Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
times, 30-minute ride). Two different companies run this bus, but the cost and
frequency is about the same—just take the first one that shows up. Taxis take
up to four people and cost about 400 kr for the 20-minute ride (depending on
the time of day).
By Car:
Driving is a headache in Bergen—avoid it if you can. Approach-
ing town on E-16 (from Voss and the Sognefjord area), follow signs for
Sen-
trum
, which spits you out near the big, modern bus station and parking garage.
Parking is difficult and costly—ask at your hotel for tips. Note that all drivers
entering Bergen must pay a 15-kr toll, but there are no toll-collection gates
(since the system is automated). Assuming they bill you, it'll just show up on
your credit card (which they access through your rental-car company). For de-
tails, ask your rental company or see
www.autopass.no
.
By Cruise Ship:
Bergen is easy for cruise passengers, regardless of which
of the city's two ports your ship uses.
The
Skolten
cruise port is just past the fortress on the main harborfront
road. Arriving here, simply walk into town (stroll with the harbor on your
right, figure about 10 minutes to Bryggen, plus five more minutes to the Fish
Market and TI). After about five minutes, you'll pass the fortress—the start-
ing point for my self-guided walk. A taxi into downtown costs about 50-60 kr;
hop-on, hop-off buses pick up passengers at the port (though in this compact
town, I'd just walk).
The
Jekteviken/Dokken
cruise port is in an industrial zone to the south, a
bit farther out (about a 20-minute walk). To discourage passengers from walk-
ing through all the containers, the port operates a convenient and free
shuttle
bus
that zips you into town. It drops you off along Rasmus Meyers Allé right
in front of the Bergen Art Museum, facing the cute manmade lake called Lun-
gegårdsvann. From here, it's an easy 10-minute walk to the TI and Fish Mar-
ket: Walk with the lake onyourright, passthroughthe park(with the pavilion)
and head up the pedestrian mall called Ole Bulls Plass, and turn left (at the
bluish slab) up the broad square called Torgallmenningen. Note that my self-
guided walk conveniently ends right near the shuttle bus stop. A taxi from the
cruise port into downtown runs about 100 kr.
