Why you have to do the “Norway in a Nutshell”-Tour
When traveling from Oslo to Bergen, you have to take the Bergensbanen and do the “Norway in a Nutshell”-Tour. Do not make the mistake to take the plane and miss out on one of Europe’s most beautiful train rides.
The train ride with the Bergensbanen leads along lakes, (frozen) rivers, waterfalls and breathtaking mountain landscapes.
Read below for more details about the exact route and how to plan your own trip with the Bergensbanen.
“Norway in a Nutshell” is the official name of the “touristic edition” of the train ride, which connects mountains and fjords. The train consists of five parts:
- Trainride Oslo – Mydral
- Scenic Trainride Mydral – Flam
- Fjord cruise Flam – Gudvangen
- Busride Gudvangen – Voss
- Trainride Voss – Bergen
Trainride Oslo – Mydral
The first and the last part are covered by the “normal” train connection between Oslo and Bergen. You can also use this connection and abstain the touristic part.
The Bergen Railway is Northern Europe’s highest stretch of railway, and crosses both the Langfjellene mountains and the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, with Finse as the highest station at 1222 meters above sea level.
The small town of “Finse” is also well known as “Norwegian Arctic” and is located in an area, which reminds you of an arctic tundra. On the first part from Oslo to Mydral you will pass by an absolute winter wonderland.
Scenic Trainride Mydral – Flam
The “touristic part” part between Myrdal and Voss includes a train ride with the historic train “Flamsbana” down to the valley of Flam. The 20 km-long train ride took 20 years to be built and is one of the steepest railway lines in the world.
The old historic Flamsbana is very charming and is not just a train ride, but a throwback in time. On your drive you will stop by the “Kjosfossen” waterfall and pass around twenty tunnels before finishing your ride at the entrance to the Aurlandsfjord.
The Aurlandsfjord is connecting with the famous Sognefjord. From here you will continue by boat.
Fjord cruise Flam – Gudvangen
A ferry will take you through the impressive Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjorden and along the Nærøydalen valley, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On your way to Gudvangen you are passing by breathtaking fjord sceneries, small villages on the coast sides and raging waterfalls. Latest by now, you will understand, why this train ride is sold as “Norway in a Nutshell”.
Fjords and mountains are synonymous with “Norway” and this experience is designed to give you the best of both worlds in just one day.
Busride Gudvangen – Voss
From Gudvangen a bus will bring you to Voss (Yes, this is where the famous Norwegian mineral water comes from) and from here you will continue your journey to Bergen by train.
The bus drives along the famous Stalheimskleiva road. The Stalheimskleiva winds through 13 hairpin curves and offers breathtaking views of the Sivlefossen and Stalheimsfossen waterfalls. The road is one of the steepest of northern Europe. Unfortunately, the road is only open from May to September and the bus will take a different route, when doing the “Norway in a Nutshell” – tour in Winter.
Trainride Voss – Bergen
In Voss you will again board the Bergensbanen and continue your travel to Bergen.
Hint: This will not be the same train as the one your left in Mydral. Make sure, that you have all of your stuff with you, when interchanging from the Bergensbanen to the Flamsbana.
We did this journey in one day, but you can also add several (overnight) stops on your way from Oslo to Bergen. If you want to experience more, you can easily extend and combine the trip with other experiences and accommodation along the way.
The complete tour including the fjord ferry is operated the whole year. BUT keep in mind that – when doing this trip in winter time – sun sets around 4 p.m. This means, that you will do parts of the fjord cruise in darkness.
The “Norway in a Nutshell”-Tour cost around 1.878 NOK (185€ per Person). The tickets include all parts of the journey described above, but no food or drinks.
Tickets are available via the official website. I would recommend to book them in advance, as seats on the Flamsbana are limited.
