in the city center. Thus, the speed limit downtown is very low, and most streets are one-way streets. If you plan on getting from one part of downtown to another, walking is often faster then driving, even for locals who know their way around. Furthermore, parking in the streets are reserved for the handicapped and residents with a special permit with only a very few exceptions. If you plan to drive to the city center from outside of it, unless you have any special needs, park your car in a garage, such as Bygarasjen very large, at the bus station and Klostergarasjen at Nøstet, northern downtown; Bygarasjen being the cheaper. There are also several smaller and more expensive garages around town. If you take the chance to bring your car further downtown, be sure to read all signs â most streets are one-way streets and some are for buses and taxis only.
To park in a spot reserved for the disabled, you need a standard European "blue badge", a special parking permit generally, handicapped parking permits from most countries will be accepted. It must be placed on the inside of your car's front window, clearly visible from the outside. You will find a list of parking spots for the disabled in the city center on the municipal parking authorities' website (http://www.bergenparkerin...), along with some information on the general rules of parking (http://www.bergenparkerin...). The accessibility map (http://www.bergen.kommune...) mentioned previously also indicates where parking spots for the disabled are situated.
Driving in the area outside the city center is quite convenient, with expressways going in most directions. The roads are well sign-posted, but a map will probably come in handy anyway. Mind the speed limits; traffic controls are common and fines are stiff. Do also keep in mind that a lot of the roads are toll roads. All toll stations are automated. When approaching one, keep driving and do not slow down. A photograph of you license plates will be taken, and you will receive an invoice per mail. During rush hours 7:30AM-9AM and 3PM-5PM traffic is jammed many places, but it's nothing compared to larger cities in Europe.
Between 1 November and 31 March, the use of studded tires is legal. Within Bergen municipality, you have to pay a fee to use such tires. You can pay at automated payment stations on the main roads into Bergen Norwegian: oblatautomat, Statoil gas stations or by visiting the municipal parking authorities in Bygarasjen or Vincens Lunges gate 3 directly south of the railway station.