The transport system includes several modes of transport, but from the point of view of tourism, four modes of transport are important: air, road, rail and water.
The country has a fairly extensive network of road, rail and air routes. Most of the passenger traffic is transported by road and sea transport.
Air transport. Traveling to Norway these days does not present any difficulties. Airports have been built throughout the country, from which regular flights operate to anywhere in Europe; There are 50 airports in the country.
International flights are served by Gardemoen Airport in Oslo, Flesland Airport in Bergen and Sulla Airport in Stavenger. There are also international airfields in Kristiansand, Trondheim, and Tromso.
Airplanes of different airlines arrive at international airports: Aeroflot Airlines, operates direct flights Moscow-Oslo-Moscow; Norwegian airline “Norwegian”: direct flights Moscow-Oslo and St. Petersburg-Oslo; Scandinavian airline SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System) offers daily flights to Oslo via Stockholm or Copenhagen; Low-cost airlines in Europe: Sterling or Ryanair; Also, British Airways, KLM and Lufthansa have many flights to Norway;
The air transport network within Norway is well developed; At all airports you can transfer to domestic flights or use another type of transport. Norway ranks one of the first places in the world in domestic passenger traffic. Domestic flights to all destinations within the country are carried out by the following airlines: SAS, Widershe, Braathens and Color Air.
Regular air service is established between Norway and Spitsbergen.
Air communication is developed between more than 120 cities.
Approximate cost of air tickets:
Aeroflot: Moscow-Oslo-Moscow from-from EUR 310.
SAS: Northern Norway-from EUR 510, other destinations in the Fjords and central Norway- from EUR 400.
Railway transport Norway is completely state owned. The total length of railways in the country is small and amounts to only 4,200 km. (without tram lines and metro), of which - 2660 km. electrified, 95% of all roads are single track. According to the latest data, the rolling stock of railway transport consisted of 92 electric locomotives, 52 diesel locomotives, 552 regular passenger cars, 71 sleeping cars, and 2,506 freight cars.
A wide network of railways connects Norway with the other Scandinavian countries and the rest of Europe. There are high-speed trains between Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm. There is no direct train connection between Russia and Norway.
There are four main railway lines in Norway and, for simplicity, the most important branches have names: the mountain Bergensbanen (from Oslo to Bergen) - considered the most picturesque, the southern Sarlandsbanen (from Oslo to Stavanger), the central Dövrebanen and Rørosbanen (from Oslo to Trondheim) and the northern Nordlandsbanen (Trondheim-Bodø). There are very few trains in the fjord area; they also do not go to the Far North - the railway line ends in Buda, so in order to get, for example, to Narvik, you need to make a long detour through neighboring Sweden.
NSB (Norwegian State Railways) operates trains on domestic lines; this network is particularly well developed in the south of the country, and ends in Buda in the northern part of the country. However, there is a system known as Togbuss (train-bus) that reaches as far north as Tromso and the Lofoten Islands.
Most train journeys in Norway have first and second class carriages, and NSB trains have separate carriages specially equipped for people with reduced mobility.
In the fjord region there is Flåm Railway(20 km long), which itself has become a tourist attraction.
This unique railway, laid along steep cliffs, past mighty waterfalls, among snow-capped mountains, it starts from the high-altitude station Myrdal (865 m above sea level in the Oslo-Bergen direction) to the Flåm valley, located at the mouth of the Aurlandsfjord. The railway journey takes place among the wild and beautiful landscapes of Norway. Along the 20-kilometer route you can see rivers cutting deep ravines; cascades of waterfalls falling from steep rocky mountains with snow-white peaks; and mountain farms clinging to the slopes at dizzying heights.
The Flåm Railway is one of the steepest regular gauge mountain railway lines in the world. The degree of its inclination is 55/1000 over more than 80% of the entire line, i.e. 1:18. The spiraling tunnels that enter and exit the mountains represent some of the most daring and skillful engineering ever carried out in Norwegian railway history.
Every year this section of the railway attracts more and more tourists from all over the world, making the Flåm Railway one of the most important and spectacular tourist attractions in Norway.
Train fare:
From Stockholm or Copenhagen-from EUR 130 per adult.
Flåm Railway-EUR 45 per adult.
Automobile transport. The country has a fairly extensive network of highways. From Oslo, a network of modern highways fan out across the country, covering even the most remote northern regions. Roads cross mountainous areas far and wide, skirting fjords or entering ports, where travel continues by ferry. Roads are built over water, on water and under water.
The length of highways exceeds 90.3 thousand km, but only 74% of them have a hard surface. Norway's roads and highways are named using the alphanumeric method: E16, E18, RV5, RV7, RV64.
Most highways in Norway are owned by the state. Its scope of responsibility includes maintaining the condition of the main roads, that is, roads of various classes and motorways; the maintenance of other roads is the responsibility of the county or municipalities.
You have to pay to drive on some private roads. The same applies to some state roads, for example, when entering a large city, passing through a tunnel, over a bridge or even an ordinary section of road. Funding large road projects through toll collection is becoming an increasingly common practice.
There are 1.3 million cars in the country, of which 1.1 million are passenger cars.
Norway is mountainous and building roads is difficult. We have to build long bridges across fjords, drill into long tunnels in the mountains. Norway has built 17,300 bridges and 830 tunnels. Norway has the longest tunnel in Europe, 25 km long.
Of particular importance for Norway is the development of the Oslo-Svinesund/Kornsche transport corridor with its continuation through Sweden to continental Europe. It is Norway's most important corridor for passenger and freight transport in both directions.
Norwegian roads are considered to be some of the best roads in the world. Direct highways are only found in close proximity to major cities. Outside populated areas, the maximum speed is limited to 80 km/h. In populated areas, the maximum permissible speed is 50 km/h. In Norway, traffic rules require the driver to take certain precautions. For example, even on a sunny day it is necessary to drive with low beam headlights constantly on. The use of a seat belt is mandatory. It is necessary to have a warning sign in your vehicle in case of an accident or malfunction. Most of the Norwegian population prefers to travel by car.
You can travel on buses that travel to more than 50 destinations. Flights are made by about 200 comfortable buses. But their movement is better developed in central and southern Norway. Most intercity buses depart from the Central Bus Terminal on Schweigaardstrasse.
Typically, bus services are connected to other modes of transport: ferries, ships, trains and planes. For travelers to Norway, there are two types of passes: 7 days and 14 days. For children - reduced price. The subscription is valid for a year.
Water transport plays a major role, accounting for the predominant part of the passenger flow. Many passengers are transported by ships, ferries and boats.
There are 34 ports on the coast of Norway. The largest ports are in Oslo, Kristiansand, Alesund, Trondheim and Tromso. From these ports there is international communication, as well as communication along the entire coast and to the islands.
Ferries run between Norway, the rest of Scandinavia and Europe. These are modern liners with restaurants and comfortable cabins. Many of them have car decks.
A comfortable ferry liner DFDS (Scandinavian Seaways) departs from Denmark daily - travel time is 16 hours. Accommodation is possible in cabins of different categories from standard accommodation to luxury. Fjord Line and DFDS ferries sail from England (Newcastle) to Norway. Smyril Line ferries operate from Iceland, Scotland and the Faroe Islands.
Hurtigruta (Coastal Express) provides passenger sea transport all year round, serving the coast from Bergen to Kirkenes and further north to the Russian border.
Norway's main sea route will always be Royal Road No. 1, operated by Hurtigruta, which runs from Bergen to Kirkenes to the very north. The entire journey takes 11 days. Departing daily, the ferry makes frequent stops offshore where it is possible to disembark for sightseeing, excursions and various safaris. The ferry is a kind of hotel on the water, there are cabins with various types of amenities, restaurants, bars and shops. The ferry also provides car transportation services, which allows you to combine both types of transport when traveling. This trip provides a unique opportunity to see all the beauty of the Norwegian coastline. It is no coincidence that this sea voyage is considered one of the most beautiful sea voyages.
The Ford area is served by numerous ferries. The whole of Western Norway depends on the ferry service, where all the most famous fjords are located. Roads in this region usually end abruptly and the journey can only be continued by ferry. Most ferries and motor ships operate quite frequently, so there are rarely queues. In addition to the ferry, some shipping companies also offer fjord cruises.
Cruise routes and trips through the fjords are carried out on pleasure boats.
Main routes: Flåm-Aurland-Gudvangen, Bergen-Sogndal, Bergen-Vik-Balestrand-Leikanger-Flåm. The routes Flåm-Aurland-Gudvangen and Bergen-Sogndal operate all year round, while the remaining routes operate from 1 May to 30 September. There are souvenir shops and cafes on board the pleasure boats. Mini-cruises are conducted in several languages.
The old coasting boats that carry local residents from remote areas are quite attractive for tourists in the summer. The cabin must be reserved a month in advance. Only modern ships are capable of transporting cars. In many places there are specialized boat moorings, where both regular ships carrying passengers from distant fjords and private boats are usually moored, with the owners of which you can always agree on a trip to a particular area, as well as on a fishing or excursion flight.
The cost depends on the season and type of accommodation: from EUR 160 per cabin.
Ferries between fjords: from EUR 35 per person.
It boasts not only a very high standard of living for its citizens, but also a well-established transport system and a widely ramified network of road, rail and air routes.
In Norway, the following main types of transport can be distinguished:
- motor transport (including taxis and car rental);
- public transport (buses, trams and metro);
- railways;
- water transport (ferries and boats);
- airlines.
Automobile transport
Traffic in the country is on the right. Dozens of modern highways diverge from the state capital in different directions, including covering and remote areas in the far north. The roads are in excellent condition, they are very fast, but quite narrow, often with sharp turns and a lot of tunnels.
Traffic rules in Norway
In all Scandinavian countries, including Norway, the rules state that when driving at any time of the day, the car must have low beam headlights or side lights on. The reason for this is the frequent change of weather conditions, which can cause visibility to deteriorate sharply. On some roads along the fjords, trailers are prohibited. Significant fines are provided for driving while intoxicated and not wearing a seat belt.
Rent a Car
In order to do so, you will need an identification card, an international driving license, a credit card and paid insurance or a cash deposit for the rented car. The driver must be at least 21 years old and have at least 1 year of driving experience. In addition to a car, you can rent a bicycle.
Toll roads and parking lots
All parking lots in Norway are paid, you can only park there. Entry into Oslo is paid. To travel on toll highways, you can use the AutoPASS electronic subscription (to purchase it you will need an AutoPASS contract and a special electronic device AutoPASS On-Board Unit (OBU)). If you do not have such a subscription, then you can pay for travel in the “Mynt/Coin” or “Manuell” window. Please note that payment is made in Norwegian coins and credit cards.
Taxi
In Norway, you can stop a car on the street, call it from a hotel, or find it in a special parking lot. This pleasure is not cheap - you will have to pay about $3.2 to get into a taxi ($4.3 after 19:00 and on weekends) and then about $1.4 for each kilometer of the route. Credit cards of all major payment systems are accepted, including VISA, American Express, Diners Club and MasterCard.
Public transport in Norway
It includes a network of bus lines, metro and trams. A ticket for 1 trip for any type of transport costs approximately $2.2 and is valid for 1 hour from the moment of composting. If you plan to travel a lot, you can take a daily “dagskort” pass, which costs almost $5.35, or a weekly pass ($18.15). There is also a “flexikort” ticket, on which 8 trips cost $13.9. Carriage of bicycles, ski equipment and large luggage is paid separately. For children, students and the elderly, some transport companies offer travel discounts.
The network of bus routes in the country is quite extensive. This also applies to the surrounding fjords and provincial towns. Express buses operate between major towns, airports and ferry terminals. Standard bus routes are cheaper than rail and ferry travel, but take more time. The vast majority of intercity buses depart from the capital's Central Bus Terminal on Schweigaardstrasse. Please note that for large groups, as well as for long trips, it is better to book tickets in advance.
Railway transport
The length of railway tracks in Norway is over 4 thousand km, including about 800 tunnels and more than 3 thousand bridges. Train trips offer tourists wonderful views of mountains, lakes and fjords. Railways connect Oslo with the country's major cities - Bergen, as well as with neighboring Sweden. Perhaps the most exciting route connects the cities of Oslo and Bergen and runs along the mountain plateau, otherwise known as the “roof of Norway”. This trip takes between 6 and 8 hours, so it is preferable to go at night. The northernmost railway station in Norway, Bodo, is located above the Arctic Circle. There are no direct train flights from Russia to Norway, but you can take a route with a transfer in Helsinki.
In addition to paying the cost of the train ticket, you will need to pay for your seat reservation. Only in this case will you be able to receive a ticket in your hands. This can be done either at a ticket machine (biletteautomat) or at the cashier on the train. You can buy tickets online using the Minipris system. Its fares are very affordable (from $23.5 to $35), but it is worth remembering that such tickets are non-refundable.
Maritime transport in Norway
This type of transport is also very popular in Norway. This includes sea vessels, ferries and boats. Tickets for them can be purchased from ferry companies (payment by credit cards) or at station ticket offices before the departure of the ships. Ferry tickets are quite expensive, so it is worth either booking them in advance (in this case, many companies offer discounts of up to 20%) or purchasing them as part of promotions and sales. The most popular route is Hurtigruten, which runs between Bergen and Kirkenes and back. It takes 11 days, during which you can fully enjoy the natural beauty of the Scandinavian country. During this journey, cities such as Trondheim, Svolvær, Honningsvåg and, of course, Bergen will open to your eyes. Other exciting ferry rides include Geiranger to Hellesylt, Gudvangen to Kaupanger and Lysebotn.
Ferry crossings operate every day. In addition, many routes have a large number of stops along the coast. Large ships can even transport cars, which is convenient for those who combine a cruise and a trip around the country.
Norway's ferry service also includes international passenger transportation to, Germany, Scotland, Iceland and. Russians can get to Norway by taking a ferry to Sweden and making a transfer there.
Airlines
Domestic air traffic plays an important role in the country. Since Norway has a significant length from north to south (2.5 thousand km) and complex mountainous terrain, it is not always possible to get to remote regions by bus or train. In winter, air travel is the only way to be on or in mountain passes.
Norway's main airport is located in Oslo and is called Oslo Gardermoen Airport. In addition, there are in Bergen, Buda, and Stavanger. Gardenmoen serves most international flights. A flight from Moscow to Oslo takes 2.5 hours and costs from $80 to $160. From the airport to the center of the Norwegian capital you can take the Flytoget high-speed train (travel time 20 minutes, adult ticket costs $19, student ticket - $9.5) or the Flybussen bus (about 40 minutes, $11.7). A taxi ride to the center of Oslo will cost $71.5 before 17:00 and $84.5 after 17:00.
Public transport in Norway is well developed. There is an extensive network of road, rail and air routes. Passengers are transported by road and sea transport. From Oslo, a network of modern highways extends across the country, covering even the remote north of the country. Intercity buses depart from the Central Bus Terminal on Schweigaardstrasse. Long distance tickets must be reserved in advance. Ferries depart from the embankment opposite the town hall to the Bygdø peninsula (Bjogde), from the Aker Brygge embankment to Nesodden, from the Wippetangen embankment to the island of Hovedøya, and from June to August
There are four main railway lines in Norway:
- South Sarlandsbanen to Stavanger
- Mountain Bergensbahnen to Bergen
- Central Dövrebanen and Rørosbanen to Trondheim
- North Nordlandsbahnen (Trondheim-Bodø)
There are few trains near the fjords; they also do not go to the far north. The railway ends in Bodø.
Oslo has an extensive network of bus lines, 5 T-bane metro lines, trams and ferries covering the capital and surrounding areas. A one-time ticket for any type of transport costs about 15 NOK and is valid for an hour after composting. A daily dagskort pass works the same way and costs about 40 NOK, a weekly pass costs 140 NOK. The flexikort ticket is valid for 8 trips and costs about 150 NOK. At night (after 24.00) the night rate comes into effect, which is higher than the day rate; night tickets are not valid.
It is profitable to purchase an Oslo Card, 150 NOK for one day, about 200 NOK for two days and 250 NOK for three days. For children from 4 to 15 years old - half the price. This card gives, among other things, unlimited travel on all types of public transport (a number of ferries are not included in this system).
Taxis are expensive and operate within the city. All cars are radio-equipped, so you can order a car from any phone, and also find it in special parking lots and on the street. Taxi drivers are allowed to pick up passengers only with the consent of the person already in the cabin, so not everyone stops on the street. In small towns it is recommended to book a taxi in advance.
Hitchhiking is possible on all provincial roads, but in the north of the country traffic on the highways is rare and you have to wait a long time for a passing car.
Norway has a well-developed bus network. Each city has its own local service, and express buses operate throughout the country. Thanks to buses and routes of transport companies, you can get to almost every corner of the country by bus.
Bus companies - carriers
The largest bus operator in Norway is Nor-Way Bussekspress. The company's buses carry out passenger transportation on 40 routes. There are connections that overlap with train, ferry and bus routes of other companies.
Bus services in Southern Norway are provided by Nettbuss Ekspress. Each bus has air conditioning and free Internet access.
Lavprisekspressen is a low-cost carrier in Norway. The company's buses operate on the Oslo - Dovre - Trondheim and Oslo - Kristianstad - Stavange routes. The luckiest ones can buy a ticket for 49 CZK. The average ticket price is between 199 and 299 CZK. The main advantage of the company over Nor-Way Bussekspress is cheap tickets. The disadvantage is the limited number of bus routes.
Luxury express transportation is provided by two companies - Bus4You and TIMEekspressen. They value their reputation and if their buses are delayed, they pay compensation to passengers.
"TIMEekspressen" provides transportation on 13 routes, and "Bus4You" on one route - "Bergen - Leirvik - Haugesund - Stavanger - Sandnes".
The cost of a bus ticket is much lower than by plane or train, but it also takes a long time. But tourists still love this type of transport. Most companies offer discounted rates to students, children and pensioners. There are also discounts for families.
Types of discounts on bus tickets:
- Buying a round trip ticket gets a 20% discount;
- Children under 4 years old travel free of charge;
- For children from 4 to 16 years old - 50% discount;
- Young people from 16 to 26 years old can buy a ticket with a 33% discount;
- For pensioners there is a 33% discount.
To travel around Norway with a whole group, you should buy tickets in advance, otherwise there may not be enough.
Provided that there is free space on the bus, you can take skis or a bicycle with you by paying a certain cost.
Ticket prices
If you decide to visit Trondheim, the trip from Oslo will take you 8 hours 30 minutes, and the ticket price will range from 49 to 299 kroons. The journey to Stavanger from the capital of Norway will last just over 9 hours, and for a one-way ticket you will need to pay from 49 to 319 kroons.
The trip from Moss to Oslo costs 80 kroner for a one-way ticket and takes about 55 minutes. The Sandefjord - Oslo route takes 1 hour 45 minutes and costs 145 kroner for a one-way ticket.
The cost of a one-way ticket on the route Stavanger - Bergen is 299 CZK.
Public transport in Norway
Information about public transport in major cities of the country can be obtained at bus stations or information stands. You can also contact tourist information offices for help, where they will provide you with the necessary information.
Purchasing tickets is simple. Get on the bus in the desired direction, tell the driver the destination and pay the money. In some cities you can buy a daily or weekly pass. Travel tickets are sold at bus stations, on buses and at special kiosks.
