Planning a Trip

Getting There

By Plane -- Arø Airport (tel. 71-21-47-10), bordering the coast, lies 4km (2 1/2 miles) east of the heart of Molde. Braathens (tel. 71-21-97-00; www.sasbraathens.no) offers three to five flights daily to and from Oslo. Once here, bus no. 252 goes from the airport into the center, taking 10 minutes and costing 29NOK ($4.45/£2.40).

By Train -- You can go from Oslo as far as Åndalsnes by train. From there, you must take a connecting bus to Molde. Call tel. 71-22-48-78 for schedules.

By Bus -- Buses run between Ålesund and Molde daily, taking 2 hours and costing 125NOK ($19/£10) one-way. There is a ferry crossing at Vestnes. Call tel. 71-58-78-00 for schedules.

By Car -- Driving should take about 1 1/2 hours from Åndalsnes or Ålesund, 3 hours from Dombås, or 4 hours from Trondheim. From Trondheim, take the E6 south to Dombås and then connect with the E69 west. From Ålesund, take the E69 east. From Molde, board the ferry to Vikebukt and then go east on the E69.

By Ferry -- Coming from either Ålesund or Åndalsnes, board the frequent car ferries at Vikebukt or at Vestnes for the crossing north to Molde. In July only, at the height of the tourist season, there is an express ferry called Fjørtoft, between Ålesund and Molde, taking 2 1/2 hours and costing 170NOK ($24/£14) one-way. It sails twice daily Monday to Friday at that time.

By Coastal Steamer -- The coastal steamer Hurtigruten visits Molde on its way between Bergen and Hammerfest (both directions).

Visitor Information

The Molde Travel Association, Storgata 1 (tel. 71-25-71-33; www.visitmolde.com), will provide tourist information and assist in arranging excursions. From June 15 to August 15, it's open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 4pm, and Sunday 10am to 3pm. In the off season, it's open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm.

Special Events

The preeminent event on the Molde calendar is its international Jazz Festival, sponsored around the middle of July and attended by some 60,000 fans. The major open-air concerts are held near the Romsdalsmuseet, although many indoor venues are used as well, including the Idrettenshus or Sports Hall. For more information, contact the Molde International Jazz Festival, Box 271, N-6401 (tel. 71-20-31-50; www.moldejazz.no). Tickets cost from 150NOK to 700NOK ($23-$108/£12-£58) for seats.