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- Last Updated on April 10, 2024
Norway in a Nutshell is the name given to the popular route across southern Norway through the Sognefjord. This adventure provides an introduction to Norway’s majestic landscape, involving transport via a series of trains, a bus, and a boat. This excursion is usually taken as a one-way journey between Oslo and Bergen, but also makes a great day trip from Bergen. The boat is the main attraction, but the trains also offer spectacular views.
Norway In A Nutshell Route
This is typically an all-day trip from Oslo to Bergen (or reverse). It is also available as a round-trip from Bergen, Oslo, or Flam. We recommend doing the Oslo-Bergen one way route (or reverse), or the round trip from Bergen. The round trip from Oslo is quite a long day, and Flam is quite rainy and has fewer attractions than the other cities.
Each leg is booked individually, and there are plenty of add-ons, so you can choose your own adventure. The traditional Oslo-to-Bergen route is described below.
Don’t be concerned about some of the short transfer times you see – each leg will wait for the next if there is any delay. There is almost no walking between connections. However, you do still need to hurry to your next leg if the transfer time is short, as they won’t wait for you to stop by the bathroom.
Train Ride (Oslo-Myrdal)
The journey starts with the five-hour train from Oslo to Myrdal.
There is enough room for a reasonable amount of luggage on the trains. If there is no obvious place for the bags, think outside the box and you’ll find a place (under the seat, between the backs of the seats, etc).
Flamsbana Scenic Train Ride (Myrdal-Flam)
Get off at Myrdal and hop on the one-hour Flamsbana train to Flam, where you will ride vintage-style cars through spectacular scenery. There is a 5-minute stop at a waterfall for photos, where you may even get to see the Norse legend Huldra, a temptress who lures men into the woods. You can often see her dancing through the mist.
Norwegian Fjords Cruise Ride (Flam-Gudvangen)
In Flam, you will catch your 2-hour boat through two Sognefjord offshoots, the Aurlandsfjord and the Naeroyfjord. This boat ride is the route’s main attraction. Make sure to get in line to board the boat at least 30 min in advance in high season so that you can get a good seat. (When you get to Flam, ask the visitor center which pier your boat takes off from, as there may be multiple departures at the same time.)
Scenic Bus Ride (Gudvangen-Voss)
The boat terminates in Gudvangen, where you’ll catch your bus to Voss. This bus takes approximately 90 minutes and includes a stop in Stalheim, where you should get out and walk through a hotel lobby to get a breathtaking view. Don’t skip this part – this view may actually be better than the views you get from the boat.
Scenic Train Ride (Voss-Bergen)
The bus terminates in Voss, where you will catch your 90-minute train to Bergen after a long day of sightseeing.
Cost For Norway In A Nutshell
Approximate total prices for various routes are listed below (without student or rail pass discounts).
Oslo-Bergen (or Bergen-Oslo): $250 per person.
Oslo round trip: $340 per person.
Bergen round trip: $190 per person.
Flam round trip: $155 per person.
How To Book
Booking With Fjord Tours
Book in advance, at least 4-6 weeks before in high season. We highly recommend booking through the Fjord Tours website, as it is much more difficult to book each leg separately, and the price is essentially the same. (If, however, you are a student or have a Eurail Pass for Norway, then the cost savings of booking the legs separately may outweigh the difficulty. See below on booking the legs independently.)
Norway In A Nutshell On Your Own
Train From Oslo/Bergen to Myrdal
Website: www.vy.no. To book a discounted fare, you must book by phone +47 61 27 90 88
Flamsbana Scenic Train Ride (Myrdal-Flam)
Website: www.norwaysbest.com/flamsbana. To book a discounted fare, you must book by phone +47 61 27 90 88
Fjords Cruise
Website: www.norwaysbest.com/fjord-cruise. To book a discounted fare, you must book by phone +47 57 63 14 00
Scenic Bus Ride (Gudvangen-Voss)
Cost: $10 per person (no discount available)
Website: www.norwaysbest.com/bus-services
Train From Voss to Oslo/Bergen
Website: www.vy.no. To book a discounted fare, you must book by phone +47 61 27 90 88
When To Go
This route is beautiful all year round. In the summer, the weather will be warmer, but there will be more crowds. In the winter, it will be cold, but you won’t have to share your experience with as many strangers. There also may be fewer restaurants, shops, and side attractions open during winter.
What To Wear
Expect rain. When we went (in summer), it rained 90% of the trip, and this is not unusual. Pack rainproof clothing, including a waterproof hood and umbrella, even in summer. Check the forecast for Flam the day before your tour, and layer your clothing accordingly. You won’t have to spend that much time outside, as you will spend most of your time on trains, and there is plenty of room inside the enclosed area of the boat.
Where To Eat
There aren’t really any good options to eat en route. There are a handful of cafes in Flam if you have a long enough layover there – Flamstova Restaurant is probably your best bet. They also sell very limited food items on the boat (e.g., hot dogs, burgers, chips). Packing your own lunch can be a great option, allowing you more time enjoying the scenery, rather than waiting in lines.
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