Travel to Stavanger
Flying to Stavanger
Airlines operating direct flights to Stavanger from the UK include British Airways, Norwegian, SAS and Widerøe. The fastest route from the USA is via Oslo or Copenhagen. For cheap flights to Stavanger, travel during the winter between November to March. Norway has cold winters and Stavanger’s latitude means that daylight hours are at a premium in the winter months.
Flight times
From London - 1 hour 50 minutes; New York - 9 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); Los Angeles - 16 hours (including stopovers); Toronto - 11 hours (including stopover); Sydney - 27 hours (including stopover).
Travel by road
When driving in Stavanger, the rules of the road are strict: you drive on the right, with dipped headlights required at all times; seat belts are compulsory for drivers and all passengers. There’s a speed limit of 30kph (18mph) in residential areas and up to 100kph (62mph) on motorways. Chains and/or winter tyres are required in winter and many roads, including major roads, are closed before, during and after snow falls.
All EU/EEA driving licences are honoured in Norway, but other nationals need (or are recommended to have) an International Driving Permit. For foreigners, no form of provisional licence is accepted. If you’re bringing your own car, you must have vehicle registration papers, adequate insurance, a first-aid kit and a warning triangle. A Green Card (available from your insurers or motoring organisation) isn't compulsory, but is helpful. The minimum driving age is 18.
The Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) (tel: 08505, in Norway only or +47 9260 8505; www.naf.no) operates an emergency breakdown service which can be used by anyone who is a member of a major international motoring organisation.
Emergency breakdown services
NAF (tel: 08505, in Norway only or +47 9260 8505); Falck (tel: 02222, in Norway only).
Routes
There are several possible driving routes from Oslo to Stavanger, but the most scenic begins with Highway 40 and the E134. The latter runs through the dales and over the mountains before heading to the west coast, where you turn south to Stavanger along beautiful Highway 13 (‘Fjordvegen' - Fjord Road).
The fastest route is along the E18 to Kristiansand and then the E39. From Bergen and Haugesund, it’s easiest to take the coastal E39 south to Stavanger although the journey involves one ferry crossing.
Coaches
Norway’s principal bus company, Nor-Way Bussekspress (tel: +47 8154 4444; www.nor-way.no), operates the Kystbussen coastal bus between Bergen, Haugesund and Stavanger. It also offers the Sørlandsekspressen (Southern Express bus) between Stavanger, Flekkefjord and Kristiansand, from where there are connections to and from Oslo.
Time to city
From Oslo - 8 hours; Kristiansand - 3 hours; Bergen - 5/6 hours.
Travel by Rail
Services
Stavanger is the last rail station on the Sørlandsbanen (Southern Rail Line), which threads its way across southern Norway, linking the country’s two other main towns, Oslo and Kristiansand.
Stavanger Railway Station is located in the heart of the city centre. There are between four and five services daily in each direction, and the trains are efficient and well-kept. There is no train connection from Stavanger northwards.
Operators
NSB (Norwegian Railways) (tel: 8150 0888, in Norway only or +47 6105 1910; www.nsb.no) operates all trains to and from Stavanger.
Journey times
From Oslo - 8 hours; Kristiansand - 3 hours.
Travel by boat
International ferries from Hirtshals in Denmark dock at the international ferry port on the west side of Stavanger’s main harbour.
Local ferries and Hurtigbåt (passenger express boats) mostly use the Fiskepiren terminal on the east side of the city centre. Both terminals are a brief and easy stroll from the main square, Torget.
Ferry operators
Stavanger’s only international ferry service, from Hirtshals in Denmark to Stavanger and Bergen, is run by Fjordline (tel: +47 5146 4099; www.fjordline.com).
