Arriving at Haugesund Airport Karmøy, you will find a compact terminal that is quick to navigate and friendly to first-timers. The airport sits on Karmøy island, roughly 14 kilometers from Haugesund’s city center. Travel options are simple, but there are a few local quirks worth knowing before you step outside.
Short answer: the most reliable way is a taxi, which takes about 20 minutes door to door. There is currently no dedicated airport coach. Public transport is possible by using the Kolumbus network to stops near the airport area and finishing the last stretch by taxi. Renting a car is easy if you plan to continue exploring the Haugaland region.
Let’s take a deeper dive into how to get from Haugesund Airport to the city center with real-world tips from someone who lives here.
What Changed Recently
For many years Haugesund had a Flybussen airport coach. That route has been discontinued. This matters because visitors often arrive expecting a direct bus. You will not find a branded airport coach parked outside. Do not waste time looking for it after you land. If you want a frictionless arrival, plan on a taxi or a pre-booked transfer.
Option 1: Taxi, The Straightforward Choice
If you want the simplest door-to-door ride, take a taxi from the rank just outside arrivals. Travel time is typically 18 to 25 minutes depending on traffic and weather. Prices vary with time of day and traffic, but a normal daytime fare to central Haugesund sits in the mid hundreds of kroner for up to four passengers. Larger vehicles or late-night rides cost more.
My local tips:
- Pay by card. All taxis accept international cards and contactless payment.
- Share the ride if you meet fellow travelers headed downtown. Splitting a taxi in Haugesund is common courtesy and halves the cost.
- If there is no car at the rank late in the evening, call the dispatch number posted at the stand. You will usually get a car in minutes.
Option 2: Pre-Booked Private Transfer
If you prefer fully fixed pricing or you are traveling with a family, book a transfer in advance with a local company. A driver will meet you in arrivals with your name on a sign. The price is higher than a bus, but comparable to a taxi and sometimes cheaper for groups. This is also the most comfortable option if you have skis, golf bags, or multiple suitcases.
When this is worth it:
- You land late at night or on a holiday.
- You want a child seat installed.
- You need a van for 5 to 8 people with luggage.
Option 3: Public Transport Via Kolumbus, Plus A Short Taxi
There is no bus that rolls up to the terminal doors, but you can use the Kolumbus local bus network that serves stops near the airport area. The common move is to ride a Kolumbus bus to or from stops close to the airport hotel area on Karmøy, then finish the remaining few kilometers by taxi. It takes longer than a door-to-door taxi, but the fare is very low for the bus plus a short taxi hop.
How to do it, step by step:
- Install the Kolumbus app on your phone while you are on airport Wi-Fi. Set your payment card in the app. You can also buy tickets from the driver, but the app is easier and often cheaper.
- Check the live timetable in the app by searching to or from “Haugesund bussterminal” and nearby stops on Karmøy. Look for routes that serve Avaldsnes and Visnes, or the airport hotel area.
- Ride the bus toward Haugesund bussterminal if you are going into town, or toward Karmøy if you are heading to the airport. Buses are clean and safe. Drivers speak English.
- Connect by taxi for the last 3 kilometers between the terminal and the nearest bus stop. That short hop is quick and inexpensive compared to the full airport to city ride.
Local reality check:
- Frequencies vary by day and time. Late evenings and Sundays have fewer departures.
- If you land with two kids, three bags, and a drizzle off the North Sea, do yourself a favor and take a taxi.
Option 4: Rental Car, Best For Exploring Haugalandet
If your plan includes Avaldsnes, Skudeneshavn, or day trips along the Rogaland coast, renting a car makes sense. Counters for major brands are inside the terminal, and cars are parked a short walk away.
What to know before you drive:
- The route to Haugesund is straightforward. You will drive across Karmøy toward the mainland, then follow signs to the city center.
- Check your toll setup. Most rentals in Norway are equipped with automatic toll tags. Tolls are billed after you return the car.
- In winter, roads are well maintained. Drive calmly, especially if you are new to Norwegian conditions.
Night Arrivals, Holidays, And Weather Days
Haugesund is friendly to late flights, but services thin out after the last scheduled arrival.
- After 22.00 on weekdays and most of the day on public holidays, you should assume taxi or pre-booked transfer.
- If wind or rain rolls in off the coast, taxi times can stretch a bit. The road itself remains open. Pack a light rain jacket in your carry-on so the short outdoor walk to the taxi rank is not a surprise.
Paying For Your Trip
Norway is cashless friendly. You can tap to pay in taxis, at ticket machines, and in the Kolumbus app. Visa and Mastercard work everywhere. American Express is accepted by many providers but not all. If you plan to use the bus, download the Kolumbus app before you leave the terminal and buy your ticket in the app to avoid fumbling with cards at the door.
Traveling With Kids Or Mobility Needs
- Strollers are welcome on buses and fit easily in taxis. If you book a transfer, request a child seat in advance.
- The airport is single-level on arrivals with ramps and lifts. Taxis can pull very close to the exit, and drivers are used to helping with bags.
- If you use a wheelchair and want the bus plus short taxi combo, call the taxi company as you approach the last stop so they can send a vehicle with the right space.
Going From Haugesund City Center Back To The Airport
Leaving the city for your flight is just the same, only in reverse.
- Taxi from hotels in the city center takes about 20 minutes. Ask your hotel to book it for precise pickup timing.
- If you use Kolumbus to get close to the airport area, give yourself extra time to account for connections.
- Arrive at the terminal at least 60 to 75 minutes before domestic flights and a bit earlier for international departures. The terminal is small, but security lines can bunch up when two flights are close together.
Which Option Should You Choose
- You want zero hassle and a predictable ride time, take a taxi.
- You land late at night, want a fixed price, or have a larger group, book a private transfer in advance.
- You are traveling light, on a budget, and do not mind an extra step, combine Kolumbus with a short taxi.
- You are exploring beyond Haugesund, rent a car at the airport and enjoy the coastal drives.
Bottom line: without a dedicated airport coach, Haugesund is a taxi-first airport for most visitors. Public transport still works if you are willing to mix bus and a brief taxi leg. Either way, you will be in the city in about 20 minutes, and the first view across Smedasundet is worth the trip.