Getting There and Away

Written by Elsa Holm, Graham Smith, Julien Lambert
05/09/2025
A breathtaking aerial view of Ålesund, Norway, showcasing its vibrant harbor and surrounding landscapes.
Ramon Perucho, Pexels

Ålesund is served by Ålesund Airport, Vigra (AES) for air travel, while its city center hosts a primary bus station and ferry terminals for coastal and local boat services. The city is not directly connected to Norway's national railway network.

By Air:

Travellers can fly into Ålesund Airport, Vigra (AES), located about 17 km from the city center. Direct flights are available from several cities, including Oslo (approx. 55 minutes), Bergen (approx. 45 minutes), Trondheim (approx. 45 minutes), Amsterdam (approx. 2 hours), London (approx. 2 hours 10 minutes), Copenhagen (approx. 1 hour 35 minutes), and Gdańsk (approx. 2 hours). One-way ticket prices can start from around $44 (£29), with round-trip options from $88 (£57), though costs vary with booking time.

Airport Transfer:

From Ålesund Airport, an airport bus (Vy Buss FB65) operates to the city center, taking approximately 20-25 minutes. Online tickets are generally cheaper, costing around NOK 115, while purchasing from the driver may be around NOK 155. Taxis are also available for roughly NOK 500, with a travel time of about 20 minutes.

By Bus:

Express bus services connect Ålesund to major Norwegian cities. The journey from Oslo to Ålesund (Vy Express VY148) takes approximately 8 hours 30 minutes, with tickets ranging from $71 (€57) to $112 (kr750-kr1600). A bus from Trondheim to Ålesund typically takes 6 hours 19 minutes to 6 hours 31 minutes, with fares starting from about $63 (€51). Travel from Bergen to Ålesund by bus (Vy Express VY430) takes around 9 hours 30 minutes. A public bus service also links Ålesund to Åndalsnes train station, which is about 100 km away.

By Ferry:

Coastal express ships like Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages call at Ålesund daily, connecting it to other coastal towns such as Bergen and Trondheim. A ferry trip from Bergen to Ålesund takes approximately 13 hours 15 minutes, with tickets typically costing between kr 1500 - kr 2300 (around $150-$230). Local express boats provide connections to nearby islands like Valderøya, Hamnsund, Hareid, and Langevåg, with single fares generally ranging from NOK 60-120 (approx. $6-$12).

By Train:

There is no direct train service to Ålesund. The nearest train station is Åndalsnes, accessible via a bus connection from Ålesund. From Åndalsnes, the scenic Rauma Line offers connections to Dombås, which then links to Oslo and Trondheim.

By Car:

Renting a car provides flexibility for exploring the region. Driving from Oslo to Ålesund via the E6 and E136 takes approximately 7 hours 17 minutes for a distance of about 544 km.

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