Overview
Norway pairs some of Europe's most dramatic scenery — deep fjords, Arctic peaks and the Northern Lights — with easy, short-haul access from the UK. Flights to Norway take only around two hours, so a long weekend in Oslo or Bergen is genuinely doable, while longer trips open up the Lofoten Islands, Tromso and the fjord coast. This hub covers every Norwegian city we fly to, with live fare data on this page to help you time your booking. Whether you want cheap flights to Norway for a city break or a bucket-list aurora trip, here is what UK travellers need to know.
Best time to fly to Norway
Summer (June to August) is peak season: long daylight hours, the midnight sun in the north, and comfortable temperatures of roughly 15–22°C make it ideal for fjord cruises, hiking and coastal drives. Expect higher fares and busier trails, so book early. Late May and September are quieter shoulder months with lower prices and still-decent weather. For the Northern Lights, skiing and a proper Arctic winter, travel between late September and March, focusing on Tromso and the far north. Use the When to book chart above to compare months.
Main gateway cities and airports
Most UK arrivals land at Oslo Gardermoen (OSL), about 50km north of the capital and linked to Oslo Central by the Flytoget airport express train in around 20 minutes. Bergen Flesland (BGO), the gateway to the western fjords, sits about 20 minutes from the centre by Bybanen light rail. Other useful airports include Stavanger (SVG), Trondheim Vaernes (TRD) and Tromso (TOS) for the Arctic. Ryanair also uses Torp Sandefjord (TRF), around 110km south of Oslo.
Airlines and routes
Norwegian and SAS operate the widest choice of direct flights from the UK, with British Airways also flying from London. Between them they connect London (Heathrow and Gatwick), Manchester, Edinburgh and other UK cities to Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger. Ryanair and Wizz Air add low-cost options on selected routes. Direct flights from London to Oslo take about 2 hours; from Manchester it is a similar 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours. For smaller towns or the Lofoten Islands you will usually connect through Oslo or a European hub such as Amsterdam or Copenhagen.
Popular places to visit in Norway
- Oslo: A walkable waterfront capital with the Munch museum, the Opera House roof walk and the Vigeland sculpture park.
- Bergen: Colourful UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf, a lively fish market and the funicular up Mount Floyen.
- Geirangerfjord and Naeroyfjord: UNESCO-listed fjords of sheer cliffs and waterfalls, best seen by boat or the Flam Railway.
- Tromso: The Arctic base for Northern Lights hunting, whale watching and midnight-sun kayaking.
- Lofoten Islands: Jagged peaks rising straight from the sea above red fishing cabins and white-sand beaches.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Norway
- Set fare alerts and book roughly two to four months ahead for summer and Christmas travel, when demand and prices peak.
- Compare flying into Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger — a different gateway plus a domestic hop or train can work out cheaper.
- Consider low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Wizz Air, but factor in baggage fees and whether they use Torp rather than Oslo Gardermoen.
- Travel midweek and in the shoulder seasons, and use the price charts on this page to spot the cheapest departure dates.
Travel essentials
Visa: UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Norway is in the Schengen area, so carry a passport valid for the length of your stay and be ready for biometric border checks; check whether the EU's ETIAS travel authorisation is required before you travel. Currency: the Norwegian krone (NOK) — card and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere, so you will rarely need cash. When to book: Norway is an expensive country, so lock in flights early for summer and the festive period, and see the price charts on this page for current trends.
