Getting Around Trondheim
Trondheim is a compact, waterfront city, and most visitors find they can cover the centre on foot while leaning on a well-developed public transport network for anything further out. The city sits on the south shore of Trondheim Fjord at the mouth of the Nidelva river, and the historic core, known as Midtbyen, is small and walkable. For longer hops, buses do most of the heavy lifting, backed up by a single tram line and a commuter rail line. The public transport authority is AtB, which tenders the operators, sets the fares, and runs the ticketing system across buses, the tram, and local trains.
Walking and Cycling
Midtbyen is compact and walkable, and the cobblestone streets of Bakklandet along the Nidelva river make for a pleasant stroll. Walking tours covering history, culture, and food are offered by local companies, and the tourist office can supply free maps and self-guided resources.
Cycling is well supported, with dedicated lanes and paths in many areas. Trondheim Bysykkel is a city bike-sharing scheme with stations around town, typically operating from spring to autumn, and bike shops rent out city bikes, mountain bikes, and e-bikes by the day or week. Cyclists follow standard traffic rules, and helmets are recommended. Two cautions worth remembering: watch for cyclists when crossing bike lanes, and be careful on uneven cobblestones, which can be tricky for wheelchairs and limited mobility. In winter, pavements can be icy.
Buses
Buses are the main way to travel in and around the city centre and cover nearly all of Trondheim, with frequent departures during the day and less frequent service in the evenings. The network was overhauled for efficiency, with routes renumbered and many changed. A key part of the network is the Metrobus concept: tram-like arterial routes, including one that links several suburbs with the city centre and runs at high frequency during busy times. Metrobuses have USB charging points at some window seats, while regular local buses do not. The fleet is gradually being replaced by electric buses, which are quiet, so take care when crossing roads.
Service generally runs from early morning until late evening or midnight, with reduced weekend service and some weekend night buses. Night bus service runs on weekends at an extra cost. All buses have low entrances and ramps for wheelchair and stroller boarding, with designated areas near the driver, and buses, trams, and boats use high-contrast design for people with reduced vision.
Tram
Trondheim has a single remaining tram line, the Gråkallbanen, often described as the northernmost tram line in the world and a tourist attraction in its own right. It runs from St. Olavs street in the city centre out to Lian, in the forest, with scenic views over the city along the way. It is a useful way to reach the Bymarka recreational area, and there are swimming opportunities in the lake at Lian. The tram is less frequent than the buses but consistent during operating hours, and it has some steps, so it is less accessible than the modern buses. All bus tickets and passes are valid on the tram, and tickets are bought through the same AtB app.
Local and Long-Distance Trains
Trondheim is the hub of the Trøndelag commuter line, which runs from Lundamo in the south to Steinkjer in the north, serving suburbs and providing the airport rail link. The commuter service is operated by SJ Nord, and AtB tickets and passes are valid within the AtB ticketing area, with a zone 1 ticket covering the airport to Trondheim Central Station. Long-distance lines also run to Oslo and Bodø.
Trondheim Central Station (Trondheim S) is fairly small and just a few minutes north of the city centre. The bus station is next door, and an elevated causeway connects the train and bus stations with the boat terminus on the fjord. Toilets and lockers are available for a fee, there is a kiosk in the terminal and a bakery and restaurant on the causeway above the tracks, and a supermarket is about five minutes away towards the centre.
Tickets and Passes
The most convenient way to buy tickets is the official AtB app, which is available for Android and iOS with English options and also includes a journey planner, live timetables, and live stop times. Other options include sending an SMS to 2027 with the text "VOKSEN", ticket machines at major stops (which accept cash and card but are not always well maintained), and retailers such as Narvesen, 7-Eleven, and Deli de Luca, which usually sell only single and 24-hour tickets. Onboard purchase is possible on trains but not on buses; where drivers do sell tickets, they accept cash only and carry little change, and there is a supplement for buying onboard. Travelcards exist but cost extra for the card itself, which makes them poor value for a short visit.
Single tickets function as time-limited tickets and are valid for transfers, for example between two buses. Day passes and 7-day passes are also available, and the app offers 24-hour and 7-day tickets. Note that tickets cannot be bought on board the bus.
You do not need to show your ticket to the driver when boarding local buses. Instead, roving ticket inspectors conduct regular controls, and buying a ticket only upon seeing inspectors does not work. Failing to produce a valid ticket, including because your phone battery is dead, results in a large fine, with a discount if paid immediately; offenders are typically asked to leave the bus and must buy a new ticket to continue.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Licensed taxis are typically white or black with a "Taxi" sign and are available at stands such as the Central Station and large hotels, or by phone or app. Companies include Norgestaxi Trondheim and Trøndertaxi. Fares are metered, card payment is universally accepted, and taxis are highly regulated. Uber and Bolt also operate in Trondheim, with Uber often somewhat cheaper than a traditional taxi.
Boats and Seasonal Transport
Munkholmen island is reachable by a seasonal ferry from Ravnkloa, typically running from May to September. Nidelva river boat tours depart near the Old Town Bridge. Hop-on-hop-off tour buses operate seasonally, mainly in summer, and serve cruise passengers.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Trondheim Airport Værnes (TRD) handles both international and national flights, with plenty of daily flights from Oslo and several from other Norwegian cities, plus international destinations including London Gatwick, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Riga. Luggage storage is available outside of security.
Several transfer options run to downtown Trondheim, and the cheapest and most convenient is the train. Trains depart to Trondheim roughly hourly on weekdays and roughly every second hour on weekends, and the train is more scenic than the bus but far less frequent. The corridor to the railway station begins next to baggage belt 2. The journey to Trondheim Central Station takes well under an hour. The train may also be the best option for continuing to other destinations such as Levanger, Verdal, and Steinkjer, and long-distance trains towards Fauske and Bodø in Northern Norway also pass the airport.
Bus lines 70 and 311 also run regularly to the city, stopping at "Trondheim lufthavn". To find the stop, enter the parking garage and walk straight through to the other side, exit through the opening on the left, follow the road and bear right, and you should see the stop on the other side of the street from a gas station. The bus takes longer than the train to reach the city centre.
A useful detail for combining modes: a ticket bought for the airport train is also valid on buses and trams in the city for a set period after purchase, longer on weekday evenings and weekends. The ticket does not need to be valid for the entire duration of the trip; as long as it is valid when you enter the bus or train, it remains valid until you exit, even if it expires during the trip.
Værnes-Ekspressen is by far the most expensive option, though it stops directly in front of the baggage carousel, making it slightly more convenient. Check the schedule before buying a return ticket, and note that prices are slightly cheaper if purchased in advance. Taxi companies serving the airport include Trøndertaxi, Norgestaxi, and Stjørdal Taxi, and many offer a fixed price to Trondheim in a shared or chartered taxi.
Practical Tips
- Use the AtB app for tickets, timetables, and journey planning; it works best when you know the names of the nearest stops, and Google Maps can help identify them.
- Plan a couple of alternative routes near the city centre in case of delays.
- Know your destination and direction before boarding, and offer your seat to elderly or less mobile passengers.
- If you use a travelcard, remember to validate it on boarding.
- Check venue websites directly if you need step-free access, since cobblestone areas like Bakklandet present challenges for wheelchairs and limited mobility.
- Petty crime is low but does occur; avoid isolated areas late at night, watch traffic, and be mindful near the water.