Flights to Norway: Complete Guide

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.

Seasonal Price Guide

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

Major Airports

Code	Airport	City
OSL	Oslo Gardermoen Airport	Oslo
BGO	Bergen Airport Flesland	Bergen
SVG	Stavanger Airport Sola	Stavanger
TRD	Trondheim Airport Værnes	Trondheim

Airport Details

OSL — Terminal Info

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).

BGO — Terminal Info

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.

SVG — Terminal Info

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.

Booking Tips

1. Fly via Copenhagen for budget access — Copenhagen to Oslo/Bergen is one of Scandinavia's most competitive routes, with fares from €30. Flying to Copenhagen first and connecting can save €100–200 versus direct transatlantic flights to Norway.
2. Book Bergen summer flights early — Bergen has limited runway capacity and high demand in June–August. Direct routes from London and Amsterdam fill up quickly — book 3–4 months ahead for the best prices.
3. Consider one-way domestic flights — Norwegian Air and SAS offer one-way domestic flights from NOK 299 (~€26). Fly into Bergen and out of Oslo (or reverse) to see both the fjords and the capital without backtracking.
4. Use Wizz Air for Eastern European origins — Wizz Air has expanded aggressively into Oslo and Bergen from Eastern European cities. If departing from Poland, Romania, or the Baltics, Wizz Air often has the cheapest fares to Norway.
5. Target September for Northern Norway — September in Tromsø and Lofoten offers Northern Lights beginning, autumn colors, and fares 30–40% below summer peak. Weather is still mild enough for hiking and outdoor activities.

Getting Around Norway

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to fly to Oslo or Bergen for the Norwegian fjords?

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.

Do I need a Schengen visa for Norway?

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.

When is Norway cheapest to visit?

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.

Are there direct flights from the US to Norway?

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.