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Bergen Flesland airport is something of a dream airport. Located not too far from Norway’s most beautiful city, some twenty kilometers away, it’s also extremely well served by transport, so there’s no shortage of options.
And what’s more, there’s something to suit every budget, with streetcar, buses and private shuttles. There’s bound to be a solution to suit you!
Let’s take a look.
The Bybanen streetcar, ideal for getting from Bergen airport to the city center
The Bybanen is the network of “light trains”, or streetcars, that criss-cross Bergen. It works very well, it’s reliable, it’s clean. And the good news is that line 1 connects Bergen Flesland airport with the city center.
- the journey takes about 40min
- it costs 49 NOK per person, and tickets can be bought from machines in the stations, by SMS, on the Internet… everything is explained here (but you can’t buy directly on the streetcar)
- but it’s free if you have the Bergen Card!
The timetable‘s not bad either:
- from Bergen to the airport
- the first streetcar leaves at 5:49 a.m., the last at 00:55 a.m.
- some minor variations at weekends
- from the airport to the center
- 5.10am to 12.05am
- attention also at weekends
- all timetables are available on this table (in Norwegian)
- use the entur.no planner to see all the timetables day by day, it’s much easier to read than the table, and you can also buy your tickets there.
So, if your accommodation is in the center of town or not far from a station, and you don’t have too much luggage to carry, the streetcar is THE most practical and economical solution!
The Flybussen express bus
Like almost every airport in Norway’s tourist cities, there are Flybussen express buses that pick you up at the airport and take you straight to the city center.
In Bergen, this can be a very interesting solution, sometimes more so than the streetcar:
- timetables are much longer
- it’s a tourist bus, so there’s plenty of room for luggage
- it’s much faster, about 20 minutes!
- There are 6 stops in Bergen city center, ideal for drop-off close to the hotel. You can see the list of stops here.
Now, when you look at it like that, you might think “it’s too good to be true!”, but there are just two things:
- the ticket is 179 NOK (much more expensive than the Bybanen streetcar)
- there are buses every 25/40 minutes, which is less frequent than the streetcar.
But honestly, it’s fine!
You can find timetables either on entur.no, again, or on the flybussen website.
- From Bergen center to the airport
- the first bus leaves at 4:30 am, the last at 7:35 pm (from busstasjon)
- From the airport to the center of Bergen
- the first bus leaves at 7:40 a.m., the last at 11:30 p.m.
You can buy your tickets directly on the Flybussen website, or at the ticket booths on site.
Renting a car at the airport
Renting a car to visit the Bergen area and drive to Norway’s most beautiful fjords is a good idea, yes. But if you’re focusing on the city of Bergen, there’s no point. It’s all on foot and, like other Norwegian cities, it’s difficult to get around and expensive to park.
So if you’re going to be out and about before or after your visit to Bergen, renting a car makes a lot of sense, given all there is to see!
There are all kinds of agencies at the airport, and prices start at around €30/€35 in low season, but can easily rise to over €100 in high season if you book at the last minute!
So, to recap, if you’re only staying in Bergen, a car isn’t necessary. If you’re going to be wandering around, then yes, it’s more comfortable. Not compulsory, but much more practical.
And don’t forget to compare! And compare the comparators. It’s worth taking a little time to find the right car at the right price.
There are two comparators I use regularly to rent cars, because the prices are pretty competitive (well, again, it really depends on the time, hence the importance of comparing):
CAR RENTAL IN NORWAY
Rent a car in Norway from Discover Cars
- Rent a car from many airports or in the city
- Small model, SUV or electric for adventure
- Car supplied with Autopass badge
- Prices from €30
Taking a TAXI / UBER from Bergen airport to the city center
Car sharing like UBER
Uber works well, but it’s expensive.
For a trip from the airport to the city center, prices depend on the type of car. They range from NOK 760 to NOK 1,000, or between €70 and €95. Let’s say it’s expensive per kilometer, as it takes 25 minutes. But it’s very practical, I must admit.
You can book it in advance via the app or the website.
Cabs
Taxis are cheaper than Uber. After a few simulations, the trip between the airport and the center costs at most (daytime schedule) 580NOK, or roughly €50.
At night, it’s more like 630 NOK.
There are cabs at the exit, of course. But you can also order one. Here, the best advice is to book on the website of Bergen’s biggest cab company, which works well, or on their app 07000. The maximum prices are clearly indicated.
NAEROYFJORD AND THE FLAM TRAIN
- A crazy day in the fjords
- Cruise on Naeroyfjord and Flam train
- Price: 330€!
A GUIDED TOUR OF BERGEN
- Ideal for discovering Bergen’s secrets
- With a professional local guide
- Price: €24!
Book a driver in advance
If you feel like taking the hassle out of booking a driver to meet you at the airport, you can!
And it’s especially interesting if you’re a group or a large family, because you can book a minivan (for up to 7 people) for €106.
This also works with 3/4-person vehicles, which cost around €100 to take you to your accommodation (or hotel, if you’re leaving from Bergen).
It’s best to book 2 days in advance, especially during the tourist season.
A stopover of how much time to make a jump in Bergen
You’ve got a stopover in Bergen and want to take advantage of it to discover the city. With the streetcar, it’s easy because you can grab it quickly. But you’ve got a 40-minute journey.
It’s also very quick to get out of the airport and through the checkpoints on the way back.
So basically, if you get out quickly and head for the streetcar, you’ll be in the center of Bergen within 1.5 hours of landing.
Take the opportunity to visit the quays, Bryggen, that’s the priority. Then, if you have the time, visit the small districts with their wooden houses, such as Nostet, and the Nordnes peninsula.
But all in all, you need at least 1h30 to avoid feeling like you’re running too much. And so, as you need to be 1h30 early at the airport + 40 minutes on the streetcar, in the end your stopover should last at least 5 hours to get back to the city center.
If you’re staying overnight and your flight leaves early the next morning, I’d recommend sleeping at Bergen airport. The best, located in the airport, is the Clarion. A little pricey but excellent and super-convenient. Alternatively, just a few minutes’ walk from the airport is the reasonably priced Scandic Flesland
In conclusion
Now you know everything! So we have several options:
- the Flybussen bus, the fastest form of transport, more expensive but reasonable
- Bybanen streetcar line 1, cheap, 40 minutes, super efficient. And don’t forget that if you have the Bergen Card, transportation is included when you visit Bergen!
- Cabs are an interesting option, a little expensive but practical.
- Uber is more expensive, but why not
- the private driver who waits for you, super practical especially for small groups!
- Renting a car is useful IF you want to go out of the city!
Each mode of transport has its advantages, so it’s really up to you to see what suits you best, but you’re spoilt for choice!
Other resources on Bergen and the surrounding area
Here are some additional articles and links to help you enjoy your stay in Bergen and its beautiful surroundings:
- What to see in Bergen – here you’ll find all the information you need to plan your stay in Norway’s most beautiful city.
- Staying on a budget in Bergen – discover the cheap hotels but also the most interesting ones in Bergen !
- Discover Norway’s fjords – you’ll find all the information you need on this great region. Which are the most beautiful places, the most beautiful fjords, which itinerary so you don’t miss a thing!
- Cruises in the fjords around Bergen – to discover the incredible fjords around Bergen, here are the different day-trip possibilities!
- How to get from Bergen to Flam – by bus, train or boat, here’s how to get to this beautiful place!
- The map of Bergen and the fjords – on an interactive map, you’ll find all the places you need to see, as well as the essentials for your stay.
