If you’re thinking about heading north to explore Scandinavia, I have to give you an honest warning right from the start. The Norwegian landscape will utterly bewitch you, plant a stubborn bug in your head, and you’ll probably never want to spend your summer holiday anywhere else again. This classic loop through southern and western Norway ranks among the most beautiful road trips in all of Europe, because it combines modern cities with completely wild nature, deep fjords and mountain passes. If you’re looking for the perfect Norway itinerary, you’ve come to the right place.

The land of trolls and waterfalls is enormous, and distances here are deceptive, so a well-planned route is the foundation of any successful trip. In this article we’ll walk through a detailed 10-day itinerary together, taking you from the iconic Opera House in Oslo all the way to the art nouveau streets of the west coast. You’ll also find out roughly how much such a journey costs, how toll payments work, and why it pays not to leave your ferry bookings until the last minute.

TL;DR

• Length of the route: The ideal amount of time to set aside for this loop is exactly 10 days, which lets you keep a comfortable pace without daily stress behind the wheel.
• Main stops: Along the way you’ll see Oslo, ride the famous railway down to Flåm, explore historic Bergen, and you won’t miss Geirangerfjord or the legendary Trollstigen mountain road.
• When to go: The best conditions run from late May to early September, when even the high mountain roads are safely passable.
• Transport: The greatest freedom comes hands down from a rental car, which lets you stop at every other waterfall (and trust me, there’ll be plenty).
• Budget: Norway isn’t a cheap destination — expect rough costs of around 2,000 to 2,800 NOK per day for two people (roughly £150–£210) if you opt for mid-range accommodation.
• Top tip: Accommodation around the most famous fjords sells out months in advance during the summer season, so book your hotels well ahead of time.

When to Take This Trip and How to Adjust the Route

Norwegian weather can be unpredictable even in the middle of July, but as a general rule, summer is by far the best season for a road trip through the fjords and mountains. From late May to early September you can count on the mountain passes — like Trollstigen — being cleared of snow and fully open. On top of that, all the tourist ferries and sightseeing cruises run at full capacity in summer, so you won’t have to worry about missing out on any of those iconic experiences.

If you’re considering a trip in autumn or spring, be prepared for frequent road closures and the fact that many smaller hotels outside the big cities shut their doors. Winter in Norway has its own unmistakable magic, but this particular itinerary isn’t suited to it at all, because you’d spend most of your time detouring around impassable mountain ranges.

What If You Only Have 7 Days?

If you’re pushed for time and can only afford a week’s holiday, you’ll have to trim the route a little and pick up the pace. In that case, I’d recommend skipping the more northerly part with the Atlantic Road and the city of Ålesund. Focus purely on the golden triangle made up of Oslo, the Flåm area with Bergen, and then Hardangerfjord with Geiranger. From Geiranger you can head straight back to Oslo, saving roughly two to three days of driving — even if it means missing out on the famous Trollstigen.

A 14-Day Version for Connoisseurs

Got a full two weeks at your disposal instead? Then a world of fantastic options opens up for extending the itinerary. At the start of the trip you can add the southern tip with the city of Stavanger, the launching point for the famous Preikestolen rock plateau, which towers majestically over the Lysefjord. The second — and perhaps even more tempting — option is to fly north at the end of your trip from Ålesund or Oslo to the Lofoten Islands or Tromsø, where you’ll enjoy the never-setting midnight sun in summer.

Practical Info: Car, Transport and Budget

The basic rule for driving in Norway is to come to terms with the fact that distances here are incredibly deceptive. If your sat-nav shows your destination is two hundred kilometres away, don’t for a second assume you’ll be there in two hours. The roads constantly wind along inlets, climb up steep hills, and very often you’ll face a wait for a ferry — the only way to cross the deep waters of the fjords.

When you rent a car at the airport, you don’t need to stress too much about paying tolls, because most vehicles are automatically fitted with an AutoPASS chip. It records your passes through toll gates, city entry charges and payments for most ferries, and at the end of the trip the rental company simply charges everything to your credit card. Petrol prices in 2026 hover at roughly 21 to 24 NOK per litre (about £1.55–£1.80), so a more fuel-efficient car definitely pays off.

As for the overall budget, Norway is one of the pricier European destinations, but with a bit of planning it’s manageable. If you stay in nice mid-range hotels and eat out occasionally, budget for daily costs of roughly 2,000 to 2,800 NOK for two people (around £150–£210). You can save significantly by shopping at supermarkets like REMA 1000 or Kiwi, where you’ll pick up great ingredients for picnics you can enjoy with a view of majestic mountains.

The Day-by-Day Itinerary

Let’s take a look at the trip plan itself, designed so that you see the very best while not spending your entire holiday just sitting in the car. This schedule assumes you’ll pick up your car right after landing in Oslo, or alternatively collect it the next morning before leaving the city.

Day 1: Modern Architecture and Parks in Oslo

Your Norwegian adventure begins in the capital, which has undergone an incredible architectural transformation in recent years. Straight after landing and checking in, head down to the harbour, where the famous Opera House dominates the landscape — you can freely walk up its sloping roof all the way to the very top. Right next door you’ll find the modern Bjørvika district with the new Munch Museum building, whose shape resembles a bent book.

In the afternoon, move to a quieter part of the city and stroll through the sprawling Vigeland Park, full of fascinating sculptures depicting the cycle of human life. If you’re interested in history, take a boat over to the Bygdøy peninsula, home to several excellent museums, including one about the polar expeditions aboard the ship Fram. In the evening, unwind in one of the cosy cafés in the Grünerløkka district.

💡 Tip: The fastest way into central Oslo from Gardermoen Airport is the Flytoget express train, which runs every ten minutes, but the regular regional train is noticeably cheaper and only takes a few minutes longer.

Day 2: From Oslo to the Deep Waters of Flåm

On day two your first big westward transfer awaits, and you have a choice between two completely different but equally fascinating options. You can set off by car across the Hardangervidda plateau and through the famous Lærdal Tunnel, which at over 24 kilometres is the longest road tunnel in the world. The drive itself takes roughly five hours of pure driving time, but with the inevitable photo stops, plan for a whole day.

The second, hugely popular option is to set driving aside for a while and take the train. From Oslo you board the famous Bergensbanen line, ride up to the mountain station of Myrdal, and there change onto the iconic historic Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana). It descends steeply into the valley and offers some of the best views in all of Norway, passing right by thundering waterfalls. In the evening you’ll stay in the picturesque village of Flåm, right on the shore of the fjord.

💡 Tip: Tickets for the Flåmsbana train tend to sell out well in advance during the summer months. Just like the sightseeing cruises, you can easily and safely book them ahead of time through GetYourGuide.

Day 3: Nærøyfjord and Views into the Abyss

On day three you’ll stay in the area and focus on what makes Norway, well, Norway. In the morning, set off on an unforgettable cruise along the Nærøyfjord, which is on the UNESCO list and in places is so narrow you feel as if you could reach out and touch the cliffs on both shores. The boats depart directly from Flåm and take you to the village of Gudvangen, from where you can easily return by shuttle bus.

After returning from the cruise, hop in the car and head up a narrow road to the Stegastein viewpoint. This elegant wooden platform juts a full thirty metres out into the void above the Aurlandsfjord and ends in nothing but a sheet of transparent glass, which will reliably get the pulse racing for anyone with a fear of heights. In the afternoon you can fit in a short walk to nearby waterfalls and then rest up at your hotel in the evening.

💡 Tip: To avoid the biggest crowds at the Stegastein viewpoint, go either early in the morning before breakfast or, conversely, in the early evening, once most of the tourists from the cruise ships have already left.

Day 4: Over the Mountains to Rainy Bergen

After breakfast you’ll leave Flåm and head towards the west coast to historic Bergen. The journey takes roughly three hours of pure driving time and runs mostly through the scenic Voss region, known as the centre of Norwegian adrenaline sports. Along the way you’ll pass dozens of smaller lakes and deep forests that practically beg you to make short stops and picnic out in nature.

You’ll probably reach Bergen shortly after noon, which gives you plenty of time for a first taste of the city. Park the car, drop your things at the hotel, and head out for an early-evening stroll around the harbour, where the smell of the sea mingles with the historic atmosphere. Bergen is notorious for its rainy weather, so keep an umbrella or a good waterproof jacket to hand, even when there isn’t a single cloud in the sky.

💡 Tip: There’s an environmental toll for entering central Bergen, which changes depending on the time of day and rush-hour traffic. The AutoPASS system records it automatically — you don’t need to stop anywhere or pay in cash.

Day 5: Bryggen and Bergen’s Streets

Dedicate the whole of day five to exploring Bergen, nicknamed the gateway to the fjords. Your first steps should lead to the Bryggen district, a row of colourful wooden Hanseatic houses lining the waterfront, whose narrow, slightly crooked lanes hide craft workshops, galleries and cosy cafés. Right across from it you’ll find the famous fish market. The local specialities are, naturally, fish and seafood, but if meat isn’t your thing, you’ll also find great stalls offering fresh artisan bread and excellent local cheeses.

In the afternoon, don’t miss the ride up the Fløibanen funicular to Mount Fløyen, which rises right above the city. From the summit you’ll get a breathtaking panoramic view over the whole of Bergen and the surrounding islands, and if you fancy a bit of exercise, you can head back to the centre on foot along well-marked forest trails.

💡 Tip: If it’s really pouring (which happens often in Bergen), take shelter in the KODE museums, an extensive complex of art galleries set along a picturesque little lake in the city centre.

Day 6: Apple Orchards in Hardanger

You’ll leave Bergen and head back inland, this time to the Hardangerfjord region, famous for its fruit orchards. Along the way, be sure to stop at Steindalsfossen waterfall, which is unique in that you can walk along a safe little path right behind its falling wall of water without getting wet. It’s a stunning experience and a great spot for photos.

Once you reach the fjord itself, the landscape shifts slightly and turns more rugged. Your main goal for today is the staggering Vøringsfossen waterfall, located near the town of Eidfjord. The water plunges into a deep, narrow canyon from a height of over 180 metres, and a new, very boldly designed footbridge was recently built here, leading you right out over the abyss. You’ll spend the night in one of the villages along the fjord, ideally in Eidfjord or the picturesque Lofthus.

💡 Tip: The Hardanger region grows the best apples in all of Norway. Be sure to stop at one of the small farm stalls by the road and buy some local artisan apple cider (eplemost).

Lukáš and Lucie recommend

Where to Stay in Norway

6 accommodations — wellness hotels, hotels and other accommodation options

⭐ TOP CHOICE 🏨 Hotel

Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz

Located right in the center of Oslo near the parliament and is renowned for serving one of the best and most abundant breakfasts in the entire city.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability 🏨 Hotel

Fretheim Hotel

A magnificent historic building with beautiful gardens that dates back to the beginnings of Norwegian tourism in the late 19th century.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability 🏨 Hotel

Thon Hotel Orion

Strategic location near the harbor, just a few minutes’ walk to the famous Hanseatic houses of Bryggen and the cable car.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability ⭐ Luxury

Hotel Union Geiranger

Iconic hotel on a hill above the village with a fantastic wellness center overlooking the mountains.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability 🏨 Hotel

Hotel Aak

Great family atmosphere and modern Nordic design, focused on active travelers and offering perfect relaxation after a full day of driving.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability 🔍 Search

View all accommodations in Norway

Explore all available accommodation options in Norway and find the best one according to your preferences and budget.

★★★★ Compare prices

Check availability

Day 7: The Long Mountain Crossing to Geiranger

Brace yourself: in terms of driving, day seven will be the most demanding of the entire itinerary. You face a crossing from Hardanger northwards to the legendary Geirangerfjord. This route takes at least five to six hours of pure driving and also involves crossing fjords by ferry, so the total travel time easily stretches into a full day. Don’t let that put you off, though, because the road itself is the destination here, and the scenery changes around every bend.

You’ll drive across vast highland plateaus, where remnants of snow often linger even in the middle of summer, pass lakes with turquoise water fed by glaciers, and travel through countless shorter and longer tunnels. When the view into the deep valley of Geiranger first opens up before you in the early evening, you’ll understand why the whole world admires this place. Check into accommodation right in the town and enjoy a well-earned rest.

💡 Tip: For long crossings, always stock the car the evening before with plenty of food and drink. Refreshment options in remote mountain areas tend to be limited, and petrol stations appear only rarely.

Day 8: Geiranger, the Eagle Road and Magical Trollstigen

Start your morning in Geiranger as early as possible, before the town fills up with tourists from the big cruise ships. Hop in the car and drive the endless hairpin bends up to the Dalsnibba viewpoint, which sits at an altitude of 1,500 metres and offers a breathtaking view down onto the fjord, which from up here looks like nothing more than a small blue ribbon. After heading back down, don’t miss a cruise along the Geirangerfjord itself, during which you’ll see the famous Seven Sisters waterfalls up close.

The afternoon brings another driving thrill. You’ll set off along the steep Eagle Road (Ørnevegen) and travel over the mountains to one of Europe’s most famous roads. The Troll Road (Trollstigen) cuts into a sheer rock face in eleven sharp hairpin bends, and driving it is a genuine adrenaline rush, especially when you meet a coach coming the other way. After successfully descending into the valley, you’ll arrive in the town of Åndalsnes, known as the main hub of Norwegian mountaineering, where you’ll also spend the night.

💡 Tip: At the top of the Troll Road there’s a modern visitor centre with several viewing platforms suspended in the air over the valley. Give yourself plenty of time here for photos.

Day 9: Leaping Over the Waves on the Atlantic Road

After yesterday’s mountain massifs, the landscape changes dramatically on day nine as you head straight to the ocean coast. From Åndalsnes you’ll make your way towards the town of Molde, from where a ferry takes you closer to the famous Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsveien). This architectural marvel links islets and reefs by means of eight bridges, and driving it feels more like flying low over the water.

The most famous and most photographed spot is the Storseisundet bridge, which thanks to its asymmetrical shape looks, from certain angles, as though it ends in mid-air and the cars are dropping straight into the sea. If you’re lucky enough to catch wilder weather, you’ll see the ocean waves crashing right into the pillars, with the spray occasionally drenching passing cars. In the evening you’ll stay either in the modern town of Molde or in the more historic Kristiansund at the northern end of the road.

💡 Tip: An excellent scenic walking trail with boardwalks runs right by the sea along the Atlantic Road. Park at one of the rest areas and take a stroll on foot — you might even spot seals playing in the waves.

Day 10: Art Nouveau Ålesund and the Flight Home

The final day of your Norwegian road trip belongs to the town of Ålesund, which sits across several small islands and boasts utterly unique architecture. After a devastating fire at the beginning of the 20th century, the entire centre was completely rebuilt in elegant art nouveau style, which is why you’ll find houses adorned with turrets, gargoyles and colourful ornaments that form a perfect contrast with the cold ocean waters all around.

Before you head to the nearby Vigra Airport (or set off on the long drive back south), be sure to climb up to the Aksla viewpoint. There are 418 steps leading up directly from the town park, and the view of the bay, the islands and the mountains in the background is an absolutely perfect way to round off the whole journey.

💡 Tip: Ålesund is also a great place to pick up your last souvenirs. In the local galleries you’ll find beautiful glass and ceramic pieces that will remind you of your Nordic trip for years to come.

Where to Stay Along the Route

💡 Tip for accommodation and experiences: We prefer to look for places to stay on Booking.com, which tends to have the best cancellation terms. It’s then worth comparing and buying tickets, tours and activities through GetYourGuide.

Given that this is the most popular tourist route in the country, I’d recommend leaving nothing to chance and sorting out your accommodation as much as half a year in advance. If you turn up at a fjord in July without a reservation, you could very easily end up sleeping in the car, because every hotel within a fifty-kilometre radius will be hopelessly full. Good old Booking is perfect for reservations, with everything from small guesthouses to large luxury resorts.

Here’s a summary of the best bases along with specific hotel tips worth trying:

• In Oslo: A great choice is the Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, located right in the centre just a stone’s throw from parliament, and famous for serving one of the best and most generous breakfasts in the entire city.
• In Flåm: If you want a taste of history, stay at the gorgeous Fretheim Hotel, a grand historic building with beautiful gardens that dates back to the dawn of Norwegian tourism in the late 19th century.
• In Bergen: Go for a strategic location near the harbour — the Thon Hotel Orion is excellent, just a few minutes’ walk from the famous Bryggen Hanseatic houses and the funicular.
• In Geiranger: For maximum comfort and relaxation in the heart of the mountains, the iconic Hotel Union Geiranger fits the bill, perched on a hill above the village and boasting a fantastic wellness centre with mountain views.
• In Åndalsnes: A wonderful family atmosphere and modern Nordic design are on offer at Hotel Aak, which caters to active travellers — and after a full day of driving, you’ll find perfect peace and quiet here.

Where to Go Next

If you already have your itinerary roughly figured out and you’re after more detail on specific places, or you need to soak up more practical advice before your trip, take a look at these companion articles:

• Norway: 50 Things to See — A huge overview of the most interesting places across the whole country, perfect if you’re considering stretching out your route.
• Norway by Car: Road Trip and Practical Tips — An article focused purely on driving, where I break down tolls, speed limits and how the ferries work in detail.
• Norwegian Fjords — A Guide — A detailed look at the most beautiful inlets of the west coast and tips on how to enjoy them both from the deck of a boat and from mountain viewpoints.
• Geirangerfjord — A standalone guide dedicated to the king of all fjords, because this place simply deserves an article of its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Norway is famous for its deep fjords and rugged Nordic wilderness, but there’s one engineering marvel that lets you take it all in from the comfort of a soft seat. The Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) in Flåm, Norway rightfully and regularly tops the charts of the most beautiful train journeys on the entire planet.

In just twenty kilometres of travel, you’ll climb (or descend) an enormous elevation change of more than eight hundred metres, all while admiring steep green valleys and thundering waterfalls. The journey from the high-mountain station of Myrdal all the way down to the surface of the majestic Aurlandsfjord is simply something you absolutely shouldn’t miss when visiting Scandinavia.

In this guide, we’ll walk through all the essential information so you can plan your Nordic trip completely stress-free. You’ll learn how to secure your tickets well in advance, why the photo stop at the Kjosfossen waterfall is worth it, and where to stay strategically right in the picturesque little village of Flåm.

TL;DR

• Length and route: The Flåm Railway runs 20 kilometres and connects the mountain station of Myrdal with the harbour village of Flåm.
• Extreme gradient: It’s one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world, with the track reaching a gradient of up to 5.5 percent.
• Best views: On the descent from Myrdal, sit on the right-hand side of the train to see the deep valley in all its glory.
• Waterfall stop: The train makes a special pause at the mighty Kjosfossen waterfall, where the mythical Huldra fairy appears during the season.
• Booking is a must: Tickets sell out in a flash during the summer months, so buying online well ahead of time is absolutely essential.
• Part of a bigger trip: The route forms the very heart of the popular Norway in a Nutshell tour.

When to Go and How to Get to Flåm

Planning a trip to the Flåm Railway takes a bit of strategic thinking, especially if you want to dodge the biggest crowds of cruise-ship tourists. The main summer season runs from June to August, when the entire valley is beautifully green and the temperatures are at their most pleasant — but you’ll also have to reckon with fully booked carriages. Spring and autumn offer a noticeably calmer atmosphere, while a winter ride through the snow-covered landscape feels like a genuine Nordic fairytale. If you’re checking the forecast before you go, the Flåm, Norway weather is famously changeable, so pack layers no matter the season.

If you’re travelling by public transport, your starting point will most likely be the high-mountain station of Myrdal. You reach it via the main Bergensbanen railway line, which connects the Norwegian capital Oslo with the coastal city of Bergen. The journey from Oslo takes roughly four and a half hours, while from Bergen you’ll be in Myrdal in about two hours. Coming from the UK, the easiest route is to fly into Bergen — direct flights run from London and several regional airports — and then take the scenic train onward. If you prefer a road trip and have a hire car, you can drive straight into the village of Flåm, passing through the famous Lærdal Tunnel along the way.

Where to Stay: Hotels in Flåm, Norway

💡 Tip for accommodation and experiences: We love searching for places to stay on Booking.com, where the cancellation terms tend to be the best. For tickets, tours and activities, it’s worth comparing and booking through GetYourGuide.

Finding good accommodation right in the village of Flåm can be quite a challenge during peak season, so it pays to sort your booking even six months ahead. Most hotels are located right next to the harbour and the railway station, so you won’t have to drag your suitcases far. Prices here usually range from 1,600 to 2,800 NOK per night (roughly 140 to 245 €), depending on the season and room type.

I’d definitely recommend taking a look at the Fretheim Hotel, a gorgeous historic building brimming with charm that stands just a few steps from both the fjord and the station itself. Another excellent choice is the Flåmsbrygga Hotel, which sits right by the harbour pier and is home to a beloved local brewery, so you won’t have far to go for an evening drink. You can easily book both of these through Booking, where you can also keep an eye out for free cancellation.

7 Things to See and Do Around the Flåm Railway

The Flåm Railway isn’t just about sitting in a carriage and being carried down to the fjord. The whole Flåmsdalen valley works as a complete experience destination, offering an incredible range of activities for lovers of nature, history and good food alike. To make the most of your time in this area, I’ve put together a detailed list of places and experiences.

You’ll find everything here, from hikes and bike rides to cruises across the deepest fjords in the country. Set aside at least one full day for this area, ideally with an overnight stay, so you can savour the early-evening calm once the big tour groups have headed back to their cruise ships.

1. Riding the Steepest Railway

The Flåmsbana journey itself is an astonishing feat of engineering that took a full twenty years to build and demanded an enormous amount of effort. Over its twenty kilometres, the train tackles a gradient of up to 5.5 percent, making it one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world. Along the way you’ll pass through no fewer than twenty tunnels, eighteen of which were carved into the hard Norwegian rock entirely by hand, without any heavy machinery.

The scenery outside the window changes by the minute, as the rugged high-mountain plateaus around Myrdal gradually give way to lush green pastures in the valley. The train deliberately travels very slowly, so passengers can soak in all those dramatic views of deep ravines and farms scattered across the mountainsides. The carriages are also fitted with large panoramic windows and a nostalgic wooden interior that gives the whole experience just the right historic atmosphere.

💡 Tip: If you’re travelling from Myrdal down to Flåm, try to grab a seat on the right-hand side of the train. It’s from this side that you’ll get the very best views deep into the Flåmsdalen valley itself.

2. Kjosfossen Waterfall and the Huldra Fairy

About halfway through the journey, the train starts to slow down, eventually coming to a complete stop on a specially built wooden platform in the middle of the wilderness. This is where the mighty Kjosfossen waterfall is located, its waters plunging from an impressive height of 93 metres and creating such a powerful spray that you probably won’t stay entirely dry. The stop lasts about five minutes — just enough time to step out and take a few lovely photos.

But this natural spectacle has one more big draw, rooted in old Norse myths and legends. During the summer season, the mysterious Huldra fairy appears at the waterfall — a mythical creature in a long red dress who, according to legend, lured men into the deep forests with her song. Accompanied by dramatic Norwegian folk music echoing through the valley, she performs a short, magical dance right on the rocks beside the thundering water.

Interestingly, the role of this mythical being is usually played by talented students from a Norwegian ballet school. The whole little performance feels almost impossibly mystical in the middle of the wilderness, and for many travellers the moment at Kjosfossen is the most powerful experience of the entire train journey.

3. The Village of Flåm

Your train journey ends right at the water’s edge in the picturesque little village of Flåm, which may have only around 350 permanent residents but bursts at the seams during the season. Right next to the station you’ll find the free Flåmsbana Museet, where you can dive into the fascinating history of building this unique railway and admire the old locomotives. It’s a great way to understand just how incredibly demanding it was to construct a working line in such extreme mountain terrain.

When hunger strikes after your journey, don’t miss the famous local Ægir brewery, whose building looks from the outside like a traditional Viking stave church. Inside, you’ll be greeted by a wonderful atmosphere with a huge fireplace in the centre of the room, where you can order a tasting board of their craft beers. Beyond the excellent drinks, the brewery serves a varied range of local dishes, and vegetarians are well catered for too, thanks to some great meat-free specialities inspired by Nordic cuisine.

Flåm also serves as the main launch point for exploring the surrounding nature by water. A whole fleet of cruise boats and fast craft is moored in the harbour, but if you prefer a more active kind of relaxation, you can hire a sea kayak here and explore the fjord’s quiet corners entirely on your own.

Lukáš and Lucie recommend

Where to stay in Flåm

3 accommodations — hotels and other lodging options

⭐ TOP CHOICE 🏨 Hotel

Fretheim Hotel

A beautiful historic building with tremendous charm, located just steps from the fjord and the railway station itself.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability 🏨 Hotel

Flåmsbrygga Hotel

Located right by the harbor pier and includes a popular local brewery, so you won’t have far to go for an evening drink.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability 🔍 Search

View all accommodations in Flåm

Explore all available accommodation options in Flåm and find the best one according to your preferences and budget.

★★★★ Compare prices

Check availability

Lukáš and Lucie recommend

Where to Stay in Flåm

3 places to stay — hotels and other accommodation options

⭐ TOP PICK 🏨 Hotel

Fretheim Hotel

A gorgeous historic building brimming with charm, standing just a few steps from both the fjord and the station itself.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability 🏨 Hotel

Flåmsbrygga Hotel

Sits right by the harbour pier and is home to a beloved local brewery, so you won’t have far to go for an evening drink.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability 🔍 Search

View all accommodation in Flåm

Explore all the available places to stay in Flåm and find the best one to suit your preferences and budget.

★★★★ Compare prices

Check availability

4. The Aurlandsfjord and the Stegastein Viewpoint

The village of Flåm lies at the very end of the Aurlandsfjord, one of the most beautiful arms of the vast Sognefjord, which cuts deep into the Norwegian mainland. The sight of the deep blue water hemmed in by steep green hills is absolutely breathtaking and well worth heading out on an organised cruise for. Modern, fully electric boats set off regularly from the local harbour, gliding across the water almost silently so as not to disturb the surrounding wilderness.

If you want to take in all that beauty from a bird’s-eye view, you’ll need to make your way to the famous Stegastein viewing platform. This stunning wooden structure rises 650 metres directly above the surface of the fjord, and thanks to its clear glass edge, you’ll feel as though you’re floating freely in mid-air. It’s reached via a narrow, winding road known as the Snow Road, which might make your head spin a little — but the view is one hundred percent worth it.

Special sightseeing buses run regularly from Flåm to the viewpoint, so you can get there easily even without your own car. The trip takes about an hour and a half including time for photos, so it fits perfectly as an extra afternoon activity once you’ve come down from the mountains by train.

5. The Norway in a Nutshell Tour

If you want to see the best of the Norwegian fjords in a short space of time and don’t have a car, this is your best possible option. The Flåm Railway forms the very heart of the popular Norway in a Nutshell package, which brilliantly links together the country’s most beautiful train and boat routes. There’s no complicated planning required — the whole system is designed so that all the connections fit together perfectly and stress-free.

A typical one-day tour starts early in the morning in Oslo or Bergen with a ride along the main Bergensbanen line to Myrdal station. From there you descend the famous Flåmsbana down to the fjord, where you smoothly transfer to a cruise boat that takes you not only through the Aurlandsfjord but also the breathtaking, UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord. In places this fjord is just 250 metres wide, with steep cliffs towering more than a kilometre above it.

After the cruise to the village of Gudvangen, the journey continues by bus along steep hairpin bends to the town of Voss, and from there by train back to civilisation. This trip is more demanding in terms of both time and money, but it gives you a truly complete picture of just how diverse and monumental Norwegian nature really is.

6. The Rallarvegen Cycling Route

For travellers who love combining stunning views with a bit of physical effort, the area around the railway is an absolute paradise. The historic Rallarvegen road originally served the workers who built the railway line at the end of the nineteenth century, and today it ranks as one of the most popular and beautiful cycling routes in all of Norway. You can simply bring your bike with you on the train, ride up to Myrdal station, and then enjoy the twenty-kilometre descent back down.

The route is largely gravel and steep in places, so good brakes and a bit of cycling caution are definitely in order here. On the way down you’ll pass roaring rivers, sheer drops and picturesque mountain farms that the average tourist will never get this close to from a train window. You can stop wherever you fancy and soak up that incredible sense of mountain freedom to the full.

If you don’t have your own gear, there’s no need to worry at all. You can comfortably hire bikes right in Flåm or at other stations along the route, and once you’ve finished your trip you simply return them at your destination, which makes the whole logistics enormously simpler.

7. Tickets, Prices and Booking

Travelling around Norway isn’t exactly a cheap affair, and a ride on this historic train is no exception. A return ticket will set you back around 600 NOK, which works out at roughly 52 €, with the one-way option only marginally cheaper. Even so, it’s such a powerful experience that this investment in memories is well worth it — you won’t regret a penny.

The basic rule for the summer months is not to leave buying your tickets until the last minute. Trains are often sold out weeks in advance, because much of the capacity is snapped up by travel agencies and the huge cruise ships moored in the fjord. If you want to be absolutely certain of getting on the train at your chosen time, buy your tickets online well ahead.

💡 Tip: A great solution is to book your tickets through trusted platforms like GetYourGuide, where you can reserve them from the comfort of home with the benefit of free cancellation. This gives you flexibility in case your travel plans or the weather change dramatically at the last minute.

Where to Go Next from Flåm

Once you’ve explored the Flåmsdalen valley and ridden the train, it would be a shame not to linger in the fjord region a little longer. Norway offers an endless number of beautiful places just waiting to be discovered. If you want to keep exploring the surrounding waterways, I’d recommend reading our article focused on the Sognefjord and Nærøyfjord, where you’ll find plenty of practical information about boat trips.

From Flåm you can also easily get back onto the main railway line and head off for some urban culture on the west coast. Norway’s second-largest city has a wonderful historic atmosphere, which you can read more about in our guide Bergen: what to see. For more comprehensive holiday planning, don’t miss the extensive article Norway: 50 things to see or our big Guide to the Norwegian Fjords, where you’ll find plenty more travel inspiration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a trip to this mountain railway comes with a whole host of practical details. Below I’ve gathered answers to the most common questions that travellers usually have before visiting this area, so you have all the important information neatly in one place.