Does anyone have information about the Ferry from Bergen to Balestrand, Norway. We will be staying in Bergen a few days I August and want to travel to Balestrand the quickest way. Thanks,
S.
You don't mention what kind of information you're looking for, but you can probably find it at www.norled.no
Last summer there were two daily departures from Bergen: 8am and 4:30pm, arriving about 4 hours later in Balestrand. On Saturdays the 4:30 departure was shifted to 2:15pm.
Didn’t see next year’s schedules posted yet but I would imagine something similar. I haven’t noticed any major changes to the schedule in the years since I was there.
That's what some guidebooks call the "express boat". Aside from a rental car, that seems the best option, since Balestrand is on the north side of the Sognefjord and the rail line (and Flamsbana) are on the south side. In case you aren't aware, the express boat doesn't go into the Naeroyfjord, which is the really scenic, narrow part.
We stayed a night in Balestrand and took the fast ferry from the next day to Bergen. Yes, it's the fastest way to get to Bergen or go there to Balestrand. While you will miss some very scenic areas on this fast boat ride (was it 4 hours, I think?), we still felt the sights were lovely on our journey. I'm not sure how long you are staying in Balestrand, but there is not much to do there and a very small number of places to eat. We enjoyed our one-night stay, but I wouldn't personally see the need to stay any longer here.