Yes, the direct flight from London to Bergen, start at London Gatwick Airport and lands directly at Bergen Airport in Flesland, Norway. The flight duration is only 2 hours long and this flight is served by Norwegian Air Shuttle.
The cheapest time to visit Bergen is in the month of February when the holiday season has passed. Unfortunately, during this month Bergen experiences the highest snowfall of the year, which could be as much as thirty centimetres of snow. However, for those who want to stretch their pennies to the maximum limit, coming to Bergen during this season would be the ideal time. Most of the outdoor attractions are closed during snow time but, Bergen is an indoor city anyway. Except for the coastline strolls and some local festivals, the tourist would not be missing out on much. Alternatively, coming to Bergen in early June when the tourist season is about to start, could get you relatively cheaper prices compared to those in the peak season.
The best time to visit Bergen is in the months of July and August. During these months the tourists face the least amount of precipitation, warm temperatures and longer days with sunshine. The popular tourist season also peaks during this time, so there could be some competition raising the prices of the tickets and accommodations. However, the absolute best time to really get to know Bergen is in the months of July and August.
Bergen Airport (BGO) in Flesland city, which is a municipality of Hordaland, serves the city of Bergen. Bergen has been the financial capital of Norway and lies on the coast, close to the North Sea oilfields and rigs. The airport plays an important part in transporting equipment and personnel to these offshore rigs. In 2017, the airport handled 6.1 million passengers and it is the second busiest airport in Norway after Oslo Airport. Bergen airport is 17.4 kilometres away from the Bergen city centre and it takes about 20 minutes to travel from the airport to the city.
Although Norway is not part of the European Union, it is still a member of the Schengen Treaty. So, any British Passport holder with a full citizenship can travel to Norway without the need of a visa. Please contact the Norwegian Embassy for stays longer than 3 months.
The city of Bergen lies at the southwestern coast of Norway. The history of the city dates back to 1070 when King Olav Kyrre founded the city. Bergen was a key trading city for the Hanseatic League of merchant guilds, and remnants of that powerful union of the 14th century are still present in the city, especially in old Bergen.
If you are heading to Bergen in the summer then you can catch these festivals for sure. Every second day, beginning in mid-June, the ‘Grieg in Bergen Festival’ brings the music of Edvard Grieg and other composers to the masses of the city and continues for 10 weeks straight. Fjordsteam is the festival of preservation and nostalgia. Historic treasures and relics of bygone times roll over the street, proudly presented by their owners at this festival. Antique cars and reclaimed boats and ships are cheered on by jubilant crowds on the 2nd of August each year. The Bergen Matfestival is a food festival where Norway shows off all the food it grows. The most succulent fruits and vegetables, steaks, barbeques and of course seafood are on display and eaten. Forty breweries distribute their golden beers to their eager customers at the end of August each year.
Bergen is accessible by bus. The bus network and routes are a bit difficult to understand at first but the information desk at any one of the central stations would be happy to explain how the busses move through the city. Maybe check and try to understand these routes yourself on the internet. Hiring a car or getting hold of a taxi is also easy in Bergen. It might be a little more expensive but when all else fails all you have to do is whistle or give a call for the taxi to arrive. If you are in the downtown area, a walk can be a quick way to get around. Downtown Bergen can be covered in 20 minutes, from end to end on foot. The Bergen line is a light train, which connects Bergen with the city of Lagunen, which is 12 kilometres south of Bergen city. The light rail has 27 stops.
There are many five star hotels in Bergen. Warm and cosy interiors of these beautiful hotels provide a homey shelter for the tourists visiting the city.