How to Travel From Oslo to Bergen (Updated for 2025)

Whether you're a resident or tourist, travel between Oslo and Bergen is a common need. From scenic railways to quick flights, here’s everything you need to know about travelling between Norway’s two largest cities.

Oslo and Bergen are Norway’s largest and most significant cities, offering contrasting yet complementary experiences.

Oslo, the capital city, is a bustling metropolis of art, culture, and innovation, while Bergen, Norway's gateway to the fjords, boasts a rich history and stunning natural landscapes. Together, they form two essential stops on any Norwegian itinerary.

The two cities are home to around one million people combined, with even more residing in their surrounding urban areas. Each year, they attract millions of visitors, many of whom aim to explore both destinations in a single trip.

Travelling between these cities isn’t just a practical necessity—it’s an adventure. Whether you’re seeking efficiency or a scenic route, there’s an option for everyone. Here’s our comprehensive guide to travelling between Bergen and Oslo. Enjoy!

The Geographic Challenge of Crossing Norway

On a map, Oslo and Bergen may seem close. At just 303 km apart as the crow flies, you might assume it’s a short hop between the two cities. In reality, the journey is far more complex—and fascinating—than the distance suggests.

The reason lies in Norway’s famously rugged geography. The country’s dramatic landscape, shaped by glaciers over millennia, is characterised by towering mountains, deep fjords, and sprawling plateaus.

Eastern and Western Norway, where Oslo and Bergen are located, are separated by the formidable Scandinavian mountain range, making travel between the two regions a unique challenge.

One of the key natural barriers is the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, the largest in Europe. This stark, windswept expanse is home to one of Norway’s largest glaciers, Hardangerjøkulen, and is renowned for its otherworldly beauty.

It’s a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts but presents significant logistical hurdles for travellers.

This challenging terrain means that ground transportation options, while scenic, are often slower than you might expect. For those on tight schedules, flying is often the preferred choice, especially for business travellers.

Yet for visitors with time to spare, the slower options—whether by train, car, or bus—offer unparalleled opportunities to soak in Norway’s spectacular scenery.

Read more: How to Travel From Oslo to Tromsø

No matter your reason for travelling—be it business, leisure, or a mix of both—understanding your transport options is key to planning a smooth and enjoyable trip. Let’s dive into the details.

Flying between Oslo and Bergen

Flying is the fastest way to travel between Oslo and Bergen, with frequent daily flights connecting Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) and Bergen Airport Flesland (BGO).

While the idea of flying such a short distance may seem excessive, it’s a popular choice, especially for business travellers and locals. Thousands of passengers make this journey every day.

The flight itself takes just 40–50 minutes, a fraction of the time needed to drive or take the train. However, when planning your trip, don’t forget to account for the additional time required to get to and from the airport, check in, and pass through security.

For tourists, unfamiliarity with airport layouts, the need to check baggage, and reliance on public transport rather than taxis can all add to the total travel time.

Despite these considerations, flying remains a highly efficient option, particularly for those on tight schedules or travelling light.

Two major airlines, Norwegian and SAS, operate multiple daily flights between Oslo and Bergen, offering flexibility in terms of departure times.

In the past, budget carriers such as Wizz Air and Flyr also served this route, but both have since ceased operations. Norwegian and SAS continue to dominate, ensuring reliable and competitive service.

Oslo Airport Gardermoen

Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) is Norway’s largest and busiest airport, offering a modern, efficient gateway to the capital and the rest of the country. Although Oslo Airport is located approximately 50 km north of the city centre, it’s well-connected by efficient public transport.

The fastest option, this dedicated train service Flytoget takes just 20 minutes from Oslo Central Station to the airport. While more expensive than other options, it’s the most convenient, especially for those with luggage. A slightly slower but more affordable alternative, the local Vy train takes about 25-30 minutes.

Given the two different routes serving the airport, it can be confusing for visitors. It's best to double-check you have the right ticket and that you board the right train.

If you’re staying in an area not served by the train, several coach services link the airport to various parts of Oslo. These can be a good alternative but are slower and more prone to delays in traffic. Taxis are the most expensive option but are useful if you’re travelling in a group or have a lot of luggage.

Bergen Airport Flesland

Bergen Airport Flesland (BGO) serves as the primary airport for Norway’s western region, providing convenient access to the city of Bergen and the surrounding fjords. Flesland is about 18 km from Bergen city centre.

The light rail system Bybanen connects the airport to the city centre in around 45 minutes. At just NOK 47 per ticket, it’s the cheapest option, but the journey can feel long, especially after a flight. Additionally, travellers staying in popular areas like Bryggen will have to walk from the final stop to their accommodations.

A faster alternative to the light rail, the airport bus takes around 20–30 minutes and costs NOK 179. It stops at central locations, including Bryggen. If you’re staying in an out-of-the-way location or travelling with lots of luggage, a taxi is the quickest but most expensive option.

For time-conscious travellers, flying is undeniably the fastest way to get between Oslo and Bergen.

However, for those looking to embrace Norway’s incredible landscapes, other options such as the train or even a road trip offer a chance to experience the journey as part of the adventure.

Oslo to Bergen by train

The Bergen Line, or Bergensbanen, is one of the world’s most iconic railway journeys, often featured in top ten travel lists and celebrated in magazines and TV shows worldwide.

Its reputation as a bucket-list experience is well-deserved, offering breathtaking views of Norway's rugged landscapes and a chance to cross Europe’s highest mountain plateau by train. Here’s how one British traveller captured the magic of the journey:

“Little did we know as we spoke of how this was the most beautiful thing ever that in fact, we were seeing the pre-amble to ascending Europe’s highest mountain plateau where the beauty was cranked up to 11. Here, the mountains were dusted with snow, the lakes were half-frozen and it was hard work getting back on the train, such was the desire to just explore the area, move into a wooden hut with a grass roof and marry a woman called Helga.”

The train ride between Oslo and Bergen takes approximately six and a half hours, making it a leisurely but unforgettable way to travel between Norway’s two largest cities.

The highlight of the journey is undoubtedly the crossing of Hardangervidda, Europe’s largest mountain plateau. This stunning section of the route spans from around the three-hour to the five-hour mark (when travelling from Oslo), so be sure to have eaten and settled in to fully enjoy the views.

Hardangervidda is a marvel of natural beauty, with snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, and vast stretches of untouched wilderness. In the warmer months, the scenery is lush and green, while winter transforms the landscape into a starkly beautiful, snow-covered wonderland.

If you’re travelling during the early winter months, remember that daylight hours in Norway are limited, especially in the late afternoon. If you catch a later train, you may miss much of the dramatic scenery as darkness falls. For the best experience, consider booking a morning departure.

While the Bergen Line is a major tourist attraction, you might be surprised to find relatively few Norwegians using it for the full Oslo-Bergen journey. For most locals, the six-hour travel time makes flying a more practical option.

However, you’ll find plenty of Norwegians on shorter segments of the route, commuting between smaller towns and cities like Drammen, Geilo, and Voss.

Ticket prices for the Bergen Line vary significantly depending on when you book. Advance tickets start from just NOK 299 but are non-refundable. Booking early is key to securing these fares.

If you buy your ticket on the day of travel, expect to pay significantly more—well over NOK 1,000, depending on availability. To get the best deal, plan ahead and book your tickets online at En Tur, where you can also find departure times and schedules.

Night Train from Oslo to Bergen

Have you taken the Bergen Line one or more times previously? For those who have, you're likely less bothered about seeing the scenery again, although I enjoy the journey each time!

If you are a repeat visitor, you can take advantage of super cheap advance fares by taking the overnight train. If you think you can sleep in a standard train seat (they have a slight recline) then you can grab a seat from as little as NOK 299.

A sleeping carriage is included on the night train but each compartment comes at an additional cost of around NOK 1,000, although they do sleep two.

How to Drive from Oslo to Bergen

Driving between Oslo and Bergen is a popular choice for both locals and tourists, albeit for different reasons.

For locals used to the roads, it gives them the quickest option besides flying. For tourists, it provides an opportunity to visit fjords, mountains and a whole host of memorable road trips along the way.

Bear in mind though that driving in Norway is an expensive business. That's especially true when entering cities, thanks to high road tolls and parking charges.

With that in mind, you may be better off only hiring a car when leaving the cities, for example when heading off on a road trip around the fjords. If you are driving from downtown Oslo to downtown Bergen, you'll be stung at both ends of your journey.

The quickest way from Oslo to Bergen by car is usually via the E16. Interesting places to stop along the way include Borgund stave church, Flåm and Voss.

A shorter alternative (albeit usually longer in duration) is via route 7, route 13 and the E16. If you're planning a slow road trip including overnight stops, good places to stop include Gol, Geilo, Eidfjord and Voss. Among the highlights on the way, don't miss the Vøringsfossen waterfall.

While the roads are the primary west-east roads in Norway, they are single-track for much of the way and the second route in particular crosses Norway's mountains at a high altitude.

This means that driving conditions can be tricky at night and snow is a possibility all year round. Even though an interrupted drive takes around seven hours, you should allow plenty of extra time.

Bus Travel from Oslo to Bergen

If you’re looking for an affordable and scenic way to travel between Oslo and Bergen, taking the bus is an option. While not as fast as flying or as iconic as the train, bus travel allows you to explore lesser-visited parts of Norway’s stunning countryside.

It’s also a more budget-friendly choice, making it ideal for travellers who value cost savings and scenic detours over speed.

NOR-WAY BusExpress offers two options for bus travel between the two cities. Both routes involve a change of bus, so plan your trip carefully to ensure the best combination of price and total duration.

The most popular route is through the Valdres valley via Fagernes, Flåm and Voss. Travellers making the complete journey must change buses at Fagernes, but the route offers opportunities to admire charming rural landscapes and even make a detour to the famous Flåm Railway if your schedule allows.

The same company also offers a route over the Haukelifjell mountain pass. Passengers transfer buses at Seljestad, and the journey provides a more mountainous route between the two cities.

“Norway in a Nutshell” from Oslo to Bergen

For those looking to combine travel between Oslo and Bergen with some of Norway’s most breathtaking scenery, the Norway in a Nutshell tour is an interesting option.

This extremely popular tourist experience can be booked as a round trip from either city or as a one-way journey between them. It turns a point-to-point trip into a memorable adventure through fjords, mountains, and charming villages.

The tour packages together key elements of Norwegian travel, including a journey on the scenic Bergen Line, a detour on the Flåm Railway, and a cruise through the dramatic Nærøyfjord. In some seasons, the tour also includes a scenic bus ride along Stalheimskleiva, one of Norway’s steepest roads.

This curated experience is ideal for those who want to make the most of their time in Norway without having to plan every detail themselves. It’s important to note that Norway in a Nutshell is a self-guided tour, not a fully escorted one.

While the itinerary is organised for you, you’ll still need to keep track of your schedule and ensure you catch the relevant buses, trains, and ferries on time. If you enjoy the freedom of independent travel but like having the logistics handled, this tour strikes the perfect balance.

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