Trondheim - Norway - page 341

BY BUS Buses from various parts of Norway arrive at the Rutebilstasjon, or
city bus terminal, adjoining Trondheim Sentralstasjon, where the trains pull in.
Trondheim lies at the crossroads of bus travel in Norway, as it is a transportation
hub between southern Norway, including Oslo and Bergen, and northern Nor-
way, including the city of Bodø. The most frequented bus route is from Oslo,
taking 9 1 ⁄ 2 hours and costing 390NOK ($55) one-way. The more difficult route
from Bergen takes more than 10 hours, costing 803NOK ($114) one-way. For
information about long-distance buses, contact Norway Buss Ekspress ( & 81-
54-44-44; www.nor-way.no).
BY BOAT The Hurtigruten coastal steamer ( & 77-64-82-00 ) stops in
Trondheim. In addition, Fosen Teraffikklag Kystekspressen boats ( & 73-89-
07-00 ) travel between Kristiansund N and Trondheim, taking 3 1 ⁄ 2 hours and
costing 420NOK ($60). Departures are at Pirterminalen Quay in Trondheim.
BY CAR From Oslo, motorists can take the express highway E6 north, going
via Lillehammer all the way into Trondheim.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Contact the Trondheim Tourist Office, Munkegate 19 ( & 73-80-76-60;
www.trondheim.com), near the marketplace. The staff can also make hotel
reservations or arrange for rooms in a private home. Double rooms in private
homes cost from 350NOK to 500NOK ($50-$71). The tourist office is open
September 4 to May 14, Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm; May 15 to June 4 and
August 21 to September 3, Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to
4pm, and Sunday 10am to 2pm; June 5 to June 25 and August 7 to August 20,
Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm, and Sunday 10am to
2pm; and June 26 to August 6, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 8pm and Saturday
and Sunday 10am to 6pm.
GETTING AROUND
You can travel all over Trondheim and to outlying areas on city buses operated
by Trondheim Trafikkselskap (TT), Dronningens Gate ( & 73-50-28-70 ).
Tickets for single rides are sold on buses for 22NOK ($3.10) for adults,
11NOK ($1.55) for children 4 to 16; children under 4 travel free. If you don't
have exact change, you'll get a credit slip from the driver, which can be redeemed
at the TT office or on a later trip. A day card for 24 hours of unlimited rides
costs 55NOK ($7.80) per person.
For a local taxi, TrønderTaxi maintains 24-hour service ( & 73-90-90-73 ).
The biggest taxi rank is found at Torvet, the market square, and also at the cen-
tral rail station. For local bus information serving the Greater Trondheim area,
call & 73-50-28-70.
Amazingly, a fleet of some 200 green bikes is available free at racks scattered
around the city. To secure one, insert a 20NOK ($2.85) coin. When you're
through with the bike, bring it back and your coin will be returned. Naturally,
you should lock the bike again. The whole system will make you want to write
an ode to the joys of living in a civilized country.
CITY LAYOUT
From the Trondheim train station, simply walk south across the bridge to the
triangular-shaped island forming the city's central core. The center is called
Midtbyen. In Norse sagas it was referred to as Nidarneset or the Nidar head-
land. The best way to explore this area is on foot, and you can easily walk to all
the major attractions, including Nidaros Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace.