Overview
Bergen is Norway's second city and the classic gateway to the western fjords, set around a working harbour and ringed by seven mountains. Colourful timber warehouses, a busy fish market and quick access to Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord make it a great short break or the start of a longer Norway trip. It is also one of the more accessible Scandinavian cities for UK travellers.
Best time to fly to Bergen
Late May to early September brings the mildest, driest weather and very long daylight, ideal for fjord trips and hiking Mount Fløyen. Bergen is one of Europe's wettest cities, so pack a waterproof in any month. June and early July offer good weather with smaller crowds than August. Winters are dark and damp but rarely bitterly cold thanks to the Gulf Stream. Fares rise over summer and school holidays — see the When to book chart above.
Airlines and routes
SAS and Norwegian fly direct from London (Heathrow and Gatwick), with a typical flight time of about 2 hours. From Manchester, Edinburgh and other regional airports, most trips connect — often through Amsterdam with KLM, or via Oslo or Copenhagen with SAS — taking roughly 4 to 6 hours including the transfer. Occasional seasonal direct routes appear in summer, so it is worth comparing direct and one-stop fares.
Things to do in Bergen
The compact centre means you can walk between the highlights, with the fjords a short cruise or train ride away.
- Bryggen: UNESCO-listed row of Hanseatic timber trading houses along the old wharf.
- Fløibanen funicular: A quick ride up Mount Fløyen for panoramic views and walking trails.
- Fish Market (Fisketorget): Central spot for seafood, snacks and local produce.
- KODE Art Museums: Four buildings of art and design, including works by Munch and Dahl.
- Troldhaugen: Composer Edvard Grieg's lakeside villa and museum, just outside the city.
At Bergen Airport, Flesland (BGO)
The airport lies about 12 km south of the centre, roughly 20 to 30 minutes by road. The Bybanen light rail (Line 1) runs from the terminal to the city centre in around 45 minutes and is the cheapest way in. The Flybussen airport coach serves the main hotels, and taxis and car hire are available at the terminal.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Bergen
- Book roughly two to four months ahead for the best choice on direct summer flights; check the price charts on this page.
- Fly midweek and avoid UK school holidays for lower fares.
- Use a flexible date search to catch cheaper departures a day either side.
- Compare SAS and Norwegian direct fares against one-stop KLM routes from your nearest airport.
Travel essentials
Norway is in the Schengen Area but not the EU. UK passport holders need no visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period; check whether the EU's ETIAS authorisation is required before you book, and confirm your passport meets Schengen validity rules. The currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK), and Norway is almost cashless, so a contactless card covers nearly everything. No vaccinations are needed; carry a UK GHIC and comprehensive travel insurance, as prices in Norway are high.
