Bergen - Norway - page 255

Like Rome, Bergen is said to have grown up around seven hills. For the best
overall view, take the funicular to Fløien. The northern section of the city is
Sandviken, which is filled with old warehouses. The area south of central
Bergen has recently been developed at an incredible rate.
In the center of Bergen, walk on cobblestone streets as you explore the quay-
side with its medieval houses and the open-air Fish Market. The center has
colonnaded shops and cafes, and in Gamle Bergen you can step back in time to
the early 19th century.
2 Getting Around
The Bergen Card entitles you to free bus transportation and (usually) free
museum entrance throughout Bergen, plus discounts on car rentals, parking,
and some cultural and leisure activities. It's a good value. Ask for it at the tourist
office (see “Visitor Information,” above). A 24-hour card costs 165NOK ($23)
for adults, 70NOK ($9.95) for children 3 to 15. A 48-hour card is 245NOK
($35) for adults, and 105NOK ($15) for children 3 to 15. Children under 3
generally travel or enter free.
BY BUS
The Central Bus Station (Bystasjonen), Strømgaten 8 ( & 55-55-90-70 ), is
the terminal for all buses serving the Bergen and Hardanger areas, as well as the
airport bus. The station has luggage storage, shops, and a restaurant. City buses
are marked with their destination and route number. For bus information in
the Bergen area, call & 177. A network of yellow-sided city buses serves the city
center only. For information, call & 55-59-32-00.
BY TAXI
Taxis are readily available at the airport. To request one, call & 55-99-70-10. A
ride from the Bergen Airport to the city center costs 262NOK ($37). Sightsee-
ing by taxi costs about 390NOK ($55) for the first hour and 300NOK ($43)
for each additional hour.
BY CAR
PARKING Visitors can park on most streets in the city center after 5pm. For
convenient indoor parking, try the Bygarasjen Busstation ( & 55-56-88-70 ), a
large garage near the bus and train stations, about a 5-minute walk from the city
center. It's open 24 hours a day and charges 15NOK ($2.15) per hour. You can
park for 24 hours for 75NOK ($11).
RENTAL CARS You might want to rent a car to explore the area for a day or
two. Budget ( & 800/472-3325 in the U.S.; www.budget.com) maintains
offices at the airport ( & 55-22-75-27 ) and downtown at Storetveitveien 58
( & 55-27-39-90 ). Its least expensive car is 800NOK ($114) per day, which
includes the 23% government tax, collision-damage waiver, and unlimited
mileage. Rates per day are lower for rentals of a week or more.
Hertz ( & 800/654-3001 in the U.S.; www.hertz.com) has locations at the
airport ( & 55-22-60-75 ) and downtown at Nygårdsgate 89 ( & 55-96-40-70 ).
For a 2-day rental, its smallest car, a Renault Clio, costs 1,290NOK ($183) per
day, including tax, collision-damage waiver, and unlimited mileage.
Avis ( & 800/331-2112 in the U.S.; www.avis.com) has branches at the airport
( & 55-22-76-18 ) and downtown at Lars Hillesgate 20 ( & 55-55-39-55 ). For a
1-day rental, its smallest car, a Ford Fiesta, costs 1,130NOK ($160) with unlim-
ited mileage. The price includes the 23% tax and the optional collision-damage