Travelling with train Flåm. Photo: Torild Moland, TravelStock
You can bring your bike on many buses, trains and boats in Norway. Sometimes you need to reserve a space upfront, sometimes you just show up and buy a ticket after boarding.
Trains
Trains can be a very nice way to bring your bike on a tour. On some lines, it is possible to reserve a place in advance. This is recommended, especially on popular departures, such as in connection with the weekend.
When it´s not possible to book a place in advance, you must turn up and hope it is available space. It may depend on the number of travelers, wheelchairs and strolleys on board. The staff decides whether there is room for bicycles. This is not ideal when you plan a trip, but if you avoid rush hour, there is a greater chance of free space. It is possible to take electric bicycles on trains in the same way as normal bicycles. Note that e-bike batteries must not be charged on board trains. The price for a bicycle is often the same as a child’s ticket, but variations may occur.
On some trains, the doors are marked with a bicycle or strolley. On other trains, the bicycle must be placed on designated areas so check with the staff.
Tip 1: Arrive at the station well in advance of departure when traveling with bike.
Tip 2: Check out entur.no to find public transportation in Norway regardsless of company.
In Norway, there are three companies that operate the various train routes:
Vy
Lines where reservations for bikes are possible upfront:
- Bergensbanen: 15 spaces for bikes available for reservation
- Gjøvikbanen: 17 spaces for bikes available for reservation
Lines without reservations – you may purchase a bike ticket after boarding the train:
- Skien-Oslo S-Lillehammer: 10 spaces for bikes (20 if double train pair)
- Oslo S-Halden-Gothenburg: 5 spaces for bikes
- Bratsbergbanen: 2 spaces for bikes
- Other local trains: 5 spaces for bikes
When maintenance replaces train with buses, it´s usually not possible to take a bicycle on long journeys.
More info about bikes on train, schedules and prices on Vy here.
GoAhead Nordic
Lines where reservations for bikes are possible upfront:
- Sørtoget (Oslo-Kristiansand-Stavanger): 5 spaces for bikes (10 if dobule train pair)
Lines without reservations – you may purchase a bike ticket after boarding the train:
- Arendalsbanen: Depending on free space (groups up to 30 bikes can be arranged)
- Jærbanen: Depending on free space
More info about bikes on train, schedules and prices on GoAhead here.
SJ Nord
Lines where reservations for bikes are possible upfront:
- Dovrebanen (Oslo-Trondheim): 5 spaces for bikes (10 if double train pair)
- Nordlandsbanen (Trondheim-Bodø): 5 spaces for bikes
Lines without reservations – you may purchase a bike ticket after boarding the train:
- Raumabanen: Depending on free space
- Rørosbanen: Depending on free space
- Other local trains: Depending on free space
More info about bikes on train, schedules and prices on SJ Norge here.
Buses
Many different companies operate local and regional bus routes in Norway. It is recommended to check with the specific company where you intend to travel and get latest information. Some bus companies require you to reserve a seat in advance. And some few companies don´t accept bikes at all.
As a general rule, it is possible to take a bicycle on the bus if there is space. It is the driver who decides this. There is no guarantee that you will be able to take a bicycle with you – it depends often on luggage space. This makes it a little upredictable to travel with a bike on the bus, but as for on train – if you avoid rush hour, there is a greater chance of getting onboard with your bike.
Nor-Way Bussekspress
On several distances, it is possible to book a space for your bike on the bus upfront. If a bicycle is not available for ordering online, the same price applies as for a child ticket when paying on the bus. You only have a guarantee that there is room for your bicycle on the bus if it has been pre-ordered together with a ticket.
More info about schedules on Nor-Way Bussekspress.
Boats
Hurtigruten
Operates between Bergen and Kirkenes and back to Bergen. The ticket price is 200 NOK pr. day to bring a bike, and this can be booked directly by calling +47 8100 3030. See more info about bikes and booking at Hurtigruten here.
Havila Kystruten
Operates between Bergen and Kirkenes and back to Bergen. The ticket price is 200 NOK pr. day to bring a bike, and this can be booked directly by calling +477000 7070. See more info about bikes and booking on Havila Kystruten here.
Ferries and expressboats
Ferries are usually free for bicycles. On expressboats you usually pay child ticket. Contact the relevant ferry company for details.
Changes may occur.