BERGEN AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTRE: THE EASIEST & CHEAPEST WAY (LIGHT RAIL GUIDE)

TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY OF GETTING FROM BERGEN AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTRE?

We’ve got some good news! It’s super simple, and we’re here to walk you through it step-by-step 😊

On our recent trip to Bergen, we found the quickest, cheapest and most stress-free option was the Bergen Light Rail (tram), taking you straight into the heart of the city from the airport in around 45 minutes!

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how it works, where to find it, how to buy tickets and what to expect, plus a quick look at alternative options if you’re arriving late at night.

Planning your trip to Bergen?
Start here:

Skyscanner ↗ to find the best flights to Bergen Flesland Airport (BGO).
Booking.com ↗ to browse the best places to stay in Bergen.
Psst! Try Charmante – Skostredet Hôtel for a quirky, quintessential Bergen stay!

🎟️ Viator ↗ to book unforgettable tours, from fjord cruises to guided walks.
🛡️ Staysure ↗ for easy, reliable travel insurance (UK travellers only).

THE BERGEN LIGHT RAIL IS A CLEAN, MODERN TRAM SYSTEM

It’s been running for over a decade and is used by both locals and visitors, making it one of the most convenient ways to get around Bergen.

You’ll board on Line 1 (headed for Bergen Sentrum “Bergen Central”) from the airport, and simply stay on until the final stop, Byparken, which is within walking distance to most inner city hotels.

The Bergen Light Railway is, from our personal experience, by far the most convenient and cost effective way to get from Bergen airport to Bergen city centre! — Bergen Light Rail tram terminated at Byparken stop, in Bergen centre. *Photo by Jordie.*

IT COSTS AS MUCH AS A COFFEE

A single adult ticket from Bergen Airport to the city centre on the Light Rail costs around 50 NOK (approx £4 / $5).

For Norway, we were really surprised how affordable it is! Literally the price of a coffee.

Onboard a typical Bergen Light Rail service, taking us from Bergen airport to Bergen city centre directly in just 45 minutes! — Onboard a typical Bergen Light Rail service. *Photo by Jordie.*

The fun part, planning your Bergen trip:

🗺️ Short on time? 2 days in Bergen itinerary ↗
🗺️ Got a bit longer? 3 days in Bergen itinerary ↗
🗺️ Want the full experience? 4 days in Bergen itinerary ↗

🚢 Short fjord cruise: Mostraumen fjord cruise ↗
🚢 Full-day fjord trip: Nærøyfjord to Flåm cruise ↗

WHERE TO FIND THE LIGHT RAIL AT BERGEN AIRPORT

Once you exit baggage reclaim, it’s very straightforward.

Instead of heading straight outside, follow the signs for “Light Rail”, which will guide you to the right.

A photograph showing the visual route from coming out of Bergen airport baggage reclaim to the platform of Bergen Light Railway! — Exit baggage reclaim, turn right and follow the “Light Rail” signs. Head out the last set of doors and you’ll see the escalators straight ahead.

Walk to the end of the terminal, exit through the last set of doors, and you’ll immediately see the escalators down to the platform on your left.

Pictured: If you don't want to download the Skyss app, you can just use the red ticket machine near the top of the escalators to buy your Bergen Light Rail ticket. — Ta-da! Grab your ticket from the big red machine (shown) if you haven’t already, then head straight down. *Photo by Jordie.*

ON THE BERGEN LIGHT RAIL PLATFORM

Once you’re down on the platform, it’s very simple. There are only two small paltforms:

One about to head into the city (Bergen Sentrum)
One terminating at the Airport.

Make sure you’re on the side for “Line 1 Bergen Sentrum”. When we were there, it was the right-hand platform.

Trams run frequently (roughly every 5–10 minutes), so you won’t be waiting long. Just hop on when it arrives, no seat reservations needed. Buy your ticket beforehand.

The Bergen Light Rail platform, just a short escalator ride down from as soon as you exit Bergen Airport. This is by far the best way to get from Bergen airport to Bergen city centre! — Heading down the escalator to Bergen Light Rail. There’s only two platforms, so you won’t get lost! *Photo by Jordie.*

bergen-airport-to-city-centre — Board the Bergen Light Rail bound for Bergen Sentrum (“Bergen Central”). *Photo by Jordie.*

YOU CAN BUY A PHYSICAL OR DIGITAL TICKET

There are two easy ways to buy your ticket for the Bergen Light Rail:

1. USE THE SKYSS APP

Download the official Skyss app and buy a single ticket for Zone A. Your ticket will be a QR code, valid for 1 hour 30 minutes from the time of purchase. Here’s a screenshot of my ticket to show you what it looks like:

A screenshot of the Skyss App digital ticket we purchased when travelling from Bergen Airport to the city via the Bergen Light Rail service. — A screenshot of the Skyss App digital ticket (prices shown outdated now).

2. TICKET MACHINE

You can also buy a ticket from the large red machine near the top of the escalators.

We didn’t use this option, but one of our lovely readers Tim wrote in to tell us how it works. Instead of printing a ticket, your payment card acts as your ticket.

If you come across ticket inspectors, they’ll scan the card you used to pay for verification. Strange right?

Another option to getting your card read is have the ticket be sent via SMS to your phone.

THE LIGHT RAIL MAKES 27 STOPS AND TERMINATES AT BYPARKEN

The Bergen Light Rail journey from the airport includes 27 stops in total, passing through a mix of residential areas and small local neighbourhoods along the way.

Don’t let that number put you off though, remember the journey still only takes around 45 minutes, and the stops are quick and smooth so you’ll hardly notice them.

They played a little upbeat jingle before arriving at every one, all different! It really put a smile on our faces.

As mentioned before, the final stop is Byparken, located right in the heart of Bergen city centre next to a small green park. The track literally ends here, so just stay on until the final stop and you can’t go wrong.

THE LIGHT RAIL RUNS FROM EARLY MORNING TO LATE EVENING

The Bergen Light Rail runs from around 5.11am to 10.50pm, making it a convenient option for most flight times.

Services are frequent throughout the day, with a tram running roughly every 10 minutes, so you can simply turn up and go without worrying too much about timings.

IT DOESN’T RUN 24/7
The only slight downside is that it doesn’t run 24 hours a day.

So if you’re arriving late at night, your best option is a taxi from the airport.

Taxis are readily available outside the terminal. Expect to pay from around 600 NOK (approx. £44 GBP / $55 USD) depending on the time and demand.

FINAL VERDICT: THE BEST WAY FROM BERGEN AIRPORT TO THE CITY CENTRE

In short, getting from Bergen Airport to the city centre by Bergen Light Rail is by far the best option.

It’s cheap, reliable and takes you directly into the heart of the city in around 45 minutes, with no changes or confusion along the way.

For just 50 NOK, it’s honestly one of the best-value airport transfers we’ve come across, especially in a country like Norway that’s notoriously expensive!

From personal experience, we found the Light Rail to be clean, modern and surprisingly spacious with plenty of seating and standing room. The whole journey felt very smooth, stress-free and easy after a day of airports / flying.

As long as you’re arriving within operating hours (5am to just before 11pm), there’s no reason to consider anything else.

If you’re landing late at night, taxis are available outside the terminal, but for most travellers, the Light Rail is a complete no-brainer.

We hope this guide has made your arrival into Bergen feel that little bit easier. Have the best time exploring! 🤩

A photo of Jordie, the author of this specific blog post and owner of the wesbite.

This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!

Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com

A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.

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