Travelling in Norway - how to get around

Travelling by air

The 3 major domestic airlines in Norway are SAS, Braathens and Widerøe - with these major airlines you can travel to about 50 airports spread throughout the country from Nort to south across the country. If you want to experience both the north and the south of norway in a limited period of time you should consider travelling by air.

Travelling by Bus or Train

Norway's bus network is well organized with multiple small stops between every major locations. Travelling by rail is also a good option in the south, although this is not possible in the north. The national railway company NSB is where you need purchase your trip by train.

Car rental

You can rent a car at various companies at most airports and in the major cities, however this is expensive and not a good option for budget travellers.

Travelling by boat or ferry

Norway has an extensive infrastructure of express boats and ferries. This is a necessity especially in the west and the northern coastal areas. This gives a great opportunity to explore the many islands and coastal communities of Norway. "Hurtigruta" is also an option if you want to travel along the coast. It has 33 stops on its 6 day journey from Bergen to Kirkenes. However this is a rather expensive option particularly in the tourist season.

Travelling Norway by thumb

Hitchhiking is not very common in Norway so it might take a long time for someone to pick you up, also you are potentially putting yourself at risk. Therefore you should never travel by thumb on your own. the best places to hitchhike would be in the more urban areas in the south and other areas with high traffic. Choosing this as your only mode of transportation is risky. In more remote and rural areas you might have to wait hours for a car to pass at all.


Local Transport

Local transport in cities and towns consists mainly of public buslines. In Oslo you can also travel by metro, trams or ferries.

How you choose to travel within Norway depends largely on the goal of your trip. Consider the fact that distances between attractions may be great, it's important to plan your destinations and means of transport before you go. This will make your travel experience more effective. Travelling within Norway you might find that the road quality is quite variable especially in the north and the west. If you are renting a car this is important to take this into consideration especially if you travel in winter and don't have experience driving on snow and ice.