Travel Information
Visa Information
Entry visas - what is required if anything
If you are travelling to Norway and you are not a citizen of Norway or a country in the EU/European Economic Area (EEA) you may need to apply for a visa. You can find out if you need a visa along with detailed information about how to apply, types of visas, rates and more at https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/visit-and-holiday/.
Important notes for traveling to Norway (or any other country requiring a Schengen visa):
*The EU introduced a new Entry/Exit System (EES). The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders. Full implementation of the system will be complete by April 10, 2026 - therefore, for LAK26 travel, all travelers will want to take note of this new system and allow for additional time if required. To read more about this new system, please read here.
Invitation Letters
**If you require an invitation letter from LAK26 organizers for your visa application, please email lakconference@gmail.com with the following information:
- Full Name
- Address
- Institution/Organization
- Passport Number
- Submission #'s and Titles of your papers/presentations (if applicable)
- Conference Registration Confirmation # (you must be registered for in-person attendance prior to requesting an invitation letter)
If the embassy has stated other requirements, please let us know in that email as well to ensure we provide all information that is required for your purpose.
Traveling to Bergen
Over 3,8 million passengers enters the terminal buildings every year. The airport has 36 direct routes from large European cities, such as the major transport hubs in Amsterdam, Copenhagen and London.
As Norway’s second largest city, Bergen has direct flights from a large number of big and small cities in all regions of Norway, most of them operated by Scandinavian Airlines, Widerøe and Norwegian.
LAK26 Organizers always suggest travelers to review all options when traveling to LAK and that is no different when traveling to Bergen. There are several different ways of getting to Bergen that include land, air and water. For example it may be less expensive flying direct to a European Hub that offers direct flights then to Bergen. It is your responsibility to look at timing, etc., as it is important to note for split tickets: separate tickets are not protected if the long-haul is delayed and you miss the separate regional flight. If you want protection, buy a single through-ticket, or ensure a long connection and consider travel insurance that covers missed connections.
Some travel options are below:
- What it is: The main international airport for the region, located at Flesland, about 12 km from the city center.
- Airlines: Numerous airlines offer direct flights, including Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Norwegian Air Shuttle, KLM, and British Airways, among others.
- Cities with direct flights: Many European cities have direct flights, such as London, Oslo, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Reykjavik.
- Fly to Oslo (OSL) and train: Fly into Oslo Airport and take a train or the Airport Express train to the city center, then catch a train to Bergen. The journey can include the famous Flåm Railway and a fjord cruise, making it a scenic, though longer, option.
Travel from the airport to the conference hotels/venue
From Bergen Airport to the city center it takes about 25 minutes by car and a few minutes longer with the Airport bus. The vast majority of the people visiting Bergen arrives by airplanes at Bergen Airport Flesland. Bergen Airport serves Vestland county and the city of Bergen.
Some helpful travel links:
The cheapest way to get from Bergen Airport Flesland to Bergen city center is to go by the City Light Rail (Bybanen) line number 1. It takes about 45 minutes from the Airport to Bergen city center and it costs only NOK 49 for an adult (up to 4 children free on the same ticket). You can buy a ticket on the ticket machine at the platform, or use the Skyss Billett App. The Bergen Light Rail line 1 starts right at the airport terminal in Flesland and ends in the center of Bergen.
Getting Around Bergen
Walking:
- Bergen's city center is relatively compact, and you can walk to most tourist attractions and venues right from the conference venue in the city center. However, be mindful that Bergen is built on mountainous terrain so expect some hills and slopes on some walking routes.
- For short trips, you can also use e-scooters or bikes available through a rental system.
- Bergen Light Rail (Bybanen): Connects the city center with the airport and suburban areas. You must purchase a ticket before boarding, either at a machine or via the Skyss app.
- Buses: A comprehensive bus network covers the city, suburbs, and surrounding areas. You can pay with a credit card on the bus or buy a ticket in advance through the Skyss app.
- Skyss app: The official app from the public transport provider, Skyss allows you to buy tickets and find timetables in English.
- Bergen Card: Includes free public transport on buses and the light rail within a certain area and time period, plus discounts for attractions. Note that the Airport Bus is not included.
- Taxis: Available 24/7 from providers like Bergen Taxi. You can book via phone or apps.
- Ride-sharing: Services like Uber are also available in Bergen.
- The train network is a comfortable and scenic way to travel to other major cities in Norway, like Oslo.
- Most trains offer free Wi-Fi.
- The Hurtigruten coastal ferry stops in Bergen and offers a way to see the coast.
- Local ferries can be used for day trips to nearby islands.
