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Norway in a Nutshell Tour [Complete Guide + ON YOUR OWN]

by Lisa Stentvedt
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Many of you come across the Norway in a Nutshell tour when researching your trip to Norway, and having grown up in one of the villages it travels through, I’m the perfect person to write a complete guide to it. And especially how to book Norway in a Nutshell on your own.

Another reason I am the best person to write about this topic is that I used to work as the booking manager at the Visitor Center in Flåm, who handles tickets and customer service for the fjord cruise and Flåm Railway – two major parts of the Norway in a Nutshell route.

Therefore, I have handled my fair share of situations regarding Norway in a Nutshell travelers, and know all the secrets and tips (especially for what not to do).

Norway in a Nutshell (often “NIN” for short) is a tour that takes you through the beautiful fjords, and removes some of the hassle of having to figure out the different modes of transportation to get there. But, you also have to pay to avoid this hassle, and more and more of you are wondering if it is possible to do Norway in a Nutshell on your own.

Trust me, it is. I am writing this post after a comment on one of my Norway travel guides requesting it, and it’s one I’ve been thinking of doing for a while.

This makes sense, as we are less inclined to travel on so-called “package tours” these days, and most people want to book their own tours and travel individually. I personally hardly ever book packages when I travel, and always try to find my own way to do things.

This way, you get to put together a trip that is perfect for their interests and priorities.

In this post I want to show you just how easy it is to do Norway in a Nutshell on your own, and where you can book all the different legs of the tour! Consider this post the starting point for your Norway in a Nutshell itinerary.

A beautiful fjord landscape, with colourful buildings lining the fjord on one side (a village called Aurland), and steep mountains on the other.
The Norway in a Nutshell tour goes through Aurland, where I grew up!

Why Choose Norway in a Nutshell?

The Norway in a Nutshell tour is great, especially if you are looking for an easy way to see the fjords from Bergen or Oslo, without having to spend time figuring out the different schedules and tickets yourself.

The tour consists of transportation offered by several companies, and by booking it as one big trip, you avoid having to book it through all these different companies.

Thus, the main reason to go on the NIN tour is convenience.

The second reason people book it (and apologies in advance), is that they don’t know that they can book all these things on their own, without it actually being that much hassle or work. The Norway in a Nutshell cost also significantly decreases by booking it yourself. But more on that later.

I’ve included all the links and specifics you need in this post to book it on your own, and hopefully you’ll find that this gives you more freedom to plan your perfect trip to Norway.

A winter fjord landscape in western Norway. Snow-covered roofs lining a fjord, with steep, snow-capped mountains on the other side.
This is almost the same view as above, but in the winter. The fjords sure are beautiful!

About the Norway in a Nutshell Tour

What even is the Norway in a Nutshell tour? You may have heard of it when starting to research for your trip, and you may also have come across the FjordTours website (the company selling the tour). However, it may also have left you slightly confused (personally, I find it to be rather unclear).

Put simply, Norway in a Nutshell is the name of a package trip taking you through Norway.

It is really that simple.

The package consists of bus, train and boat tickets, accompanied by a schedule that you have to follow.

Side note: more companies are now offering the package tickets, and you can even book your Norway in a Nutshell tour on Viator now!

The Norway in a Nutshell itinerary starts in either Bergen or Oslo, and takes you through the UNESCO-Listed Nærøyfjord via the different modes of transportation. I have covered the route and schedule in more detail below.

Each ticket you get is for a specified departure, and you should not consider it to be an open ticket. You have no idea how many frustrated travellers I have met in Flåm because they thought they had a ticket for any departure, and in the end weren’t able to travel on the (completely full) boat they wanted to be on.

The package trip starts from both major cities in Norway, and it is possible to do Norway in a Nutshell from Oslo and from Bergen. You can also choose whether you want to end up back in the city where you started, or whether you want to finish the tour in the other city.

Additionally, you can elect to spend a night in the Flåm or Aurland area, and can book your accommodation through FjordTours (who sell the NIN tour).

As this is where I grew up, I warmly recommend spending time here, and hope you’ll check out my guide to hotels in Flåm, and these fun and sustainable experiences in the area!

As you can see, there are many variations of the trip. There is also a tour called Sognefjord in a Nutshell, leaving from Bergen. On this tour, you spend a little longer onboard an express boat going from Bergen to Flåm, through the entirety of the Sognefjord.

I am sure you found this post because you are curious about the Norway in a Nutshell route and itinerary, and you want to figure out how to go about booking and doing the tour on your own. So let’s dive in!

Before your trip, don’t miss my eBook “Flåm and the Fjords: travel guide to Aurland, Flåm and the Aurlandsfjord area” – it contains everything you need to know before visiting the fjords:

Get the travel guide here!
A beautiful photo of a quiet fjord in Norway, with tall mountains on either side and blue, cloudy skies above. There is a small boat sailing across the fjord to the left of the photo. This area is part of the Norway in a nutshell tour.
Flåm and the fjords is such a beautiful area of Norway – not to be missed!

How to do Norway in a Nutshell on your own [4 Steps]

If you take one thing from this article, I hope it is this. Doing Norway in a Nutshell on your own is completely doable, and not at all harder than going with the actual tour.

The package you buy when buying the Norway in a Nutshell tour is literally just a collection of tickets, whilst the journey itself is exactly the same. Once you have all your tickets sorted, you won’t tell the difference.

As in; you will literally be travelling on the same train, bus and boat as other people – who have booked their tickets individually (at a much lower price). In my opinion, DIY Norway in a Nutshell is the way to go.

I have broken it down into details below so you can find specifics depending on whether you are doing Norway in a Nutshell from Oslo or from Bergen.

Both directions are great, and literally the same version of the trip (just the opposite of each other).

First I will break down all the modes of transportation used for each leg of the tour, and then I have gotten into more specifics on the route for each version of it. I hope this makes sense, but feel free to leave any questions in the comments!

Step 1: Train (including the Flåm Railway)

As mentioned above, the trip consists of boat, bus and train tickets, and take you through the Sognefjord in Western Norway (where I grew up!).

Regardless of which city you are leaving from, you will start your tour travelling by train to Myrdal. Myrdal is a mountain station, just an hour’s train ride from Flåm, and the connecting station between the Oslo-Bergen Railway (Bergensbana) and the famous Flåm Railway.

From there you will travel with the Flåm Railway from Myrdal to Flåm. This is a scenic journey, with epic views of the Flåm valley, its greeneries and waterfalls, no matter what time of year you do it.

The Flåm Railway is one of the most popular attractions in the country, and I dare say one of the things Norway is famous for.

Train tickets from Oslo or Bergen to Flåm (via Myrdal and including the Flåm Railway) can be booked here!

A green train (the Flåm railway) travelling through a mountain landscape with orange trees, a small, dark lake in the background, and blue skies above.
The Flåm Railway on a beautiful Autumn day.

Once your train tickets to Flåm are booked and sorted, the first leg of your trip is ready. The beautiful Flåm Railway will take you down the Flåm valley, through spectacular views, and leave you in the village of Flåm.

Local tip: I often get asked what side of the Flåm Railway has the best views. Naturally, both are beautiful, but when traveling from Myrdal to Flåm, I always advise those who ask to sit on the left side of the train. Don’t tell anyone I told you.

I recommend spending a day or two in Flåm, as mentioned above. However, that’s not necessary, and if you are short on time, this whole trip can be done in a day!

Step 2: Boat (including the Nærøyfjord)

From Flåm, you will continue on by boat to Gudvangen. There are several departures a day year-round, and the boat takes you along the Aurlandsfjord and through the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Nærøyfjord.

This is one of the many reasons people visit Flåm and the area, and it is one of two fjords in Norway on the UNESCO list (the Geirangerfjord being the other).

The departures are operated by fully electric vessels Future of the Fjords and Legacy of the Fjords. These are custom-made to make the most of the views, and leave no trace (or sound) as you glide through the fjord.

It is an absolutely stunning journey, and a bucket list activity in Norway (in my opinion). If you have time in Gudvangen before your next mode of transportation, don’t miss visiting the Viking Village to learn about the famous Vikings!

Book the boat one-way from Flåm to Gudvangen using the link below. This is the same vessel that travelers going on a “fjord cruise” take, before returning to Flåm by shuttle bus.

The fjord cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen can be booked here (make sure to tick for ‘one way’)!

A body of water with vertical mountains on either side and in the back. This is a fjord in Norway.
The Nærøyfjord is the most dramatic fjord arm in Norway, and you’ll experience it on the NIN tour – whether you book it on your own or not.

Step 3: Bus (formerly via the Stalheimskleiva hairpin turns)

From Gudvangen, you will continue on by bus to Voss.

The journey takes a little less than 1 hour, and there are two bus companies operating on the route; Vybuss (formerly Nettbuss) and Nor-Way.

Please note, that for this leg of the journey, some buses are chartered to pick up Norway in a Nutshell travellers who have booked through FjordTours. If you have booked your tickets yourself, you are technically not a Norway in a Nutshell traveller, and so it is important to make note of which bus company you have booked with.

A side note on this: you have no idea how many travellers book their own Norway in a Nutshell tour, yet do not understand that they ARE NOT Norway in a Nutshell travellers when they do it this way.

Norway in a Nutshell (NIN) is a package, and ONLY when you have bought this package can you count yourself as a NIN-traveller. This is usually not very important, but if there is an unforeseen circumstance where the boat cannot run (for example), it is important to understand that you need to approach the boat company as an individual traveller, and not a Norway in a Nutshell traveller.

It happens all the time that individual travelers say that they are “doing Norway in a Nutshell”, and end up missing out on important information because they did not understand the difference.

Sometimes, there are separate arrangements made for NIN travellers, and if you think these arrangements are made for you too, you will sadly be left on the docks because you do not actually have a NIN ticket. Rant over.

For other tips like this one, check out how (not) to be a tourist in Norway.

Moving on, there are a few things to note when taking the bus. Firstly, there are two stops in Gudvangen. One is called Gudvangen Kai (Kai = dock), and buses departing from here will pick you up right by where the boat gets in.

The chartered NIN buses often stop here, and will have “Norway in a Nutshell” written on them. As I have just mentioned above, do not take any of these if you have not booked the NIN Package.

The other bus stop is called Gudvangen E16, and is along the main road (called E16). This is where most of the buses will pick you up. It is just a 5-minute walk from the ferry dock. Simply follow the river until you get to the main road. The bus stop is just by the bridge where E16 crosses the river. The exact Google Maps location is here.

The second thing to note is that the buses no longer go via the Stalheimskleiva hairpin turns. This is a major let down for some travelers, who expect the turns to be a part of the journey.

However, in 2021 the road going down these steep, steep turns was closed for traffic indefinitely. It is highly unlikely that it will reopen, as the road is not able to handle motorised traffic anymore.

The best place to check for any changes in this is to double check this guide (I will update it), or to go straight to the source on the Vegvesen website (the Norwegian road directory).

The bus from Gudvangen to Voss can be booked here (VyBuss) and here (Nor-Way)!

Step 4: By train again

From Voss, doing Norway in a Nutshell on your own gets super easy again. Simply continue on by train, to either Bergen or Oslo (the link to book the train is the same as above – Vy). This is the same train line that took you to Myrdal (the Bergensbana), that goes between Oslo and Bergen.

Below I will break down the NIN route a little more specifically, but so far, this is everything you need to book the tour yourself!

When looking at how much time you want to spend in the area, make sure you have read my complete guide to the Aurlandsfjord villages first!

the flåm railway, a green train traveling through a lush green landscape in a valley in Norway

Norway in a Nutshell by Destination

Now that you have everything you need to book the trip, and I have covered each leg of the tour in detail, it’s time to break it down by destination.

Below I have covered the route from Oslo to Bergen, and from Bergen to Oslo, pointing out any differences there may be along the way.

Oslo to Bergen

For more details, read this next: how to get from Oslo to Flåm, Norway

If you are looking to do Norway in a Nutshell from Oslo and end your tour in Bergen, it’s a pretty straight forward journey.

Start by booking your train from Oslo to Flåm. This should depart Oslo early in the morning, and there is usually a departure from Oslo S (the main train station in Oslo) at around 08:00.

The journey from Oslo to Flåm takes around 6 hours, including the change at Myrdal.

This trip will take you on the Oslo-Bergen railway to Myrdal, and have you connect there for the Flåm Railway down to Flåm.

Once you are in Flåm, you will travel by boat (fjord cruise) from Flåm to Gudvangen (tickets for the boat are, as mentioned above, booked on the Norway’s Best website). This takes you through the breathtaking Nærøyfjord and leaves you in Gudvangen.

Once you make it to Gudvangen (whether you stay a night in Flåm or not), you’ll continue on by bus. You can choose if you want to go by bus to Voss and continue with the train, or just take the bus all the way to Bergen.

Personally, I always travel this route by bus, because the Express buses are so comfortable, and it seems like a bit of a hassle to change to a train for such a short journey.

Additionally, the train between Voss and Bergen is no more scenic than the bus.

And there you have it!

Of course, by doing Norway in a Nutshell on your own you have a lot more freedom in the schedule you travel with, and can pick and choose your departures as you please.

If you want the exact plug-and-play schedule, head this way to check out my more detailed itineraries (available for immediate download).

If you have 10 days to spend in Norway, this itinerary is perfect!

norway in a nutshell bergen on your own, view from fløyen, bergen
Make sure you have a few days in the city before starting Norway in a Nutshell from Bergen!

Bergen to Oslo

For more details, read this next: How to get from Bergen to Flåm.

If you are starting Norway in a Nutshell in Bergen, I do recommend spending a few days in the city before taking off. It is such a beautiful place, with lots of great things to do. I’m currently based here, and love hearing how much travelers have enjoyed the city!

Insider tip: here are my favorite restaurants in Bergen!

There are two ways to do the Norway in a Nutshell tour from Bergen. The first is to follow a similar route as the Oslo version, only departing from Bergen (duh). If you do this version, you’ll travel by train from Bergen to Flåm, do the fjord cruise to Gudvangen, and then head either back to Bergen, or to Oslo, from Voss.

But, since I have explained this version above, here’s the other (better) way to do Norway in a Nutshell, Bergen edition.

It basically involves doing the whole route the opposite way. It is a much better, and less crowded option. The websites for booking are the same as the ones I have shared above in the step-by-step.

Starting from Bergen, you’ll travel by bus to Gudvangen. Book this in advance to save some money using the link further up in this article. This takes about 2 hours.

From Gudvangen, you’ll continue on by boat to Flåm, through the Nærøyfjord and the Aurlandsfjord (you’ll actually sail past where I grew up!).

Once in Flåm, you’ll continue with the Flåm Railway up to Myrdal, and change trains there. From Myrdal, you’ll travel directly to Oslo with the train.

Super easy! I also have detailed itineraries for this route here, which you can simply download and copy (or use as inspiration).

Side note: if you only have a short time in Bergen before your fjord adventure, don’t miss these Bergen tours that I recommend!

How much does Norway in a Nutshell cost, and how much can you save?

I felt like I had to include a quick section on this, because a lot of people ask me if they can actually save any money by DIY-ing the Norway in a Nutshell tour, and how much it actually costs.

The answer is; you can save a bit, so I strongly recommend doing it on your own. Of course, the Norway in a Nutshell price varies based on season, departure and capacity.

Just remember what I wrote earlier in the post, that you are NOT considered a Norway in a Nutshell-traveller if you have booked all your tickets individually.

To answer the question about the price quickly, the tickets for Norway in a Nutshell cost from 1595 NOK (or so they say on their website – I actually doubt that it is common to get it this cheap).

However, this price is actually only for those traveling from Flåm to Flåm (meaning, going by boat from Flåm to Gudvangen, bus from Gudvangen to Voss, and then by train back to Flåm). So it is a rather misleading price to advertise (as it is a lot more expensive to travel from Oslo or Bergen).

So, I have done some research to show you some examples, and illustrate what Norway in a Nutshell actually costs.

If I were to book the Norway in a Nutshell tour on a day in July 2023, it would cost me 2725 NOK for the transportation only going from Oslo to Bergen, with no add-ons and having to change from bus to train at Voss.

However, if I book all my transportation separately, according to this guide, the cost breakdown would be the following:

  • Train Oslo-Flåm (including the Flåm Railway); 779 NOK
  • Fjord cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen; 585 NOK
  • Bus from Gudvangen to Bergen; 190 NOK
  • TOTAL = 1554 NOK
  • Difference/money saved from booking on your own: 973 NOK

As you can see, you can save around $100 by booking the Norway in a Nutshell trip on your own.

Of course, on other dates you may save even more. When I last checked, I found savings of almost $200!

Read this next: My Complete Norway Travel Guide

A screenshot of the Norway in a Nutshell booking site on fjordtours, indicating the price of the tour.

Is Norway in a Nutshell Worth it?

The quick answer is: no, it is not worth it.

As you can see, booking Norway in a Nutshell is a little more expensive than doing it on your own. So from a finance perspective, you’ll be saving money by not going the tour route.

However, the main reason I recommend booking it on your own is the freedom you have with the departures. Additionally, if something goes wrong, you’ll get better service from the transportation providers directly than from FjordTours.

Sadly, this is something I have seen with my own eyes. As I have mentioned a few times, if something were to go wrong during a trip (such as an engine failure on a boat, an avalanche along the Oslo-Bergen railway, or a landslide in Gudvangen – these things happen), and you have booked Norway in a Nutshell, the people you need to contact are FjordTours.

They are all based in an office in Bergen (I believe), and have no means to help you other than to call Vy, Norway’s Best, Nor-Way etc (the transportation providers) on your behalf. Therefore, you are adding an unnecessary third party to the mix.

However, if you have booked everything yourself, you will be serviced directly by the staff on board the boat, train, bus (etc). As you have purchased your ticket directly with them, they are responsible for you.

Thus, this is the main reason I highly recommend doing this route on your own.

Instead, use this guide to book it on your own, or consider one of my Norway Itineraries! They are super affordable (less than $5), and are all put together personally by myself.

Well, there you have it. Whether you are doing Norway in a Nutshell from Oslo or from Bergen, you should have what you need to book it all on your own now! If you enjoyed this post, please let me know in the comments. I love hearing from you!

Norway in a Nutshell by car

I recently was asked if it was possible to do the Norway in a Nutshell tour by car. Driving offers a unique way to explore the stunning landscapes of Norway, but it’s important to note that there are some limitations when it comes to driving this route.

While you can easily travel by car from Oslo or Bergen to the picturesque village of Flåm, it’s not possible to drive along the Flåm Railway tracks or along the Nærøyfjord, two iconic highlights of the tour. Dare I say the main highlights of the tour.

To truly get the full experience, it’s necessary to book the combination of train and boat travel. This allows you to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the Flåm Railway and cruise along the majestic Nærøyfjord, surrounded by towering mountains and cascading waterfalls.

So, if you’re planning to embark on the Norway in a Nutshell tour by car, keep in mind that taking the train and boat is an essential part of the adventure, ensuring you don’t miss out on the true essence of this remarkable journey.

Guided Norway in a Nutshell tours from Bergen

In recent years, some companies have started offering guided tours from Bergen to Flåm, which pretty much covers the same modes of transportation as NIN.

Tours like this one are ideal for those of you who want to see the fjords and follow the exact Norway in a Nutshell route, but still want the convenience of booking all your tickets as a package. It differs from the traditional NIN ticket because you will travel as a group and have a guide with you the whole day.

Another option, perfect for those that want more of a personalised experience, is this one. It is slightly pricier, but has a maximum capacity of 10 travelers per tour (and usually it’ll be just a couple of families with the guide).

Norway in a Nutshell Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below are the questions I am most asked about Norway in a Nutshell, whether it’s about the tour in general, or doing it on your own.

Is Norway in a Nutshell worth it?

No. It is cheaper and easier to do it on your own, and you get better service that way.

Is it cheaper to book Norway in a Nutshell on your own?

Yes, you can save $100-200 by booking it on your own.

What are your thoughts on Sognefjord in a Nutshell?

This is a great option for those who have the time to do it. It includes the longer boat from Bergen to Flåm (a 5-6-hour boat trip through the Sognefjord). However, I recommend booking it on your own (DIY).

What do we do with our luggage on the Norway in a Nutshell tour?

Most people just bring it with them, but if you are doing a return trip to Oslo or Bergen, there are lockers for luggage storage at both train stations.

What is included in Norway in a Nutshell?

A collection of transportation tickets: train, boat and bus tickets.

How long does Norway in a Nutshell take?

You can do the tour in 1 day, starting in either Oslo or Bergen.

Can you do Norway in a Nutshell in one day?

Yes, you can.

Can you take luggage on Norway in a Nutshell?

Yes, you can. But there is also luggage storage in Oslo and Bergen (at the train stations).

Can you do Norway in a Nutshell on your own?

Yes! In fact, I recommend booking it on your own, to save money and make it more flexible.

How to book Norway in a Nutshell on your own?

Book NIN on your own by going to the Vy (train), Skyss (bus) and Norway’s Best (boat) websites.

How much does Norway in a Nutshell cost?

Norway in a Nutshell costs from $200 to $400 per person, depending on the departure. It is cheaper to book on your own.

How long is the Norway in a Nutshell tour?

The NIN tour is a full-day tour, but you can add a night or two in Flåm, to make it a multi-day tour.

How many fjords in Norway?

There are over 2000 named fjords in Norway.

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16 comments

Things to do in Flam, Norway [A Local's Guide] – Flam Travel Guide 03/03/2022 - 09:35

[…] The fjord cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen involves sailing through two of the best fjords of Norway (in my humble, local opinion) – the Aurlandsfjord and the UNESCO listed Naeroyfjord (Nærøyfjord). This fjord cruise is a part of the ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ tour; however, you can also book the cruise on your own, which is what I recommend. If you want to learn more about this, I have written a guide on how to travel the full Norway in a Nutshell tour on your own here.  […]

Reply
How to get from Bergen to Flam (and the fjords) – Flam Travel Guide 02/10/2022 - 07:50

[…] does exactly that, so why not just book it yourself (they do not run their own transportation)? Here’s my guide to booking the Norway in a Nutshell trip on your own (written on my other travel […]

Reply
Elizabeth 23/04/2024 - 08:44

Great article! I’m looking to book for August 2024. I went on the Vy website and it looks like tickets are only available 60 days in advance, is that right? Also, I see a notification that says “We only sell tickets from Voss stasjon to Flåm stasjon. The remainder of your journey must be bought via other public transport operators” but this was when I was trying to book from Oslo to Flam so I’m confused by that statement. I understand that I would need to buy tickets for the rest of the journey from Flam to Bergen. One last question, is there a specific train station I should use for travel from Oslo? Thanks in advance!!

Reply
Lisa Stentvedt 23/04/2024 - 09:13

Thank you, Elizabeth!
– That’s correct. Vy is the official ticket website, so if they say 60 days in advance, then that’s when they become available.
– Vy is the train operator, so they can only sell train tickets – and the train only goes between Voss and Flåm on the NIN “route”. So, the other tickets (boat, bus) cannot be purchased through Vy.
– The train station in Oslo is called Oslo S (S for Sentralstasjon = Central Station).

Reply
Barin 29/04/2024 - 19:14

Hello. Thank you for this wonderful blog post.

I have a question about the transport from Gudvangen to Voss (and on to Bergen), or “Step 3: Bus (formerly via the Stalheimskleiva hairpin turns).” It sounds like there is no advantage in terms of view to taking the bus and then switching at Voss for the train. If we are trying to take the express bus from Gudvangen directly to Bergen, could you confirm which bus operator and site to use? Additionally, what is the name of the stop in Bergen you should choose. Or else, should we just get off at the stop that is closest to our hotel in Bergen?

Thank you!

Reply
Lisa Stentvedt 30/04/2024 - 07:20

Exactly, there is no real benefit to changing to the trains – I think the company that set up NIN just did it for a change of pace (and of course it is necessary for anyone continuing on to Oslo, so you have to take the train then). So, I would recommend just taking the bus all the way to Bergen. The company is Nor-Way for this 🙂
The bus stop in Bergen is just called Bergen Bus Station (or Bergen Busstasjon in Norwegian). If there is a stop closer to your hotel, of course you should get off there – but unless they add stops, I believe this is the only stop in Bergen.

Reply
Ingrid Drynan 08/05/2024 - 04:22

Looking at the Gudvangen to Bergen bus – is there only a 9.45am and a 3.25pm departure from Gudvangen? or is there another website for me to look at. Am currently looking at Now-Way for it. after the boat from Flam that arrives at 11.30am in Gudvangen, there was a bus to Voss at 11.59am but that seems to connect with he train then to get to Bergen earlier? Is that right?

Reply
Lisa Stentvedt 08/05/2024 - 05:38

Nor-way is the best site for it, but you can also check http://www.skyss.no 🙂
Skyss should probably have the 11:59 bus listed, as they do the “shorter” bus journeys. Yes, if it connects with the train you can take the bus and then the train to get to Bergen earlier.

Reply
Brad 15/06/2024 - 14:54

May I ask a question please. You have been really helpful and I was able to book the trains from Oslo to Flam but having some questions on the next part from Flam to Bergen. Can we chat please? Or email. What will be easiest since we will have luggage with us? Scenic Ferry with NorwaysBest to Gudvagen, then back to Flam – then the fast express Ferry to Bergen versus the Bus to Voss and then the train to Bergen? Thanks, Brad and Annie

Reply
Lisa Stentvedt 15/06/2024 - 15:04

Thank you for asking! This is the best place to post a question, since it will be helpful to other readers and travellers 🙂 I don’t have the capacity to give personal travel advice via email at the moment.

Both are fairly easy in terms of luggage, and include bringing your luggage from either the ferry to the bus back to Flåm, and then onto the express boat – or from the ferry onto the bus to Voss and then onto the train.

In my opinion there isn’t much of a difference. Each mode of transport has designated areas for luggage, so you just have to carry your luggage from one to the other. However, I will point out that traveling back to Flåm to get on the express boat to Bergen kind of “repeats” part of the route you have already taken. So my personal choice would be continuing to Voss and Bergen.

If you haven’t already, why not see if there is a bus from Gudvangen that can take you all the way to Bergen (www.nor-way.no). That way you won’t have to move your luggage more than necessary if you are trying to avoid that 🙂

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Tuckweng 18/07/2024 - 20:01

The last bus from Gudvangen to Voss or Bergen leave at 16:25. However the earliest we can arrive at Gudvangen is 17:00, so there is no way we can travel to Bergen within the same day. Please advice.

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Lisa Stentvedt 21/07/2024 - 10:35

I’m not sure I have any advice here as it seems clear that you won’t be able to take the bus with your current plans. If you don’t arrive in Gudvangen until after the last bus, you will have to consider spending the night there before going to Bergen the next day. Alternatively, perhaps you can check with the taxi in Voss if they can pick you up in Gudvangen and take you to the train station in Voss.

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Steve 09/10/2024 - 13:16

Attn North American travelers to Norway:
Thanks for your very useful blog, Lisa! You emboldened us to ‘go for it’ in buying our own tickets to create our own journey west to east. I am in the midst of buying all relevant tickets for ‘NIN in reverse’ (from Bergen ending in Oslo). I learned that the Nor-Way website only accepts Amex cards (and not Visa or Mastercard) for North Americans due to card security standard. I don’t have an Amex card. While it is possible to buy a Nor-Way bus ticket directly from the driver, I don’t know if same situation applies and you would have have no guarantee of a seat without a pre-purchased ticket.
However, I did find that I could go thru the Skyss web-site to buy a relevant bus ticket from Voss Station to Gudvangen using my Visa card without issue. The Vy site for train tickets accepted PayPal as method of payment. Hope this comment helpful to others.

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Lisa Stentvedt 11/10/2024 - 08:59

Thank you so much for sharing this, Steve! I am very happy to hear that you have found my blog helpful when planning your trip, and surprised to hear abut Nor-way and the cards they (don’t) accept! I hope this is helpful for other American travellers – thanks again for sharing!

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Mark 14/10/2024 - 01:29

Hi,

Great work on this info. We’re considering whether to use our only full day in Bergen to do the NIN Bergen-Bergen round trip, after alighting from a 4 day Havila southbound trip. I’d be interested in your thoughts as to NIN vs Bergen for the day. If we do NIN, I’m also interested in whether it’s possible to squeeze in the Stegastein lookout and whether that is worthwhile while in the area? Thanks in advance.

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Lisa Stentvedt 16/10/2024 - 06:53

Hi Mark! My personal opinion/recommendation would be to do NIN and make it to the fjords. The Nærøyfjord is truly spectacular, and on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for a reason 🙂
The Stegastein lookout might be possible if you have at least 1,5-2 hours to spend in Flåm, and I would recommend renting/hiring a taxi to do it since you’ll be on a stricter schedule. Anything less than that I’m not sure I would risk it (the traffic going up and down to Stegastein can be really intense because it’s a single lane road with lots of tourists driving on it who aren’t familiar with it).
I hope this was helpful!

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