🚍 Easter Monday in Norway: how to get back without traffic jams and what really works 🐰
Andre påskedag (Easter Monday) is an official public holiday in Norway. For most people, it marks the end of the long Easter weekend: some return from their cabins, while others stay in the "quiet" cities. This article provides a quick overview of what is open and closed, how traffic is organised on the roads and railways, when it is best to leave, and ideas for a quiet day in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Tromsø and Stavanger. Links to timetables are provided in each section. Easter Monday is legally a "helligdag" (public holiday), which means that transport and shops operate on a weekend schedule.
Actual hours and schedules vary by network/city. Always check with the specific operator or store before you leave.
🛒 Supermarkets
Depends on chain/municipality.
🍷 Vinmonopolet
Always closed on public holidays.
☕ Restaurants/cafés
Often reduced hours and limited menu.
🏛 Museums/culture
Holiday hours apply; check venues.
🚍 Public transport
City = Sunday routes; Vy = reduced services.
Return travel: trains, roads, planes
Trains (Vy)
● During Easter, trains run on a reduced "Easter" schedule — this applies to both the first and second days of Easter. Check your train and seat availability in advance.
● On some lines, infrastructure work and replacement buses may be in operation during Easter. Please read the latest notices before purchasing your ticket.
Roads (car)
● According to Statens vegvesen, the longest delays during Easter are usually on Wednesday of Easter week and Easter Sunday, with the peak between 12:00 and 14:00. We recommend planning to leave early in the morning or late in the evening, allowing extra time and monitoring Vegvesen updates.
● Even at the end of Easter, winter conditions are possible on mountain passes and in Northern Norway — check pass status, weather warnings and cameras along your route.
Airports and Flytoget
● Airports are operating, but there may be increased demand on Easter Monday morning/evening. Check the departure boards and allow extra time for your journey.
● For travel to/from OSL, check Flytoget (Airport Express) for rare changes during the holidays.
When to depart/return
● Avoid midday (around 12:00–14:00) — this is when delays are most frequent during the Easter period. Early morning or after 19:00 is usually quieter (general recommendation from Vegvesen: "kjør tidlig eller sent").
● If possible, stagger your return: part of the team/family on Monday evening, part on Tuesday morning; this will reduce congestion at transport hubs and car parks (especially in Oslo and Bergen).
● Working remotely? Consider a "shifted office" on Tuesday morning — leave late on Monday evening and avoid the daytime rush (check the internet in your cabin in advance).
What works in cities (where to go without rushing)
Below are some easy routes for a couple of hours. Check the opening hours of attractions on the day of your visit.
● Oslo: Aker Brygge/Tjuvholmen waterfront, Ekeberg sculpture park, short loop around Bygdøy (museums may have holiday hours).
● Bergen: Fløibanen (check if it is running), a loop around Bryggen and Skuteviken, a "rainy" option — Kunsthall/galleries in the centre.
● Trondheim: Bakklandet → Gamle Bybro → Nidelva; Laftehuset/Old Town courtyard (outdoor areas).
● Tromsø: a loop around Strandtorget and the northern waterfront; Prestvannet (dry/safe — check the weather).
● Stavanger: white houses of Gamle Stavanger, Vågen, short walk to Sverd i fjell.
Easter Monday is the perfect day to return home without the hustle and bustle and end the season on a gentle note: an early or late departure, tickets checked in advance and a quiet stroll through the city in the evening. Check your carrier's schedule, keep the Vegvesen road app handy, and plan extra time — this way, you'll get home without rushing and have time to enjoy the last hours of Easter. Have a safe trip!
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
No. It is a public holiday, and Vinmonopolet is closed on all helligdager. The same restrictions on the sale of alcohol on public holidays apply to beer in supermarkets.
Usually according to the Sunday schedule. In Bergen and a number of regions, this is clearly stated (Skyss: "Søndagsruter 1. og 2. påskedag"). The same applies in Rogaland/Stavanger (Kolumbus) and many other networks. Always double-check with your operator's app.
During Easter, there are reduced "Easter" schedules, including on the second day of Easter. Some routes may be affected by Bane Nor works and replacement buses — book your seats and check notifications in advance.
Vegvesenet reports the heaviest traffic in the middle of the day, so the best strategy is to leave early or late and allow extra time. Keep an eye on the Vegvesen trafikk app and pass status updates.
Airports are open, but demand may be higher than usual, especially in the morning and evening. Check the Avinor board and plan extra time; for Airport Express, check the schedule and intervals.
Some cafés/restaurants are operating on "holiday hours". Look for places in tourist clusters (waterfronts, central streets, areas near viewing platforms) and check the current hours on maps/aggregators. For children, cafés at museums (if open) are a good option.
Pick-up points/shops are often closed or have reduced hours. Check the status of a specific location in the chain's app and select the nearest pick-up date.
Some municipalities have "Sunday/holiday" rules, but the rules vary. Check your local map/website before you go.
