🌊 Stavanger: offshore rhythm and Preikestolen after work

The city lives in two rhythms: on the shore — offices, schools and jogging along the waterfront; at sea — rigs, helicopters and watch shifts. In summer, daylight lasts until nightfall — and you can easily fit in a short hike with a view of the Lysefjord. Below is the most practical information: how to plan an after-work climb to Preikestolen, what you need to know about offshore schedules, and where to stay by the water if your flights/helicopters depart from Sol. Finally, there is information about ferry passes for daily trips.

⛰ Is it realistic to go to Preikestolen after work in the summer?

The short answer is yes, with the right timing. From the centre to the starting point, it takes about 50 minutes by bus/car through the Ryfylke underwater tunnel (Ryfast), followed by an 8 km round-trip hike, which takes about 4 hours, with an elevation gain of about 500 m. During the high season, many people deliberately start late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. In June and July, sunset is around 10:45 p.m., and twilight lasts until midnight, so there is usually enough daylight to start at 6:00–6:30 p.m. (bring a torch anyway). Outside the ‘white’ months, start earlier. Official landmarks and logistics tips: the trail, buses from the centre, and the advice to ‘go early in the morning or late in the afternoon’ to avoid peak times.

Plan for the evening: 5 p.m. departure → 6 p.m. start → ~10 p.m. back at the car park → ~11 p.m. in town. Keep an eye on the weather and don't go near the edge of the cliff on windy days — the route is marked, but it's mountainous.

⚓ What are offshore shifts like and where can you live ‘on shore’?

Schedules. The basic ‘classic’ is 2 weeks on the platform / 4 weeks at home (there are options for 2–3 weeks, etc., depending on the company/position). The working day on the shelf is up to 12 hours, with an average weekly norm of 33.6 hours per period. Flights to the platforms depart from Sola (helicopter terminal; operators CHC/Bristow, etc.).

Where to live near the water (and convenient for logistics).

• Tananger/Sola. Close to the airport, helicopters and supply bases — less stress on departure/arrival days. There are large offshore bases in Tananger and the surrounding area.
• Dusavik/north-west of the city. 10–15 minutes to the centre; residential neighbourhoods and infrastructure nearby, close to an important supply hub for the industry.
• Centrum and Stuhrhug (waterfront). If you enjoy walking by the bay and the city rhythm, choose accommodation on the waterfront with quick access to buses/train lines.

When choosing an area, keep in mind your ‘starting point’ (airport, Tananger, Dusavik) and logistics for children: schools/kindergartens, sports clubs, access to green areas.

⛴ Are there ferry passes for commuters?

Yes. Kolumbus offers a 30-day ticket that covers buses, trains and a number of express boats/ferries (Byøyene/Hommersåk and the ferry to Vassøy are included), which is convenient if you live on the islands near the centre and travel into the city. A separate season ticket for a selected express route with unlimited travel for 30 days is available (price depends on the pier). Timetables and zones are available on the Kolumbus website.

In summer, it is easy to combine business and the fjord here: a working day followed by a short trip to Preikestolen without the rush if you start in the afternoon. For those offshore, the rhythm is set by shifts (2–4 and similar schedules) and logistics via Sola — choose an area so that the route to the helicopter and your children's school is straightforward. If your home is on the islands near the centre, check out the ferry passes: 30-day tickets take care of daily crossings.

Share your exact plans for leaving the island, tried-and-tested locations by the water and shift work hacks — we'll put together a handy “coastal” checklist for those who live between phone calls and the sea.