Transport in Norway
While studying in Bergen, you may wish to use the opportunity to visit other places in Norway too.
Here is a list of different ways of transportation around Norway.
Trains
Trains in Norway are operated by three different rail companies, Vy, GoAhead and SJ Nord. You can use Entur to plan a journey that involves several train companies. Joint tickets for SJ and GoAhead can be purchased directly from Entur. All rail companies offer student discounts, but please note that “lavpris” or non-refundable standard tickets might actually be cheaper than a standard ticket with student discount. Remember to buy your ticket in advance, as tickets bought on the train will be more expensive.
Vy
Vy is the Norwegian state railway. From Bergen you can take the local train to Voss, and the regional train to Oslo. Vy offers a 25% student discount.
GoAhead
GoAhead operates the trains from Oslo via Kristiansand to Stavanger. Offers student discounts for students younger than 30 years.
SJ Nord
SJ Nord operates the trains from Oslo to Åndalsnes, Trondheim, Røros and Bodø. Students younger than 30 years will get a 25 % discount on standard tickets.
Flights
SAS
SAS operates a number of domestic flights between Bergen and the rest of Norway. They don’t offer a student discount, but they have a youth ticket for those under 26.
Norwegian
Norwegian operates a number of domestic flights between Bergen and the rest of Norway. They don’t offer a student discount, but they have a youth ticket for those under 26.
Wideroe
Wideroe operates a number of domestic flights between Bergen and the rest of Norway. They offer student tickets and tickets for those under 26.
Ferrys and ships
Fjordline
The ferry company offers a domestic route between Bergen and Stavanger on its main route between Bergen and Hirtshals in Denmark. You can either go as a foot passenger, or take a car. The ticket prices on the domestic routes are very reasonable and this is an environmentally friendly alternative as the ferries are powered by green gas.
Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten is a cruise that runs between Bergen and Kirkenes, stopping at 34 ports, taking 12 days, and covering a distance of 2500 nautical miles. This trip is very popular with tourists, but a full cruise is very expensive, and may not be compatible with a student budget.
Hurtigruten is also used by locals to travel between selected ports. So if you’re eager for a shorter trip between ports, this is an option. There is a student discount on Hurtigruten available on the standard travel fare for short distances. You have to book on the Norwegian pages in order to get this option. The discount is not valid for cabins, vehicles, food nor sleeping chairs.
Havila
The Havila Voyages is a Norwegian shipping company that sails the classic coastal voyage between Bergen and Kirkenes, much like Hurtigruten. You can also book port to port. Students (up to 32 years) with a valid Norwegian student certificate receive a 50 percent discount.– The discounts are not for cabins and meals.
Express boats
If you’re eager to explore the fjords in western Norway, it is possible to take express boats between Bergen, Sogn, Flåm, Selje, and Sunnhordaland all year round in addition to the Hardangerfjord in the summer. Find routes and buy tickets on Norled’s website.
Coaches
Nor-way
From Bergen, Nor-way runs domestic coach services to Førde, Stryn, Otta, Dombås, Oppdal, Trondheim, Odda, Lillehammer, Fagernes, Lærdal, Flåm, Voss, and Stavanger. Nor-way offers student discounts for full-time students under the age of 31.
Skyss
Vestland County now have a total of ten price zones. The zones applies to travel by bus in Vestland, Bergen Light Rail, boats to Askøy and Nordhordland and trains between Bergen and Voss. If you go outside Bergen Municipality remeber to buy the right ticket depending on your price zone. Check Skyss for more info.
Vy express
From Bergen, Vy express runs domestic coach services to Ålesund, (via Førde, Skei, Sandane, Nordfjoreid, Volda) and Sogndal (via Dale, Bostad, Evanger, Voss, Gudvangen, Flåm, Lærdal and Kaupanger). Vy express offers student tickets, the discount rate varies depending on the route.
Car rental
From time to time you may need to rent a car. In addition to car rental companies, there are also car-sharing systems like Getaround, Dele and Hyre (Norwegian only).
If you own a car and need information about owning a car in Norway, go to Statens Vegvesen (Norwegian Public Road Administration).
