Europe > Norway > Bergen (BGO)
The Car or no Car advice for Bergen can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Bergen ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Bergen ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Bergen?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🚶 Why You Don’t Need a Car in Central Bergen
Bryggen, the Fish Market, the funicular, museums, and cafés are all walkable.
The waterfront is flat and easy to explore.
Even hillside neighbourhoods sit close to the city centre.
➡ In short: no car needed for Bergen centre.
🚴 Cycling in Bergen Is Growing — Especially E-Bikes
Cycling is increasingly popular.
The city now has:
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Shared bikes
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E-bike rentals
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New lanes in central districts
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Waterfront paths
E-bikes make hills easier, and they’re perfect for:
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Fjord viewpoints
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The harbourfront
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Mount Fløyen’s cycling routes
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Short trips between districts
However, Bergen is rainy, and weather changes fast.
A waterproof jacket is essential.
➡ Cycling is a brilliant, car-free way to explore.
🚶♀️🚴 Fjøsanger Tunnel: Bergen’s Walking & Cycling Shortcut Through the Mountain
One of Bergen’s most surprising features is the Fjøsanger pedestrian and cycling tunnel, which runs parallel to part of the city’s Bybanen tram route. This long, beautifully engineered tunnel cuts straight through a mountain, giving locals and visitors a fast, flat, and weather-proof way to move between neighbourhoods. What makes it so appealing is the consistently shallow gradient — a rarity in a city famous for steep hills — which means walkers, joggers, and cyclists can travel smoothly without battling constant climbs.
🌡️ A Year-Round 7°C Microclimate
The tunnel stays at roughly 7°C all year round, regardless of Bergen’s famously rainy weather. This stable temperature makes it a favourite commuter route in winter, a cool escape in summer, and a reliable option for anyone who wants to explore the city car-free. Visitors enjoy it because it feels like a secret passageway: one moment you’re inside a glowing, well-lit tunnel, the next you’re back outside beside the tram line, having saved a surprising amount of time and effort. Combined with the Bybanen’s sleek, modern stations, the tunnel reinforces Bergen’s reputation as one of Europe’s most walkable and cycle-friendly small cities — rain or shine. 🌧️🚴
🚆 Bybanen + Buses Cover Everything Else
The Bybanen light rail links:
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The airport
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Flesland
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Several major districts
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The city centre
Buses reach the rest of Bergen quickly.
➡ Transit replaces the need for driving.
🚢 Ferries Handle the Fjords Beautifully
Ferries and express boats reach:
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Hardangerfjord
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Sognefjord
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Island communities
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Coastal villages
They provide classic fjord scenery without any driving.
➡ Perfect for day trips and longer adventures.
🚗 When Renting a Car Helps
A car helps if you want to explore:
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Small fjord villages
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Remote waterfalls
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Scenic mountain passes
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Multi-stop photography days
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Areas not served by ferries or buses
➡ Deeper fjordland touring becomes easier by car.
🧭 Quick Decision Table
| Plan in Bergen | Car Needed? |
|---|---|
| Staying in the city | ❌ No |
| Using Bybanen + buses | ❌ No |
| Cycling locally or to viewpoints | ❌ No |
| Ferry-based fjord trips | ❌ No |
| Remote villages or hidden waterfalls | ❔ Optional |
| Full fjord-and-mountain road trip | ✅ Yes |
🎯 Conclusion: Should You Rent a Car in Bergen?
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❌ Skip the car if you want a city break with cycling, ferries, and easy transit. Bergen is built for car-free travel.
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❔ Consider renting a car if you want to explore remote corners of fjord country, where buses are rare and routes spread out.
In the end…
Bergen is one of Norway’s easiest cities to enjoy without a car — and exploring it by e-bike or ferry is half the fun.
