Public transport in Norway: how easy it is to get around without a car
Why you can safely leave your car behind in Norway
The roads here are beautiful, but public transport runs like clockwork, from Arctic Bodo to southern Kristiansand. Trains, buses and ferries connect on schedule, and the Entur app plots a door-to-door route even to tiny fishing villages.
Entur: your pocket dispatcher
- This amazing tool can do so much! It builds combined chains (train + ferry + bus), shows real-time delays and sells tickets for most operators.
- Get ready for the future of navigation! With 2025's cutting-edge features, you'll have offline maps at your fingertips, seamless Apple Pay and Google Wallet integration, and live push notifications about mountain pass closures.
- Here's a great tip: add your bank card and phone number and you'll be able to get a refund in one tap if your flight is cancelled due to weather!
🚆 Trains: the backbone of Norwegian traffic
| Line | Duration | Minimum fare* | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oslo ⇄ Bergen (Bergen Railway) | 6 hours 50 minutes | from NOK 249 – Mini Price | 497 km of alpine plateaus |
| Oslo ⇄ Trondheim (Dovrebanen) | 6 hours 30 minutes | from 299 NOK | Panoramic views of Dovrefjell |
| Trondheim ⇄ Bodø (Nordlandsbanen) | 9 hours 50 minutes | from 399 NOK | Crossing the Arctic Circle |
| Flåmsbana | 50 min | 550 NOK | Ascent 866 m through waterfalls |
*Mini Pris "Lavpris" prices are valid for early bookings and are non-refundable.
Ticket purchase: at vy.no or in the Entur app. The ticket is sent as a QR code; no printing is required.
Money-saving tips
- Sign up for Vy email sales now and get tickets from as low as 249 NOK, no matter where you are in the country! Wow, this is amazing!
- The Interrail Norway Pass is an amazing deal! If you're planning to make at least three long-distance trips in two weeks, then this is definitely the pass for you!
- For the best views of the fjords, you absolutely have to choose the left side of the train from Oslo to Bergen!
Buses: where steel cannot reach
- Norway Bussekspress is the perfect way to travel between cities and fjords. Enjoy reclining seats, Wi-Fi and USB ports on board.
- FlixBus is your key to affordable travel! For example, the Oslo-Stavanger route is available from just $45 (approximately 450 NOK).
- Great news! Vy Express now offers a fantastic alternative to the railway, so you can still get your hands on those hard-to-get train tickets.
- Kystbussen is an amazing way to travel along the stunning Norwegian coast, offering breathtaking views of the fjords as it runs from Bergen to Stavanger!
Book online: the earlier, the cheaper — discounts of up to 50% 4–6 weeks before departure.
⛴️ Ferries and boats: water highways
| Type | Operator | Sample price/section | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fjord ferries | Fjord1 / Norled | Geiranger ↔ Hellesylt 50 min, 360 NOK car + driver | Part of national roads |
| Coastal express | Hurtigruten | Bergen → Kirkenes 7 days from $1,576 pp | 34 ports, cabin + panorama |
| International lines | Color Line / Fjord Line | Oslo → Kiel (DE) overnight, from €138 | Duty-free, cabin, car on board |
Most car ferries are included in the AutoPASS for Ferry system — the fee is automatically deducted if the number is registered in advance.
🚍 City transport and Oslo Pass
| Product | What's included | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Oslo Pass 24 h | Metro, tram, bus, island ferries + 30 museums | 550 NOK for adults |
| Ruter 7-day ticket (Zone 1) | All transport within Oslo | 338 NOK |
| Bergen Card 24 h | Bus, Bybanen tram, some museums | 380 NOK |
Tip: add the Oslo Pass to Apple/Google Wallet — ticket inspectors will scan it directly from your screen.
Norway in a Nutshell: the only trip where you get "everything at once"!
The amazing one-day package (train from Oslo to Myrdal, Flåmsbana, cruise on the Nærøyfjord, bus to Stalheimskleiva, train from Voss to Bergen) costs from just NOK 2,990 when booked with Fjord Tours.
The best thing about the economy option is that you can put together your own itinerary through Vy + Norway's Best. It's super cheap at only 2–3 thousand NOK and you can fit in as much or as little as you like!
📱 Apps and services you can't do without
| Purpose | App |
|---|---|
| End-to-end planning | Entur |
| Train tickets | Vy |
| Bus discounts | Nor‑Way / FlixBus |
| Parking, if you decide to take your car | EasyPark |
| Weather & Avalanches | Yr.no |
| Road conditions | Vegvesen Trafikk |
Example of a 7-day route without a set itinerary
Day 1. Oslo – museums, fjords, Oslo Pass.
Day 2. Train Oslo → Bergen (Mini Pris).
Day 3. Cruise Bergen → Flåm, overnight stay in Flåm.
Day 4. Flåmsbana → Myrdal; train → Voss; Kystbussen bus → Stavanger.
Day 5. Ferry to Lysefjord, walk to Preikestolen.
Day 6. Vy Express bus from Stavanger to Kristiansand, evening Color Line ferry to Hirtshals (DK) or back to Oslo.
Day 7. Return by train or plane.
No rental car required, covering the south, west and central fjords.
Pre-trip checklist
- I downloaded Entur and added the map.
- I bought a Mini Prix for key railway sections, which should last for about 2–3 months.
- Just a quick check to see if you need to book a ferry – you usually do in summer.
- I got an Oslo Pass on my phone.
- I took a light backpack and a raincoat, since the weather in Norway changes faster than the timetables.
The Norwegian transport system is pretty convenient, with trains, ferries and buses all working together. Entur will even count down the minutes until your connection. Make the most of cheap deals, city passes and booking early, and you'll be able to travel around the country of fjords, glaciers and the Northern Lights without ever opening your car door. Wow!