How to Travel from Bergen Airport to Bergen Centre: Bus, Light Rail or Taxi?

How to Travel from Bergen Airport to Bergen City Centre

Wondering how to travel from Bergen Airport to Bergen city centre?

The three main options are the Flybussen airport bus, Bergen Light Rail and a taxi.

For most visitors, I think Flybussen offers the best combination of speed, comfort and convenience.

However, Bergen Light Rail is considerably cheaper and is included with the Bergen Card, while a taxi can make sense for larger groups or travellers with lots of luggage.

Here is how the options compare, including journey times, prices, stops and how to make the return journey from Bergen to Bergen Airport…

Norway, Bergen, Me on Flybussen

 


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Bergen Airport to Bergen Centre: Breakdown

Norway, Bergen, Flybussen in the City Centre

Transport Journey Time Typical One-Way Price Frequency Best For
Flybussen Airport Bus    20 to 30 minutes From 169 NOK Frequent departures throughout the day   Fast, comfortable transfers and central hotel stops
Bergen Light Rail Around 45 minutes 51 NOK or free with a valid Bergen Card Approximately every 10 to 15 minutes Budget travellers and Bergen Card holders
Taxi Around 20 to 30 minutes    Usually 500 to 700 NOK Available on demand Groups, late arrivals and door-to-door convenience  

* Prices and schedules can change, so do check before travelling.

 

What is the Best Way from Bergen Airport to Bergen Centre?

Norway, Bergen, Flybussen

For our family trip to Bergen, we chose the Flybussen airport bus.

After collecting our luggage, we walked outside arrivals and found the bright green bus waiting close to the terminal.

The journey into central Bergen took around 25 minutes.

We were staying at Scandic Hotel Ornen and, brilliantly, the bus dropped us directly outside.

After flying with a baby, a pushchair and enough luggage to suggest we were moving to Norway permanently, this was a major advantage.

The coaches have comfortable seating, generous luggage storage and child seats available – we couldn’t even get  car seat for Little Pockets for our taxi ride to Gatwick airport in the UK, so the fact that an Airport transfer bus had baby seats for free, on demand, was amazing!

The Flybussen drivers were friendly, helpful with our luggage and spoke excellent English, making the entire transfer reassuringly straightforward.

Flybussen serves 6 stops within Bergen city centre, including Bergen Bus Station, Festplassen, Torget and locations close to many popular hotels.

The ride between Bergen Airport and Bergen Bus Station can take approximately 20 minutes, although traffic and your chosen stop will affect the overall journey.

An adult ticket between Bergen Airport and the city centre currently starts from 169 NOK when purchased in advance.

Buying online is cheaper than purchasing from the driver, and a return ticket can offer further savings.

Once aboard, you simply scan the QR code on your electronic ticket.

Check current departures and book through the official Flybussen Bergen website.

 

Taking the Bergen Light Rail from the Airport

Norway, Bergen, Light Rail from Airport

Bergen Light Rail, known locally as Bybanen, is the cheapest way to travel from Bergen Airport to Bergen centre.

Line 1 runs directly from the lower floor of the airport terminal to Byparken, its final stop in central Bergen.

You do not need to change services, so it is easy to navigate even if this is your first visit.

The downside is speed.

The complete journey takes around 45 minutes because the light rail makes numerous stops through Bergen’s southern suburbs.

Services generally run every 10 to 15 minutes, although frequency varies by day and time.

A standard Zone A adult ticket currently costs 51 NOK.

You can purchase it using the Skyss Billett app or a ticket machine on the platform.

Remember to buy or activate your ticket before travelling.

The light rail is particularly useful if your accommodation is close to a station.

 It is less convenient if you have heavy suitcases, a pushchair and a sizeable walk from Byparken waiting at the other end.

 

Is Bergen Light Rail Free with the Bergen Card?

Norway, Bergen, Airport Light Rail Station

Travel on Bergen Light Rail between Bergen Airport and the city centre is included with a valid Bergen Card.

You can buy a digital Bergen Card before arriving and activate it at the airport.

The card also includes travel on Skyss buses and light rail services around Bergen, alongside free or discounted entry to selected attractions and many off some restaurants and bars.

However, activating the card starts its validity period.

If you arrive late and will not visit any attractions until the following morning, paying 51 NOK for the airport journey and activating the card later may offer better value.

The Bergen Card does not include Flybussen, express coaches or Vy trains.

You can check current inclusions and prices on the official Bergen Card website.

 

Taking a Taxi from Bergen Airport to Bergen

Norway, Bergen, Airport Taxi Stand

A taxi is the easiest door-to-door option, but also the most expensive.

The drive from Bergen Airport to Bergen normally takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic and the location of your hotel.

Expect to pay roughly 500 to 700 NOK for a standard journey into central Bergen, although prices vary by operator, time and vehicle size.

Ask for the maximum or fixed price before booking.

Several local taxi operators provide an upfront maximum fare through their apps or websites.

Both Bolt and Uber operate in Bergen and can be booked through their respective apps, including for journeys between Bergen Airport and the city centre.

However, availability and prices fluctuate, so compare both apps with local taxi services before booking.

A taxi may be worth considering if four people are sharing the cost, you are arriving late, or your accommodation is inconvenient for both Flybussen and the light rail.

Otherwise, for solo travellers and couples, Flybussen or the light rail will usually offer considerably better value.

Official taxi information and operator details are available through Bergen Airport.

 

How to Travel from Bergen to Bergen Airport

Norway, Bergen, Airport Arrivals

The same 3 options operate in reverse when travelling from Bergen to Bergen Airport.

Flybussen collects passengers from its central stops and provides the quickest public transport journey.

Bergen Light Rail Line 1 departs from Byparken and takes around 45 minutes to reach the airport.

Taxis can collect you directly from your hotel but should ideally be booked in advance.

Allow extra time during rush hour and check the latest timetable the evening before departure.

Bergen may be wonderfully compact, but missed flights remain stubbornly expensive.

 

Which Bergen Airport Transfer Should You Choose?

Norway, Bergen, Tide Flybussen

Choose Flybussen if you want a fast, comfortable transfer with plenty of luggage space and convenient hotel stops.

Choose Bergen Light Rail if keeping costs down is the priority, particularly if you already plan to buy a Bergen Card.

Choose a taxi if you value door-to-door convenience or can divide the fare between several passengers.

For us, Flybussen was the sweet spot. It was quick, easy with a baby and dropped us directly outside our hotel, giving our Bergen adventure a reassuringly stress-free start.

 

Practical Tips for Visiting Bergen

Norway, Bergen, Village

Getting There

Bergen Flesland Airport offers flights direct from the UK. As always, I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals.

From the airport, I recommend using the FlyBussen (express airport bus) to get directly to the city centre in under 30 minutes.

Where to Stay

We stayed at the Scandic Hotel Ornen, which had one of the most amazing hotel breakfasts I’ve ever seen – a godsend in a notoriously expensive country like Norway!

Best eSIM for Norway

Holafly offer unlimited data eSIMs for Norway that are perfect for staying connected across the country.

Travel Insurance

World Nomads offer simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

Heymondo offers extensive cover for medical emergencies, cancellations, lost luggage and adventure activities, plus there’s 24/7 assistance if anything goes wrong while you’re away.

Travel Money

Norway use the Norwegian krone (NOK).

I always travel with my Wise card, which makes spending abroad cheaper with real exchange rates and no sneaky transaction or ATM fees – grab yours here.

Luggage Storage

Store your luggage in Norway for less with LuggageHero.

 

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Our Flybussen journeys and Bergen Cards were kindly gifted by Tide and Visit Bergen respecitvely but, as always, all views are my own.

This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.


 

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