Norway Getting Around

Getting Around

Norway's transport system is comprehensive and reliable. Experienced operators provide year-round transportation, although severe weather may occasionally cause delays or temporary closures, especially in high mountain passes.

By Bus

A combination of local, regional, and national operators forms a well-developed route network. Advance tickets are not generally required; the driver will handle the ticketing, and can usually provide schedule books. NOR-WAY Bussexpress (www.nor-way.no) guarantees seat-availability on all domestic routes to all passengers.

If you are arriving at Oslo Torp airport to travel to Southern Norway you can take the Telemark Express coach which stops right outside the terminal building (Route 182 - Telemarkekspressen) to Porsgrunn Telemarksporten. From there there are regular services south (Route 210). Alternatively, you can this bus directly from Sandefjord bus station.

By Train

The Norwegian State Railway (NSB; www.nsb.no) serves most cities in Norway as far north as Bodø, near the Lofoten Islands. Some of the lines are exceptionally scenic, including the world famous Bergensbanen, the line connecting Oslo with Bergen. The trains are modern and well equipped and the NSB web site allows online booking with ticket-less travel.

Travelling to Southern Norway from Oslo Torp Airport, you can catch a train from Sandefjord to Porsgrunn or Drammen from where there are services on to Arendal on the southern coast.

Ferries and boats

Especially in Western Norway, where all the world-famous fjords are, the road suddenly ends and the journey must continue by ferry. The majority of ferries and high-speed ships have such frequent departures that queuing is seldom a big problem. Besides regular ferry service, several ship companies offer fjord cruises too.

Norwegian Coastal Voyage {Hurtigruten}

This is probably the best known trip in Norway, departing daily from Bergen and taking almost a fortnight to travel to the Arctic border-town of Kirkenes and back. While the ships have grown in size and become much more comfortable in recent decades, the Coastal Voyage is not a cruise (no lavish entertainment, no midnight chocolate buffets). The ships transport cargo as well as local passengers and tourists. It is the scenery and the towns that form the attraction. See separate entry for Hurtigrute and http://www.coastalvoyage.com/main05/index.html

Air travel

Domestic air travel is dominated by three airlines. Major domestic routes are flown by SAS-Braathens (www.sasbraathens.no) and Norwegian Air Shuttle (www.norwegian.no) both operating newer generation Boeing 737 fleets). Secondary routes are flown by Wideroe (a Scandinavian Airlines/SAS Group subsidiary; primarily flying turboprops), and a few small regional operators.

Norway Car Hire and Rental

With cheap budget flights Norway Direct has brought together a variety of car hire and rental companies in Norway.

Norway's roads are ideal for anyone looking for a car hire holiday. They are well maintained, uncongested, and offer spectacular scenery.

Tourist roads in Norway are picturesque routes that have been carefully selected as recommended routes for road-users, perfect for 'fly-and-drive'. High mountain passes mean that there is never a shortage of outlook points. These may be adjacent to the road itself or a short distance off the beaten track.

If your trip is to Southern Norway then there is a good change you will be flying in by RyanAir to Oslo Torp Airport near Sandefjord. If you are after a budget car then NorCar and Rent-A-Wreck can offer cars from the airport and have special arrangements with Norway Direct to offer some great prices.

National Car Rental has many hire stations throughout Norway including Oslo Torp. They, together with Rent-A-Wreck also have cars at Norway's main airport, Oslo Gardemoen.