Oslo and Stavanger aren't even 200 aerial miles apart, but getting from one city to another by land takes far longer than expected - getting from Oslo to Stavanger, or from Stavanger to Oslo isn't exactly a straight shot. Here are the options with pros and cons:

1- Oslo to Stavanger by Air

Definitely the fastest option. You can hop from Oslo to Stavanger or from Stavanger back to Oslo with a direct, 50-minute flight.

Airlines covering the popular Oslo-Stavanger route are Norwegian and SAS with almost hourly flights. Starting around $80 one-way when booked in advance, Norwegian is generally the cheapest airline between Oslo and Stavanger. Pros and cons? Quick and painless, but also one of the more expensive options.

• Compare flight prices between Stavanger and Oslo

2- Oslo to Stavanger by Train

If you want to relax and have a nice view along Norway's southern coast, use the train from Oslo to Stavanger. Bad news is that the train from Oslo to Stavanger takes about 8 hours. But if you have the time for a scenic trip and buy Minipris tickets (Norwegian) in advance, it will only cost around $35 - $50 one way. You can also make train reservations for Norway at RailEurope.com.

3- Oslo to Stavanger by Car

The option for flexibility. If you're renting a car in Oslo (or in Stavanger) and want to drive the 300 miles / 500 km to the other city, know that there are two options that include toll roads, and a longer one that doesn't.

• The quickest option (9 hrs) from Oslo to Stavanger is taking the E18 and then turning on to roads 41 and 42 west. From Stavanger to Oslo, first follow road 42, road 41, and then the E18 east.

• The inland route takes a bit longer (9.5 hrs). From Oslo to Stavanger, use the E134, then road 37, meet up with the E134 again and take the E39 for the last stretch to Stavanger. From Stavanger to Oslo, simply reverse the route.
• If you want to avoid any toll roads between Oslo and Stavanger, follow the second route described, but (coming from Oslo) turn onto road 13 going southwest toward Stavanger. From Stavanger to Oslo, head northeast on road 13 first and meet up with the E134 later on. Approx. 10 hrs.

4- Oslo to Stavanger by Bus

Nor-Way Bussekspress and Lavprisekspressen operate the buses between Oslo and Stavanger. It's a long, 10-hour trip. The bus between Oslo and Stavanger costs about the same as the train...which is faster, more punctual, and more comfortable.