City in Vestland, Norway
Bergen
Pretty harbor city between seven hills and the fjords, with Bryggen wharf, fish market and easy day trips. Very rainy and expensive, but compact, safe and friendly for solo travelers.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,490–3,740Comfortable, one person · kr24,000–36,000Details
- Value for money28/100Better value than 27% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Jul, 19°CDetails
- Air quality6 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet157 MbpsFixed broadband, Norway medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent tap water; refill freely and drink from public fountains.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$52–125Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBybanen (light rail) and busesVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessPractically cashless; cards and Vipps work almost everywhere.Details
Where to stay in Bergen
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Bryggen and Sentrum | Sights, harbor and nightlife on foot; pricey |
| Nordnes | Quiet residential peninsula with sea baths and cafés |
| Møhlenpris and Sydnes | Local cafés and student life; near the center |
| Fløyen foot (Skansen) | Steep lanes, close to the funicular and hiking |
Apps that work in Bergen
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Messenger, WhatsApp
- Entur: National journey planner and train tickets
- Ruter: Oslo transit tickets
- Yr: Weather forecasts locals rely on
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and expensive; book through a local taxi app or at the rank. The center is walkable.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Norway.
- Practically cashless Practically cashless; cards and Vipps work almost everywhere. Some places refuse cash.
- Currency: Krone (NOK). US$1 ≈ kr9.62 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs are few; bank machines rarely add local fees. Decline dynamic currency conversion.
- Tipping: Service is included. Rounding up or up to 10% for great restaurant service is appreciated, not expected.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted; Vipps needs a Norwegian bank account and BankID.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors give fingerprints and a face photo to the Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry.
- ETIAS pre-travel authorisation isn't required yet and has no confirmed start date; check the EU site before you fly.
- Svalbard is outside Schengen: if you need a Schengen visa, get a double-entry one to return to the mainland.
Emergency numbers
Police 112 · Ambulance 113 · Fire 110
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs (kontantkort) need ID registration; foreigners register with a passport in store. EU roaming rules apply here too. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Norway
Going to Bergen solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.