Our son is moving to Stavanger. We would like to make day trips from there to other areas of Norway but it looks like the roads are not the easiest way to travel. What about cruises? Anyone done a rail trip in Norway? Or a bus trip?
Posted by
Berlin
2996 posts
Around Stavanger roads are OK. Or what do you mean?
By car the two scenic routes Jæren and Ryfylke are options.
You can do day trips by public transport ferries. Check www.kolumbus.no
A nice destination is Lysefjord by ferry to Lysebotn. If you are fit for a moderate hike you can also visit Preikestolen.
Posted by
OP
38 posts
Well, I notice that most of the routes going from Oslo to Stavanger are along the coast. It looks like it takes 10 hours to drive from Stavanger to Oslo and trains and buses are almost the same. My son and family will be living in Stavanger and we were just hoping we could do some day trips and still visit family in the evening. There is no reason we can't leave for 2-3 days and then return. We aren't sure yet whether we will be staying with our family or in a hotel. If it's a hotel, it's not a big deal. However, we don't want to impose on our daughter-in-law too much. We are 'Rick Steves' travelers but we've never done foreign travel while seeing family.
Posted by
OP
38 posts
And OMG! The links you gave us are WONDERFUL! Thank you! I hadn't seen those yet. Well, the ferries I had, but not the drives. Thank you!
Posted by
Berlin
2996 posts
From Oslo you can also drive the E134 which is also a vry scenic route. If you do that plus a little detour you can drive also a route which is to me more scenic than one or the other official scenic route; it leads from Skien to Rjukan and includes a lot of sights and attractions.
When do you plan to travel (date)? Maybe I can add two or three ideas.
Posted by
OP
38 posts
Thank you! I think I will probably be there in August and/or September.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
"It looks like it takes 10 hours to drive from Stavanger to Oslo and trains and buses are almost the same"
Yes, due to the fact that so much of Norway is mountains and fjords, land travel is time-consuming. Lovely, but time-consuming. So, flights are more useful than you would first think, and people use more flights and fewer trains than in other European countries. The flights are not always expensive, either, as SAS, Norwegian Air, and Finnair (plus their subsidiaries) compete on many routes.
If you do want to go further afield than trains, buses, cars, or boats will take you in the time you have, look at Skyscanner for flight options: https://www.skyscanner.com/
Posted by
Berlin
2996 posts
"August and/or September"
Two more tips:
- Trip by ferry to Bergen from Stavanger (plus overnight) or stay at least a full day in Bergen
- Haugesund can be visited by bus
Posted by
OP
38 posts
Thank you! Yes, it helps tremendously to realize that roads are not necessarily a good option. We usually LOVE rail travel in Europe and are ok with motor coaches too. Will be leaving shortly for a 3-week rail trip in Czech Republic and Austria.
Thank you for all your suggestions. It helps in seeing into the future.