Where to Stay in Flåm vs Aurland (and Which One to Choose)

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If you’re planning a trip to Flåm, one of the first questions you’ll run into is where to stay, and most people automatically assume the answer is Flåm.

But here’s the thing: you don’t actually have to stay in Flåm to experience everything the area has to offer.

Flåm and Aurland are just a 10-minute drive apart, sitting along the same stretch of the Aurlandsfjord. They offer two completely different experiences, despite being so close to each other.

If you want convenience and easy access to attractions, stay in Flåm.
If you want a quieter, more local fjord experience, stay in Aurland.

I grew up in Aurland and have spent my entire childhood in this area, including working in Flåm from a young age. So I know both places well, and this is one of those decisions that can really shape your experience of the fjords.

What It’s Like to Stay in Flåm

Flåm is the hub of the area, and it definitely feels like it. It’s lively, busy, and very focused around tourism, with visitors arriving throughout the day by train, cruise ship, and bus.

One thing that really shapes the atmosphere here is the cruise traffic. On days when ships are in port, the village can feel quite crowded in the middle of the day, before quieting down again in the evening.

That said, there’s a reason so many people choose to stay in Flåm.

Everything is within walking distance, which makes it incredibly easy to get around. The Flåm Railway departs from the center of the village, fjord cruises leave right from the harbor, and most tours and activities start here as well.

If you want a smooth, convenient stay without having to think too much about logistics, Flåm makes things very simple.

The downside is that the village itself can feel a little less charming than you might expect from a fjord destination. It’s functional and well set up for visitors, but it doesn’t have the same local, lived-in feel as some of the surrounding villages.

Because of this, Flåm can sometimes feel like a place you pass through rather than fully settle into.

Still, if you’re only staying for a night, or have a tight schedule, Flåm is a great choice. It gives you easy access to everything you likely came here to see, without needing to plan too much around it.

What It’s Like to Stay in Aurland

Aurland offers a completely different experience from Flåm, despite being just a short drive away. This is a small, quiet village right on the fjord, where life moves at a slower pace and you feel much closer to the landscape around you.

Instead of crowds and constant activity, you get space. Space to slow down, take in the views, and actually enjoy where you are.

For me, a perfect stay in Aurland starts with a slow morning overlooking the fjord, before heading out for a walk or a hike (Dagsturhytta is a favorite and offers incredible views with relatively little effort).

Later in the day, I’d head to the FjordSauna for a session followed by a swim in the fjord, before ending the day with dinner at Vangsgaarden Gastropub with friends.

It’s a very different rhythm from Flåm, and in my opinion, a much better way to experience the fjords.

One of the biggest changes in recent years is that you don’t lose access to activities by staying here. Fjord cruises now stop in Aurland, you can join tours to Stegastein Viewpoint from the village, and FjordSafari also has departures here.

What used to require a trip into Flåm is now easily accessible from Aurland.

Because of this, staying in Aurland allows you to combine the best of both worlds: easy access to everything you want to do, but in a setting that feels much more local and relaxed.

How to Get Between Flåm and Aurland

One of the biggest reasons I often recommend staying in Aurland is how easy it is to get between the two villages.

Flåm and Aurland are located just 10 minutes apart by car, along the same stretch of the fjord. Despite feeling quite different, they are very closely connected.

There are several ways to travel between them:

• Car: The easiest and fastest option, taking around 10 minutes
• Bus: Runs between Flåm and Aurland, with more frequent departures during the summer months
• Taxi: Available locally and easy to arrange if needed
• Fjord cruise: Some cruises between Flåm and Gudvangen also stop in Aurland, which can be a scenic way to travel between the two

Because of this, you don’t need to stay in Flåm to access the main attractions. It’s very easy to base yourself in Aurland and head into Flåm for activities like the Flåm Railway or fjord cruises.

The key takeaway is simple: you can choose your accommodation based on the experience you want, not just the location, because getting between the two is quick and straightforward.

Do You Need a Car to Stay in Aurland?

Short answer: no, you don’t need a car to stay in Aurland.

This is something many travelers worry about, but in reality, most of the key activities in the area are easily accessible without one. Fjord cruises stop in Aurland, you can join tours to the Stegastein viewpoint directly from the village, and FjordSafari also offers departures from here.

A few years ago, most tours and activities were centered around Flåm, but that’s no longer the case. Aurland is now well connected, and you won’t miss out by staying here.

That said, having a car does give you more flexibility, especially if you want to explore at your own pace or visit smaller places in the area. Without one, you’ll simply need to be a bit more aware of schedules and plan your days around transport and tour timings.

Personally, I don’t see this as a downside. Slowing down a little is part of what makes a stay in Aurland so special, and it allows you to experience the fjord in a much more relaxed and intentional way.

Where to Stay in Aurland (My Personal Recommendation)

If I had to recommend one place to stay in Aurland, it would be Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri.

This is the kind of place that feels like it belongs exactly where it is. Set right on the edge of the fjord, Vangsgaarden offers traditional waterfront cabins inspired by Norwegian rorbuer (fisherman’s cabins), where you can wake up to uninterrupted views of the Aurlandsfjord just outside your window.

What really sets Vangsgaarden apart for me, though, is its history and atmosphere. It’s a family-run property with roots going back generations, and it has a sense of character that you don’t find in more modern, standardized hotels. I’ve always loved places with a bit of soul, and this is exactly that.

It’s also home to Vangsgaarden Gastropub, which is a great spot for dinner after a day of exploring. It keeps things relaxed and local, and it’s somewhere I’ve spent many evenings with friends over the years.

Vangsgaarden works well for most types of travelers, whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to the area. The only exception might be if you specifically prefer large, modern chain hotels where everything feels identical. This is very much the opposite of that.

If you’re looking for a place that lets you slow down, take in the surroundings, and really enjoy your time by the fjord, this is one of those stays that tends to become a highlight of the trip.

Where to Stay in Flåm

If you do decide to stay in Flåm, the main advantage is convenience. Most hotels are located right in the center of the village, within easy walking distance of the train station, harbor, and main attractions.

One of the most well-known options is Fretheim Hotel, a historic hotel located just a short walk from the Flåm Railway. I’ve stayed here several times while guiding in the area, and it’s a comfortable and reliable choice, especially if you want everything close by.

There are also a few more modern and centrally located options, such as Flåmsbrygga Hotel and the cabins at Flåm Marina, both of which are right by the water and close to where fjord cruises depart.

Staying in Flåm works particularly well if you have an early departure on the Flåm Railway, or if you’re only in the area for a short time and want to keep things as simple as possible.

While it doesn’t offer quite the same atmosphere as Aurland, it’s a practical and well-connected base for exploring the fjords.

1 Night vs 2+ Nights: What I Recommend

How long you’re staying in the area can make a big difference in where you should base yourself.

If you only have one night and a tight schedule, it usually makes the most sense to stay in Flåm. This is especially true if you’re arriving late, leaving early, or taking the Flåm Railway first thing in the morning. Staying close to the station keeps things simple and stress-free.

If you have one night but a bit more time on either side, Aurland is still a great option. Since it’s so close to Flåm, you can easily get between the two and enjoy a quieter setting while still accessing the main attractions.

If you’re staying for two nights or more, I would always recommend basing yourself in Aurland. This is where you really get to slow down, settle in, and experience the fjord properly, rather than just passing through.

With a longer stay, you can visit Flåm during the day for activities like the railway or fjord cruises, and then return to Aurland for a much calmer and more scenic base.

If you can, I’d strongly recommend spending at least two nights in this area. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of Norway, and it deserves more than just a quick stop.

Final Thoughts: Flåm or Aurland?

At the end of the day, you really can’t go wrong with either Flåm or Aurland. They’re both set along the same beautiful fjord, and you’ll have access to many of the same experiences no matter where you stay.

The difference comes down to what kind of trip you want.

If you’re looking for convenience, easy logistics, and quick access to everything, Flåm is the better choice.

If you want a quieter, more local fjord experience, where you can slow down and really take in your surroundings, Aurland is the one I would choose.

Personally, I’ll always lean towards Aurland. It’s where I grew up, and it’s the kind of place that lets you experience the fjords in a way that feels more real and less rushed.

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