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Home - City Guide - Bergen - Getting Around | ||
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Getting Around Public Transport A travel information service operated by Rutetelefonen (tel: 5555 9070, from abroad or 177, within Bergen; fax: 5532 1283) provides advice on buses, ferries and speedboats (Monday to Saturday 0700-2300; Sunday 080-2300). The Rutetelefonen office, providing public transport maps, is at Strømgaten 8 (Monday to Friday 0700-1800 and Saturday 0700-1400). Buses within Bergen operate 0600-0000. The main bus operator is Gaia Trafikk (tel: 5559 3270, 24-hour information; website: www.gaiatrafikk.no). Services to outlying parts vary greatly, so it is best to check details before setting off. Bergen is divided into zones and bus tickets are priced accordingly: to travel through two zones, for example, costs NOK19. Night buses operate on Friday and Saturday nights until 0400 and are considerably more expensive, costing NOK50 to travel through two zones. The Bergen Card permits free bus travel within the city limits, free parking and free or discounted admittance to many of the city's attractions (see Sightseeing section). More than 20 ferries operate out of Bergen to outlying settlements around the fjords. These tend to be used by the locals, while the express catamaran run by Flaggruten (tel: 5523 8780; fax: 5532 1224; website: www.flaggruten.no) attracts the tourists. This company operates a number of services and day trips linking Bergen with other coastal towns and the Fjords. A passenger ferry crosses Bergen harbour from Dreggekaien to Munkebryggen, Monday to Friday 0710-1615 and costs NOK10 (concessions available). Taxis Some taxis are yellow while others look like any other private car, but all are identifiable by a sign on the roof. Taxis with an illuminated sign can be hailed on the street. All are registered and very safe. Meters indicate the fare but there is a small extra charge for luggage. Two taxi companies operate in the city: Bergen Taxi (tel: 5599 7010) and Norges Taxi (tel: 8100 1810). A short ride within the city costs around NOK55, but this varies between the two companies and according to time of day. Taxis cost more after 1500 and on weekend evenings. An additional charge of up to NOK20 is made for pre-booked trips. Limousines Centrum Bilutleie (Central Car Hire), Lars Hillesgate 20 (tel: 5532 0032; fax: 5521 2959), has a fleet of limousines. A ride from the airport to a hotel in the city centre costs around NOK1100, while a full day's hire costs NOK3500. Driving in the City A toll of NOK10, financing road improvement schemes, is levied on all vehicles entering Bergen Monday to Friday 0600-2200 (excluding public holidays). When driving beware of vehicles pulling out in front, from turnings on the right - Norway still operates a 'priority from the right' rule except on designated routes marked by yellow diamond signs. There are three indoor car parks close to the town centre. Bygarasjen, Vestre Strømkai (tel: 5556 8870), is open 24 hours, provides parking for 1500 cars and is a five-minute walk from the centre. The other two (short stay with limited opening hours), are Citypark, Markeveien 7 and Parkeringshuset, Rosenkrantzgaten 4. Car Hire Regulations about the age of the person hiring the car tend to differ between hire companies, but generally drivers must be over 21 years and have held a licence for a minimum of one year. The deposit must be paid with a credit card. Insurance is compulsory and is included in the cost of the car hire. Major providers include Avis, Lars Hillesgate 20 (tel: 5555 3955); fax: 5555 3950, website www.avis.no), Budget, Lodin Leppsgate 1 (tel: 5590 2615; fax: 5523 0191; website: www.budget.no). Europcar, Nygårdsgaten 59b (tel: 5536 7000; fax: 5536 7002; website: www.europcar.com), and Hertz, Nygårdsgaten 89 (tel: 5596 4070; fax: 5531 3191; website: www.hertz.no). Rates for a small car start at NOK700 per day including 200km (125 miles) free mileage, insurance and tax. Add an extra NOK200 per day for cars collected from the airport. Bicycle & Scooter hire Bicycle and scooter hire are not available in Bergen, it was tried, but was not a success. The hills are so steep that it is not an ideal location for cycling. |