Arrival & Transport
By Plane
Norway has a dense domestic flight network — no wonder given the distances. There are numerous direct connections from Germany.
The Most Important Airports
| Airport | Code | Region | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oslo Gardermoen | OSL | Østlandet | Flytoget express train to the city center (20 Min., 220 NOK / 20 €) |
| Bergen Flesland | BGO | Vestland | Bybanen tram to the center (45 Min., 42 NOK / 3.80 €) |
| Stavanger Sola | SVG | Rogaland | Flybussen to the center (30 Min., 180 NOK / 16 €) |
| Tromsø Langnes | TOS | Troms | Flybussen to the center (15 Min., 100 NOK / 9 €) |
| Trondheim Værnes | TRD | Trøndelag | Flybussen to the center (35 Min., 175 NOK / 16 €) |
| Oslo Torp (Sandefjord) | TRF | Vestfold | Ryanair/Wizz Air hub. Bus to Oslo (2h, 290 NOK / 26 €) — far away! |
Airlines from Germany
SAS, Norwegian, Lufthansa, Eurowings, Widerøe, Ryanair, Wizz Air fly from many German airports to Norway. SAS and Norwegian also serve the domestic network. Widerøe flies to the small airports in the north (Leknes/Lofoten, Hammerfest, Kirkenes).
Flight Prices (Guidelines, Round Trip from Germany)
| Destination | Off-Season | High Season |
|---|---|---|
| Oslo | 50–120 € | 150–350 € |
| Bergen | 80–180 € | 200–400 € |
| Tromsø | 120–250 € | 250–500 € |
| Lofoten (via Bodø/Leknes) | 150–300 € | 300–600 € |
Tipp
Oslo Torp (Sandefjord) is located 110 km southwest of Oslo — the transfer takes 2 hours and costs almost as much as the flight. Only book if the price difference to Gardermoen is really large. For Bergen and Tromsø, direct flights are often more sensible than the detour via Oslo.
Hurtigruten & Fjord Cruises
The Hurtigruten is not a cruise in the traditional sense, but a postal ship route that has connected the Norwegian coast since 1893. The ships sail daily from Bergen to Kirkenes (6 days northbound, 5 days southbound, 11 days round trip) and call at 34 ports — many of them only for a few minutes, enough for a stroll.
The Route
Bergen → Florø → Molde → Kristiansund → Trondheim → Bodø → Stamsund (Lofoten) → Tromsø → Hammerfest → Honningsvåg (North Cape) → Kirkenes. On the return journey, the same ports are called at, but the landscape looks completely different in different light.
Prices
| Cabin Category | Round Trip (11 days) | Partial Route (e.g., Bergen–Tromsø, 4 days) |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Cabin | from 1,800 € | from 700 € |
| Outside Cabin | from 2,500 € | from 1,000 € |
| Suite | from 5,000 € | from 2,000 € |
Fjord Cruises
In addition to the Hurtigruten, there are shorter fjord cruises and day tours: Fjord sightseeing from Bergen, Flåm, and Geiranger, fjord safaris by RIB boat, kayak tours. The electric fjord ferries from The Fjords (from Flåm and Gudvangen) are silent and sustainable — a unique experience.
Tipp
The Hurtigruten can also be booked as a partial route — e.g., Bergen–Tromsø (3–4 days) or Tromsø–Kirkenes (1.5 days). This saves time and money. In winter (October–March), prices are significantly lower, and the chance of seeing the Northern Lights from the ship is high.
Trains: Bergensbanen, Flåmsbana & Co.
Norway's train routes are among the most spectacular in the world. The state railway company Vy (formerly NSB) operates the network. The rail network is limited (only the south and center are well connected), but the routes are breathtaking.
The Major Rail Routes
| Route | Route | Duration | Price (from) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bergensbanen | Oslo → Bergen | 6h 30 | 299 NOK (27 €) | Europe's highest mountain railway: Hardangervidda, Finse (1,222 m), fjord panoramas |
| Flåmsbana | Myrdal → Flåm | 1h | 430 NOK (39 €) | One of the steepest railway lines in the world: 863 meters elevation, 20 tunnels, Kjosfossen waterfall |
| Nordlandsbanen | Trondheim → Bodø | 9h 40 | 399 NOK (36 €) | Crossing the Arctic Circle, arctic landscape, Saltstraumen |
| Dovrebanen | Oslo → Trondheim | 6h 30 | 299 NOK (27 €) | Gudbrandsdalen, Dovrefjell (musk oxen!), Lillehammer |
| Raumabanen | Dombås → Åndalsnes | 1h 30 | 199 NOK (18 €) | Troll Wall (Europe's highest vertical rock face), Romsdal Valley |
Tips for Train Travel
- Early Bird: Vy Minipris tickets are cheapest 2–3 months in advance (Oslo–Bergen from 299 NOK instead of 879 NOK)
- Comfort: Vy Comfort Class (1st class) offers wider seats, power outlets, and free coffee — worth it on long distances
- Norway in a Nutshell: The popular package route combines Bergensbanen, Flåmsbana, fjord boat, and bus. Bookable through Fjord Tours (from 1,690 NOK / 150 €)
Tipp
The Bergensbanen is one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world — sit on the left side (towards Bergen) for the best views of the Hardangervidda and the fjords. In winter, the route through the snowy plateau at Finse is particularly magical.
Rental Cars & Roads
A rental car is the best choice for many trips to Norway — especially for fjords, Lofoten, and scenic routes. The roads are well-developed (though often narrow and winding), traffic is light, and driving in Norway is relaxed.
Prices by Season (Small Car)
| Period | NOK/Day | EUR/Day |
|---|---|---|
| Off-Season (Oct–Apr) | 400–700 | 35–65 € |
| High Season (Jun–Aug) | 700–1,500 | 65–135 € |
Tolls & AutoPASS
Norway has an electronic toll system without barriers: Cameras capture the license plate, and the bill is sent by mail (or settled through the rental car agreement). Tolls apply on highways, in tunnels, on bridges, and in many urban areas (Bomring around Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger). Typical: 20–60 NOK (2–5 €) per passage. Tip: For longer stays, register an AutoPASS chip — 20% discount on all toll stations.
The 18 Norwegian Scenic Routes (Nasjonale Turistveger)
Norway's brilliant idea: 18 selected roads through the country's most spectacular nature, enhanced with architectural viewpoints, rest areas, and art installations. Each route is an experience. The most famous:
- Trollstigen: Eleven hairpin bends, waterfalls, viewing platform with glass railing
- Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsveien): 8 bridges over the open sea — one of the most beautiful roads in the world
- Geiranger–Trollstigen: The queen of scenic routes
- Lofoten: Fishing villages, beaches, and mountain panoramas on the E10
- Senja: The "little sister of Lofoten," less visited
- Hardanger: Fruit blossom, waterfalls, Hardanger Bridge
Important Traffic Rules
- Speed Limit: In town 50 km/h, country road 80 km/h, highway 90–110 km/h. Strictly enforced!
- Lights: Low beam is mandatory even during the day
- Alcohol Limit: 0.2 ‰ — practically zero tolerance. Fines from 15,000 NOK (1,300 €)
- Winter Tires: Mandatory from November to Easter (in practice: as soon as it's slippery)
- Ferries: On many routes, ferries interrupt the journey — plan for waiting times of 10–30 minutes
Achtung
Norwegian fines are brutal: 20 km/h over the limit costs from 5,500 NOK (500 €), 30 km/h over from 10,000 NOK (900 €). Phone violation: 5,000 NOK. The police frequently check, especially on scenic routes. Use cruise control!
Ferries
Ferries are an integral part of Norway's road network. Hundreds of ferry connections operate along the coast and across the fjords — many of them as regular "road ferries" (ferge), which are simply part of the route.
Important Ferry Connections
| Route | Duration | Price (Car + 2 Pers.) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hella–Vangsnes (Sognefjord) | 15 Min. | approx. 200 NOK (18 €) | every 20 Min. |
| Geiranger–Hellesylt | 65 Min. | approx. 450 NOK (40 €) | 4–8× daily |
| Bodø–Moskenes (Lofoten) | 3h 30 | approx. 900 NOK (80 €) | 2–4× daily |
| E39 Fjord Crossings (various) | 10–45 Min. | 100–350 NOK (9–30 €) | every 15–30 Min. |
Tips
- No Reservation Needed on most short fjord ferries — just queue up. Exception: Bodø–Moskenes (Lofoten) in summer must be booked in advance!
- Payment: Credit card or AutoPASS. Some ferries are now cashless
- Electric Ferries: Norway is rapidly electrifying its ferry network — many fjord ferries already run electrically, silently, and emission-free
- Ferry Schedule: The apps from Fjord1 and Torghatten Nord show all departure times in real-time
Tipp
On a typical fjord round trip, you will take 4–8 ferries. The costs add up: Plan 500–1,500 NOK (45–130 €) for ferries in your travel budget. The ferry crossings themselves are often the highlight — standing on the deck early in the morning, breathing in the fjord air, admiring the mountains.
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