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How to get from Oslo to Flam, Norway

by Lisa Stentvedt
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Here’s exactly how to get from Oslo to Flam, Norway according to a local! When travelling from Oslo to Flåm there are a few things to keep in mind. Being a Flåm local with lots of family in Oslo, I travel between the two a lot.

So I thought I’d share exactly how to get from Oslo to Flam this year!

Everyone who plans to visit Norway will be dazed by the landscape of the country. One of the great things about all the stunning nature in Norway is that it’s always available. Even when you are traveling from place to place.

One of my favorite things about Norway is actually the accessible to nature. You’ll love how easy it is to find stunning scenery!

When traveling from Oslo to Flåm (whether you are driving, going by train, or even flying), you’ll spend a lot of time gawking out the window. The nature outside gets more and more dramatic the further west you go.

If you are traveling between Oslo and the fjords and know you are a sucker for views, I recommend you don’t drive yourself. That way, you can just enjoy the view from the train or bus.

In this article I will cover all the ways you can travel between Norway’s capital and the fjords. Use the table of contents to head straight to the mode of transportation you prefer. Or, keep reading to consider and compare them all.

To summarise first, you can get to Flåm from Oslo by train, car, bus, and even plane! However, train, car and bus are definitely the best ways to get there.

Key Takeaways:

  • It is possible to travel between Oslo and the fjords by bus, train, plane and car
  • Traveling by train is the most scenic, and also the most popular mode of transportation
  • Driving yourself is the most convenient, but not as scenic as the train ride

Oslo to Flam: An overview

Norway is undisputedly the fjord capital of the world (I mean, we invented the word itself). The fjords were created during the Ice Age by glaciation.

Some of the Norwegian fjords are so magnificent that they have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites. This goes for the Nærøyfjord and the Geirangerfjord, to be specific. Now, if you want to visit the fjords from Oslo, this post is for you.

There are several ways of traveling between the two destinations, and I have gone into more detail about them below. But in short, they are:

  • By train
  • By bus
  • By car (driving yourself)
  • By plane (including a ferry)
  • By tour (either a day trip or over several days)
a straight road with cars coming in both direction, with goats walking in between the cars. The landscape around the road on both sides is green and mountaineous. This is a road in western norway.
Odds are you won’t meet goats along the way when driving from Oslo to Flåm. But you never know in Norway!

About Oslo

Oslo, one of Europe’s fastest-growing cities, houses the main international airport in Norway. Most travelers find themselves flying into Oslo, and for good reason. It is the capital of Norway, and has more international flights available than the other Norwegian cities (Bergen comes in as a clear second).

Additionally, Oslo is a great, urban city with lots of fun things to do and sights to explore. Personally, I recommend spending 1 or 2 whole days in Oslo before heading to Flåm and the fjords!

The ones who plan to visit the fjords often ask me how they can get from Oslo to Flam. Since I grew up in Aurland (in the same municipality as Flam), I will share with you all the ways you can get from Oslo to Flam. Just like I did with this post for those traveling from Bergen.

You can trust that I have tried and tested all of these on numerous occasions throughout my life. I have had family living in Oslo my whole life, and have even lived there myself (when studying for my Master’s degree). So, I have taken this journey more times than I can count.

About Flåm (Western Norway)

Now, why would you go to Flåm?

Flam (or Flåm, but I know most of you don’t have the Å on your keyboard) is a small town around 315 kilometres away from Norway’s capital city Oslo. It lies nestled by two of the most stunning fjords of Norway – the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord.

Despite being a small village, Flam offers a lot of activities. From cruising the fjords, riding the scenic and popular Flam Railway, going ziplining on Norway’s longest zip line, walking through an authentic Viking village in Gudvangen, and hiking the Brekkefossen waterfall.

As mentioned, I suggest you spare some time to explore Oslo before heading to Flåm. However, if you are very short on time for your Norway trip, I would head straight to the fjords and skip the capital all together.

Note that that’s just my personal opinion. If you can, spend a day in Oslo, but if you only have a few days in Norway, the fjords should be your priority.

Wondering where to stay in Oslo? Whether you are visiting Oslo on a budget, looking for a bit of luxury, or are looking for something in between, you’ll find a hotel in Oslo that suits your style and budget.

a blue fjord at the bottom of steep, big mountains seen from above, with a metal railing in the foreground. This is the view from the Stegastein viewpoint in aurland, which can be seen on the drive from oslo to flam, norway

How to get from Oslo to Flåm (& from Flåm to Oslo)

There are at least four different ways to get from Oslo to Flam. Isn’t that great?

Please note that the perfect mode of transportation between the two destinations could be different for different people.

For example, do you prefer booking your own trip or travelling on a scheduled tour? Do you want your trip to be as scenic as possible? Well, who doesn’t! Do you suffer from motion sickness? Would you prefer driving yourself or sit in the comfort of a train or a bus?

As you see, many factors chip in when you plan a trip from Oslo to Flam. This post will help you decide the best mode of transportation to get from Oslo to Flam.

In this article, I will share exactly how to get from Oslo to Flam by train, bus, car and plane. I will also try to highlight the benefits and (if any) drawbacks of each way of travel.

That way, you can make an informed decision of how you are going to travel to the fjords for your trip to Norway!

Make it easy: get one of my Norway itineraries, taking you from Oslo to Bergen via Flåm (or the other way around)!

By train from Oslo to Flåm

Total Travel Time: 6 to 6.5 hours

I will start with what is perhaps the most popular, and the mode of transportation I am most asked about: train.

Taking the train from Oslo to Flam, though being a longer journey, is probably the most scenic way to get there. People love the Oslo to Flåm train, and with good reason.

First things first, there is no direct train from Oslo to Flam.

The Oslo Bergen Railway passes through the country and offers stunning scenery throughout the route. Above all, if you opt for taking the train, you will get a chance to ride on the world-famous Flam Railway, which is undoubtedly Europe’s most spectacular train journey.

From Oslo, you will have to make a westward journey on the Bergen railway line to Myrdal station. Myrdal can be reached in a 5-hour rail journey from Oslo. At Myrdal, you will have to make a transfer to the Flam Railway that will take you down the valley to the village of Flam in 1 hour.

Oslo to Flåm Train: The Flåm Railway

The Flåm Railway is really impressive, and connects the mountain station at Myrdal with the fjord below. So you are literally traveling from mountain to fjord in just 1 hour!

Myrdal station is the highest point (863 metres from sea level) on the Flam Railway (Flåmsbana, in Norwegian). From here, the train takes a steep journey of 20 kilometres down to the fjords of Flam.

The train ride runs through a snowy forest dotted with little wooden houses (at least in the colder months), passes through 20 impressive tunnels, and briefly stops along the way to allow passengers to take photographs and see the Kjosfossen waterfall.

Do note that Myrdal is just a train station in the mountains. There is nothing to do there but change trains, use the bathroom (if you have time), and visit the small station cafe (open mainly in the summer).

Additionally, there is no car road going there. So don’t ask me if you can rent a car and drive from Myrdal to Flåm, or catch a bus. When opting to travel to Flåm by train, you have to take the train all the way (or potentially walk from Myrdal to Flåm, which is a lovely hike).

Booking the train

The train from Oslo to Myrdal has different cars, and you can book whichever suits you. The booking process is easy and on the Vy website you can reserve your ticket in advance (I strongly recommend you book in advance, as the cheapest tickets are grabbed up quickly).

I will tell you right now that trains in Norway are expensive.

You can buy both one way and return train tickets from Vy. If you plan to make a one-way train journey, I would advise you to pick the Oslo to Flam route instead of the Flam to Oslo route, as the downhill ride on the Flåm Railway is slightly smoother and more comfortable.

At least three trains run daily from Oslo to Flam, with a switch at Myrdal Station. There is a night train running between Oslo and Bergen, but sadly no Flåm Railway from Myrdal to correspond with this.

If you’re traveling to Norway in winter, I highly recommend taking the first train in the morning as the daylight hours are limited in the winter months, and you will not want to miss out on the captivating views. In summer, it doesn’t really matter which train time you choose, as it is light all day.

Top tip: The famous ‘Norway in a Nutshell tour’ (which I’ll talk about later and have covered extensively in this post) includes this journey/route.

The Flåm Railway gets pretty jam-packed in peak season, and you should book the tour early to get a confirmed ticket in the train. If you are someone who loves travelling independently and with less crowds, look for dates when Norway in a Nutshell tour isn’t operating and book your train for those days.

You can also check their timetable and avoid taking the trains they use.

a green train to the very right of the image, travelling through very green and lush forest and grasslands, with a mountain on the right side, this is the flåm railway, one of the oslo to flam trains

Oslo to Flam Train Video

Below is a video taken on the Bergensbana train, aka the “Oslo to Flåm train”. This should give you an idea of just how scenic this train journey is!

Travelling By Bus

Total Travel Time: 6.5 to 7.5 hours

Personally, I prefer traveling Norway by bus over trains. The Oslo to Flam bus is comfortable, convenient, and fast.

The buses in Norway have free WiFi, electrical power outlets in each row to charge phones and laptops, toilets, air-conditioning, and comfortable reclining seats with seatbelts.

The road between Oslo and Flam is indeed scenic, and it looks more remarkable from the big window of a bus. What more could you ask for?

However, no direct buses run from Oslo to Flam, which is disappointing. To get from Oslo to Flam by bus, you need to switch buses in Lærdal (Håbakken/Habakken) or Fagernes.

Håbakken is just a half hour from Flåm, so even though I wish there were direct buses, it’s not too much of a hassle.

Booking the Oslo to Flam Bus

If you book the bus from the Vy website, the same as for booking the train, you will have to make a switch in Håbakken/Lærdal. The waiting time will be approximately 1,5 hours. There is only one bus departure a day, and the total travel time adds up to 7,5 hours.

Whereas, if you book it from the Nor-Way Bussekspress website, and travel with them instead of Vy, you will make the switch at Fagernes. The waiting time is just 15 minutes then, and the total travel time is just 6,5 hours.

If you can, I recommend that you book your bus with Nor-Way Bussekspress, as it helps save an hour. Also; I prefer the company (you’ll know if you follow me on Instagram and watch my stories from time to time).

Those wanting to get to Oslo from the fjords in time to catch a flight, will also love hearing that there is actually a night bus going from Håbakken (a half hour from Flåm) to Oslo Airport! I have taken this night bus myself a few times, in order to catch flights in the morning.

They use a double decker bus for this route, and on the top floor you can pay a little extra for premium seats that recline further. So, you can sleep on a bus all the way to the airport overnight.

Driving from Oslo to Flåm

Total Travel Time: 5 hours

If you are flexible on time and wish to stop time and again on the way from Oslo to Flam to grasp the beauty of the Norwegian landscape, then travelling by car is an ideal option.

The entire drive between Oslo and Flam is filled with breathtaking scenery. Car rentals are readily available from the Oslo airport as well as from within the city, and Oslo is probably the easiest city in Norway to rent a car from.

The drive from Oslo to Flam takes about 4,5 to 5 hours in total. In recent years, the road has been improved greatly, and I remember when I was little that it would take 6 hours to drive to Oslo.

Driving from Oslo Airport to Flåm

From Gardermoen (the Oslo airport), follow the signs towards Lufthavnvegen. Then, simply take the E16 and follow it all the way to the fjords.

On this way, you will also get a chance to drive through the world’s largest road tunnel, Lærdalstunnelen. Or, you can drive over the Snow Road (a National Tourist Route) and stop at the Stegastein Viewpoint while you drive down the mountain towards Aurland and Flåm. This viewpoint will give you an incredible view of the Aurlandsfjord, as you can see in the video below..

Read up my guide on driving in Norway before you decide to rent a car and ride the roads on your own. You should always calculate for extra time no matter where you are going in Norway.

This is because the roads can be narrow, windy, and full of hairpin bends, and because lots of idiots drive too slow and won’t pull over to let you pass.

I strongly advise that you slow down and pull over whenever you can to let the other cars pass you if you feel uncomfortable. Make sure to take your time driving the Norwegian roads.

A few tips for driving in Norway

Always check with your rental company how you should be paying tolls. Most toll stations in Norway are automatic, and most rental companies cover the cost of these, but it’s good to have confirmed it (to avoid an unforeseen bill at the end of your trip).

Travelling in Norway by car is not an easy task. Due to frequent weather changes, there might be landslides, roadworks, or road-closures due to accidents, especially in the western region.

Stay up-to-date with all this information by bookmarking your trip at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration website. You can even call 175 (from Norway) or +47 815 48 991 (from abroad) to get updated traffic information in English.

Traveling by plane (plus a ferry)

Total Travel Time: 2,5 hours

Travelling by plane is the quickest way to get from Oslo to Flam. However it is much less hassle free than the three modes mentioned above.

To take this route, you will have to take a flight to Sogndal first, and then drive to Flam. Sogndal is where I went to high school, and a 1,5-hour drive from Flåm.

Fun fact: You may be wondering why I went to school 1,5 hour away from the village where I grew up, but it’s still the nearest high school to the villages in the Aurlandsfjord. It is not uncommon to move out from home when you are 15-16 years old to go to high school when you grow up in rural Norway.

The flight from Oslo to Sogndal is operated by Widerøe, and is about an hours’ journey. On a clear day, you can get wide-angle drone views of the stunning fjords cutting through the incredible mountain ranges. On a bad weather day, you will have to expect a rather rough landing.

Once you reach Sogndal, you can either rent a car or take a bus to complete the remainder of your journey to Flam. Remember that you are still 1,5 hour away, so traveling by plane isn’t as easy as you’d assume (even though it takes the shortest amount of time.

Want to read more about the fjords? Head this way for my guide to the 5 best fjords of Norway!

If you opt for taking the bus, you can book the bus tickets from Sogndal to Flam from either Vy, Nor-Way Bussekspress or Skyss. All the buses are comfortable and take 1,5-2 hours to reach Flam from Sogndal, following the same route as I describe below (for those driving).

Driving from Sogndal airport to Flåm

If you rent a car, drive to the Mannheller ferry point and load your vehicle into the ferry for a 15-minute sail to Fodnes ferry point.

The ferry floats across the beautiful Sognefjord and gives you great views of the fjord and surrounding mountains. You can get out of the car and stand outside on the ferry to take pictures and take in the views.

The crossing takes a little less than 8 minutes. After reaching Fodnes ferry point, drive straight to Lærdal where you will drive through the world’s longest road tunnel, Lærdalstunnelen.

a large body of water in the front and middle of the picture, with tall mountains on either side and in the background.
This is the view from the Mannheller-Fodnes ferry!

Oslo to Flåm Day Trips (and tours)

I have gotten a lot of questions about joining an Oslo to Flam day trip recently, and thought I’d dive into it here.

If you are a bit apprehensive of booking and planning the entire trip yourself, you can join a pre-made tour. Alternatively, you can book a private tour, so you can get it customised for your needs. Companies like FjordTours offer tour packages that take you from Oslo to Flam on a day trip. These always make sure you see everything along the way.

Note that seeing Flåm from Oslo in a day is difficult, and almost impossible. This is because they are located far from each other.

If you want to reach the fjords and head back to Oslo in the same day, I recommend driving yourself. To do this, you have to start very early in the morning and expect to get back to Oslo from Flåm very late at night.

Most of the tours from Oslo, even the Norway in a Nutshell one I mention below, go over several days.

I previously mentioned FjordTours’ ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ package, and it’s time to dive a little deeper into it.

This tour gives you a glimpse of the best scenery using several modes of travel, some of which I have covered above.

Their tour from Oslo incorporates a train journey to Myrdal, followed by the Flam Railway down to Flåm. Once in Flam, you will travel on the fjord cruise through the Aurlandsfjord, followed by the Nærøyfjord. The cruise finishes in Gudvangen.

From where you are taken to Voss by bus. Voss is one of the train stations along the Oslo-Bergen railway, so from there you will return to Oslo. Personally; I recommend booking all of this yourself, and have written a complete guide to this here.

Of course, you can customise this tour as you please, and even make it a day trip. But, as mentioned above, this will be a very busy travel day. You can choose whether you want a one-way trip or a round-trip, add activities along the way, and you can book an overnight stay in Flåm.

Alternatively, you can book a private trip from Oslo to Flåm for your travel party, which is a great way to explore the fjords if you want to make the most of it.

Frequently Asked Questions about travelling from Oslo to the fjords

If you have made it this far, I really hope you have found this post helpful. If you still think anything is missing, just let me know! I can answer any questions you may have (and even add information into the post).

Below I have added some answers to common questions I get about traveling in Norway.

Whether you have 10 days in Norway, a week or more, I know you are going to have a great time! Wishing you a safe journey from Oslo to Flam!

Is Flåm, Norway worth visiting?

Yes. Flåm is one of the most-visited destinations in Norway, with sights such as the Flåm Railway, the Nærøyfjord (and a fjord cruise through it), going on a FjordSafari and the Flåm Zipline.

How to go to Flåm from Oslo?

You can travel to Flåm from Oslo by train, car and bus. It will take around 5-7 hours.

Does the train from Bergen to Oslo go through Flåm?

No, but it stops at Myrdal, which is a mountain station above Flåm. From Myrdal, the Flåm Railway takes you down to Flåm in 1 hour.

Where should I stop between Oslo and Flåm?

If you are travelling by train, you will stop at Myrdal along the way to change trains. If you are driving, make sure to stop at Borgund Stave Church and the Stegastein Viewpoint on the way.

How long from Oslo to Flåm?

If you are driving it will take you around 5 hours. By bus and train, the journey time. is 6-7 hours.

How to get from Oslo to Flåm?

You can get to Flåm from Oslo by car, train and bus.

Is visiting Oslo good to see fjords?

No. Oslo is 5+ hours away from the western fjords of Norway. So, it is not the best place to see the fjords. However, you can travel from Oslo to the Sognefjord, Hardangerfjord and Geirangerfjord.

How far is Flam from Oslo?

Flåm is 195 miles/314 kilometers from Oslo.

How long is the train from Oslo to Flam?

The Oslo to Flåm train takes a little over 6 hours, including changing trains from the Oslo-Bergen line to the Flåm railway.

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