Getting to Aalesund
a) by plane
Ålesund, which is located on the west coast of Norway, is easy to reach by plane, and there are many daily flights (45 min.) from Oslo Airport, Gardermoen to Ålesund Airport, Vigra - an international airport just outside Aalesund. See http://www.sasbraathens.no/BUS/Pages/Requirement/Requirements.aspx for further information regarding flights, etc.
If you come through Bergen, there are at present three daily flights to Ålesund.
b) by sea
If you come through Bergen, you can take one of the modern passenger coasters 'Hurtigruten' from Bergen to Ålesund and see the beautiful western coastline on your way. See http://www.hurtigruten.no/en/default.aspx
c) by railway and bus
From Oslo or Gardermoen (Oslo Airport) you may also go by train to Dombås or Åndalsnes, and take a bus from there to Ålesund. This travel will take approximately 7 hours.
You can also take an express bus all the way from Oslo or Gardermoen airport to Ålesund, see http://www.nettbuss.no/ (information in Norwegian only)
Although travelling is expensive in Norway, most transport companies offer special prices for students. These are often not listed in the official price lists, and are not automatically granted - so you should make the company aware that you are student when ordering you ticket. In order to get at discount you must document that you are a student (letter of acceptance from AAUC or a student identity card).
d) by car
If you travel by car, the easiest route is to travel through Oslo via Gudbrandsdalen (and Lillehammer). When you reach Dombås, you take the route to Åndalsnes, and follow the road to Ålesund from there. This route crosses the Dovre mountain, and is heavily trafficed, being one of the main routes between the eastern and western part of the country. The distance from Oslo to Ålesund is 533 km or about 7 hours by car.
The speed limit in Norway is 50 km/h in densely populated areas (towns and villages), 70 or 80 km/h on highways and 90 km/h on main highways. Some areas might have special speed limits, so make sure to observe the traffic signs - exceeding speed limits is expensive.
Please observe that the use of seat belts is compulsory - both for drivers and passengers.
Petrol is expensive (pr May 2003 about NOK 8,90 per litre).
Driving in winter requires special winter tires and extra caution as the road conditions change between ice, snow and ice-free roads.
If you plan on taking your car to Norway, you should cheque the regulations for bringing your car, insurance and requirements regarding Driver's Licence with your local authorities before you leave.