Norway is a long country — it stretches roughly 1,750 kilometres from its southern tip to North Cape, further north than most of Alaska. Getting around efficiently requires understanding which transport mode suits each leg. The good news: Norway has invested heavily in its transport infrastructure, and the modes themselves are often spectacular experiences.
Trains
The Norwegian national rail network (Vy, formerly NSB) covers the main population centres in the south and west, but does not reach the far north. The key routes:
- Bergen Railway (Bergensbanen): The Oslo–Bergen line, 7 hours, crossing the Hardangervidda plateau at nearly 1,300 metres. Consistently ranked among the most scenic train journeys in Europe. Book well ahead; the cheapest "minipris" fares start at NOK 199.
- Dovre Railway: Oslo–Trondheim, 6.5 hours through mountain terrain.
- Nordland Railway: Trondheim–Bodø — the northernmost train route in Norway, 10 hours traversing Arctic Scandinavia. Stunning but slow.
- Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana): A 20km mountain branch line descending 863 metres in under an hour, with waterfalls and glaciated valleys. One of the steepest railway lines in the world, and one of Norway's most popular tourist experiences.
Ferries and Coastal Routes
Because fjords cut deeply into Norway's coast, ferries are a practical necessity — not just a tourist activity. The Hurtigruten coastal express ship runs year-round from Bergen all the way to Kirkenes near the Russian border, stopping at 34 ports in 11 days. It was historically the lifeline for remote coastal communities and remains a working ship as well as a cruise experience. Individual legs can be booked as point-to-point transport.
Local ferries across fjords function like marine motorways — they're on fixed schedules, cars drive on and off via ramps, and you can often pay by app or card on board. Essential for driving in western Norway.
Flights
For reaching northern Norway from Oslo, flying is practical: Oslo–Tromsø is 2 hours vs 19+ hours by train and ferry. SAS and Norwegian cover most domestic routes; Widerøe operates the small-plane network that serves remote coastal communities. Booking domestically in advance can yield reasonable fares (NOK 400–900 for main routes).
Driving
Self-driving is the single best way to explore Norway at your own pace. Roads are generally well-maintained but:
- Mountain passes close in winter (November–April depending on altitude). Check vegvesen.no for road status.
- Ferries are part of many routes — check if your GPS route includes ferry crossings.
- Norway has 18 designated National Scenic Routes — officially signposted drives curated for landscape quality. The Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsveien) and the Geiranger–Trollstigen route are the most famous.
- Toll roads are common, including into Oslo. Most are electronic — your rental car's tag or a registered plate will be charged automatically.
City Transport
Oslo has an excellent public transport network: metro (T-bane), trams, buses, and ferries to Bygdøy and the outer islands, all on one ticketing system. Bergen is compact enough to walk most places; its funicular (Fløibanen) to the top of Mount Fløyen is both transport and attraction. Tromsø's bus network covers the city adequately.