This is the eleventh of a series which takes a look at the cultural differences you may experience when living in Norway.
Walking
Stavanger is a very small 
city and if you live in the city or around the city (for example in Bergsted, Våland, Eiganes, Stokka, Storhaug, etc), walking there takes only about 10 to 20 minutes. It is generally safe to walk on the streets in Stavanger and there are no specific streets that should be avoided. The only exception is on weekend nights, where ladies should try not to walk the streets alone. There have been cases of molest and rape in the last 2 years.
Be sure to be prepared for the weather – you may experience 4 seasons in one day! See our article on Winter Clothing and Layering for Outdoor Activities.
Bicycling
Stavanger is a very 
bicycle-friendly city. There are many well-marked cyclist lanes along the roads and a well-connected network of cyclist routes. Drivers of cars are usually very attentive to cyclists. Of course, do not forget to put on your reflective vest or jacket if you are out cycling in the dark.
Cycle map of Stavanger, Sandnes, Sola and Randaberg here.
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration advises that everyone should wear a helmet when cycling in Norway, however it is not obligatory by law to wear one. You should wear a helmet to prevent head injuries, should you fall off your bike. For tourist information regarding cycling, click on the following link to Visit Norway.
Within Norway, you can take your bicycle with you on most trains.You will need to load it onto the train yourself and put it in the area allocated to cycles. On-board personnel will be able to help you to embark and disembark, if required.
NSB Regiontog (inter-city trains)
Trains on which you can reserve a space for a bicycle are marked with a bicycle symbol in the timetable. You should always make a reservation for your bicycle well in advance of your journey and in any event before boarding. We recommend you do this when you make your own ticket reservation. Reservations for bicycles can only be made in Norway. Phone the NSB Call Centre on +47 815 00 888 or go to a manned station. If you are having difficulties getting though using this phone number, please use the following: +47 23 15 15 15.
The Rallar Road (Rallarvegen, the Navvies’ Road) on the Bergen Railway
In summer, the Rallar Road between Haugastøl-Finse-Myrdal-Flåm is very busy with cyclists. Extra trains are laid on to carry bicycles and cyclists up to and down from the route. You can accompany your bicycle on the train or have it carried separately and delivered to you.
It costs NOK 150 to transport your bike on the Bergen Railway and NOK 80 on the Flåm Railway. Remember to buy a bicycle ticket in advance.
The Flåm Railway
During the summer season, there are 9 -10 daily departures on the Flåm Railway. Bicycles are carried on all trains between Flåm and Myrdal. Note that you cannot reserve a space for your bicycle on this service and capacity is limited.
NSB Lokaltog (commuter network)
On these services, bicycles can be carried when space permits. Reservations are not possible.
Bicycles out of/into Norway
You can take your bicycle with you to Gothenburg in Sweden on NSB Regiontog (inter-city) daytime services.
You can obtain brochures on cycling from the Stavanger Tourist Office.
Cycling holidays in Norway
Driving
Norway adopts right side driving, 
that is to say the steering wheel is on the left and drivers drive on the right side of the road. Driving in Stavanger is easy as traffic is pretty light and drivers are generally very courteous. The only daunting issues might be the priority road rule (roads not marked with a priority sign or yellow diamond mean drivers must give way to traffic on the right), the roundabouts (if you are not used to them) and the many slopes.
The speed limit is indicated in kilometers per hour. The general speed limit is 80kmh in the country side, and 50 kmh in urban areas/towns.
The driver coming from your right at an intersection always has the right of way, unless the road you are driving on is a priority road, that is, it is marked with a yellow diamond-shaped sign.
Roundabouts are commonly used in Norway instead of 4-way stop sign intersections. You must yield to cars from your left. Use your turning signal to indicate your intention to exit the circle.
Use your car horn only in case of emergency.
Headlights are mandatory even during daylight.
Norwegian laws regarding drinking and driving are the strictest. The allowable blood-alcohol content while driving is so low (anything over 0.02 per cent) that even one glass of wine or beer can put a driver over the legal limit. Police often set up alcohol checkpoints along the road and give breathanalyser tests to all drivers; during the holiday season, they may set up check points early Saturday or Sunday morning. Driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable by at least 1 day in jail and a heavy fine and the loss of the driver’s license. It is better to just not ever drink and drive!
For more information read: Norwegian Traffic Rules in English, Converting Your Driver’s License and Road Trips in Norway.
Public Transport
Express buses
These services cover all the main towns in Norway and the main roads in between. Express buses in Norway are very comfortable with plenty of legroom and on board WCs, and there is usually free coffee available . The huge windows enable you to fully appreciate the stunning scenery. The times of all express buses can be found here. Times of airport buses can also be found there. Seat reservations are not required (except for large groups) as one of the principals of the express bus travel in Norway is that you are always guaranteed a seat.
Local buses
Kolumbus
Kolumbus is a public transport company in Rogaland county. Areas they operate in are Stavanger, Haugesund, the Fjords, Dalane and Jæren. Check out the website for information on what buses go where. The route planner on the site is very easy to use – simply key in your departure address and destination address, date and time and the planner will tell you which bus/es to board.
Bus fees vary according to how many zones you travel. See zone map here. See prices here. Day and monthly passes are also available.
Buses are modern and most have areas for wheelchairs and baby carriages.
You can also find information on boats/ferries on this website.
Trains
Norges Statsbaner (NSB) – one of Norway’s most important transport companies, with traditions going back to the opening of the first railway in Norway in 1854. NSB operates all railways in Norway. Find out where the trains travel to here. The NSB website is an easy-to-navigate website and gives you all the information you require. Book your train tickets on the site or buy them at the train station.
Boats
Check Tide and Kolumbus for ferry schedules from Stavanger to other destinations.
Taxis
You can call for a taxi from 51 90 90 00. Note that the minimum fare on weekdays is 100NOK and on weekends it is 125NOK, even if you travel only 200m in the taxi.
Sola Airport
The Sola Airport is well connected to many cities. Check out all the airlines which travel to and from Sola Airport here. Taking the bus to the airport? Check schedules and fees here.
See entire Culture Shock Norway series here.
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About Cynthia Myrnes
Cynthia is a Singaporean who has been living in Stavanger since Feb 2008 with her Norwegian husband. She works as a physiotherapist here and also owns her own petsitting service, Stavanger Petsitter, for the residents of Stavanger. In addition, she manages the Stavanger International Moms group. She loves hanging out with friends, spending time with animals, travelling and watersports such as scuba diving and wake boarding. Most of all, she is enjoying the experience of being a first time mom!
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3 comments
Lani Cantor
Oct 5, 2010
I have had good and bad luck with the buses. They are usually clean and easy to use, especially the kolumbus route planner. They don’t seem to always come on time so be prepared and give yourself extra time for the bus!
I do know that buses can not turn down wheelchairs, they have to make space for wheelchair passengers. Do you know if it costs to take your bike on the bus?
Lani Cantor
Oct 5, 2010
I also took the bus to bergen and it was very clean and comfortable. The reason I took the bus was because I was given the wrong ferry departure time when I called Tide. Double check your schedules! I took the ferry on the way back to Stavanger and it was a lot more expensive but great to see the coastline, its really beautiful.
Cynthia
Oct 5, 2010
It costs 13 NOK (or the child ticket price) to bring a bicycle onboard the bus. However this seems to vary from driver to driver – some drivers let you take your bikes on the bus for free. Also, note that the ability to take your bike on the bus depends if the midsection of the bus has space for it.
I agree with you, Lani, about buses not coming on time. Also, be sure to check the fine print – the bus you’re waiting for may not be plying that route during certain periods! ( such as Easter, summer, Christmas)