Getting Around Norway

Norway, while not considered a large country, has the greatest length of any European country. The distance between Oslo and Kirkenes (Norway's northernmost city) is about 875 miles (1400 km). The mountainous landscape of the country can often mean that seemingly small distances require lengthy travel days. 

With careful planning, you can use the many transportation styles available to maximize your time. Bearing in mind, of course, that sometimes the longest route is the most scenic (for instance, taking the Flåm railway from Oslo).

Most travelers will use a combination of trains, ferries, road transfers, and domestic flights to travel between regions. Trains and ferries are generally reliable, however public buses are more likely to be late or even operate outside of their posted schedules. If you want to make your way above the Arctic Circle from Southern Norway (for example, from Bergen to Tromso), domestic flights are often the most convenient option by far.

The Hurtigruten coastal steamer is a popular and scenic way to travel along the Norwegian coast. The ferry departs from Bergen and travels all the way to Kirkenes. The full voyage takes around 7- days, but most travelers use it hop-on-hop-off style to cover smaller distances.

Self-driving, while possible and a good option for certain routes, can be challenging even for expert drivers due to the narrow (often single lane), winding roads. Driving times are often very long because of this, so it's generally recommended in combination with other modes of transportation.