Bus Hire in Kongsberg, Norway

King Christian IV founded Kongsberg in 1624 for one reason only: silver had been found in the hills nearby, and for the next 335 years the mines here supplied a large share of Europe's supply of the metal. Around 28,000 people live in the town today, roughly an hour south-west of Oslo, and mining defined nearly every part of its history until the last shaft finally closed in 1958.

That royal mint never really left. Norway's national mint, Norges Mynt, still operates from Kongsberg, striking coins and medals on the same ground where silver was once dug straight out of the mountain. Each July, the town's quieter industrial character gives way to the Kongsberg Jazz Festival, a well-regarded event on the Norwegian festival circuit that draws musicians and audiences from across the country and beyond.

The Kongsberg Silver Mines

Silver was discovered near Kongsberg in 1623, and King Christian IV founded the town the following year specifically to exploit the find, establishing mines that would run continuously for 335 years until the last one closed in 1958. Sølvgruvene, the mine complex at Saggrenda just outside town, is open to groups today, including an underground train ride into the mountain that gives visitors a direct sense of the working conditions that shaped Kongsberg's entire economy for three centuries.

Norges Mynt: The Norwegian Mint

Norway's national mint has operated from Kongsberg since the 17th century, a direct legacy of the town's silver-mining founding, and it remains the site where the country's coins and commemorative medals are struck today. A small museum attached to the mint traces the history of Norwegian coinage and the mint's long connection to the local silver supply.

Kongsberg Jazz Festival

Held each July, the Kongsberg Jazz Festival has built a solid reputation on the Norwegian festival calendar since its first edition in 1964, drawing a mix of domestic and international performers to venues across the town. It is one of the older jazz festivals in the country, and festival week brings a noticeable lift in hotel and coach demand compared with the rest of the year.

What Bus Hire Costs in Kongsberg

As a rough guide, a minibus (up to 19 seats) in Kongsberg runs around 3,600 to 6,200 NOK per day, a midi-coach (around 35 seats) around 5,900 to 10,300 NOK per day, and a full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) around 8,800 to 15,700 NOK per day. Kongsberg sits in the lower-mid range of the Norwegian market, with a July uplift during the jazz festival. The final figure depends on your route, the date, and how long you need the vehicle. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges -- send your details for a free quote.