By plane
Bergen Airport Flesland IATA: BGO (http://www.avinor.no/luft...) is located 19 km south of the city. The main international airports with flights to Bergen are Copenhagen, London, and Amsterdam. There are also flights from various cities in the United Kingdom such as Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen; Prague, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, various cities in Spain, and some other airports. There are also a number of domestic flights, such as Oslo, Stavanger, Trondheim, Kristiansand and Sandefjord, connecting Bergen to additional international airports. The main carriers in Norway are SAS and the low cost airlines Norwegian Air Shuttle. The Dutch KLM has flights to Amsterdam, Lufthansa to Frankfurt. The smallest airports in Norway are usually served by Widerøe.
There is a frequent every 15 minutes airport bus service Norwegian: Flybussen (http://www.flybussen.no/bergen/), which takes about 30-40 minutes to downtown costing kr. 100, return ticket valid for one month kr. 160. Another company offering a similar service is Airportexpress (http://www.flybussbergen....) kr. 100, return ticket valid for one month kr. 150. Their departures are not quite as frequent every 30 minutes, but they stop closer to many hotels. Notice that return tickets are not exchangeable between these competing services.
Taxis are also available but they cost much more kr. 300-350 on weekdays to downtown, more at night and at the weekend. There are some local buses occasionaly going to and from the airport see the Get around by bus-section for more information on local buses. They have limited space for luggage and take longer, but only cost kr. 25.
The car rental companies AVIS, Budget, Hertz, Europcar and National all have offices at Bergen Airport Flesland. Located in the terminal building, by the exit, most of them are open 7AMâ9PM on weekdays. Opening hours in the weekend are limited, but some of the companies will offer 24 hours rental if you make a reservation.
By bus
Via the network of NOR-WAY Bussekspress (http://www.nor-way.no/), Bergen is accessible from almost the entire country. Bus is usually the cheapest way to travel, but can take some time. The national buses are very comfortable, but not suitable for people using a wheelchair. Schedules and fares are available online, and it is also possible to pre-book. Booking may be required on some routes. The bus station is conveniently located just a few minutes walk from the city center. The terminal for long distance buses is situated on the rear side of the station.
By train
Bergen is served by a railway line which runs from Oslo. The railway line is operated by the Norwegian State Railways (http://www.nsb.no/). The journey takes about seven hours and gives you beautiful views, especially for the last three hours. When passing Geilo, you will cross over a high mountain plateau and then travel downwards through some of the most wonderful scenery in Norway. If you buy your ticket online well in advance, fares may be as low as kr. 199 for a one-way ticket. For an additional fee of kr. 90, you may upgrade your ticket to NSB Komfort, the equivalent of first class, with slightly better seats, free coffee and tea, and a power outlet. If you want to make more out of your journey, book your tickets on the phone +47 815 00 888, press 9 for information in English. Phone reservations cost 50 NOK extra per ticket however, so be sure to mention you had trouble booking on their website which is common to avoid the extra cost. Ask to get a window seat on one of the most recent upgraded trains they're quite stylish and have power outlets by every seat on the left hand side this will give you the best view. The railway station is located east of the city centre, close to the bus station and the Bygarasjen garage.
Universal access is a priority to the Norwegian State Railways. Book your ticket on the phone or buy it at the train station at least a day in advance to inform staff if you have any special needs. You will have the same offers as are available online. Most trains are equipped with lifts or ramps and handicap toilets. Wheelchairs can be secured on board. For the seeing impaired, there are tactile lines in the larger stations. Staff will assist you in the station. If you need an assistant and can provide documentation, you and your traveling companion will get a 50 % discount off the full ticket price.
By car
When travelling by car from Oslo, European road E16 is the longest, but easiest drive. Between Lærdal and Flåm, the road goes through Lærdalstunnelen, the longest road tunnel in the world. This route is less prone to be closed on short notice in the winter due to weather conditions - compared with the other mountain crossings.
There are many other alternatives, such as RV7 the Hardangervidda route which probably is the most scenic route, but also more difficult with regards to both weather and driving conditions. The road takes you across the mountain plateau Hardangervidda and along the innermost parts of Hardangerfjorden. From Brimnes, take the ferry to Bruravik and continue to Voss where RV7 meets E16 - or take the beautiful "Hardangerfjord route" from Granvin via Norheimsund. Parts of this scenic "Handangerfjord route" is narrow, even with single lane roads. Caravanists, be aware!
Other interesting alternatives from eastern Norway are:
The nice Aurland-Hol route from upper Hallingdal to Flåm. Take RV7 to Hagafoss, then RV50 to Flåm. This is a quick route many Norwegians prefer, as there are no ferries - but be prepared for some narrow, dark tunnels and the rather steep, but breathtaking descend down from the mountains.
The Numedal Valley route from Kongsberg to Geilo on RV40, and then over the Hardangervidda plateau see RV7 above. Enjoy very decent and even good roads along this peaceful valley. This route has much less traffic than Hallingdal. A good alternative if you travel from Vestfold county, but not the fastest route from Oslo.
The Haukeli route via mystic Telemark trough the southern part of Hordaland county on E134. Take R13 to Odda, then 555 to Utne and the ferry to Kvandal. Continue on the Hardanger route see above. Alternative: The âunknownâ, fascinating route from Odda via the Folgefonna tunnel to the outer Hardangerfjord area. Visit the Barony at Rosendal or try summer skiing at the glacier, then take the ferry from Løfallstrand to Gjermundhavn. Drive to Eikelandsosen and take the short Venjaneset-Hatvik ferry crossing, or drive to Tysse and over the Gulfjellet mountain to Bergen. Some narrow roads. As for the Numedal route this is a good alternative if youâre starting from the districs south of Oslo - or if you arrive on a ferry Horten, Sandefjord, Langesund, Larvik etc.
From Stavanger, choose E39, which takes you past Haugesund, Stord and Os. The trip takes approximately four hours. Many toll roads and two ferries. From à lesund, Trondheim or any of the other cities, towns and villages north of Bergen, the shortest road is also E39, but if you're coming from Trondheim or the north part of Møre og Romsdal the inland roads might be a better choice. However, for the most scenic road, choose E39 and consider detours along road RV60 or road RV5.
Generally, you will find that many roads in rural areas, even the highways between the cities, are of poor quality. There are no motorways except in the areas in and around the largest cities, due to the rather low traffic and the somewhat difficult conditions in the mountains. Even if some people drive very fast, you should mind the speed limits usually 80 km/h and drive according to the conditions. In the mountains, help can be hours away. Furthermore, you will find traffic controls and police in unmarked cars nearly everywhere. Fines are very high. Do also keep in mind that to avoid dangerous situations, it's a very good idea stop and let faster going traffic pass you.
The trip from Oslo to Bergen takes between seven and nine hours, depending on the route, the driving conditions and whether you choose to make any stops on the way. Be prepared to add some hours driving time in the winter - and remember that the daylight will be scarse for many months. It might be a good idea to use two days on the tour in the winter if you're not accustomed to these conditions. A 12 or even 14 hour drive on icy, dark roads in bad weather is not very nice. Keep in mind that inter-city roads in Norway are often of poor quality due to relatively low traffic and difficult weather conditions.
If you plan to cross the mountains for instance by driving from Oslo to Bergen in the winter season, it is imperative that you are prepared for the journey. The conditions are harsh. Always keep a full tank of fuel, and keep warm clothes, food and drink in the car. Make sure your tires are good enough and suited for winter conditions studded or non-studded winter tires, "all-year" tires are not enough, and that you have the sufficient skills for driving in snowy and cold conditions. Roads are often closed on short notice due to weather conditions. For advice on conditions and closed roads, call 175 in Norway or check the online road reports (http://www.vegvesen.no/Tr...) in Norwegian only from the Norwegian State road authorities. Remember that not all parts of the roads have cellular phone coverage.
If arriving in Bergen by car, you will be better off not taking your car into the city center unless you know exactly where you're going, as most streets are one-way or do not allow cars at all only buses and taxis, read more in the Get around section.
By ship
There are fast boat services from Stavanger as well as several communities north of Bergen. Because these passenger ferries stop at various small towns on the way there, you get a great view of the coast and its islands. Fjord1 (http://www.fjord1.no/en/) runs ferries north of Bergen, Tide (http://www.tide.no/) runs services south of Bergen including Stavanger-Bergen connection. The boat terminal is on the Nordnes peninsula in the city center.
Bergen is the southern terminus for Hurtigruten (http://www.hurtigruten.no/), a week-long passenger ship route with stops along Norway's coast all the way to Kirkenes in the far north of Norway. à lesund can be reached overnight, and Trondheim will take one full day and two nights. The terminal is located at Nøstet. The Hurtigruten ships are accessible with a wheelchair.
There are car ferries which run to and from Hirtshals in northern Denmark, operated by Fjordline (http://fjordline.com/). The terminal is the Skoltegrunn pier, some hundred meters beyond Bryggen.