Bergen by car · Bergen by car
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Bergen by car
Bergen by car
When travelling by car from Oslo, European road E16 is the longest, but easiest drive. Between Lærdal and Flåm, the road goes through Lærdalstunnelen, the longest road tunnel in the world. This route is less prone to be closed on short notice in the winter due to weather conditions - compared with the other mountain crossings.
There are many other alternatives, such as RV7 (the Hardangervidda route) which probably is the most scenic route, but also more difficult with regards to both weather and driving conditions. The road takes you across the mountain plateau Hardangervidda and along the innermost parts of Hardangerfjorden. From Brimnes, take the ferry to Bruravik and continue to Voss where RV7 meets E16 - or take the beautiful "Hardangerfjord route" from Granvin via Norheimsund. Parts of this scenic "Handangerfjord route" is narrow, even with single lane roads. Caravanists, be aware!
Other interesting alternatives from eastern Norway are:
The nice Aurland-Hol route from upper Hallingdal to Flåm. Take RV7 to Hagafoss, then RV50 to Flåm. This is a quick route many Norwegians prefer, as there are no ferries - but be prepared for some narrow, dark tunnels and the rather steep, but breathtaking descend down from the mountains.
The Numedal Valley route from Kongsberg to Geilo on RV40, and then over the Hardangervidda plateau (see RV7 above). Enjoy very decent and even good roads along this peaceful valley. This route has much less traffic than Hallingdal. A good alternative if you travel from Vestfold county, but not the fastest route from Oslo.
The Haukeli route via mystic Telemark trough the southern part of Hordaland county on E134. Take R13 to Odda, then 555 to Utne and the ferry to Kvandal. Continue on the Hardanger route (see above). Alternative: The “unknown”, fascinating route from Odda via the Folgefonna tunnel to the outer Hardangerfjord area. Visit the Barony at Rosendal or try summer skiing at the glacier, then take the ferry from Løfallstrand to Gjermundhavn. Drive to Eikelandsosen and take the short Venjaneset-Hatvik ferry crossing, or drive to Tysse and over the Gulfjellet mountain to Bergen. Some narrow roads. As for the Numedal route this is a good alternative if you’re starting from the districs south of Oslo - or if you arrive on a ferry (Horten, Sandefjord, Langesund, Larvik etc).
From Stavanger, choose E39, which takes you past Haugesund, Stord and Os. The trip takes approximately four hours. Many toll roads and two ferries. From Ålesund, Trondheim or any of the other cities, towns and villages north of Bergen, the shortest road is also E39, but if you're coming from Trondheim or the north part of Møre og Romsdal the inland roads might be a better choice. However, for the most scenic road, choose E39 and consider detours along road RV60 or road RV5.
Generally, you will find that many roads in rural areas, even the highways between the cities, are of poor quality. There are no motorways except in the areas in and around the largest cities, due to the rather low traffic and the somewhat difficult conditions in the mountains. Even if some people drive very fast, you should mind the speed limits (usually 80 km/h) and drive according to the conditions. In the mountains, help can be hours away. Furthermore, you will find traffic controls and police in unmarked cars nearly everywhere. Fines are very high. Do also keep in mind that to avoid dangerous situations, it's a very good idea stop and let faster going traffic pass you.
The trip from Oslo to Bergen takes between seven and nine hours, depending on the route, the driving conditions and whether you choose to make any stops on the way. Be prepared to add some hours driving time in the winter - and remember that the daylight will be scarse for many months. It might be a good idea to use two days on the tour in the winter if you’re not accustomed to these conditions. A 12 or even 14 hour drive on icy, dark roads in bad weather is not very nice. Keep in mind that inter-city roads in Norway are often of poor quality due to relatively low traffic and difficult weather conditions.
If you plan to cross the mountains (for instance by driving from Oslo to Bergen) in the winter season, it is imperative that you are prepared for the journey. The conditions are harsh. Always keep a full tank of fuel, and keep warm clothes, food and drink in the car. Make sure your tires are good enough and suited for winter conditions (studded or non-studded winter tires, "all-year" tires are not enough), and that you have the sufficient skills for driving in snowy and cold conditions. Roads are often closed on short notice due to weather conditions. For advice on conditions and closed roads, call 175 in Norway or check the online road reports (in Norwegian only) from the Norwegian State road authorities. Remember that not all parts of the roads have cellular phone coverage.
If arriving in Bergen by car, you will be better off not taking your car into the city center unless you know exactly where you're going, as most streets are one-way or do not allow cars at all (only buses and taxis), read more in the Get around section.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Bergen
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Bergen Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.