Buying bus tickets in Norway is straightforward once you know which app or ticketing system applies to your route. Norway’s public transport is mostly regional, so the way you buy a ticket in Oslo is different from how you do it in Bergen, Trondheim, Tromsø, or the fjord areas. As a Norwegian who rides these buses weekly and helps visitors figure this out every summer, I’ll walk you through the easiest methods, my own practical tips, and the small details that save time and money.
If you want the short answer: use the local transport app for the region you’re in for city and regional buses, and use the bus company’s own website or app for long-distance express buses. Many city buses no longer sell tickets with cash on board. Buy before you board when possible, and activate the ticket in the app before the bus arrives.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of bus tickets in Norway.
Local vs. Regional vs. Express: Know Your Bus Type
Understanding the type of bus you’re taking determines how you should buy the ticket.
- Local city buses run within a city or urban zone and usually use a regional transport app. Think Ruter in Oslo, Skyss in Bergen, Kolumbus in Stavanger, AtB in Trondheim, and Troms Billett in Tromsø. Tickets are time-based and valid for transfers within a set period, often 60 to 90 minutes.
- Regional buses connect towns within the same county. They use the same regional ticketing app and follow the same zone system, just across a larger area.
- Express buses cover long distances between regions and cities. These are run by companies like Nor-Way Bussekspress, Vy Buss, and FlixBus. You should typically buy online in advance to secure a seat and get better prices.
If you are unsure whether a bus is local or express, check the operator name printed on the bus stop sign or on the timetable in the journey planner. Local buses display the regional authority logo; express coaches have company branding and often require reservations.
The Main Apps You’ll Use by Region
Here are the most common regional ticketing apps. Download the one that matches where you’re traveling:
- Oslo and much of Viken: Ruter
- Bergen and Vestland: Skyss
- Stavanger and Rogaland: Kolumbus
- Trondheim and Trøndelag: AtB
- Tromsø and Troms: Troms Billett
- Bodø and Nordland: Billett Nordland
- Drammen and Buskerud: Brakar
- Kristiansand and Agder: AKT Billett
- Innlandet county: Innlandstrafikk
- Vestfold and Telemark: Farte
- Møre og Romsdal: Fram
For planning anywhere in the country, the national Entur app is excellent. It shows door-to-door journeys across trains, buses, ferries, and trams. In many places Entur also sells tickets, but for buses it’s still common that you must buy in the local app. Use Entur to plan; then switch to the regional app when you need to purchase.
How Time- and Zone-Based Tickets Work
Norwegian local bus tickets are typically time-limited and zone-based. When you buy a single ticket, it is valid for a set time window from activation, for example 60 minutes in a single zone. During that window you can transfer freely between buses (and trams or metro where available) as long as you stay within the paid zones.
- Single tickets: Good for occasional trips.
- 24-hour or multi-day passes: Worth it if you’ll take several rides in a day or over a weekend.
- Weekly and monthly passes: Best for longer stays in one city or region.
Always check the zones on the map inside the app. If you cross into a neighboring zone, the fare changes. In Oslo, for example, most visitors stay within Zone 1, which covers the city center and main attractions, so a Zone 1 ticket is often enough.
Step-by-Step: Buying a Local Bus Ticket on Your Phone
- Install the right app for the region.
- Create a profile if needed. You can usually check out as a guest, but a profile helps if you need to retrieve tickets.
- Add a payment method. Visa and Mastercard are standard. Many apps accept Apple Pay and Google Pay. Vipps is widely used in Norway but usually requires a Norwegian phone number and bank account.
- Choose your ticket type: single, 24-hour, or a period pass.
- Select zones and set the start time.
- Buy and activate. Some apps let you buy in advance, then activate just before boarding.
- Show the active ticket if a driver or inspector asks. There are random checks, and fines apply if you do not have a valid ticket.
A small local tip: in winter or on busy routes, I activate the ticket as I see the bus approach. If you activate too early and the bus is delayed, you lose valid time.
Can You Pay on the Bus?
This varies by region and even by route. The safe assumption in cities is no cash on board, and sometimes no ticket sales at all with the driver. Buy before boarding in the app or at a kiosk. In smaller towns and rural areas, drivers may sell tickets and usually accept contactless cards, but this is not guaranteed.
If you’re arriving without mobile data, look for a customer service desk at the main bus station, a kiosk like Narvesen or 7-Eleven that sells tickets, or connect to free city Wi-Fi to install the app. In Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger, I strongly recommend downloading the local app ahead of time.
Buying Tickets for Express Buses
For long distances, use the operator’s website or app. You will choose a departure, seat, and fare. Buying ahead is common and often cheaper. Your ticket will be a QR code on your phone or a PDF. If your travel plan is tight, spring for a flexible fare that allows changes.
A few notes from experience:
- Express coaches are comfortable and often have power outlets and Wi-Fi.
- Luggage is stored under the bus. Oversized items or skis may need an extra fee.
- Stops are limited, so plan for a specific boarding stop and be there early.
- Tickets can sell out on holiday weekends. Reserving a seat solves stress.
Airport Buses
Airports are served by local buses and by dedicated airport coaches branded as Flybussen in many cities. For Flybussen, buy in the Flybussen app or online for the best price. Local transport tickets sometimes cover airport routes within a zone, but dedicated airport coaches are separate and require their own ticket.
Children, Students, and Seniors
Discounts are widely available:
- Children usually up to 17 pay a reduced fare, and young kids often ride free with a paying adult. Check the exact ages in the app.
- Students get discounts on presentation of valid student ID. International students visiting on exchange should carry a physical or digital ID with a photo.
- Seniors typically 67 and older receive reduced fares. Some regions extend discounts to people with disability ID.
Tip for families: weekend and off-peak family deals exist in some regions, making unlimited day travel cheaper. These are tucked into the app under special offers.
Night Buses and Supplements
Several cities run night buses on Fridays and Saturdays. They can carry a night supplement that is not included in standard passes. If you plan a late return, check the app’s price for your specific departure time so the ticket covers the supplement.
Validating and Inspections
Most Norwegian buses use proof-of-payment. You don’t tap in or out; you simply carry an active ticket on your phone. Inspectors board randomly and scan your screen. Fines are substantial if you do not have a valid, activated ticket, and arguing about a ticket activated three minutes late rarely works. Build a small buffer.
What If Your Phone Dies?
This happens in winter when batteries drain fast. My habit is to carry a small power bank and a printed backup if I’m on an express bus. For local buses, without a working phone you generally cannot show your ticket and could be fined during inspection. Keep your cable handy and charge when you can.
Using Entur for Planning
I treat Entur as my universal planner. It shows platform info, live departures, and which operator runs each leg. If Entur offers a bus ticket, great. If not, it still tells you which regional app to use. For multi-modal trips, Entur helps you compare a bus-only route with train-plus-bus options, which can be faster in some corridors.
Buying Tickets Without a Smartphone
If you prefer not to use apps, you still have options:
- Kiosks and ticket machines at some major terminals.
- Customer service counters at large stations.
- On-board card purchase on some rural routes and small towns.
- Online purchase printed at home for express buses.
That said, Norway is very app-centric for local transport. If you are staying in a city for a few days, installing the app is worth it.
Accessibility and Boarding
Buses are low-floor with ramp access at the front door. If you need the ramp, tell the driver as the bus arrives. Space for wheelchairs and strollers is limited; during peak hours it can get tight. Many regions allow free travel for a child in a stroller on local buses, but this is policy-dependent, so check in the app if it matters for you.
Refunds, Cancellations, and Delays
- Single tickets in local apps are usually nonrefundable once activated. If your plan is fluid, buy just before you need the ticket.
- Period passes are flexible in daily use but rarely refundable after the start date.
- Express bus tickets follow the fare rules you selected. Flexible tickets cost more but are easier to change.
- For service disruptions, local apps post alerts. If a bus is canceled, the next one is usually accepted on the same ticket within its validity window.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Using the wrong app: Double-check the regional app matches where you are. Oslo tickets do not work in Bergen.
- Forgetting to activate: Purchase alone is not enough; activate before you board.
- Assuming cash is fine: In cities, drivers typically do not take cash.
- Zone misread: Crossing into a new zone without the correct ticket invalidates it. Use the map in the app.
- No seat on express buses: Popular departures sell out. Book in advance.
Quick Cheat Sheet
- City or regional bus: Buy in the regional transport app.
- Express bus: Buy with the operator’s app or website, seat reservation recommended.
- Transfers: Included within the ticket’s time validity and zones.
- Payment: Visa/Mastercard widely accepted; Apple Pay/Google Pay common; Vipps is local.
- Inspections: Random checks. Keep your active ticket ready.
- Airport: Local bus ticket may work on city routes to the airport, but Flybussen needs its own ticket.
- Night bus: Check for night supplements.
- No data: Use station counters, kiosks, or on-board card purchase where available.
With the right app on your phone and a quick glance at the zone map, buying bus tickets in Norway becomes as routine as grabbing a coffee. Once you’ve done it once, the rest of your trip is easy: tap, activate, and go.