Bergen, Norway, 2018

Trip

I spent about a week in Bergen, Norway in April, 2018. 

The flight to Bergen was via Amsterdam yet there was not enough time between the flights to explore the lounges at Schiphol airport.

KLM's Cityhopper was nice and clean, good enough for those relatively short flights on the continent (< 3 hours).

Bergen's airport, Flesland, was very good indeed - perfectly organized, virtually no waiting for the luggage reclaim. Once out of the building, taxis are queuing and you do not need to worry which one you should take, just get the first in line. No illegal cars, everything is straightforward. Prices though are something different, but I will discuss those a little later.

Accommodation

I stayed at the Scandic Bergen City Hotel which is nothing special yet clean and in the very centre of the city. The only downside I can think of was the repair of the hotel lift which took some time and caused trouble but I would be a fool to complain about this.

Weather

I had prepared for much colder weather but to my surprise a light jacket and a shirt did the job just right for me. Yet it is worth noting that local people said it was not typical weather even during spring - typically it is colder and with plenty of rain.

Is it safe?

Absolutely.

General Impressions

The city itself is very impressive, mostly due to the quality of the infrastructure. All roads are just perfect, including the many tunnels on the way to Bergen - asphalt looks as if it was laid yesterday, ventilation and lights to the highest standards. Road signs do their job just right - they are there where and when you need them and give you just the right information. Text in English is available everywhere.

When you enter the central part of the city, asphalt is gone. It's all stone. Cobbled roads are levelled to perfection and I would not exaggerate if I say you can skate on them. The sidewalks are on the same level and again - made of high quality stone. To sum it up: if you were a mother pushing a stroller you would think you were in paradise.

Prices are tough though. If you are on a budget, you would better off find a fast food like McDonalds (2 EUR for a cheeseburger). Visiting a restaurant would be a 100 to 200 EUR per person even if you stay a little hungry. The cheapest beer I could find in the hotel was 9 EUR. Taxis - very expensive. Several hundred euros for most destinations.

The scenery is very picturesque as you can imagine. Apart from the winding roads along the fiords coast line, the city itself is no less appealing to the eye.

Cash or CC?

Apart from the UK, Norway has so far been the only other country where I was able to pay by credit card everywhere - I did not even see the local currency (NOC) as even all taxis accept CC payments.

Is water drinkable?

Yes. Perfectly safe and it is a real pleasure drinking it - fresh and straight from the mountains. Bottled water available everywhere, mind the prices though.


Vaccines?

None that would be required, yet please follow the disclaimer that it depends on where you come from and you must seek professional advice from a qualified professional.


Electrical plugs

Type C:

Type F:

I hope you find some of the above information useful.

Have a safe flight!