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World Travel Guide > Guides > Europe > Norway > Stavanger

Local time Stavanger

Currency

Kr

Getting around Stavanger

Public transport

Stavanger and its environs are covered by an extensive bus, car ferry and Hurtigbåt passenger ferry network that is coordinated by Kolumbus (tel: 177, in Norway only; www.kolumbus.no).

There are frequent Hurtigbåt fast passenger boats to the islands of Byøyene, Usken and Hommersåk close to Stavanger. There’s also a ferry service to Vassøy, departing every hour from early morning until late in the evening. These boats leave from the Fiskepiren terminal in Stavanger.

Various kinds of travel cards and passes are available from Kolumbus. Short-term passes allow travel for one, three, seven or 14 days. You can load these onto a Kolumbus Card smartcard.

Taxis

There are many taxi ranks throughout Stavanger, but the two busiest are at the train and bus stations. Recommended taxi companies include Stavanger Taxi (tel: +47 5190 9090), Norges Taxi (tel: 08000, in Norway only) and Rogaland Taxi (tel: +47 5190 9000). Tipping is not expected, though most passengers round the fare up.

Driving

Driving round Stavanger is easy enough, though parts of the downtown core are pedestrianised. On-street parking is difficult, but not impossible, and there are several central car parks, including one behind the bus station and another beside the main harbour, Vågen. An electronic toll charge is levied on all vehicles entering the city via car number plates.

Car hire

Several car hire companies operate in Stavanger, including Avis (tel: +47 5171 8950; www.avis.com), Hertz (tel: +47 5165 1096; www.hertz.com) and Europcar (tel: +47 5153 8200; www.europcar.com).

Bicycle hire

Stavanger's tourist office, Domkirkplassen 3 (tel: +47 5185 9200; www.regionstavanger.com) has a small number of bikes for hire. Otherwise, in neighbouring Sandnes, you can rent bikes from Spinn, a cycle shop at Vågsgata 7 (tel: +47 5167 5310). The terrain in and around Stavanger is reasonably flat and easy to negotiate by bike.

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Featured Hotels

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Skansen Hotel

A moderately priced hotel down by the main harbour, this unassuming place has about 30 en suite guest rooms decorated in a neat and trim modern style with comfortable beds, TVs and private bathrooms. The hotel bar can be a fun place to socialise, as it has become something of a meeting place for locals and hotel guests alike.

Stavanger Bed & Breakfast

Located in a residential area just five minutes' walk from the railway station this friendly hostel-style B&B has around 20 frugal but very clean rooms most of which have showers and sinks but shared WCs. Every night guests gather for complimentary tea coffee and waffles – and a very pleasant evening it is too with travellers sharing tips and gossip. Free parking and Wi-Fi too. One of the best cheap hotels in Stavanger.

Thon Hotel Maritim

Overlooking lake Breivannet, this large, medium-range, tower-block hotel has over 200 modern rooms plus a gym, sauna and solarium. The city's shopping and cultural venues are just a few minutes' walk away.

Skagen Brygge Hotell

With its perfect location down by the harbour, this delightful modern Stavanager hotel was built in the style of an old warehouse to blend in with its surroundings. The rooms are tastefully decorated and the buffet breakfast excellent. The hotel has a Turkish steam bath, sauna, sun beds and a fitness room. There is also a nice coffee corner selling hot drinks and international newspapers.

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel

With its 215 large and well-appointed guest rooms, this is one of Stavanger's larger accommodation options, and stands close to the Old Town. The hotel offers complimentary high-speed and wireless internet access throughout the premises. Facilities include a gym and sauna.

Preikestolen Mountain Lodge

At the starting point of the two-hour hike to the remarkable Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), this new mountain lodge has 27 en suite rooms, each of which is comfortable and in tip-top condition. There's a café, a restaurant and a lovely lounge with wide views plus a roaring fire in winter.