🏠💻 Bergen without a car: the best areas for remote work

Bergen is rain, hills and the lifesaving Bybanen. If you're going to be without a car for 1–3 months, it's important to choose an area with reliable transport links, a short commute and quiet places nearby. Below is a selection of locations near lines 1 and 2, coworking spaces/libraries, everyday details (internet, heating, condensation), and quick life hacks for the local weather.

🚋 Neighbourhoods and accessibility — living near Bybanen

Why live near the tracks? The light rail (Bybanen) runs from the centre: Line 1 goes to Flesland Airport, Line 2 goes to Fyllingsdalen. It's a fast and predictable transport ‘backbone’ for the city. Check timetables and maps on Skyss (summer changes are published in advance).

🛤️ Convenient stops on Line 1:

• Florida / Danmarksplass / Kronstad — direct connection to the city centre; convenient for offices and co-working spaces. The list of stops will help you ‘try out’ an address.
• Fantoft / Paradis / Hop / Nesttun — quieter and greener, longer journey to the centre; real ‘bedroom communities’ with good connections include Lagunen–Sandsli–Kokstad (closer to the tech parks and the airport).

🛤️ Line 2 (Fyllingsdalen): Haukeland sjukehus – Kronstad – Mindemyren – Kristianborg – Fyllingsdalen terminal — plus accessibility to the south-western districts.

✈️ Airport. From the centre to Flesland via Line 1 ~45 minutes; convenient for frequent departures.

Tickets. From 1 February 2025, Skyss base prices: single adult ticket for 1 zone 49 NOK, 7-day pass — 272 NOK, 30-day pass — 827 NOK; family discounts also apply to the Light Rail (see the fare page for details).

Note: repairs/detours are possible in summer — check Skyss news and local press before travelling. In 2025, there were temporary closures of a number of stops in July; regular routes were restored in early August.

🏔️ The centre and the ‘seven hills’ — a balance of proximity and tranquillity

Close to co-working spaces and museums:

• Nygårdshøyden / Møhlenpris / Florida–Byparken — the ‘academic’ slope and embankments: walking distance to libraries, AdO Arena, and the tram (Florida/Byparken). Tourist traffic is higher during peak times, but the working infrastructure is nearby.
• Nordnes / Bryggen neighbourhood — view of the harbour and a pleasant walking environment; more tourists and events — expect noise and traffic.

Pros and cons of the centre. Top attractions within walking distance, but accommodation is more expensive and livelier. If you need to make long phone calls, choose apartments in the ‘second line’ away from tourist trails and check the sound insulation during the viewing (on a weekday evening).

🛒 Everyday infrastructure — supermarkets, sports, libraries, swimming pools

• Supermarkets/shopping centres (covered from rain): clusters in Galleriet, Kløverhuset and around Torgallmenningen — convenient for grabbing lunch and walking through the covered walkways.
• Swimming pools: AdO Arena (central complex, standard hours are usually from 6:15 a.m. on weekdays; in summer 2025 — 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.). Nordnes Sjøbad — outdoor, heated sea pool (2025 season: 19 May to 7 September).
• Libraries: The Bergen Offentlige Bibliotek network offers Wi-Fi and workspaces; some branches have the Meråpent programme, which offers extended self-service access in the morning and evening with a card after signing an agreement (convenient for quiet hours).

🏘️ Accommodation and communication — formats and what to check in Bergen

Formats:

• Studios/apartments — comfortable for couples/solo travellers, fewer house rules regarding noise.
• Rooms (hybel/coliving) — cheaper, but check the neighbours' schedule and quiet hours.

Heating/condensation. In a humid climate, pay attention to ventilation (open air vents, extractor fan after showering/cooking), the type of heating and airing — this reduces the risk of condensation and mould. Useful recommendations on inneklima are provided by the municipality and relevant associations. If you see fogged windows/stains or ‘damp’ corners during the inspection, ask questions.

Internet.

• Fibre is a priority (rainproof): the provider Bergen Fiber (Altibox) is actively expanding its network throughout the city; Telenor/NextGenTel is also available. Ask for the type of connection and a screenshot of the speed.
• Mobile ‘plan B’. 4G/5G coverage from Telenor/Telia is good within the city limits; keep your phone as a modem in case your home router goes down.

📶 Internet and rain — how not to miss a call

What works best:

• Fiber (Altibox/etc.) — basic channel for video calls.
• Mobile 4G/5G hotspot — backup, check the signal by a window or at a Bybanen hub in advance using the coverage map.
• Quiet harbour spots: the main library and several coworking spaces in Centrum (see below) — keep these as backup locations for rainy days.

🧑‍💻 Workspaces nearby — coworking spaces and quiet cafes

• Bergen.Works — centre, hub for flexible spaces and community; check the terms and conditions for guest/day visits.
• Spaces (Media City Bergen) — international network, coworking/meeting rooms; flexible memberships and tours available.
• Regus — hot desks/day offices and meeting rooms by reservation, convenient for busy days.

Libraries (Meråpent) — for focused work in the evenings/mornings free of charge; register in advance.

What to look for: availability of meeting rooms, ‘quiet rooms’, late slots, density of power sockets, possibility to ‘book extra’ for a couple of hours.

✅ Mini checklist (quick route)

• Choose an area near Bybanen (Florida–Kronstad for pace; Fantoft–Nesttun for quiet).
• Check the Skyss fare for your stay (7/30 days; prices as of 01.02.2025).
• Check with the host: type of internet, speed, ventilation/heating; ask about condensation.
• Mark ‘quiet’ spots: library (Meråpent) + co-working with meeting rooms.
• Keep a backup: 4G/5G mobile and a nearby Bybanen station in case you need to change locations.

Living and working in the ‘city of seven hills’ without a car is possible and convenient if you stick to the Bybanen, check your internet connection in advance, and choose a quiet neighbourhood that suits your rhythm. Make a plan A/B for the internet, keep a library and co-working space handy, and you can get to the airport and run errands using the same rail link. The rest is a matter of habit and a good raincoat.