Transport in Bergen: How to Get Around + Perfect 1–3 Day Itinerary

No matter how many days you are planning to spend in Bergen, it is mandatory to go on a hike and take one too many pictures of the beautiful views

Tourist season in Bergen starts around April and lasts till around the end of September. Since Bergen is a rather small city and the city centre is pretty compact, as a local, I always notice the difference between the low and high tourist seasons. It gets pretty busy around some areas of Bergen 🙂

There are four main transportation hubs in Bergen: the airport, the train station, the cruise ship terminals, and the bus station. Depending on how you arrive in Bergen, you will need to choose how to get to the city centre. Once thing I can tell you already, it’s pretty difficult to get lost in Bergen.

N.B. In my humble opinion, May and June are the best months to be in Bergen. 17th of May is the Constitution Day in Norway. On that day, everyone will be dressed in the traditional clothes, bunad. And since every region has its own bunad, you will see a lot of different ones. Don’t be shy and ask locals to take a picture with you, they will be happy. But try to do it in the morning before everyone is drunk, since we start our breakfast with sparkling wine and smoked salmon, and by the end of the day… Well, you know what I mean 😉

June has the longest light days. You won’t see the Sun like in Tromsø for 24 hours a day; there will be a few hours of twilight. But it won’t get dark.

Nevertheless, whenever you come, I hope you will enjoy Bergen as much as I do every day.

Table of contents:

1. Flesland Airport in Bergen, Norway

The most common way to arrive in Bergen is by plane. Bergen Airport is located in a tiny settlement called Flesland, and you will see the airport’s Norwegian name, Bergen lufthavn Flesland, when you arrive here. The Bergen Airport is relatively small, and you won’t get lost in it.

It’s located 13 km (8 miles) away from the city centre, and there are a few ways to get from the Bergen Airport to the city:

Bybanen, the light rail in Bergen

Public transport in Bergen is operated by a company called Skyss. In order to use buses and the light rail, you can buy a ticket from ticket machines with your bank card, and it will automatically be added to the said card, which you can show on inspection. Or you can buy it from bus drivers. But I don’t recommend either method, Norway is a pretty much contactless country, and we rarely use cash or bother drivers with buying tickets directly from them.

Bybanen line number 1 direction city center. In the back, you can see the Bergen bus station.

Instead, I recommend downloading two apps on your phone: Skyss Billett and Skyss Reise. The first one is your public transport ticket, while the latter one helps you to plan your travel. A standard ticket will cost you 51 kr and last 60 minutes. You don’t have to worry about the zones, it’s always Zone A if you are travelling in Bergen or its surroundings. If you are planning on using public transport a lot, you might benefit from a 7-day ticket for 315 kr. But probably you won’t need it; Bergen city centre is pretty compact.

N.B. If you hop on the bus or Bybanen and your ticket expires while you are riding it, you don’t have to buy a new ticket.

Question to Skyss: Hei. I’m writing a blog article about public transport in Bergen. I have a question: if a tourist bought a standard ticket and it has 5 minutes left on it, can the said person still hop on bybanen and get all the way to the airport? Or do they need to buy a new ticket? And in case of inspection, will it be enough to show the expired ticket? Takk på forhånd!

Answer from Skyss: Yes, if you have some time left, take the bus/tram/train. As long as the ticket has some validity left, it is alright. The ticket has some time left and goes away on the bus it is still valid.

Alternatively, you can get just one app called Entur. That is a more global app for Norway, and it will work in Bergen, Oslo, or other places you are visiting in the country. And you can use it both for route planning and buying tickets (with some small exceptions). I use this app when I travel outside of Bergen.

I personally use the light rail, Bybanen, when travelling from the Bergen airport to the city. There’s only one line, number 1, that goes from Flesland, and during normal day hours, it goes every 7-10 minutes. It takes 45 minutes from the airport to the last stop, Byparken, which is right in the city centre on the Festplassen square.

Chances are high that there won’t be a ticket inspection on your ride, but it is important always to buy a ticket. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. We are a high-trust society after all. By the way, you don’t even have to show your ticket to the bus driver on the regular city buses.

N.B. If you need to take Bybanen from the city to the airport, be aware that there are currently two lines, and you need to take line number 1.

Flybussen, Bergen Airport express bus

Flybussen used to be the main way to get from the airport to the city before Bybanen was built all the way to the terminal. But since then, they reduced departure and arrival times. Departure from the airport is around every 30 minutes (plus or minus, depending on the time of day), and it will take you around 30 minutes to get to the city centre, Festplassen.

Bergen Airport express bus, Flybussen, going towards the airport, Bergen lufthavn

If you buy a ticket online, it will cost you 189 kr to get to Festplassen, and it’s a little bit more expensive when you buy it directly from the driver. 

I don’t often use Flybussen, but if I have an early departure, sometimes I have to take it instead of the Bybanen that comes later. Or when I used to live further from the city on the same route Flybussen goes, I’d take it instead of taking Bybanen and then a bus. But 99% of the time, the first option is the best option.

Uber or taxi

The last option, which will cost you around 500-600 kr to get from the airport to Festplassen. And it will take about 20 minutes. By the way, don’t expect Uber to be cheaper than a regular taxi. You might save a few kroner compared to more expensive taxis, but generally speaking, it’s the same.

As a local, I don’t ever use this option to get home from the airport, but sometimes it’s better than taking Flybussen. Especially when I have a super early flight outside of the Nordics, and I have checked-in luggage. Or when I’m travelling with my bike.

2. Oslo to Bergen by train

Hear me out, if you’ve never been to Norway, I highly advise you to take the train from Oslo to Bergen as a whole separate experience. Let’s say you are flying to Oslo from your country, staying there for a few days just to check it out, and then you hop on the Oslo to Bergen train and enjoy the real Norway, not Oslo. Frankly, just like the French dislike Paris, or the Germans hate Berlin, there’s the same thing going on with Oslo and Norwegians. If you want to experience the real Norway, don’t spend too much time in Oslo. The train from Oslo to Bergen is an absolutely must-do experience, and in my humble opinion, it’s better than any fjord cruise.

The Bergen train station is really small and is located right in the city centre.

Why do you have to take the Oslo to Bergen train and not the train from Bergen to Oslo in Norway? Well, if you look at the map, you will see that the Oslo region is relatively flat. And I actually used to say Oslo was flat until I ran the Oslo marathon. Well, it’s not, but it’s not as mountainous. The closer you get to Bergen, the more scenery you will get. The nature will be more interesting. And all the cool tunnels when you get through the mountains. By the way, prepare for the Internet connection to be pretty bad on most of the route. Once again, mountains.

The picture on the left was taken at the end of January when I was going skiing in Voss. The picture on the right was taken in July and was actually a part of the Flåmsbana trip, which I highly recommend.

Facts: the Oslo-Bergen railway is over 100 years old, and it’s almost 500 km long (310 miles). It goes through Hardanger Plateau, which is 1237 meters (4058 feet) above sea level. Which means your first hike in Norway will be while on the train 🙂

All trains on the line are currently operated by Vy. It takes around 7 hours to go from Oslo to Bergen by train. For comparison, it takes only 55 minutes by plane, but you will miss all the beauty you can see from the window of your train. Prices depend. You can go as cheaply as 299 kr from Oslo to Bergen, but that will be a night train in a standard carriage. Which I do not recommend. Firstly, it will be a bit dark to see all the cool nature. Secondly, unless you are used to being awake at night, you will want to take a nap. Regular price for a day train will vary around 700-900 kr, but it can get more expensive, especially if you don’t book in advance.

Pro tip: I recommend getting the Oslo-Bergen train, which goes at 08:25 from Oslo S. It will be light outside, and you will spend a little less time on the road. And try to sit on the left side of the train, facing forward, that’s my favourite because you can see more Hardangervidda. But if you sit on the right side, worry not, you will see a lot of fjords. In any case, you will see a lot of nice nature, and if you decide to stay in the cafeteria, you can jump from side to side whenever you want to 🙂

One last thing, you can buy an audio guide for the Bergen Railway for 49 kr, which is available in 9 languages.

When you arrive in Bergen, the train station is right in the middle of the city, and next to it is a bus station in case you need to travel further.

3. Bergen cruise ship terminal

If you come to Bergen with Hurtigruten, AIDA Cruises, Viking Cruises, MSC Cruises, Oceania Cruises, or any other cruise company, you will end up at the Bergen cruise port. Actually, there are a few cruise ship terminals in Bergen. But all of them are located pretty much in the city centre.

If you are travelling from abroad, remember that you will arrive at one of those terminals with passport control, so take that into account when planning your day in Bergen. It might take some time before you are out and back in again. I put on the map Bryggen, since it’s the main attraction, and you really want to take a picture of it and explore the shops around.

The small Viking boat is a tour by Viking Voyages. The large cruise ship is from the fleet of Viking Cruises. What are the odds 🙂

Basically, if you end up in proximity to Bryggen, you are a little bit better off. But on the other side, you will have The Viking Shop and two nice cafes: Le Café Pomme and Trattoria del Napoli. But in any case, you want to check Bryggen first.

N.B. Don’t wait for a bus when you arrive at one of Bergen’s cruise ship terminals. Just walk. It’s that close to everything you want to see.

4. Bergen bus station

Finally, the Bergen bus station, which is located right next to the train station. There are multiple options to travel from abroad to Bergen. For example, with Flixbus, you can travel from multiple European destinations to Bergen and back. This is obviously the slowest option possible, and not the most comfortable one. But sometimes one has to take a bus.

From the bus station, you can travel to all parts of the city; it has connections to both light rail lines, and you can take an intercity bus from there. My swimming pool, AdO Arena, is close to the bus station, so I end up there pretty often. And one of my favourite supermarkets, Meny, is in the shopping centre Bergen Storsenter, which connects to the bus station.

Bonus: What to do in Bergen

If you are staying in Bergen just for a few days, you can do everything on the list below. But as a local, I had to write a list of what not to do in Bergen. Remember, it’s up to you how you spend your time and money, and I hope you enjoy doing both in beautiful Bergen.

I. One day in Bergen

If you are on a cruise ship, chances are high you won’t be staying in Bergen for long. But there are a few things that are mandatory to see and take pictures of. I also recommend seeing them in the same order as I write:

• Mount Fløyen. The best view over the city centre. You can either take the funicular, Fløibanen, to get all the way up, or hike yourself. It’s obviously faster to take Fløibanen, and if you don’t have much time, you might want to do so. But I highly encourage you to hike it yourself. It’s very easy, even if you are not used to hiking. And you will get a little dopamine boost after. You can start from Fløibanen station in the city, walk to Fløyen Start, and from there go all the way up Fløyen itself. Don’t forget to grab a skillingsbolle (cinnamon roll) at the top of the mountain, and take one too many pictures with trolls and surroundings. After you are done, walk all the way back to where you started and get a deer hot dog at the legendary Trekroneren stand. It’s been operating for over 80 years, and it’s our favourite street food in the city. Walking both ways with some pit stops shouldn’t take you more than 1.5-2 hours unless you take pictures of literally everything.

The best view of the city is from Mount Fløyen. You will meet a friendly troll there.

• Bryggen. That’s basically the main thing in the city. Literally. If someone says Bergen, people think of these old commercial buildings. You can go all around it, check every single shop in there, stop by for an overpriced drink if it’s a nice sunny day, and the outside serving area is open. Honestly, occasionally I do it myself. Then I complain for the rest of the week about the prices, but oh well. The view there is breathtaking. I’d say plan at least 1-1.5 hours to stay there, look around, and get some souvenirs.

Bryggen is the main attraction in Bergen

• The fish market. If you still have time, go check the fish market. But if you want to eat something, I recommend going to the glass building, which is called Mathallen, and which is basically the “inside” part of the Fisketorget. At least that’s how we used to call it back in the days when I used to work there. Fjellskål would be my choice of the place to go, but you decide for yourself. I advise against eating in the red tents. Just trust me on that one 🙂 Plan to stay here for 1 hour.

The fish market in Bergen

• If you still have time left, walk around Nordnes, that’s the peninsula in the city. From the end of it, there’s a nice view towards Askøy island. Also, look around the Nøstet neighbourhood. That’s where you can take nice Instagram-friendly pictures of narrow streets with cobblestone and cute houses. 

II. Two days in Bergen

Day one:

• Gamle Bergen literally means ‘Old Bergen’. From the city bus stops Torget, Bryggen, or Festplassen, you take a bus 3, 4, 12, 16E, or 19 to the Gamle Bergen bus stop. From there, you have to go down to the Gamle Bergen Museum. It is actually an open-air museum that was opened in 1949. But before that, the area was owned by a rich shipbuilder Rasmus Rolfsen. There, he built a holiday home, “Elsesro”, for his wife, Elsebe. 55 wooden houses in the museum were originally in the city centre, but due to changes and the threat of demolition, they were moved to Gamle Bergen between 1945 and 1981. During the summer months, you can buy a ticket and go look inside those houses. But I used to live nearby and walked in the museum and park there countless times. You don’t really need a ticket to look around outside of the opening hours. You can also go down and swim in the fjord at the Sandviken Sjøbad. But it’s pretty chill.

Map of the Old Bergen Museum

• Now, from the Game Bergen museum, you need to go back toward the bus stop, go under the road, and to the right towards Munkebotn. That’s where you start hiking. Halfway through, I recommend turning to the Sandviksbatteriet. That’s an old fortification from 1898, and it has a nice view. Go back to the main road and keep moving towards the lake. From the lake, if you go to the left towards Indianerplassen, you can take a few nice pictures. But don’t go too far left. If you go to the right from the lake, you will walk towards the city and Fløyen. But first you need to top at Stoltzekleiven.

On the left: Alba enjoying the view from Sandviksbatteriet. On the right: My friend and I just finished running Stoltzekleiven Opp

• Stoltzekleiven has, well, you can guess by now, a nice view 🙂 You can also see that it has stone stairs to get up there from the bottom of the mountain, Fjellveien street. Every year, we have a race called Stoltzekleiven Opp. We start at the bottom, Stoltzen Start, and run all the way up. Current record is 7 minutes 46 seconds. If you want a challenge, you can try it. I’ve done it myself, but I don’t recommend it unless you are well-trained in running trails. It takes 30-40 minutes for a normal person to hike the same path 🙂

• From Stoltzekleiven keep hiking towards Fløyen Panorama, and that’s where you stay for a while, eat, drink, and try to find the goats to take pictures with. Then go down as I described on the ‘one day in Bergen’ list, and don’t forget to grab a deer hot dog at Trekroneren. It’s a nice hike, and the whole route is shown on the map below (beware, I had to do some adjustments in the directions since Google doesn’t know the routes the locals know): 

Day two:

• Since you have a little bit more time, you can go out of the city centre and check out the Fantoft Stave Church (Fantoft stavkirke). It is an old black church, it’s built without using a single nail, and it’s generally pretty cool. Even though it was completely burned down by one nut job in 1992, it was rebuilt later on, and now you can take a nice picture of it. There’s not much to do around, and the neighbouring area has a lot of students.

On the left: Fantoft Stave Church with the family. On the right: entrance to the Fyllingsdalstunellen

• From there, you can go down to a royal castle, Gamlehaugen. From the beginning of June to the beginning of September, the royal castle becomes a museum, and you can visit it if you’d like to see how the king of Norway lives in Bergen. They also occasionally hold concerts there. The park around is also nice. My long cycling training goes near it, so I enjoy it at least once a week during warm months.

• Next stop should be at the world’s longest pedestrian and bicycle tunnel, Fyllingsdalstunellen. It’s almost 3 km long (1.86 miles), and it has cool lightning inside. Once I was training on the morning of the Constitution Day, and the lights were changing from white to blue and red, the colours of the Norwegian flag. It was pretty cool. By the way, it will feel a little bit chilly in the tunnel. I’d say that the tunnel is one of the modern aspects of Bergen that I like. But it might feel a bit weird after walking for too long underground. I ran a full marathon in there once, so trust me on that one.

That’s what the middle of the tunnel looks like. I once ran a full marathon in the tunnel. It was fun 🙂

• After all that walking, it’s time to eat 🙂 I really like Marg & Bein and especially their braised beef cheek with mashed potatoes. Another option for dinner can be Moon, which is a bit pricey, but the French brothers who run it know how to cook and know about their wines. For a cheaper alternative, I recommend Polish-owned Daily Pot, which serves amazing bowls and soups. And they have a vegan option, too.

III. Three days in Bergen

If you are staying for three days in Bergen, and especially if it’s a weekend, I have to remind you that Sundays bring some limitations. Like, for example, most supermarkets and shops will be closed. So if you really want to go shopping, it’s better to do it before Sunday. But very touristy places like Bryggen will be open. Just remember to check the specific shop you want to visit.

Overall, try to do some activities from the previous lists, but adjust them to your needs. There are more things to do, but choose wisely. I make my lists a bit heavy on walking, hiking, and exploring, but that’s because that’s what I normally do when travelling to a new place.

• Hike Ulriken. It’s the highest mountain in Bergen, and it rises 643 meters (2110 feet) above sea level. You can take the Ulriken Express bus, which goes from the city, Strandgaten 1, right to where the cable car starts, Haukelandsbakken 40. It will cost you 150 kr both ways to take the express bus. And from there you can buy a cable car ticket. Which are pretty expensive, with one way ticket for an adult costing 255 kr. I personally took the cable car once in my entire life. Just because I got the ticket for free. In case you bought a public transport ticket, you can use it, get to the Haukeland sjukehus nord bus stop, and from there walk towards Ulriken Start at Johan Blytts vei 70. On top of the mountain, you will find a restaurant, in case you get a bit hungry after all the hiking. The whole trip shouldn’t take you more than 2-4 hours, depending on how you decide to get to the top from the city.

View from Ulriken

• For people of culture, I recommend checking out the main concert hall, Grieghallen. That’s where I go to see my opera. Or the theatre, Den Nationale Scene. Lastly, you can also check USF Verftet for some smaller concerts of Norwegian bands.

• Right in the city centre, Bergenhus Fortress. The whole area belongs to the Norwegian Armed Forces, and it has a few museums, a nice little park, and some really old buildings. It’s also used for music festivals and big concerts. I saw quite a few big bands there.

• Lastly, if you still have time and energy, go to the sauna 🙂 While it’s a typical Finnish tradition, it’s a pretty nice and relaxing thing to do after a long and productive weekend in Bergen. There are a few options, but I recommend Heit Bergen Sauna, Marineholmen.

Bergen is a cool place to visit. No matter how many days you are planning to stay here, you will find something interesting to do. Hopefully, my transport guide and main attractions list will help you enjoy your time in the best city in the world, Bergen.