How Lysefjord tours from Stavanger differ
Most Lysefjord tours start in Stavanger. A fjord cruise or a RIB boat takes you along the water and shows Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) from below. A guided hike takes you up to the plateau on foot. A few tours combine the two. The differences that matter are the length, the meeting point and what the price covers.
A Lysefjord tour that starts on the water does not take you up the cliff, and a hike does not include a boat unless the description says so. Check each point before you book.
Travelling as a family or a group of friends? Our guide to a Lysefjord private tour compares private hikes, city tours and boats.
Our picks: tours from Stavanger
The two RIB trips and the speedboat safari are the fast options on the fjord, while the guided Preikestolen hike is the day on land. The winter tour with a fjord cruise and the minibus loop are for travelling outside summer or seeing more of the city.
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.
Fjord cruise and guided winter hike to Preikestolen
- Snow spikes if needed
- Poles and head lamp
- Packed lunch
Two hours on the fjord first, then a guided winter hike, with transport and a drop-off at your Stavanger hotel.
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Preikestolen hike with an expert guide
- Snacks
- Parking fees
A guided day hike to Preikestolen for people who prefer to leave the driving and parking to someone else.
Check availability →Guided Lysefjord speedboat safari
- Vagabond's cave, Pulpit Rock, Whiskey Falls
- Experienced captain
- Floating suit and inflatable life jacket
A guided safari on a brand-new adventure boat, with a floating suit for warmth and safety.
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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”.
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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.
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Stavanger highlights by minibus
- Swords in the Rock monument
- Ullandhaug tower viewpoint
- Vintage-car museum with free entry
A minibus loop through the city and countryside, with a stop at a fishing harbour with a beach and WW2 ruins.
Check availability →Lysefjord tours and day trips from Stavanger
Fjord cruises, RIB safaris, guided Pulpit Rock hikes and Kjerag tours, with live prices and availability.
The tour types in detail
What each type involves, and who it suits.
Fjord cruise by catamaran, electric or hybrid ship
Ships run for about 2.5 to 3.5 hours and leave from the Strandkaien area in the harbour. Depending on the ship, you get panoramic windows, a sun deck, Wi-Fi and an audio guide. Food is not included. Cruises show Preikestolen from the water. This is the easy way to see the fjord for most people, and it suits families and anyone who does not want to hike.
Fjord cruises →RIB boat tour
A RIB tour takes about 2 hours in a fast open boat with a skipper. A flotation suit, life jacket, goggles and gloves are provided. Meeting points are at Strandkaien or in front of the maritime museum behind the fish market. Parking is not included. It suits people who want a quick, active ride.
RIB safari →Guided Pulpit Rock hike
Guided hikes last about 6 to 7 hours in total. Some include pick-up from central hotels or ports in Stavanger and a hiking snack, others start at the cruise terminal and use a bus. Water and lunch are extra on some tours. It suits hikers who want a guide or do not want to drive.
Guided hikes →RIB safari and hike in one day
One tour combines a RIB ride in the fjord, a minibus transfer to the trail and a guided hike to the top, with a snack and the return to Stavanger, in about 7 hours. Hiking clothes can be hired, and harbour parking is not included.
Kjerag hike with a guide
Guided Kjerag tours last 11 to 12 hours with a guide and transport, and one includes hotel pick-up. Kjerag is closed for the season and is expected to reopen on 1 May 2027, so these tours depend on the trail being open.
Kjerag →Which tour fits you
A short way to choose.
| Tour type | Length | On foot | Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fjord cruise (catamaran, electric, hybrid) | 2.5 to 3.5 hours | – | Strandkaien, Stavanger |
| RIB boat tour | About 2 hours | – | Strandkaien or the maritime museum |
| Guided Pulpit Rock hike | 6 to 7 hours | About 8 km return | Hotel pick-up or cruise terminal |
| RIB and hike | About 7 hours | Guided hike to the top | Maritime museum, Stavanger |
| Kjerag hike with guide | 11 to 12 hours | Yes, when the trail is open | Hotel pick-up |
For most visitors on a first trip, a fjord cruise is the best start, and a guided hike is the next choice for anyone who wants the plateau without driving. The hike is 8 km return, about 4 hours, with 500 metres of climbing in total (2026).
Tour tips for cruise passengers
Time is short on a port day.
If you arrive on a cruise ship, choose a tour whose meeting point is at the cruise terminal or on Strandkaien. One RIB meeting point is a 5 to 10 minute walk from the terminal, and one guided hike starts at the cruise terminal itself. Do not count on a return time that is guaranteed for your ship. Ask the tour provider about the length before you book. Walking times to Preikestolen are a plan for good conditions and not a promise.
If you are based in Bergen instead, the guide at Bryggen and Bergen covers fjord cruises from there. Plan the rest of your stay with Stavanger, getting there and the best time to visit.
Lysefjord tours: frequently asked questions
What is the best Lysefjord tour?
It depends on what you want. A cruise is easiest, a RIB tour is faster, and a guided hike gets you to the plateau. See the table above.
Can I stand on Pulpit Rock on a boat tour?
No. A boat shows the cliff from below. The plateau is reached on foot. The tours that include a hike say so in their description.
Are food and drinks included?
It differs. Hiking tours often include a snack, cruises sell food on board, and some tours ask you to bring lunch or water. Check the includes before you book.
Where do the tours start?
Most boat tours leave from the Strandkaien area in the Stavanger harbour. Guided hikes start at the cruise terminal or with pick-up from central hotels and ports. Read the meeting point on the offer.
Can I hike to Kjerag on a tour right now?
Kjerag is closed for the season and is expected to reopen on 1 May 2027, so check the current status first.