If you’re here, it’s because you’re planning a trip to Bergen, and very quickly the same question comes up: where can I rent a car to discover the Bergen area?
Bergen is a city apart in Norway. Surrounded by mountains, bordered by the sea and an ideal departure point for some of the country’s most beautiful fjords, it quickly makes you want to hit the road.
In this guide, we share everything you need to know to rent a car in Bergen without making a mistake, avoid unpleasant surprises and enjoy the region to the full.
Why rent a car in Bergen?
Bergen is best visited without a car. We talk about it in detail in our article on what to do in Bergen.
On the other hand, the fjords around Bergen, the Aurlandsfjellet scenic route (north of the city of Bergen) and numerous hikes including Trolltunga are not easily accessible by public transport.
What’s more, as you’ll see, the weather around Bergen is extremely changeable, and it even has the reputation of being one of the rainiest cities in Norway. Being able to adapt your itinerary at the last minute makes a real difference.
We’re telling you about it, because that’s what happened to us. On the day we’d planned to visit the Aurlandsfellet scenic route, we woke up to overcast skies and persistent rain – clearly, we wouldn’t have seen a thing from the various viewpoints along the way. So we took the opportunity to rest in our apartment. Then, in the early afternoon, the skies cleared without warning and we took the opportunity to hit the road.
👉 To sum up: as is often the case, the car offers total freedom. Find out more about our itinerary for your road trip around Bergen in our dedicated article.
Where to rent a car in Bergen
Rent a car at Bergen (Flesland) airport
Renting a car at Bergen airport is the easiest and most economical solution. Bergen Flesland Airport is home to most of the major agencies, with long opening hours and a wide choice of vehicles.
Bergen Airport is the perfect place to start your road trip in Norway.
Why rent directly from Bergen airport?
- easy return before the return flight
- more choice of vehicles
- prices are generally lower than in the city center, every time we travel we take the time to compare, and the lowest car rental prices are almost always at the airport.
- immediate recovery on arrival
Rent a car in the city center
It’s also possible to rent a car in central Bergen, especially if you’re planning to visit the city for several days before hitting the road. Beware, however: parking is expensive and highly regulated, which can quickly become restrictive.
📍 Bergen is also very well located:
- Between 2 of the country’s largest fjords (Sognefjord 30 minutes away and Hardangerfjord 1h30 away)
- The Aurlandsfellet scenic route north of Bergen offers breathtaking views, especially from the Stegastein viewpoint, where a footbridge has been built to enjoy a sublime view of theAurlandsfjord.
- Numerous cascasdes and hikes nearby, including Trolltunga
When to rent a car in Bergen
High season: June to September
💡 Summer is the most popular period. A key tip: book as early as possible, as the tourist season is very short in Norway.
High season:
- strong pressure on availability
- rapidly rising prices
- some models disappear quickly
Off-season and winter
Out of season, prices are lower, but choice is sometimes limited. In winter, driving requires more anticipation, and snow tires are mandatory. We talk about this in more detail in our article on Bergen in winter.
Which is the best car rental company in Bergen?
Rather than relying on a name, we prefer to be honest. The best solution is to compare offers to check what’s really included: deductible, coverage, conditions.
For our part, we systematically use DiscoverCars, a car rental comparator that makes it easy to compare offers from numerous local and international agencies, all in one place.
With just a few clicks, this comparator allows us to :
- compare local and international agencies such as Sixt, Hertz, Avis…
- check insurance, deductibles and conditions
- avoid unpleasant surprises at the counter thanks to our many reviews
We always advise you to compare the final price with insurance, not the basic rate shown.
How much does a car rental in Bergen cost?
The car rental budget in Bergen varies enormously depending on the season and the time of booking. It’s still a budget to think about, as you won’t find a car for just a few euros a day as you might in other destinations.
The average cost is :
- 🚗 €50 to €100 per day in summer
- ❄️ cheaper out of season
- 💰 large differences depending on agency and location
For example, here is a simulation for 6 days in June:
- Electric car: with Thrifty agency 50€ / day
- Classic car: with Hertz, at less than €80 / day
Electric cars come first. If you’d like to go for a classic or hydropower model, simply scroll down.
Insurance: what you really need to check in Norway
The roads around Bergen are in good condition, but there are some peculiarities worth noting:
- narrow roads
- numerous tunnels
- gravel on some sections
Before booking, it’s best to check:
- the amount of the deductible
- tire and glass coverage
- exclusions on unpaved roads
Using the insurance comparator allows you to see this information in black and white, without having to scrutinize every agency website.
💡 O ur advice: take the DiscoverCars full coverage (around €8 per day). may seem like an extra cost at the time of booking (it’s sometimes higher than the rental price), but it’s above all a way of traveling with peace of mind. A simple impact on the windshield or a small fender-bender can quickly become costly, and this kind of detail can ruin a trip.
It’s often far less expensive than over-the-counter insurance, covering up to several thousand euros in costs.
What type of car to rent in Bergen
Small car, SUV or 4×4?
Contrary to what we might have thought before our departure, a 4×4 is not essential for driving in Norway. We really do recommend a compact car, as the roads are often narrow and winding, and crossing with the many buses and campers was a bit sporty for us at times.
And another point is that parking lots (at viewpoints, hiking trails, etc.) are generally very tight.
An SUV brings a little more comfort and a bigger boot, which can be a good thing if you’re loaded. As we all know, it’s not easy to go to Norway with little luggage, as you have to expect all 4 seasons in a single day.
And in winter?
All rental cars are equipped with winter tires.
Electric cars in Bergen: good or bad idea?
Norway is way ahead of the game when it comes to electric vehicles (as you’ll see), and Bergen is no exception. There are plenty of milestones in town, and fewer in the fjords.
Electric cars are generally much more affordable because they are less expensive to lease.
If you’re used to electric vehicles and charging stations, you’re in business. Allow extra time to check certain points with your rental company when you receive your car:
- terminal operation in Norway
- In-car pass system (as for toll roads)
- Downloadable applications (Elton, Tesla…)
If not, we think a road trip in a classic or hybrid car is much easier to organize.
❄️ The most important factors are trunk size and the presence of winter tires.
Driving around Bergen: what you need to know
Driving in Norway is very pleasant, but the rules are strict:
- Low, strictly enforced speed limits (50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on trunk roads)
- Congested roads, especially in summer, so don’t expect to travel long distances every day
- Low beams: must be on at all times, even in daylight.
- Very low blood alcohol level (0.2 g/l), no aperitif before setting off
- Numerous tunnels and ferries
- Animals can cross at any time (we were lucky enough to see several herds of reindeer, foxes and even a moose and its calf), and even on the main roads, night driving is not recommended.
It’s still a real pleasure to drive in Norway, and the road is clearly part of the trip, especially on some of the scenic routes, which are detailed in our our article on tourist routes in Norway.
Road closures and traffic conditions
In Norway, and especially in Lofoten, traffic conditions can change very quickly, especially in winter. Between snowfalls, storms and sometimes reduced visibility, some roads can close temporarily, for a few hours or several days, depending on the weather.
🚧 Before hitting the road, we strongly recommend that you consult the Vegvesen Trafikk website or app, the official Norwegian road service. Information is updated in real time, so you can quickly check whether a road is open, restricted or closed. Simply change the language at the bottom of the page, then click on the map to access the details.
Roadworks: a frequent occurrence in summer
For our part, in June and July we didn’t come across any closed roads, but many stretches were under construction. This is very common in summer, when Norway takes advantage of more favorable weather conditions to maintain its road network.
🚧 In the event of roadworks, traffic is generally regulated by an opening car. It can be easily identified by the sign ” Ledebil – Følg meg “. All you have to do is follow it, wait a few minutes and then leave once the section has been cleared. The system is simple, well organized and rarely restrictive.
Ferry operations in Norway
When it comes toderoad trips from Bergen, it’s impossible to ignore the ferries. In Norway, they are an integral part of the road network. During our road trips in Norway, we took countless ferries, sometimes several a day. Norwegians take the ferry just as we take the bus or train.
Most of them are very simple to operate without reservations:
- we arrive
- we’re queuing
- on board
- we cross
When you enter your itinerary on Google maps, the ferry timetables will be shown.
Ferry payments: simple and automatic
Car rental
In Norway, payment for ferries is now largely automated, even with a rental car. Your vehicle will be fitted with an electronic box, or the license plate will simply be scanned when you board.
So you don’t have to pay anything on the spot. Crossings are then billed automatically and re-billed by the rental company at the end of the rental period, or debited via the system associated with the vehicle.
With your own car
If you are bringing your own vehicle, we recommend that you register with EPass24. The principle is very simple:
- we register the plate
- we associate a bank card
At the moment of boarding, the plate is scanned and the amount automatically debited. No ticket, no on-site procedures.
In short, they save time, avoid long detours and let you enjoy the scenery to the full. Some tourist routes even include the ferry as a logical continuation of the journey.
Mistakes to avoid when renting a car in Bergen
- Book at the last minute in summer: around Bergen, prices rise very quickly between June and August, and the choice of vehicles is greatly reduced.
- Don’t check the deductible: this is one of the main sources of unpleasant surprises in Norway, where deductibles are often high.
- Accepting options at the counter too quickly: additional insurance, upgrades, GPS… these options are often much more expensive locally.
- Don’t look at what’s actually covered: tires, windows and rocker panels are frequently excluded from basic insurance policies, whereas gravel is commonplace.
- Don’t forget to take photos or videos on departure (and on return if possible), especially for micro-scratches.
- Choose a car that’s too big: the roads around Bergen are often narrow and winding, and a compact car is much easier to maneuver, especially in the face of buses and camper vans.
- Underestimate the parking issue: in Bergen as in other small villages, parking spaces are rare and expensive. Accommodation with parking can quickly pay for itself.
- Thinking that a 4×4 is essential: in most cases, a compact car is more than enough to get around Bergen.
Our opinion on car rental in Bergen
Renting a car in Bergen is the best option for exploring the fjords and surrounding area. It’s not essential for visiting the city, but it’s clearly the easiest and most efficient way to travel independently, without having to depend on timetables or organized excursions.
👉 If we had to sum up:
- 🚗 essential for exploring the fjords around Bergen
- ✈️ Bergen airport is the most convenient starting point.
- 🔍 comparison + clear insurance = stress-free travel
Checklist to be completed before collecting your rental car in Bergen
Before you hit the road, we really recommend that you take two minutes to check these points before collecting your rental car (you can download the PDF article below and then print out our checklist before your trip):
| Please check | ✔ / Notes |
|---|---|
| Required documents (license, credit card, confirmation) | |
| Exact amount of blocked security deposit | |
| Insurances included and excluded (tires, windows, underbody) | |
| Options added but not requested | |
| Fuel policy (full/full, level on departure) | |
| Vehicle condition (photos / video) | |
| Mileage (unlimited or capped) | |
| Assistance number and instructions in the event of a problem | |
| Exact time and place of return | |
| Electric cars: – – pass system – downloadable applications |
Before you leave, take a look at our articles:
- Fjords to visit from Bergen
Bergen 1-day fjord cruise: our best experience - Trolltunga hiking, our complete guide with maps
- Scenic routes Norway
- Bergen in winter: our complete guide
- Our ranking of Norway’s most beautiful fjords
Don’t hesitate to leave us a note or 5 stars below, to let us know if you’re planning this trip, to ask any questions you may have, below we’ll answer you with great pleasure. You can check out our Instagram stories from our Norway trip, to give you a taste of what’s in store!
