Trondheim Airport, Værnes

Trondheim Airport Værnes (TRD) serves Trondheim, Norway's third-largest city and the historic capital during the Viking age. Located 35 km east of the city center in Stjørdal, it's Central Norway's main airport and gateway to the Trøndelag region.

The airport has a single terminal that handles domestic and international flights. Compact, efficient, and typical of Norwegian airport design.

Key airlines: SAS, Norwegian, Widerøe, KLM, and various European carriers.

TRD is east of Trondheim:

• To Trondheim city center: 35 km, 30-40 minutes
• To Trondheim Central Station (Trondheim S): 35 km, 30 minutes
• To NTNU (university): 38 km, 35-40 minutes
• To Stjørdal: 5 km, 10 minutes

Uber does not operate in Trondheim. Use taxis or public transport.

Taxis from the rank:

• To Trondheim city center: NOK 600-800 (~$55-75 USD)
• Fixed prices available

Norwegian taxis are expensive. Public transport is more economical.

Flybussen (Airport Express)

Flybussen connects to Trondheim city:

• Route: Airport → Trondheim Central Station → key stops
• Journey time: 35-45 minutes
• Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes
• Cost: NOK 200 (~$18) one-way, cheaper online
• Hours: Matches flight schedule

Train

NSB trains connect to Trondheim:

• Route: Værnes Station (at airport) → Trondheim S
• Journey time: 35 minutes
• Frequency: 1-2 per hour
• Cost: NOK 115-150

The train station is connected to the terminal.

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
P1 Short Term	NOK 350/day	Terminal adjacent
P2 Long Term	NOK 170/day	Short walk
P6 Economy	NOK 130/day	Shuttle

Book online for discounts.

TRD has decent Norwegian airport dining:

Terminal:

• Cafés and restaurants
• Norwegian bakeries
• Fast food options
• Convenience stores (Narvesen)

Network: Avinor WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Good
• Easy connection

SIM cards from:

• Narvesen in terminal
• Carriers: Telenor, Telia
• Prices: NOK 200-300 for prepaid with data

ATMs in the terminal.

Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK). Approximately 10.5 NOK = 1 USD.

Note: Norway is largely cashless. Cards accepted everywhere.

• Duty-free (for non-EU destinations)
• Norwegian souvenirs
• Travel essentials

Best buys: Norwegian sweaters, trolls, aquavit.

SAS Lounge

• Access: SAS Business, Star Alliance Gold
• Amenities: Scandinavian food, drinks, WiFi

Eventyr Lounge

• Access: Priority Pass, or NOK 350 walk-in
• Amenities: Hot food, drinks, comfortable seating

Hotels are available in Stjørdal (10 minutes) or Trondheim city (35 minutes). Most visitors proceed to the city.

Trondheim is Norway's historic heart—a charming university city with Viking heritage, stunning medieval architecture, and a creative cultural scene:

Top attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Nidaros Cathedral: 40 min—Scandinavia's largest medieval cathedral, national pilgrimage site
• Old Town Bridge (Gamle Bybro): 40 min—iconic wooden bridge, warehouse views
• Bakklandet: 40 min—charming wooden houses, cobblestones, cafés
• Kristiansten Fortress: 45 min—hilltop fortress with city views
• Rockheim: 40 min—Norway's national museum of pop and rock music

Waterfront & neighborhoods:

• Bryggen warehouses: Colorful wooden storehouses on the river
• Solsiden: Modern waterfront dining and bars
• Nedre Elvehavn: Converted industrial area, restaurants
• Ila: Student-friendly neighborhood

Day trips from Trondheim:

• Munkholmen Island: 10-min boat—former monastery, summer beach
• Stiklestad: 1 hour—site of famous Viking battle (1030 AD)
• Røros: 2.5 hours—UNESCO mining town, frozen-in-time
• Atlantic Road: 2.5 hours—dramatic coastal highway
• Bymarka: 20 min—forest hiking and skiing

Food & drink:

• NTNU canteens: Student culture; cheap, decent food
• Bakklandet cafés: Cozy spots in wooden houses
• Trondhjem Mikrobryggeri: Craft brewery
• Seafood: Fresh Norwegian fish from local waters
• Karsk: Traditional coffee with moonshine (careful!)

Local tips:

• Student city: NTNU is Norway's largest university; 30,000+ students
• Bike city: World's first bicycle lift (Trampe); cyclists everywhere
• Weather: Sub-arctic but Gulf Stream moderates; dark winters, light summers
• Pilgrimage: St. Olav Way pilgrimage route ends at Nidaros Cathedral
• Olavsfest: July festival celebrating St. Olav
• Midnight sun: Late June—sun doesn't fully set
• Northern Lights: Visible in winter months (December-February)
• Trolley: Take the historic tram through the city
• Locals call it "Transen" or "Tansen" in dialect
• Birthplace of Norwegian kings—historically very important