Bergen City Guide - Getting There By Water

Due to the relatively mild Atlantic climate, Bergen has an ice-free harbour all year round; the passage between the harbour and the open sea is short and the fairway good. International ferry services dock at Skoltegrunnskaien. Onshore facilities include bunkering, showers, a launderette and power supply, which are available between May and September. Keys are available (a deposit and a fee are required) from the quayside tourist information office.

Ferry services: The ferry terminal at Skoltegrunnskaien has basic facilities with a café and snack bar. DFDS Seaways (tel: 0870 252 0524 in the UK; website: www.dfds.co.uk) operates a service between Bergen and Newcastle-upon-Tyne via Stavanger and Haugesund throughout the week. Fjord Line (tel: 8153 3500; website: www.fjordline.com) operates year-round, thrice-weekly services connecting Bergen and Egersund with Hanstholm in Denmark. Smyril Line (tel: 5559 6520; website: www.smyril-line.no) operates a service between Bergen, Shetland, the Faroe Islands and Iceland.

There is also an extensive network of domestic coastal services, including the Hurtigruten coastal steamer (tel: 7696 7600; website: www.hurtigruten.com) linking Bergen with other Norwegian ports and the North Cape. Many international cruise ships call at Bergen during the summer months.