How Much Time Do You Need at Ulriken? Plans for 1 Hour, Half a Day and a Full Day

By the Ulriken643 team · Updated November 2026

Below are our own timings, based on how long things actually take for our guests.

The building blocks

Plan A: 1.5–2 hours (the essentials)

1. Take the Ulriken Express bus from Torgallmenningen.
2. Ride the cable car up.
3. Spend 45–60 minutes on the viewing terrace and the short walk around the summit station.
4. Ride down and take the bus back.

Good for: cruise passengers with limited time, a stop between other sights, a winter afternoon.

Plan B: half a day (3–4 hours)

1. Bus and cable car up.
2. Walk the Panorama Trail to the cairn on Ulriken's highest point (about 40 minutes return).
3. Lunch at Skyskraperen or a simpler meal at Ulriken Café.
4. Optional: the zipline (ages 8 and up, max 100 kg).
5. Ride down, or walk down the Sherpa steps if your knees are up for it.

Good for: couples, families with school-age children, anyone wanting a relaxed day with a meal.

Plan C: a full day (6–8 hours)

1. Cable car up in the morning.
2. Hike Vidden across the mountain plateau (about 5 hours).
3. Walk down to the city centre at the end of the trail.

Good for: hikers in reasonable shape, from June to September. Do not start Vidden in fog, strong wind or late in the day.

Plan D: the evening visit

From April to September the cable car runs until 23:00. In June the sun sets around 23:00 in Bergen, so you can have dinner in town and still catch sunset from the top. Note that the Ulriken Express bus stops running in the early evening (last bus back at 18:15), so in the evening you take public transport or a taxi.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book a time for the cable car? No. Ulriksbanen runs continuously and there are no time slots. Tickets bought online can be used when you arrive.

How early should I arrive on busy days? Summer mornings and cruise days are busiest. Arriving before 10:00 or after 16:00 usually means less waiting.

Is one hour at the top enough? For the view and a coffee, yes. If you want to walk to the summit cairn, add 40 minutes.