Getting Around Norway: Trains, Flights & Car Rentals

I spent three weeks hopping between Oslo, Bergen, and Tromsø, and the biggest headache wasn’t the weather—it was figuring out the best way to get between them. Trains are scenic but slow, flights are fast but pricey, and renting a car sounds freeing until you hit a toll road that costs more than your dinner. Here’s what actually worked, what didn’t, and where to save your money.

Should you take the train between Oslo and Bergen?

Yes, but only if you have a full day to spare. The Bergen Railway runs 7 hours one-way, and it’s not a commuter line—it’s a scenic route through the Hardangervidda plateau. I took the 8:23 AM from Oslo S and arrived at Bergen Station just after 3 PM. The high-altitude stretch near Finse was still snow-covered in June, which felt surreal.

Book Vy tickets at least two weeks ahead for the best price (I paid 499 NOK one-way; last-minute was 1200 NOK).
Bring snacks—the onboard café runs out of sandwiches by midday.
Sit on the right side from Oslo for better mountain views; left side coming back from Bergen.
Get off at Myrdal if you’re doing the Flåm Railway detour—it’s a 20-minute transfer.

The train is comfortable, with power outlets and decent Wi-Fi, but don’t expect sleeper service. This isn’t the Nightjet. For the price of a last-minute ticket, you could almost fly.

When does flying make more sense than driving?

Flying beats driving for any route that crosses the mountains or goes north of Trondheim. I flew Norwegian Air from Bergen to Tromsø (2 hours, 800 NOK with one checked bag) versus a 24-hour drive with two ferries. The Tromsø Airport is small—10 minutes from the city center by bus—so you’re not wasting time on transit.

Oslo to Bergen by car: 7 hours plus tolls (around 300 NOK in road fees) and ferry waits.
Bergen to Tromsø by plane: 2 hours, no tolls, one coffee break.
Widerøe flies smaller prop planes to coastal towns like Stavanger and Bodø—useful if you’re island-hopping.
Avoid SAS if you’re on a budget; Norwegian and Widerøe are usually cheaper.

One catch: flights north are often cancelled in winter due to weather. I had a friend stuck in Tromsø for two extra days last January because of a storm. Always book flexible fares if you’re going November through March.

Is renting a car worth it in Norway?

It depends entirely on where you’re going. In Oslo and Bergen, a rental car is a liability—parking costs 50-80 NOK per hour, and the city centers are pedestrian-friendly. But for the Lofoten Islands or the Atlantic Road, a car is the only way to see the real Norway.

Oslo: Skip the rental. The T-bane (metro) covers everything from Grünerløkka to Vigeland Park. I walked most days.
Bergen: Park at Bygarasjen (150 NOK/day) and use the Fløibanen funicular to get up the mountain—don’t drive it.
Tromsø: A car helps for chasing the Northern Lights outside town. I rented from Rent a Wreck near the airport for 600 NOK/day.
Tolls: Every rental car has an AutoPASS tag. You’ll get billed weeks later. Budget 200-400 NOK extra per week.

Roads are well-maintained, but tunnels are everywhere—some are single-lane with passing bays, which freaked me out the first time. And watch for sheep on rural roads. They don’t move.

What’s the best way to get from Oslo to the fjords?

The Flåm Railway is the most famous, but it’s a tourist trap if you only do the round trip from Flåm. Instead, take the Bergen Railway to Myrdal, then the Flåm Railway down to Flåm (55 minutes, steep drop). From Flåm, catch a fjord cruise to Gudvangen, then bus back to Voss and train to Bergen.

Flåm Railway tickets: 540 NOK one-way. Book on Vy or at the station.
Fjord cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen: 600 NOK, 2 hours, run by The Fjords.
Bus from Gudvangen to Voss: 150 NOK, 1 hour, scenic and empty.
Voss to Bergen train: 90 minutes, 250 NOK.

I did this loop in a day and it was the best 900 NOK I spent in Norway. The cruise goes through the Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO site, and the water is so still it looks like glass. Skip the overpriced buffet lunch in Flåm—grab a pølse (hot dog) from the kiosk instead.

How do you get around Tromsø without a car?

Tromsø is walkable if you stay near Storgata (the main street). For the Arctic Cathedral or Prestvannet Lake, you can walk 20 minutes from the center. The Tromsø Bridge connects the mainland to the island, but it’s windy and cold—I took the bus on my second day.

Bus 42 from the airport to the city center: 40 NOK, 15 minutes, runs every 20 minutes.
Bus 26 to the Fjellheisen cable car: 40 NOK, then 250 NOK for the ride up.
Local buses cost 40-50 NOK per ride. Buy a Tromsø Card (450 NOK for 24 hours) if you’re doing multiple attractions.
Taxis are brutal—500 NOK from the airport to my hotel at Clarion Collection With.

For Northern Lights chasing, join a minibus tour (around 1500 NOK) rather than renting a car. The guides know the clear-sky spots and will take photos for you. I used Chasing Lights and saw the aurora near Kvaløya on my second night.

What about ferries and coastal cruises?

The Hurtigruten coastal ferry is a classic, but it’s not a quick transit—it’s a multi-day cruise. I took the Bergen to Kirkenes route once, and while the scenery was incredible, it’s slow and expensive (from 4000 NOK for a cabin). For shorter hops, local ferries are better.

Ferry from Bognes to Lødingen (Lofoten): 120 NOK, 30 minutes, no booking needed.
Ferry from Moss to Horten (near Oslo): 80 NOK, 30 minutes, runs hourly.
Hurtigruten stops in Tromsø, Bodø, and Ålesund—good for a one-way segment, not a round trip.
Ferry schedules change seasonally. Check Ferry.no before you go.

If you’re driving, ferries are unavoidable. Most take cars, and you pay per vehicle plus per person. The E39 highway has seven ferries between Bergen and Stavanger alone. Factor in 30-60 minutes per crossing.

FAQ

Is it cheaper to buy train tickets in advance or on the day? In advance, by a lot. Vy uses dynamic pricing—the same Oslo-Bergen ticket can be 499 NOK two weeks out and 1200 NOK the day before. Book through the Vy app or website. There’s no discount for buying at the station.

Can you use a credit card for everything in Norway? Yes. I didn’t touch cash once. Even the hot dog stand in Flåm took Visa. Just make sure your card has no foreign transaction fees. Some toll roads and ferries are automatic, so your card on file with the rental company handles it.

Do you need a rental car in Lofoten? Strongly recommended. Buses run once every two hours and don’t reach the best beaches like Haukland or Utakleiv. I rented from Rent a Car Lofoten in Svolvær for 700 NOK/day and it paid off within two days.

Conclusion

Trains are best for Oslo-Bergen and the Flåm detour—book ahead to save money.
Flights are the only practical option for Tromsø or anything north of Trondheim.
Car rentals make sense in Lofoten and rural areas, but skip them in Oslo and Bergen.
Ferries are unavoidable if you drive—plan extra time and check schedules.
Local buses work fine in Tromsø and Bergen, but don’t rely on them for long-distance.