Car Travel in Bergen

Bergen is 478 km (290 mi) from Oslo. Route 7 is good most of the way, at least until the ferry crossing at Hardangerfjord. The ferry, from Brimnes to Bruravik, runs from 5 AM to midnight and takes 10 minutes. From Granvin, 12 km (7 mi) farther north, to Bergen, Route 7 hugs the fjord part of the way, making for spectacular scenery, but the quality of the road deteriorates considerably. A quicker, better but less scenic drive is to follow Route 13 from Granvin to Voss, and take E16, an alternative route to Oslo, from Voss to Bergen. In winter, several mountain passes are prone to closing at short notice. The Public Roads Administration's road information line can give you the status of most roads.

Driving from Stavanger to Bergen involves two to four ferries and a long journey packed with stunning scenery. The Stavanger tourist information office can help plan the trip and reserve ferry space.

Downtown Bergen is enclosed by an inner ring road. The area within is divided into three zones, which are separated by one way" and do not enter" signs. To get from one zone to another, return to the ring road and drive to an entry point for the desired zone. It's best to leave your car at a parking garage (the cheapest and most accessible is the ByGarasjen near the train station) and walk. You pay a NKr 15 toll every time you drive into the city—but driving out is free.

Car Emergencies

Norsk Automobil Forbund (NAF) (810-00-505) operates 24 hours a day.

Road Information

Public Roads Administration (175. www.vegvesen.no).

Car Rental Agencies

Avis (Lars Hilles gt. 20B. 815-33-044). Budget (Lars Hilles gt. 120A. 815-60-600). Europcar (55-36-70-00). Hertz (Nygårdsgt. 89. 55-96-40-70). National (Minde Allé 30. 55-59-97-15).