Norway is served by 4 major airports including Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL). Budget airlines: Norwegian Air, Wizz Air, easyJet. Peak season: June to August. Best deals: May and September.
Norway is one of the more expensive European countries to fly to, but prices have become increasingly competitive thanks to Norwegian Air's expansion and the growth of Wizz Air on key routes. Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) is the main hub and home to SAS (Scandinavian Airlines), connecting Norway to most major European and North American cities. Bergen Airport serves as the gateway to the famous Norwegian fjords and is a popular destination in its own right.
Flying into Bergen and driving the famous fjord routes — Flåm, Hardangerfjord, Geirangerfjord — makes for one of Europe's most spectacular road trips. The fjord region is best explored by car, as public transport connections between fjord communities can be limited. Norwegian Air pioneered budget long-haul flying from the US to Oslo and Bergen, though the airline has scaled back significantly since the pandemic. Current best-value routes typically originate from London, Amsterdam, or Copenhagen.
Oslo Gardermoen Airport is one of Scandinavia's most modern airports, built for the 1998 Winter Olympics and continually expanded since. The terminal is spacious and efficient, with consistently short security wait times compared to other major European hubs. The Flytoget airport express train connects Oslo Airport to Oslo Central Station in just 19 minutes, running every 10 minutes throughout the day. SAS and Norwegian Air both use Oslo as their primary Norwegian hub, ensuring strong competition on most routes and reasonable fares for Northern Europe.
Bergen Airport Flesland sits on the coast just 18km from Bergen's UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf district. A light rail line connects the airport to the city center in 45 minutes, while buses take 30 minutes. Bergen is the undisputed gateway to fjord Norway — Hardangerfjord, Sognefjord, and the Flåm Railway are all within 2–3 hours by car. The airport receives direct flights from London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and other European cities, with Widerøe (Norway's regional airline) connecting Bergen to smaller airports along the coast and in the fjord region.
Stavanger and Trondheim airports serve Norway's oil capital and historic northern city respectively. Stavanger is well-connected due to the petroleum industry, with direct flights to London, Amsterdam, and Aberdeen. It's also the closest airport to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), one of Norway's most iconic hiking destinations. Trondheim Airport Værnes serves as the gateway to central Norway and the start of the coastal route north toward the Lofoten Islands — one of the world's great road trips. Both airports receive domestic flights from Oslo and Bergen multiple times daily.
Norway's length — over 1,700km from south to north — means that domestic flights are essential for covering large distances. The Tromsø, Bodø, and Lofoten airports in the far north are only practical to reach by air unless you have weeks to drive. However, for the popular fjord region in western Norway, driving from Bergen or Oslo is both feasible and rewarding. The best value strategy for reaching Norway is often to fly to a competing Scandinavian hub like Copenhagen or Stockholm and connect onward with SAS, Norwegian, or Wizz Air. Copenhagen to Oslo is a particularly competitive route with multiple daily frequencies and fares from €30 one-way.
Norway's geography makes flying not just convenient but often essential. The country stretches 1,700 km from south to north, with fjords and mountains making road and rail connections slow or nonexistent in the northern half. With 50+ airports serving just 5.5 million people, Norway's domestic network is one of Europe's most developed. International connections have improved with budget carriers entering the market. But Norway is expensive, and the interplay between airport choice, seasonal pricing, and Arctic flying challenges requires careful planning.
Midnight sun territory. North of the Arctic Circle (Bodo, Lofoten, Tromso, Nordkapp), the sun doesn't set at all from late May to mid-July. This is Norway's peak season — and with good reason. Fjord cruises, hiking, and road trips along the Atlantic Road and Lofoten archipelago are best experienced in near-endless daylight. Temperatures hit 15-25°C in the south and 10-18°C in the north. Flights to Bergen, Tromso, and Bodo peak in June-July, with fares 50-80% above shoulder season.
Northern Norway becomes the world's premier Northern Lights destination. Tromso is the aurora capital, with tour operators running nightly chases from November through March. The tradeoff: polar night means zero daylight in December-January north of the Arctic Circle. Southern Norway (Oslo, Bergen) gets 6-7 hours of pale winter light. Ski season runs December through April in resorts near Oslo, Lillehammer, and Trysil. Winter fares to Tromso spike during aurora season — particularly around Christmas and February school holidays.
September is Norway's best-kept secret. Autumn colors transform the fjord landscapes, summer crowds vanish, and fares drop 30-40%. The Northern Lights season begins in mid-September while you still get reasonable daylight hours — the best of both worlds. May brings spring to southern Norway, with fruit blossoms in Hardanger and snow still capping the mountains for dramatic contrast. Flights to Oslo and Bergen are cheapest in these months.
Oslo Gardermoen is Norway's primary international gateway, handling about 28 million passengers annually. It's the hub for SAS and Norwegian, with direct flights to most major European cities plus intercontinental routes to New York (Newark), Bangkok, Doha, and Dubai. The airport is modern, efficient, and well-organized — security rarely exceeds 15-20 minutes, and the domestic/international terminals are seamlessly connected.
Gardermoen sits 47 km north of Oslo, which sounds far but is well-connected:
Key tip: The Vy regional train is the best value by far. Buy tickets on the Vy app — it's cheaper than ticket machines and you can purchase while still on the plane after landing.
Ryanair and Wizz Air label Torp as "Oslo Torp," but it's located in Sandefjord, 110 km south of Oslo. The Torp Express bus takes 90-100 minutes to reach Oslo and costs about 280 NOK (24 euros) one-way. Factor in transfer costs and 3+ hours of travel time before comparing Torp fares to Gardermoen. Torp makes genuine sense if you're heading to the Vestfold coast, Telemark, or southern Norway — not if Oslo is your destination.
Bergen is the gateway to the fjords — Hardangerfjord, Sognefjord, and the Norway in a Nutshell route all start here. Flesland airport is 18 km south of Bergen's city center and handles a mix of domestic flights, European routes, and seasonal long-haul service.
International routes: SAS and Norwegian fly to Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Amsterdam. Ryanair connects Bergen to London Stansted (from 20 euros), Gdansk, and Kaunas. Wideroe operates regional routes to smaller Norwegian airports. In summer, seasonal routes open to Mediterranean destinations.
Getting to Bergen city center:
Bergen weather warning: Bergen is one of Europe's wettest cities, receiving over 2,200mm of rain annually. Fog-related delays and diversions happen regularly, particularly October through March. If you have a tight connection from Bergen, build in buffer time. Domestic connections within Norway (Bergen-Tromso, Bergen-Stavanger) are less affected than European flights by weather delays.
Tromso is the Arctic capital — the largest city in northern Norway, and the launch point for Northern Lights tours, Arctic wildlife expeditions, and Lofoten Islands access. Langnes airport is remarkably close to the city: just 5 km from the center, making it one of the most convenient airports in Scandinavia.
International routes: SAS flies to Oslo and Bodo year-round. Norwegian connects Tromso to Oslo and Bergen. Direct international routes are seasonal: London Gatwick (Norwegian, summer), and a handful of charter flights in aurora season. Most international travelers connect through Oslo.
Getting to Tromso city center:
Arctic flying note: Tromso operations are affected by winter weather — blizzards, icing, and strong winds can delay or cancel flights, particularly in December-January. Never book a tight same-day connection through Tromso in winter. Build in at least one overnight buffer if Tromso is a transit point to Lofoten or Nordkapp.
Norwegian is Norway's most important budget carrier, with the largest domestic network and growing European routes. Oslo to Bergen from 350 NOK (30 euros), Oslo to Tromso from 500 NOK (43 euros), Oslo to London Gatwick from 400 NOK (35 euros). The base "LowFare" ticket includes a small personal bag only; a cabin bag requires "LowFare+" at 150-300 NOK (13-26 euros) extra. Norwegian's domestic network is extensive: they fly to 15+ Norwegian airports.
SAS competes on every major Norwegian route. Their "SAS Go Light" fare includes an 8kg cabin bag and is price-competitive with Norwegian on many routes. Oslo to Copenhagen from 400 NOK (35 euros), Oslo to Stockholm from 350 NOK (30 euros), Oslo to Bergen from 400 NOK (35 euros). SAS Go Light doesn't include a checked bag, but the included cabin bag is more generous than Norwegian's or Ryanair's free tier. For Star Alliance frequent flyers, SAS EuroBonus points accumulate on all SAS flights.
Ryanair operates from Oslo Gardermoen and Torp with routes to southern and eastern Europe. Oslo to London Stansted from 150 NOK (13 euros), to Milan Bergamo from 200 NOK (17 euros), to Barcelona from 250 NOK (22 euros). Ryanair does not fly domestically within Norway — it's purely an international option.
Wizz Air has expanded aggressively in Norway with a base at Gardermoen. Routes to Gdansk from 150 NOK (13 euros), Budapest from 200 NOK (17 euros), Bucharest from 200 NOK (17 euros), Tirana from 250 NOK (22 euros). For eastern European destinations, Wizz Air typically offers the lowest fares from Norway.
Wideroe is Norway's regional specialist — a small airline flying turboprops to 40+ airports across Norway, many of them tiny strips along the coast and in the mountains. They operate the essential Bodo-Lofoten routes (Leknes, Svolvaer) and connect remote Arctic communities that have no other transport links. Fares are relatively expensive (Bodo to Leknes from 600 NOK / 52 euros for a 25-minute flight), but Wideroe offers an "Explore Norway" ticket — unlimited domestic flights for a flat rate per period — which is extraordinary value for multi-stop trips. Check wideroe.no for current availability.
For domestic Norwegian flights, book 4-8 weeks ahead. Both Norwegian and SAS release promotional domestic fares periodically — sign up for their newsletters. Last-minute domestic flights in Norway are shockingly expensive (500-1,500 NOK even for short hops), so advance booking is critical.
For international flights to/from Norway, the sweet spot is 6-10 weeks before departure for European routes, 3-5 months for intercontinental. SAS runs transatlantic sales in January and September, with Oslo-New York round-trips dropping to 3,000-4,000 NOK (260-345 euros) during promotions.
Norway is 40-60% more expensive than the European average for food, drink, and transport. A basic restaurant meal costs 180-250 NOK (16-22 euros), a pint of beer 90-110 NOK (8-10 euros), and a coffee 45-55 NOK (4-5 euros). Budget flights are meaningless without budgeting for Norway's ground costs. Grocery stores (Rema 1000, Kiwi, Coop Prix) are your friend — Norwegian supermarket food is good quality and relatively affordable compared to eating out.
As detailed above, "Oslo Torp" is 110 km from Oslo. The bus transfer costs 280 NOK (24 euros) each way, totaling 560 NOK (48 euros) round-trip. Add 3-4 hours of travel time. A 200 NOK Ryanair fare from Torp costs 760 NOK all-in before you even reach Oslo. Compare honestly against a 400 NOK Norwegian flight from Gardermoen with a 115 NOK train to the city center — the Gardermoen option is often cheaper and always faster.
Do not underestimate Norwegian winter roads. Oslo-Bergen takes 7-8 hours in summer but 10-12 in winter — or closes entirely for mountain pass snowstorms. Northern roads mean hours in darkness on icy single lanes. In winter, fly domestically. The one-hour Oslo-Bergen flight beats a treacherous mountain crossing every time.
Norwegian domestic flights have a strict 23kg checked bag limit enforced at check-in counters and sometimes at drop-off points. Overweight charges are punitive: typically 75 NOK per extra kilogram. SAS is similar. If you're bringing outdoor gear (hiking boots, ski equipment), weigh your bag before leaving home.
Norway's mix of carriers creates distinct luggage scenarios:
Norway-specific tip: Winter Northern Lights trips require bulky warm clothing that doesn't compress well. Consider buying a checked bag for the outbound flight and wearing your bulkiest gear on the return. Tromso has excellent outdoor shops (Stormberg, XXL) where you can buy quality gear at fair Nordic prices.
The most efficient Norway itinerary flies into one city and out of another, traveling north or south between them. The best version: fly into Bergen, take the Norway in a Nutshell route to Flam and the Sognefjord, train to Oslo, fly home from Oslo. This covers fjords and city in one trip with zero backtracking. One-way fares on Norwegian and SAS make open-jaw bookings cost-neutral.
For aurora chasers: fly into Oslo, connect to Tromso, spend 3-4 nights, fly to the Lofoten Islands (via Bodo or direct to Leknes/Svolvaer on Wideroe), then return via Bodo or Tromso. Book domestic connections on separate tickets but leave buffer days — winter weather in Arctic Norway disrupts schedules regularly. The Tromso-Lofoten routing is spectacular and puts you in two of Europe's most dramatic landscapes.
Norway combines naturally with Sweden and Denmark. An efficient three-country route: fly into Copenhagen, train to Gothenburg and Oslo (scenic route), fly Oslo to Bergen, fly Bergen home. The Copenhagen-Oslo leg can also be flown for 30-50 euros on SAS or Norwegian, but the train through Sweden is one of Scandinavia's great rail journeys.
Alternatively, fly into Stockholm, fly to Tromso for Northern Lights, fly to Oslo, train to Bergen, fly home from Bergen. Each inter-city flight costs 300-600 NOK (26-52 euros) on budget carriers, and the total multi-city routing adds surprisingly little versus a simple round-trip to Oslo.
Norway's coastal steamer, the Hurtigruten, sails Bergen to Kirkenes in 6 days, stopping at 34 ports including Tromso, Lofoten, and Hammerfest. Fly into Bergen, sail north, fly home from Tromso. Port-to-port legs start from 800 NOK — not budget, but a unique coastal experience no flight replicates.
Reaching Lofoten requires planning. The main options: fly via Bodo (BOO) and connect on Wideroe to Leknes (LKN) or Svolvaer (SVJ) — 25-minute flights over stunning scenery — or take the Bodo-Moskenes ferry (3.5 hours, about 300 NOK per person). From Tromso, you can drive south via the E6 and E10 in 5-6 hours (longer in winter), or fly to Svolvaer if Wideroe has availability. Book Lofoten flights early — frequencies are limited and summer sells out fast.
Budget tip: Wideroe's Explore Norway ticket allows unlimited domestic flights for a fixed period. For a multi-stop trip hitting Oslo, Bergen, Tromso, and Lofoten, it can save 50-70% versus individual bookings.
Secret fare tricks and best booking windows for flights to Norway — free in your inbox.
Average round-trip airfares to Norway vary significantly by season. Book during low-demand months to save up to 50%.
| Months | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| June–August | $500–850 | High |
| May | $380–580 | Medium |
| September | $350–560 | Medium |
| October–November | $280–450 | Low |
| January–March (Northern Lights) | $300–500 | Medium |
| December | $380–600 | Medium |
| Code | Airport | City |
|---|---|---|
| OSL | Oslo Gardermoen Airport | Oslo |
| BGO | Bergen Airport Flesland | Bergen |
| SVG | Stavanger Airport Sola | Stavanger |
| TRD | Trondheim Airport Værnes | Trondheim |
Transit tips: SAS and Norwegian operate connecting hubs. Minimum connection time is 45 minutes domestic-to-domestic, 60 minutes for international connections. The airport is compact enough for quick transfers. Transfer desks available in the main terminal.
Getting to the city: Flytoget express train to Oslo S (Central Station) in 19 minutes (NOK 220/~€19). NSB local trains take 23 minutes (NOK 116/~€10). Flybussen bus takes 40–50 minutes (NOK 199/~€17). Taxis cost NOK 700–900 (~€60–78).
Transit tips: Widerøe operates regional connections to smaller Norwegian airports (Florø, Førde, Sogndal). If connecting to fjord-region flights, minimum connection time is 45 minutes. Most travelers rent cars rather than connect to domestic flights.
Getting to the city: Bybanen light rail to Bergen city center in 45 minutes (NOK 43/~€4). Flybussen bus to Bergen Bus Station in 30 minutes (NOK 155/~€13). Taxis cost NOK 400–500 (~€35–44). Car rental desks at arrivals.
Transit tips: No significant connecting traffic. Stavanger is primarily point-to-point. Domestic flights to Oslo and Bergen run multiple times daily with SAS and Norwegian.
Getting to the city: Flybussen to Stavanger city center in 25 minutes (NOK 139/~€12). Local bus to Stavanger takes 30 minutes. Taxis cost NOK 350–450 (~€30–39). For Preikestolen, rent a car — the trailhead is 1 hour from the airport.
Fly during shoulder season (May and September) to save 30-50% on airfare to Norway compared to peak season prices.
Flying isn't always the best option for getting around Norway. Here are the alternatives:
For southern Norway (Oslo–Bergen–Stavanger triangle), trains are scenic and practical alternatives to flying. The Bergen Railway is a tourist attraction in itself. For distances beyond Bergen northward, flying is strongly recommended — Trondheim to Tromsø is 1.5 hours by air versus 20+ hours by road. Norway's vast distances make domestic flights essential for northern exploration.
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Data and regulations verified against official sources. Last checked 2026-04-27.
Fly via Copenhagen to Oslo or Bergen for savings of 100 to 200 EUR versus direct transatlantic routes.
Copenhagen to Oslo and Copenhagen to Bergen are among Scandinavia's most competitive routes, with SAS, Norwegian, and Wizz Air offering one-way fares from 30 EUR. Flying to Copenhagen first on a budget transatlantic fare and connecting onward to Norway often saves 100 to 200 EUR compared to direct US-to-Norway tickets. The connection adds only 1 to 2 hours to total travel time.
Book Bergen summer flights 3 to 4 months ahead due to limited runway capacity and high fjord tourism demand.
Bergen Airport has restricted capacity compared to Oslo, and the western Norway fjord tourism boom has pushed summer demand to record levels. Direct routes from London and Amsterdam fill quickly, with a London-to-Bergen return averaging 120 GBP booked 3 months ahead versus 220 GBP at 4 weeks notice. June through August is fjord peak season, and Bergen is the only major airport serving the region.
Target September for Northern Norway with aurora beginning, autumn colors, and fares 30 to 40 percent below summer.
September in Tromso and Lofoten offers the first Northern Lights of the season, spectacular autumn foliage, and warm enough weather for hiking and outdoor activities. Fares to northern Norwegian airports average 30 to 40 percent less than June through August peak. Norwegian Air and SAS operate domestic routes from Oslo to Tromso and Bodo for one-way fares from NOK 299 when booked in advance.
Bergen (BGO) is the closer gateway to the main fjord region and often has comparable fares to Oslo. However, Oslo (OSL) usually has more flights and options, and driving from Oslo to the fjords via Hardangerfjord is a beautiful 4–5 hour journey.
Norway is part of the Schengen Area but not the EU. Citizens of visa-exempt countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia can enter without a visa for up to 90 days. ETIAS registration will be required from 2026.
January–March and October–November offer the lowest fares. The midnight sun season (June–August) is peak travel time with premium prices. September is a good compromise with autumn colors and fewer crowds.
SAS and United fly New York to Oslo direct. Norwegian Air previously offered budget transatlantic flights but has scaled back. Most US travelers connect via London or Copenhagen, where SAS has strong feeder connections.
October through November offers the lowest airfares to Norway, with round-trip tickets from the US averaging $280 to $450 and budget carrier one-way fares from the UK starting from 25 GBP on Norwegian and easyJet. January through March is also affordable, though Northern Lights tourism keeps some Tromso fares elevated in that period. For the absolute cheapest fares, target midweek flights in late October or November when both summer and winter peak seasons have ended.
From the US, round-trip fares to Oslo average $280 to $450 in low season, $380 to $580 in spring, and $500 to $850 in peak summer. SAS operates the most direct US routes. From the UK, Norwegian and easyJet offer one-way fares from 30 GBP to Oslo and Bergen in low season, rising to 80 to 160 GBP in summer. Bergen fares typically run 10 to 20 percent higher than Oslo due to the fjord tourism premium and less airline competition.
For summer fjord travel in June through August, book 3 to 4 months ahead as Bergen and northern Norwegian airports have limited capacity. Northern Lights trips to Tromso in January through March should be booked by October. Oslo flights have more year-round availability and can be secured 4 to 6 weeks ahead. Norwegian Air and SAS release seasonal schedules 6 to 8 months ahead, and the earliest bookers capture the best minipris domestic fares from NOK 249.
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