Lysebotn at a glance
Lysebotn lies at the end of the Lysefjord, and the Lysevegen climbs out of it in hairpin bends towards the mountain plateau. Two ways lead here: the ferry on line 560 from Lauvvik, and the mountain road. Both depend on season and weather, so plan with both in mind.
Lysebotn is also the base for Kjerag. The mountain road you climb here is the way to the Kjerag trailhead.
Lysefjord ferry to Lysebotn
What to know before you board.
Line 560 and the timetable
Kolumbus runs line 560 between Lauvvik and Lysebotn. The winter timetable is valid from 1 October 2026. Do not rely on the older line number 561 for winter service. Check the current timetable for your date.
Booking
Online booking ends 120 minutes before departure at the start of the line. Plan your arrival so you can book in time.
Check the current timetable
Services on the line can change during the year, for example when work is done on a quay. Check the current timetable before you travel, especially if you plan to bring a car.
Regular boat, car ferry and tourist ferry
These are different services with different seasons. The tourist ferry runs only in season and the last day of the season varies, so confirm your day before you plan around it.
Our picks: tours from Stavanger
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided RIB safari with the captain
- Guided by the captain
- Flotation suits 2XS to 4XL
- Goggles and gloves
A guided trip on the Lysefjord in a high-end RIB. At check-in, look for the flag that says “Stavanger RIB meeting point”.
Check availability →
RIB trip with fjord sightseeing
- Warm suit
- Life jacket
- Goggles
A RIB adventure with fjord sightseeing, starting from an old boathouse in the middle of Stavanger.
Check availability →Tours to Kjerag and the Lysefjord from Stavanger
Guided hikes and fjord trips that start in Stavanger.
Lysevegen: the road to Kjerag
The hairpin road above the village.
Seasonal and weather dependent
The Lysevegen is the mountain road with its hairpin bends above Lysebotn. Treat it as seasonal and weather dependent. A road that is open in summer does not mean it is open in other seasons.
Quay and road are separate
An open quay does not mean the mountain road is open. Road and quay run on different conditions.
On to Kjerag
The Kjerag trailhead lies up the Lysevegen. The 2026 season has ended, and the road is expected to reopen on 1 May 2027. See the Kjerag hike page and the page on the Kjeragbolten.
Staying and exploring
Where Lysebotn fits into a trip.
Where to stay
Bases at the fjord and in Stavanger.
Getting there
Buses, ferries and cars to the Lysefjord.
The Flørli Stairs
A roadless settlement reached by boat.
For other fjords such as the Geirangerfjord or the Nærøyfjord, see the guide to the Norwegian fjords.
Planning a Lysebotn trip
Put the ferry, the road and the season together.
Start with the question of how you travel. By ferry on line 560 you depend on the timetable and the booking deadline. By road you depend on the Lysevegen and on the weather. Neither is a given all year, so pick the date first and check both services for it.
If you plan to bring a car on the ferry, check the current timetable for your date before you book. If you come for Kjerag, remember that the road and trail are expected to reopen on 1 May 2027.
Do not plan a tight connection. Mountain roads and ferries both run late when weather turns. For a relaxed trip, allow a buffer day and keep a guided option from Stavanger in mind, such as the Lysefjord cruise or a guided Kjerag day, so you are not stuck if the road or the ferry is not running.
Lysebotn: frequently asked questions
How do I get to Lysebotn?
By ferry on line 560 from Lauvvik, or by the Lysevegen mountain road. Both depend on season and weather.
Can I take a car on the ferry to Lysebotn?
Not on every service. The regular boat, the car ferry and the tourist ferry differ, so check the current timetable for your date before you travel with a car.
Until when can I book the ferry online?
Online booking ends 120 minutes before departure at the start of the line.
Is the Lysevegen open all year?
Do not assume so. It is seasonal and depends on the weather.
Is line 561 still the winter line?
Do not rely on it. Line 560 from Lauvvik to Lysebotn has a winter timetable valid from 1 October 2026.