10 Likes
I love a good commuter ferry 
We’ve found in Norway that jumping on a ferry can be a much better day out on the fjords than many of the expensive excursions with tourist companies. Far fewer people clamouring for a space on the deck. Cleaner. Muuuch cheaper.
You could spend £50 to have a cruise around Oslo harbour. Or you can buy a day pass for the island-hopping ferries for a tenner. The ferry follows the same route as the tourist boat, but you can just go down to the harbour when you’re ready, jump on the next ferry and stop off at as many of the little villages as you want.
One of our favourite days out was during the first holiday we had to Bergen. A spur-of-the-moment return ticket on the ferry to Skjerjehamn. About 90 minutes to get there and then about an hour before the ferry stops in on the way back. Just enough time to explore (it’s basically a trading post with a couple of houses) and enjoy a hot chocolate and a waffle outside the cafe on the harbour.
3 Likes
We used quite a few ferries, especially as Balestrand is so remote.
The ferries are so quiet and barely move, that it can be a surprise to find you’ve arrived at the next port.
The contract is changing soon, so a new company will be taking over the routes.
We did a tourist Fjord cruise from Flam. The ferry was crammed outside, so your suggestion of using the local ferries is definitely one to remember for the future.
1 Like