The Fløibanen funicular – Bergen's most visited attraction and festival arena

Fløibanen + festival = one of the city's most spectacular arenas, where opera can be experienced on Bergen's most iconic mountain. Since 1918, the funicular has been transporting Bergen residents and visitors to the top of Mount Fløyen, 320 metres above sea level.

During the Bergen International Festival, you can experience performances on the way up to the panoramic view of the Fløibanen funicular. With impromptu performances both on the Fløibanen funicular and at the top, you can suddenly experience opera during the festival, along with a view of Bergen, the fjord and the seven city mountains.

From idea to icon

The idea of a cable car to Fløyen was first put forward in 1895 by the Bergen resident and mayor John Lund, but it took over 20 years before the project was realised. In 1918, the Fløibanen funicular, originally built to make the steep mountainside accessible to the city's residents, finally opened. Since then, the line has been in continuous operation, closing only for upgrades. The two carriages, Blåmann ('Blue Man') and Rødhette ('Little Red Riding Hood'), painted in red and blue, respectively, together with the white lower station, make up the colours of the Norwegian flag. Today, each carriage can accommodate 120 passengers and runs as often as every five minutes during peak season.

OperaOpptur! – on the mountain

During the Bergen International Festival, the Fløibanen funicular and the top of Mount Fløyen will be the arena for OperaOpptur!, where emerging opera stars sing with Bergen as a backdrop. Mini-concerts at the top of the mountain give the audience a unique combination of operatic art and nature experiences, where the view of the city and the fjord forms a dramatic background for lovely voices. You only pay for the ticket to Fløibanen, the festival program is free.

An arena with a view

At the top of the mountain, you get Fløyen's unique panoramic view, from a large viewing platform that gives you Bergen city, the harbour, the islands and the mountains at your feet. Early mornings and late evenings provide especially magical light conditions.

How to get to Fløibanen?

Fløibanen's address

The lower station is located in Bergen city centre, Vetrlidsallmenningen 21, just a five-minute walk from the Fish Market.

Transport to Fløibanen

We encourage the public to use public transport. Fløibanen funicular is centrally located in Bergen city centre just a short walk from many bus stops. See skyss.no for timetables. Bergen City Bike has stations nearby. The nearest parking garage is in Rosenkrantzgaten or Bergen Storsenter. Cars can be driven up to the ticket office for dropping off and collecting passengers.

Accessibility on the Fløibanen funicular

For wheelchair users

The funicular is adapted for wheelchair users. Each funicular can take up to three wheelchairs. The doorway is 1.2 meters wide, and the carriage is 4.8 square metres. A lift at the lower station takes you to the accessible carriage. Note that the road to the lower station is uphill.

Assistive devices

There are no special devices for the hearing impaired on the Fløibanen funicular. Contact billett@fib.no if you have any questions about accessibility for events at the top.