🚆🚌⛴️ Without a car: how to get to glamping (trains, buses, ferries)
It is convenient to travel around Norway without a car: mainline trains, a dense network of regional buses, ferries/speedboats and a few taxis/shuttles for the ‘last mile’. The key to a stress-free trip is to plan your transfers, arrange late check-in in advance and think about your luggage (in winter — a sledge, in summer — a rucksack + roller bag). Below is a step-by-step guide with interactive inserts for the website.
🚆 Trains / Vy: convenient and predictable
Trains are the ‘backbone’ of the route: they connect capitals, hubs near fjords, and northern cities. From the station, you can take a bus or boat.
How to plan:
- First the train, then everything else. Tie buses/ferries to the train arrival time, allow 20-40 minutes for transfers.
- Seats and quiet. If you are travelling during the high season, choose a seat with a power outlet; for work, choose quiet carriages/rows near the partition.
- Luggage. Place suitcases on the racks by the doors/in the middle of the carriage, and valuables under the seat/above your head.
- Bicycle/pram. Allowed in designated areas; reserve seats in advance.
- Night train. A convenient option for long journeys: compartments/reclining seats and ‘arrival in the morning without losing a day’.
🚌 Regional buses: door-to-door service
Buses are your main helper for the ‘last few kilometres’.
Rules of the game:
- Sit at the front. Enter through the front door: show your ticket/pay the driver (this is more common in rural areas).
- Stop on demand. Press the button in advance; on routes, stops may be ‘on demand’.
- Hubs. Transfers — at ‘knots’ (knutepunkt): shopping areas, train stations, ferry terminals.
- Schedules. More frequent on weekdays, less frequent on weekends; evening flights are shorter. Always plan for an early transfer if you need to be on time.
- Luggage. Suitcases go in the luggage compartment/front space, backpacks go on your lap/on the floor next to your seat. Place them so that they do not block the aisle.
⛴️ Ferries and hurtigbåt: water as transport
Fjords and islands dictate boat transfers. There are classic ferries (cars + pedestrians) and speedboats (hurtigbåt) for passengers only.
What to consider:
- Boarding for pedestrians. Arrive 15–20 minutes early and follow the signs to the passenger gangway.
- Weather. Storms/fog may disrupt the schedule; have a plan B.
- Luggage. Suitcases go in the common compartment/under the seats, backpacks stay with you. Do not block emergency exits.
- Connections. Allow extra time: the bus may wait for the ferry, but not always.
- Boat instead of ferry. On ‘thin’ routes, only hurtigbåt: light luggage, few seats.
🚖 Taxis/shuttles: the stress-free “last mile”
Even “cottages by the water” are often 1–5 km from the nearest bus stop. There are three solutions: taxi (drosje), host transfer, walking (in summer) or sledging (in winter).
What works best:
- Book in advance. There are few taxis in small communities; ask your host for a number.
- Set the location. Immediately send the driver the name of the stop/pier and the pin of the cottage.
- Cash/card. Keep both options: terminals are not always available.
- On foot? Assess the slope, surface, weather and weight of your luggage. Wind near the water is a critical factor.
🌙 Late check-in: arriving after 10 p.m.
The train/ferry may arrive late. Self-check-in is possible if everything has been agreed upon.
What to clarify in advance:
- Code/key holder, photo of the door, and sequence of actions.
- Path/car park lighting, where it turns on.
- Quiet hours (usually from 10 p.m.): how to get there, where to unload.
- Route from the stop: landmarks (‘second path after the shed’), landmarks in the dark.
- Emergency contact.
🧠 Little tricks for those without a car
- Choose accommodation near transport hubs. Staying near a railway station or ferry terminal saves time and money on taxis. Look for phrases such as ‘near train station’ or ‘glamping near train station’.
- Seasonal rhythm. There are more flights (and people) in summer, and less traffic in late autumn — shift your activities to daylight hours.
- Coffee breaks. When transferring, choose hubs with a warm waiting room and toilet.
- One large piece of luggage + a backpack. It's easier to manoeuvre than two suitcases.
- Layered clothing. The weather changes quickly, and the coastal wind makes it feel cooler.
❓FAQ
Yes. On snow/ice, plastic sleds or sledges greatly simplify the ‘last mile’: place your suitcase horizontally, secure it with straps, wear warm gloves and ice cleats on your shoes. Sleds are not necessary on decking/asphalt: a rucksack + roller bag is better.
Usually 1 large and 1 small item per person — no extra charge; the main thing is not to block the aisles and emergency exits. Put your suitcases on the racks/by the doors, and keep your valuables with you. On the bus, place them as compactly as possible next to your seat or in the luggage compartment.
Often yes, but on trains and some boats you need dedicated spaces and sometimes an additional fee/reservation. Plan for ‘quiet’ trips and avoid peak hours.
On many trains/buses — yes, on a leash, sometimes with a muzzle; on boats — according to the company's rules. Check with your host in advance: there may be restrictions/additional fees for cleaning in the cabins.
Rearrange your trip for the next flight and immediately write to the host with your new ETA (estimated time of arrival). If the last ferry has left, look for overnight accommodation at the hub or arrange a taxi/transfer with shared costs.
Stations and hubs are often equipped with lifts/ramps; when booking, check with the host for trinnfri adkomst (step-free access) and HC parking near the trail. On buses, ask the driver to tilt the low-floor entrance; on the ferry, use the pedestrian ramp and lift (if available).
Purchase at the interchange hub and divide into two bags: ‘fragile and heavy’ in your backpack, ‘bulky and light’ in a roller/sledge. Milk and cheese should be placed in a thermal bag with a cooling element.
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