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?
👉 To compare offers and find the best value for money, after testing several today, we use the price comparator Discover Carsa reliable and easy-to-use car rental service.
💡 Another important point: the comprehensive insurance offered via Discover Cars is often much cheaper than that added directly at the rental company’s counter, while offering broader coverage. A real time-saver, and above all a way of avoiding unpleasant surprises when picking up or returning the vehicle.
Don’t forget to book as early as possible, especially in high season when demand is strong.
To give you an idea of the price, we found a car for €60 a day through Alamo, depending on the length of your rental, to be picked up atStavanger airport (as this is often the best price). The airport is 14 km away, with a shuttle bus to the center.
🎟️ Compare Stavanger airport car rental deals on Discover Cars
Recommended route to the Preikestolen
From Stavanger, there are two itinerary options:
- from the north via a tunnel
- from the south by ferry
➡️ We recommend you take the route north towards the town of Pau. This route takes you through a long tunnel, for which a fee is charged (around €18 for motorhomes and vans, and around €10 for cars).
💡 The advantage, compared with the other route option which passes through the south and connects the towns of Oales and Oanes by ferry, for a similar price, is that the tunnel is open every day and without interruption. Road closures are frequent due to the sometimes capricious weather.
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 €23 for a camper, van or 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:
- Hiking the Preikestolen with a guide: combines the comfort of an organized hike with the adventure of hiking off the beaten track on certain sections.
🎟️ See prices and availability for an excursion to the Preikestolen with a 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.
- ❤️ Our favorite: The panoramic cruise on the Lysefjord, departing from Stavanger, takes you silently on board an electric boat along the tranquil waters of the fjord, offering breathtaking views of the Preikestolen and other natural wonders of the region. For 3 hours we were surrounded by impressive cliffs and breathtaking scenery.
The company operating the cruise, Rødne Fjord Cruise, has an excellent reputation. We’ve provided the link to book directly, and this is the cruise we recommend to everyone:
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!
We really enjoyed writing this article. If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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. Vous pouvez consulter nos stories sur Instagram de notre voyage en Norvège, pour vous donner un avant gout de ce qui vous attend !
Before you leave, read our articles about Norway:
- Our tips for renting a car in Norway
- Our complete guide to hiking in the Preikestolen
- Our tips for visiting Stavanger
