Wondering how to get to the famous Preikestolen from Stavanger? As you probably know, the Preikestolen hike leads to the incredible site of Pulpit Rock, a striking rock formation that juts out into the deep waters of Lysefjord.
There are several options for reaching the site from Stavanger, the nearest town. In this article, we’ve compiled all the essential information you need to organize your expedition.
Whether you opt for a rental car from Stavanger, an organized tour, or even a bus trip, we’ve got you covered.
Car hire from Stavanger: Flexibility
Renting a car in Stavanger means opting for flexibility, especially when it comes to starting your tour. Wondering why scheduling is so crucial? Well, to get the full Preikestolen experience without the crowds, it’s ideal to leave either very early in the morning, around 6am, or later in the afternoon, around 4pm. We detail all the options in our article Preikestolen: our tips for avoiding the crowds.
Where can I rent a car in Stavanger?
There are several rental options in Stavanger. To compare rental prices, we recommend the RentalCars website, which compares the prices of hundreds of car rental companies to find the best deal. Don’t forget to book in advance, especially in high season when demand is strong.
To give you an idea of the cost, we found a car for €60 a day through Hertz or Sixt, depending on the length of your rental, to be picked up atStavanger airport (14 km away, with shuttle to the center).
Recommended route to the Preikestolen
From Stavanger, you have a northern route via a tunnel and a southern route via a ferry.
➡️Nous recommends taking the route north towards the town of Pau. This route takes you through a long tunnel, for which a charge is made (around €18 for motorhomes and vans, and around €10 for cars).
The advantage, compared with the other route option which runs south and connects the towns of Oales and Oanes by ferry, for a similar price, is that the tunnel is open every day without interruption.
If you want to start your hike as early as possible, you’ll be a bit blocked by the ferry, which doesn’t leave until 6am.
For those driving directly from Oslo, allow around 8 hours by car to reach the Preikestolen.
Parking Preikestolen
There is only one road for the last few kilometers to the starting point of the hike. Unfortunately, there’s no free parking nearby.
The main parking lot, right at the entrance to the hiking trail, can accommodate up to 1,000 vehicles. It’s open from 6am to 10pm, and it’s important to note that overnight stays are not permitted. Parking costs €22 for a camper or van, and €10 for a car for the whole day.
Experience Organized Tours: Comfort and Discovery
Would you rather avoid the hassle of planning and enjoy a guided experience? Then Stavanger’s organized tours are for you.
The advantage of going with an experienced guide is undeniable. Not only do you avoid the crowds by taking lesser-known paths at times, but you also benefit from invaluable advice on hiking and thehistory of the site. The guide will lead the way, enriching your experience with anecdotes and information about the local flora and fauna.
Don’t forget that these tours can sell out fast, especially in high season, so plan ahead and book early!
Several organized tours are available:
- La randonée au Preikestolen avec un guide : combine le confort d’une randonée organisé avec l’aventure d’une randonnée hors des sentiers battus sur certaines portions.
Voir les prix et disponibilités pour une excursion au Preikestolen avec un guide.
Bus from Stavanger: Practical option
This is an option to consider if you’re looking for simplicity. Bus services to the Preikestolen are frequent and well organized, making the journey as easy as possible. If you don’t want to rent a car, this is the ideal option.
The operation is simple: buses depart from Stavanger and take you directly to the starting point of the hike, at parking lot P1. We met them in the parking lot.
In terms of scheduling, the bus leaves at 8am, 9am, 10am or 11am and returns 8 hours later. The price is around €40 per person. It is advisable to check the timetable in advance on the official website.
Preikestolen from the Fjord: Unusual cruise
A final option for getting to the Preikestolen from Stavanger that has been recommended to us by other travelers: a cruise on the Lysefjord to admire the rock from water level. It’s also an excellent option when the hiking trail is difficult to negotiate (November to April).
Excursions are really well organized in Norway, and the many boats and ferries we took were always in very good condition.
There are several cruise options, each offering a different experience. Again, don’t forget to book in advance, especially during the tourist season, as these excursions are very popular.
- Notre coup de coeur : La croisière panoramique sur le Lysefjord, au départ de Stavanger, vous emmène silencieusement à bord d’un bateau électrique le long des eaux tranquilles du fjord, vous offrant une vue imprenable sur le Preikestolen et d’autres merveilles naturelles de la région. Nous étions pendant 3h entouré de falaises impressionnantes et de paysages à couper le souffle.
La compagnie Rødne Fjord Cruise, qui opère la croisière, a une excellente réputation. Nous vous mettons le lien pour réserver directement, c’est la croisière que nous conseillons à tout le monde :
Voir le prix et disponibilité pour cette croisière
We hope this article has inspired you and given you all the information you need for your exploration of the Preikestolen. Don’t hesitate to explore other wonders of Norway!
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