Practical Guide to Public Transportation in Norway

Published on November 13, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Norway, a country of captivating landscapes and vibrant cities, boasts an exceptionally efficient and well-organized public transportation network, making it easy to discover its natural and cultural wonders.

Whether in the bustling streets of Oslo, the picturesque charm of Bergen, or the spectacular routes crossing the fjords, transport options like trains, buses, and ferries will allow you to explore the country with ease and comfort.

Thanks to modern and eco-friendly infrastructure, every journey becomes an experience in itself, offering an authentic glimpse into the Norwegian way of life.

This practical guide provides you with essential information to navigate this intuitive transportation system and fully enjoy your stay in this enchanting Nordic country.

Exploring Transportation Modes in Norway

Public Transportation Modes in Norway

Norway has a dense, modern, and sustainable public transportation network connecting cities, regions, and rural areas through several complementary modes: trains, buses, ferries, and domestic flights.

Transport Mode	Main Companies/Operators	Main Connections	Frequency & Schedules	Special Features
Trains	Vy (Vygruppen AS), Go-Ahead Nordic, SJ Norge	Oslo-Bergen, Oslo-Trondheim, Oslo-Stavanger, Oslo-Bodø	Frequent departures on major routes, less frequent in the north	Comfort, punctuality, spectacular scenery
Buses	Nor-Way Bussekspress, Vy Buss, Unibuss, Nettbuss, Nobina, Kolumbus (Stavanger), Keolis Norge (Bergen), Ruter AS (Oslo/Akershus)	Complementary to trains, intercity and rural connections, service to fjords and non-railway areas	Very regular on weekdays, more limited on weekends, varying schedules by region	Electric and autonomous buses in some cities, connections with trains and ferries
Ferries	Hurtigruten, Fjord1, Norled	Coastal routes (Bergen-Kirkenes, fjords, archipelagos), fjord and lake crossings	Daily departures for main lines, schedules adapted for connections	Hybrid or electric ships on some routes, exceptional views
Domestic Flights	SAS, Norwegian, Widerøe	Oslo to Tromsø, Bodø, Trondheim, Bergen, Stavanger, connections between northern cities and islands	High frequency on Oslo-main city routes, multiple flights daily	Essential for long distances and remote regions

Connections and Ease of Use

• Major hubs (Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger) offer seamless connections between trains, buses, ferries, and planes.
• Railway stations are often located immediately near bus terminals and some ferry ports.
• The national journey planner Entur (app and website) allows planning multimodal routes and purchasing most tickets in one operation.

Sustainable Development Initiatives

• Oslo aims for “zero emissions” for public transport by 2030: trams and ferries powered by hydroelectricity, electric bus fleet (e.g., Unibuss in Oslo with 76 MAN Lion’s City E electric buses), tests of autonomous electric buses in Stavanger, electric and automated buses in Bergen (Keolis Norge).
• Massive investments in electric vehicles: Norway has the world’s highest electric vehicle penetration rate, with dense charging networks for cars, buses, and ferries.
• Hybrid and electric ferries: Fjord1 and Norled operate zero-emission ship crossings, particularly in UNESCO World Heritage fjords.

Practical Tips for Travelers

Ticket Purchase

• Train and bus tickets: online via company websites/apps (Vy, Nor-Way, Entur), ticket machines at stations, onboard for some rural buses.
• Ferries: online booking recommended (especially for Hurtigruten), possible on-site depending on availability.
• Flights: online booking (SAS, Norwegian, Widerøe), through agencies or comparison sites.

Available Discounts

• Youth, senior, student, family fares, regional discount cards.
• National or regional passes (e.g., Interrail, Norway in a Nutshell, Travel Pass Nordland).

Useful Apps and Tools

• Entur: multimodal planning and ticket purchases throughout Norway.
• Ruter: for the Oslo and Akershus region, schedules and digital tickets.
• Vy: for national trains and buses, schedules and reservations.
• Nor-Way Bussekspress: schedules and long-distance bus ticket purchases.

Key Tips for Easy Travel

• Prioritize advance booking during high season (summer, holidays, school breaks).
• Check frequency of rural lines, sometimes limited on weekends.
• Enjoy panoramic views: choose daytime trips to admire the landscapes.
• Check schedules on Entur to optimize connections.
• Allow extra time for connections in rural areas or during bad weather.
• Use electronic tickets for more flexibility and to avoid lines.

Norway is a global model for sustainable public transport, combining innovation, efficiency, and environmental respect, while offering travelers a smooth and practical experience.

What Budget for Expats?

The cost of public transportation in Norway is relatively high, but there are subscriptions suited to different profiles (adults, students, seniors) as well as discounts for children and families. Here’s an overview of average fares in major cities:

City	Monthly Subscription (Adult)	Monthly Subscription (Student)	Monthly Subscription (Senior)	Annual Subscription (Adult)
Oslo	≈ €85-100	≈ €55-65	≈ €55-65	≈ €950-1,100
Bergen	≈ €80-95	≈ €50-60	≈ €50-60	≈ €900-1,000
Trondheim	≈ €85-95	≈ €55-60	≈ €55-60	≈ €950-1,050

Discounts and Special Offers:

• Children: generally, children under 6 travel free with a paying adult. Children aged 6 to 17 receive discounted fares (about 50% of adult fare).
• Families: some networks offer family packages or discounts on weekends and during school holidays.
• Newcomers: temporary promotional offers or discovery packs are sometimes available from local transport companies for expats or international students.
• Students & Seniors: proof required to benefit from reduced fares.

Transport Cost Comparison with Cost of Living

Expense Item	Monthly Range (Oslo, single adult)
Housing (studio/1 bedroom)	€1,000 to €1,600
Food	€350 to €500
Public Transportation	€85 to €100
Other (telecom, leisure)	€100 to €200

• Transportation therefore represents 5 to 8% of the monthly budget for a single person, but this percentage can decrease with discounted fares or if multiple family members benefit from discounts.
• Single tickets cost on average €3.50 to €4 depending on the city, but the monthly subscription quickly pays for itself with just 2 daily round trips.

Useful Resources for Expats

• Official local transport network websites: Ruter (Oslo), Skyss (Bergen), AtB (Trondheim).
• Expat portals and specialized forums: Expat.com, Internations, expat Facebook pages in Norway.
• Online practical guides: “Living in Norway” pages on embassy websites, advice sites like “PartirOu”, “Routard”, or “Lonely Planet”.
• Mobile apps: RuterBillett, Skyss Billett, AtB Mobillett to compare and purchase subscriptions or tickets, and track current offers.

Important Tip:

Expats can optimize their transport budget by learning about combinable discounts, purchasing subscriptions via mobile apps, and monitoring seasonal offers (back-to-school, Christmas, summer).

Tips for Efficient Travel

Effectively planning a public transportation trip in Norway relies on a few simple tips to implement from the preparation of your stay.

Planning and Purchase Apps

• Using local apps like Ruter (for Oslo and its region) or Vy (for the entire country) allows you to:
  • Check real-time schedules for buses, trains, subways, trams, and ferries.
  • View optimized routes, including connection times and walking distances.
  • Purchase and store your tickets directly on your smartphone.
  • Receive notifications in case of delays or service changes.

Advance Ticket Purchase

• Purchasing your tickets online via apps or at ticket machines (available in stations and stops) allows you to:
  • Avoid lines, especially during peak hours.
  • Sometimes benefit from more advantageous fares compared to onboard purchase.
  • Avoid potential penalties or extra costs related to late purchase.

Contactless Payment

Contactless bank cards are very often accepted in Norwegian transportation, facilitating quick boarding, especially on urban buses and trams.

Some apps also allow registering a card for instant payments.

Schedules and Comfort

Traveling outside peak hours (morning: 7-9 AM, evening: 4-6 PM) generally offers more seating and a more relaxed atmosphere.

Fares remain the same, but the travel experience is significantly improved.

Discounts and Preferential Fares

• Discounts exist for:
  • Children
  • Students (upon presentation of valid ID)
  • Seniors

It is recommended to verify and select the correct profile when purchasing tickets on apps or at machines.

Courtesy Rules to Follow

• Yield seats to elderly people, people with reduced mobility, or pregnant women.
• Keep your voice low and avoid blocking access doors.
• Wait for passengers to exit before boarding.
• Do not unnecessarily occupy reserved seats.

Tip	Recommended App/Action	Main Benefit
Route Planning	Ruter, Vy, Entur	Accurate schedules, optimized routes
Advance Ticket Purchase	Apps, machines, partner stores	Time savings, cost savings
Contactless Payment	Bank card or smartphone	Quick boarding
Off-Peak Travel	Adjust your schedule	More comfort
Discount Verification	Select profile during purchase	Advantageous fares
Respect Local Rules	Observe local behaviors	Pleasant travel for all

Taking the time to plan your trips and respecting local customs guarantees a serene and smooth stay in Norwegian transportation.