Located just a short ride from the city center, the Bergen International Airport (IATA: BGO) is stylish and compact. The so-called Bergen Flesland Airport is easy to navigate, and its Scandinavian design makes a great first impression. There are several options to get from Bergen airport to the city center, and in this article, you’ll find every possible way to reach Bergen’s Sentrum.
However, despite the short distance to downtown Bergen, Norway’s prices are often steep. Bergen’s airport is approximately 20 km (12,5 miles) from the iconic Bryggen port, and depending on the public transportation means you’ll choose, the journey can take anything between 20 minutes and one hour. It is worth noting that Bergen is a perfectly safe destination, and the same goes for the transportation options described below.
So, let’s break down every available option for traveling between Bergen airport and the city center.
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Your options for getting from Bergen airport to the city center
So, here’s every available option for traveling from Bergen Flesland Airport to the city center. Apparently, you can use all these options to travel from the city center to the Bergen airport on the day of your departure.
From Bergen airport to the city center by light rail (Bybanen)
The Bergen Light Rail is the cheapest option for traveling between the Bergen airport and the city center. In addition, it is a great way to reach downtown Bergen if you enjoy commuting at a slower pace. The so-called Bergen Bybanen is the city’s tram and takes a scenic ride crossing the city’s suburbs until it reaches Bryggen.
The Bergen Light Rail departs straight outside the Bergen Flesland airport. You will just have to take a flight of stairs straight after the exit -and if you have bulky luggage, there are also elevators on-site. I believe that the Light Rail offers a great introduction to the beautiful nature surrounding the city because it travels through suburbs that you wouldn’t probably see otherwise.
On the other hand, if you’re in a rush, please keep in mind that the Bergen Bybanen needs almost an hour (~55 minutes) to reach the city center. The Light Rail is also a great option for short half-day trips to places straight out of town, and in my opinion, it’s the best way to travel from Bergen’s airport to the city center.
You need to embark on Line 1 (there’s no other line at the airport anyway), and the Bybanen runs till midnight. You can see the Light Rail time schedule here.
How much does the Light Rail cost?
As I already stated, the Light Rail is the cheapest option to reach downtown Bergen from the airport. A one-way ticket costs 40 NOK, which roughly translates to 4 €/$. You can buy the ticket through the Skyss webshop, a vending machine, or a selling point.
Bonus Bergen tip: The Bergen Card grants you free access to public transport in Bergen, and you can use the Light Rail for free. If you plan to do some sightseeing in town, consider buying the Bergen Card to use the Light Rail for traveling a bit around.
From Bergen airport to the city center by bus (Flybussen Express)
Norway is famous for its outstanding infrastructure, and traveling by bus from the Bergen airport to the city center offers an equally smooth way of transit. The connection with the Flybussen Express Airport Bus is significantly faster but also pricier. However, that’s another excellent option for reaching Bergen’s Sentrum, and I must say that the buses are in mint condition.
The Express Airport Bus usually travels between the airport and the city center twice per hour. However, the service is not available until very late at night: the last bus is usually shortly past 11 PM. That said, if you arrive past midnight in Bergen, you won’t have the option to use the Flybussen Express. Moreover, it’s good to know that you can bring up to two pieces of luggage.
Regarding the journey, it takes approximately 35 minutes to reach the city center with the Flybussen Express. You can see the Flybussen Express schedule here. The starting station you should choose is “Bergen Lufthavn Flesland.”
How much does the Flybussen Express cost?
The Flybussen Express costs 149 NOK one-way. That’s approximately 13 €/$. However, buying a return ticket reduces the cost to 129 NOK per route -or 258 NOK for both trips.
From Bergen airport to the city center by taxi
Norway is an expensive country, and as you can easily imagine, taxis are at a different price level. As you will read in the next section of this article, I used a taxi during my stay in Bergen, and it was insanely costly. However, Norwegian taxis are in great condition, and the road network of Bergen guarantees a smooth journey.
Taxis are queuing straight after the arrivals at Bergen airport, and you can wait in line to pick one. Apparently, taxis are a great alternative if you are two or more people traveling to downtown Bergen. You can share the costs, and if traveling more privately is a must for you, it’s an option to consider. Moreover, four persons seem to be the sweet spot: it will probably cost you less than the Flybussen Express.
Taxis depend largely on traffic, but in general, you won’t need more than 20-25 minutes to reach your hotel.
How much does the taxi from the airport cost?
A taxi ride between the Flesland airport and the Bergen city center will cost approximately 400-500 NOK (33 € /37 $).If you take a taxi after midnight, be ready to spend 50% more; I paid 760 NOK (63 €/ 70 $) because I had to travel around 1 pm and no Flybussen or Light Rail were available.
From Bergen Airport Flesland to the city center by private transfer
Private transfers are always the most luxurious option for traveling between airports and city centers. The luxury is not just about the car; it’s also because you don’t have to queue for a taxi after a long flight. Although the International Airport of Bergen is compact, the truth is that if more than one flights arrive in a given timeframe, it might take longer to find a taxi.
Booking a private transfer at Bergen means your driver will wait for you upon arrival. Your driver will pick you up, and your trip to downtown Bergen will start a few seconds later. Apparently, private transfers are the costlier option for getting from Bergen airport to the city center (or vice versa), and it makes sense if you’re on a tight schedule or a group of people traveling.
For example, a private transfer is probably a must if you are on a business trip to Bergen. Additionally, a private transfer is also a good idea if you are a group of four people (or more) visiting Bergen. Regarding travel times, a private transfer will take 20-25 minutes to reach Bryggen, the same time as the taxi.
How much does a private transfer from Bergen airport cost?
Several operators offer trips from Bergen airport to the city center and vice versa. The prices are usually per car, and they vary depending on the season and weekday. However, the range per car (therefore, not per person) is between 65 and 130 €.
You can book the best private transfer from Flesland Airport here.
From Bergen airport to the city center by car
Last but not least, you can always rent a car in Bergen. However, renting a car only makes sense if you’d like to go on day trips from Bergen or you’d like to explore this side of Norway. That said, renting a car to travel from the airport to the city center makes no sense, and it will be a costly option.
However, if you’re planning a road trip to Norway and Bergen is your starting point, renting a car is an excellent idea. You can pick up your car straight after landing and use it to travel toward the city center. Bergen’s nature is stunning, and the city’s nickname is “the gateway to the fjords.” As you can read in my Mostraumen fjord cruise article, no journey to Bergen is complete without seeing the stunning Norwegian fjords.
A car will offer you flexibility and the freedom to explore one of the most beautiful areas in Europe. Therefore, if you’re on a road trip to Norway, consider the car; otherwise, just pick one of the previous four options (Light Rail, bus, taxi, or private transfer).
How much does it cost to rent a car in Bergen, Norway?
I guess I mentioned it several times in this article: prices are steep in Norway. Renting a car in Bergen is no exception. Car rentals in Bergen start from 70 euros per day, and they can easily go up to 150-200 euros depending on the car. The best option to search for a car in Bergen is Rental Cars. That’s the best aggregator for car rentals, comparing all major and local car companies to give you the most competitive prices.
You can find the best prices for renting a car in Norway here.
Recap: From Bergen airport to the city center
So, here are your options for traveling between Bergen Flesland Airport and the city center:
- Light Rail: 55 minutes, 40 NOK
- Flybussen Express Bus: 35 minutes, 149 NOK
- Taxi: 20 minutes, ~500 NOK
- Private transfer: 20 minutes, ~850 NOK
A note for the journey between Bergen’s airport and the city center
If you have a late-night arrival at Bergen, you might run into the same issue I did. Specifically, my Norwegian Air flight was supposed to land in Bergen shortly past 11 PM. If everything went as planned, this meant that I wouldn’t have a chance to get the last bus from the airport. However, this also meant that I could catch the last Light Rail at midnight.
But here’s the thing: my flight was late. After more than one hour of delay, I arrived at around 12:30 AM at Bergen. That said, there was no bus or Light Rail available. The only option was to take a taxi which cost me 760 NOK. So, instead of paying 4 euros for the Light Rail to the city center, I ended up paying more than 70 euros.
And here’s my rant: I find it unacceptable and unprofessional that the airline provided no bus to transfer the passengers to their hotels. It wasn’t the fault of the passengers that the flight was delayed. Therefore, it was Norwegian Air’s responsibility (or any other company that has delayed flights) to have a bus for the passengers. I don’t care if we talk about low-cost airlines or not. It’s Customer Service 101 to provide transportation when there’s is no option available and the fault is on the airlines’ side.
Period.
Bonus section: My Bergen guides
Bergen is a stunning city, and I had a fantastic time there. Norway is one of my favorite destinations in the world, and as you can imagine, I wrote several articles about Bergen. Therefore, if you need inspiration for your upcoming trip to Bergen, make sure to read my guides: you’ll see plenty of photos and travel tips for your visit to Norway’s most picturesque city.
How to spend 3 days in Bergen. In this comprehensive article, I share the best things to do in Bergen and an itinerary for a fantastic time in town. Read my guide for three incredible days in Bergen, Norway.
Things to do in Bergen. That’s one of the most comprehensive Bergen travel guides you’ll find online. You can discover every attraction in town and plan a fantastic holiday in Norway’s most picturesque city. Read my article about the best things to do in Bergen, Norway.
Mostraumen fjord cruise. Seeing the fjords up close is hands down a must-do when in Bergen. You can read my impressions from the boat trip to the fjords and a 4K video. Read my Mostraumen Fjord cruise article here.
The Bergen Maritime Museum. Norway is a maritime nation, and as such, the bond to the sea is strong. The Bergen Maritime Museum offers background info about the seafaring tradition of Bergen and great views over the port. Read more about the Maritime Museum here.
The Bergen Aquarium. Finally, I wrote an article about the Bergen Aquarium. And I had so much time shooting fish portraits on a rainy day in Bergen. See the fish portraits from the Bergen Aquarium.
From Bergen Airport to the city center: conclusion
As you’ve read in the article, you’ll have plenty of options for traveling between the Flesland airport and the Bergen city center. I believe the best choice for reaching downtown Bergen from the airport is to use Bergen Light Rail. Despite being the slowest option, it’s also the most affordable one. On the other hand, if you’re in a rush and budget is not an issue, a private transfer provides the fastest and most easygoing option to get from Bergen airport to the city center.
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Last Updated on June 10, 2023 by George Pavlopoulos