Bergen Travel Forum

We plan to be in Bergen and after a couple of days want ot take the SOGNEFJORD TOUR from BERGEN to OSLO.

Speedboat departing every morning at about 08.00 hours from Bergen port to Flam.

In order to find a hotel close to speedboat's departure point, I want to ask you if you know where exactly is it.

ALSO ANOTHER ONE THING : Do you know if there is a luggage store place in FLAM village to left our laggages fro few hours ??

Will be happy to have an answer. Thank you in advance.

Lois Salonica, Greece

Hi everyone,

We will rent a car at the Bergen airport for 1 week. Our final destination is Aurland. Which hotel do you recommend in Bergen for 1 night. Easy access to downtown and not too difficult to get overnight parking. FYI, early June 2010 is the date for this trip.

Hi,

Is it possible to get to Preikestolen from Bergen, climb on in it and return to Bergen within one day (using ferry, boat buss)?

Is the Preikestolen is worth a special journey from Bergen?

Thanks,

Adam

By 10-11th of August I'll be in Knarvik, near Bergen, where I shall stay for a week. What kind of clothes should I take? Is it going to rain a lot? Will the nights be cold?

Thanks for replying.

Hello!
I'm going to spend some time in Bergen in August and I would like to visit the "Pulpit rock" or "Preikestolen" in Lysefjiorden, in Stavanger. I would like to know if it is possible to go there from Bergen by car. How long would it take me to drive there? Will I have to spend the night somewhere on the way? How many km are there from Bergen to Stavanger (by road)?
Thanks for answering!

Hi there:)

My husband and I are going to Bergen in two weeks time. We thought of doing the Norway in a Nutshell tour in a day (Bergen to Bergen)- as we will only be in Norway for 3 days in total. At that stage I will be 21 weeks pregnant, do you think it will be safe for me to do that tour? Is this route very bumpy?

Thanks for your help and advice:)

I'm on a pretty tight time budget so I have to get a specific ferry to make my train connections back to Oslo. It's a Saturday in July so it's peak tourist season.

The fjord1 website isn't the greatest but as far as I can make out there's no way to book tickets on it - even in Norwegian. Is it safe enough just to show up on the day and buy a ticket or is there anyway I can book in advance - preferably online & in English!

Or could I buy the day before as I'll be spending the Friday in Bergen anyhow?

Also, what's the price of a one-way ticket from Bergen to Flam by ferry - couldn't spot anything on the fjord1 site.

I know I could book a "Nutshell" tour but this seems to be working out cheaper based on the train fares I've found from Flam back to Oslo :)

Thanks for your help :)

I have friends coming to Bergen on a tour. They have been told that their family came from that area and they hope to hire some one to help them see that area more that the tourists spots. I have many questions but I will start out simple
1. Would they be able to hire some kind of van ( taxi ) type to take them around - there is a small group of them- I know the old city is not possible but that is not their main interest so problem there
2. These are the names that they have given me as far as where the family came from and that is where I got confused. I think they may have some mis information some where along the line.
The original family name was Mathison ( Inger) Think there may be cousins in the area- would be great if that was the name now : )
Were told that she came from Netland which is like a suburb to Bergen
Told that it is in the county of Agar

Now I have been doing some searching and from what I have found - none of those seem to go together- hate to see them disappointed - they understand that there is still family living in the area and would like to connect with them if they are still there.

I am trying to find out what I can to point them in the right direction so they do not spend all of their time in Bergen wandering around.
Any help or information would be great. These are wonderful people and he is so excited - I hate to see him disappointed and I am wondering about the best direction at this point. Thanks in advance!

I will be visiting Bergen for three days in early July. I have booked scuba diving for my son with Nemo and just found out they are 20 minutes from where we are staying in downtown Bergen. They are located at Nemo Classic Diving As Grimstadveien 93. I wasn't planning on renting a car. Is there some kind of transportation we could take? We've never been to Norway before, should we consider renting a car to see some sights outside of Bergen? I like driving and seeing outside the usual tourist sights, but I don't like big hills or long bridges! (I saw that long bridge on Google Maps labelled Askoyveien 562 and I'm not doing it!) Any suggestions are welcome. Also, what to pack - warm or cold, or a little of both?

Carol

We are taking the train from Bergen to Olso in July. Does this trip include the Flam Railroad or do we have to book that separately?
Thank you
Nancy

My husband and I will be in Bergen for 4 nights in late June. While we aren't planning on avoiding all the touristy spots, we prefer to stay in real neighborhoods where locals live. Along the same line, are there coffeeshops/cafes and pubs that are local hangouts?

Hello!
I am spending a week in Bergen next summer, I would like to visit the "pulpit rock" or "preikestolen" in Lysefjiorden, in Stavanger. I would like to know if it is possible to go there from bergen and back in only one day or if it is too far for only one day.
Thanks for answering!

Anyone from Bergen going to the Bergenfest next week ?

Is it a big festival?

'Fred' our favourite band from Cork are playing there on Thursday and I've been checking out the festival websites: www.hulen.no/www.bergenfest.no

But guess what ? Not surprisingly, all the information is in Norwegian and I'm having a small problem translating.

Dear all,

we are currently planning our honeymoon and we plan to vist Norway for 7/8 days in May/June - our idea is to stay in one of the village cottages for 2/3 days and then take a cruise in the Fjords for the next 5 days.

I found some nice cottages in a place called Sognefjord. Do you suggest any other particular villages - we are looking for something relax and scenic.

With regards to the Fjords cruise do you recommend any in particular? any particular routes?

We have never visited Norway but we're already impressed with what we've seen over the internet.

Thanks for your help
Stefan
Malta

We're overnighting in Balestrand on our way from Oslo to Bergen before boarding our Hurtigruten cruise in the evening. Because we arrive in Bergen late morning the day of our cruise departure and want to see some of the city during the day, we will need to store our luggage. Any suggestions?

Also, any suggestions for the "best of" Bergen in one afternoon?

HI, I AM TRYING TO FIND INFO ON SLOW BOATS FROM FLAM TO BERGEN. WE ARE TAKING THE TRAIN TO FLAM BUT WANTED TO RETURN BY BOAT. I READ SOME COMMENTS THAT THE FAST BOAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO REALLY ENJOY THE SCENERY. DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THEM? PRICE? SCEDULES? ANY SUGGESTIONS WILL BE APPRECIATED.

Hi, My husband and I will be arriving in Bergen on 10/10/09 and taking the Coastal Cruise on the Mitasol on 10/14/09. We would like to take the RT train from Bergen to Oslo in one day and then take the RT train to Flam on another day. Since I need to use a mobility scooter can anyone tell me if I can take such a scooter on the trains? Also are most areas in Bergen handicap accessable?

We would greatly appreciate any suggestions or information. Thanks

Hi everyone,

We're looking for a bit of advice on which fjords and sights to see whilst on holiday this July (2009)in Norway for a week. We are two girls (24) who will be mostly using public transport so any advice on that would also be great.

We will be travelling from Stockholm to Oslo and then into the Fjord district. We have only just started to formulate a plan and so far all we really have on our 'to-do' list is Lysefjord, Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord the Vik or Borgund Stave Church, Bergen, the Flam railway and possibly a glacier trip.

Which other fjords and activities would you recommend? Also what order is best for this? Is it best to go from Oslo to Myrdal and onto the Flam railway then take a cruiser down Sognefjord, or best to go straight to Bergen and do everything from here?

All suggestions and advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

hi there everyone
we will have a car when we arrive in norway in mid june 2009

we will be coming down from geiranger having explored the trollstigen and the eagles road route and alesund and maybe even molde on daytrips from geiranger


our next stop will be balestrand

should we leave the car in balestrand and catch the fast ferry at 8 am and return to balestrand at 830 pm same evening and travel to flam that same night
or
do we go to flam to our accommodation and travel to bergen by car via the scenic 3hr route and return to flam the same night?

i hear that the fast ferry from balestrand isnt that scenic a trip to bergen and that fuel smells are not all that great on the enclosed ferry but it is a means to an end and i doubt we will need a car in bergen for just one day -right?
we could also catch the train from flam to bergen i guess - have to check if there are really early departures and verylater returns to flam for that to work
but that defeats the flexibility of driving at our own pace


re the day spent in bergen
i think we will do a walk that i have read about starting round the city gates
and then ridethe funnicular and maybe walk down some of it

we wont go to griegs house
and wont be visiting museums
might see the castle for a bit

but honestly wed rather see natural sights
everyone tells us bergen is beautiful

what would you do if you had just one day???
any suggestions are greatly appreciated

Hi we are off on Hurtigruten next week and I have failed miserably on the buying of warm boots. I left it a bit late and with all the bad weather we have had there's not much about in the shops here. I have some walking boots that will do, but thought I would like some cosy boots. We are in Bergen for our first day before boarding the ship and thought it may be an idea to buy some there. Any advice on a good place to shop? - also how would costs compare with England? I know alcohol is expensive but how about boots!!??

We are booked to do the round trip on Hurtigruten in February (seemed like a good idea at the time!!)My aim was to get the best chance of seeing the northern lights and hopefully some 'winter wonderland' scenery. Have just read somewhere that this is the coldest month in Norway and are beginning to think we must be mad. We have bought down jackets, Gortex cagoule and baselayer thermals, and have hat,gloves scarf etc. My husband is still convinced he will be cold if we venture off the boat for a bit of sight seeing or excursions. Do you think we will need waterproof trousers or would fleecy lined showerproof be better? Any shared experiences of this time of year would be very welcome. Also what to wear around the boat - I have heard that the cabins are cosy but what about the public areas and lounges at this time of year? Any advice greatly appreciated. PS we are not lithe young things but not quite wrinklies - yet!

Hello Hurtigrunteners.
I just heard that water costs money on the Hurtigrunten!!!
I dont know yet if its true, but if it is, is it worth bringing some aboard as it can be quite expensive buying water everyday.
thankyou.

When doing the 12 day round trip from Bergen on the Hurtigrunten in October, is it worth doing the exursions?
Or would I be bored out of my mind on the boat?

I mean I am quite lazy and dont like to get too C-cold in the snow, I wouldnt like to stay out for hours on end freezing in the wilderness and then being so Cold that I cant pee, or anything like that!(ice hotels sound hellish)and so does being lashed by icy winds cutting my face! Ive already had facial paralasize Thankyou.

I wouldnt mind checking out some of the stop offs, could I go sight seeing without paying for an exursion?
then again if an exursion is really worth it , I dont mind paying.

I would be quite happy to stare out of the ship or stay within safe distance of a deck or cabin ..BUT with my company I must be sociable and so I was wondering if anyone can elaborate on their experiance of some of the Hurtigrunten Excursions.

Maybe you went on a snow mobile , or huskie sledge? or some other tour.
Was it Cold ?
Did you need extra or special clothing?
What is the most comfortable pleasant exursion?
Thankyou travellers

I am planning a vacation to Bergen via Osla,taking the Norway in a Nutshell in between 1st of October 2008 and 5th of October. Unfortunately i am not aware of the right time to pay a visit to Bergen. What i would like to do is, taking the nutshell to Bergen, stay in Bergen for 3 days, and that3 days in Bergenwill hold the trips to the fjords, maybe fishing,sightseeing,and all the other activities. I am aware that at 1st October the off seagestionson starts, does it effect our vacation in means of the weather, and all the activities. What would your suggestion be in means oftime to take a visit to Bergen.
Thank you all.
:))

Hello,
We will be on the Hurtigrunten in October thru to mid November.

My question is are water proof Trainers ie: Nike, etc, suitable for the Hurtigrunten?
We might do some exursions so it would be good to know what type of clothing to wear.
Im sorry we have never dressed for extreme cold ,
a balaclava maybe.....?
Any help very appreciated.
Thank you.

I will be in Oslo in May 2009. This will be my first time in Norway. I will be taking the "Norway in a nutshell" trip to Bergen. On the "Norway in a nutshell" website they talk about a Fjord Pass. It looks like I can get cheaper hotel accommodations in Oslo and Bergen by using it. However, the hotels I can choose from is limited. It seems that I may do better using other sources for hotels. I have got some great suggestions from Virtual Tourist. Can anyone suggest a good, yet affordable hotel in Bergen for one night.
Thank you,
Bob

Hello I am looking foreward to trying lutefisk one night , but another day I will hanker for a curry maybe, so just wondering if there are any good curry houses around Bergen .
Takk

Hello I have booked a Hostel in bergen for 3 nights

Because I have done this it limits the route I take on Norway in a Nutshell,
It means I have to be back to my safe bed every evening and so regrettably I cant be adventurous and stay in Flam or wherever
I cant reverse what I did....I will plan better next time.

My question is, CAN I do Norway in a Nutshell in a day from Bergen?
Will I make it back saftely without a search team having to find us?
How is it possible ? and what does it entail?
Will I miss the best scenery?
will it be rushed, and not worth it?
Im sorry but the whole concept of Norway in a Nutshell just seems to big and a long journey to complete in a day, but if it is possible to go from Bergen in the morning and get back in the evening it will be excellent.
Takk

My hotel check-out is 12:00 but the Hurtigruten ship (port-to-port northbound) does not leave until 20:00. Must I just wait around the Hurtigruten terminal for 8 hours? (Although I am so excited, I wouldn't mind) Are there luggage lockers there so I can store them and then walk around town and get dinner? Is this a common dilemma, and do the hotels maybe store my bags until later even if I have checked out? Do the rooms on ship have coffee makers?
I am traveling alone and just want to work out any snags.
Takk!

Yet Another Hurtigrunten question im afraid.
I am just curious to know if the stop offs with the round trip are long enough to ever explore a town.
Is it rush rush on and off the boat? or just adequate enough to see enough, and get the odd souvenier?

Also , I just read that Public Toilets were scarce in Bergen.....well it mentions one public toilet but its somewhere obscure and not immediate.
But what to do if walking around and suddenly you are dying for a wee wee?
Bergen does not strike me as a place to do a private tinkle anywhere behind the bushes place!
I would hate to be caught out.
Any help would be cherished cheers.