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The Flåm Railway & Bergen Line Expedition

📍 Flåm, Vestland, Norway

The Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) is widely celebrated as one of the steepest and most spectacular standard-gauge train routes in the world. Reaching it entirely by rail from the Netherlands lets you embark on an epic Scandinavian overland journey across northern Europe, traversing the windswept Hardangervidda plateau before descending into the dramatic Aurlandsfjord valley.

Quand y aller

May to September provides long daylight hours, full greenery, rushing waterfalls, and reliable weather. May and September offer gorgeous seasonal transitions (snowmelt or autumn colours) with fewer cruise passengers than peak July–August.

Overview

The journey on the Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) drops over 860 vertical metres in just 20 kilometres, running between the high-altitude junction of Myrdal on the Bergen Line down to the edge of Aurlandsfjord in Flåm. Along the way, the train navigates spiral tunnels, passes sheer rock walls, and pauses beside the thundering Kjosfossen waterfall. Undertaking this trip strictly by rail from the Netherlands turns the transport itself into the centrepiece of an unforgettable North European adventure.

Getting There (from the Netherlands — concrete routes and rough journey time)

Reaching Flåm from the Netherlands entirely by rail is straightforward, comfortable, and well-integrated:

  1. Netherlands to Hamburg (approx. 5–6 hours): Take an ICE or IC from Amsterdam Centraal, Utrecht, or Amersfoort via Osnabrück or Hannover to Hamburg Hauptbahnhof.
  2. Hamburg to Copenhagen / Gothenburg / Oslo:
  • Option A (Daytime via Denmark & Sweden): Hamburg to Copenhagen by EuroCity, Öresundståg/SJ to Gothenburg, then Vy train to Oslo Sentralstasjon.
  • Option B (Overnight Swedish Sleeper): Take the SJ EuroNight sleeper from Hamburg directly across Denmark into Sweden, connecting onward to Oslo.
  • Total journey time to Oslo: Around 18 to 22 hours depending on daytime or sleeper connections.
  1. Oslo to Flåm via the Bergen Line (Bergensbanen):
  • Board the scenic Vy train from Oslo S to Myrdal (approx. 4.5 to 5 hours).
  • At Myrdal platform, cross directly to the connecting Flåmsbana train for the steep 55-minute descent into Flåm.

Day-by-day

  • Day 1: Across Northern Europe to Scandinavia

  • Depart the Netherlands in the morning by rail to Hamburg, Germany.

  • Continue northbound across Denmark to Sweden, or board the overnight sleeper train from Hamburg northbound towards Gothenburg/Oslo.

  • Day 2: Arrival in Oslo & City Stroll

  • Arrive at Oslo Sentralstasjon by midday or early afternoon.

  • Spend the afternoon exploring the Oslo waterfront, the iconic Opera House roof, or the Munch Museum before a relaxed dinner near the station.

  • Day 3: Crossing the Roof of Norway to Flåm

  • Board the morning Bergensbanen train from Oslo S, climbing past pine forests up to the alpine tundra of Finse and Hardangervidda.

  • Transfer at Myrdal onto the legendary Flåmsbana.

  • Ride down past Kjosfossen waterfall and roaring canyons directly into Flåm village; settle in for an evening by the fjord.

  • Day 4: Exploring Flåm, Aurlandsfjord & Naerøyfjord

  • Morning walk or e-bike ride along the Flåm valley, or take an electric passenger ferry excursion through the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen.

  • Visit the Flåm Railway Museum (located at the station) to understand the remarkable engineering behind the line.

  • Day 5: Onward to Bergen & Return Journey

  • Ride the Flåmsbana back up to Myrdal and catch the connecting train west into historic Bergen (approx. 2 hours), or board the eastbound train back to Oslo.

  • Catch your scheduled night train or daytime rail connections back through Denmark and Germany towards the Netherlands.

  • Day 6: Return to the Netherlands

  • Final connecting daytime train from Northern Germany arrives back in the Netherlands by afternoon.

Where to Stay

  • Oslo Sentralstasjon area: Essential for seamless early-morning rail connections; modern business hotels and boutique stays sit within a 5-minute walk of the tracks.
  • Flåm Village: Riverside cabins, heritage fjord hotels, or guesthouses right around the harbour and train terminal for easy pedestrian access.
  • Aurlandsvangen: A quieter, authentic village 10 minutes by local bus or boat from Flåm, ideal for peaceful fjord-side lodging.

Budget (rough itemized costs, with a currency)

  • Long-Distance Rail Pass / Advance Tickets (Netherlands–Oslo return): €180 – €320 per person (using Interrail Global Pass or DB/SJ early-bird bookings + sleeper reservations).
  • Bergensbanen (Oslo to Myrdal return): €70 – €140 per person (or modest seat reservation fee if travelling with Interrail).
  • Flåmsbana Train Ticket: Approx. NOK 500 – NOK 730 (~€45 – €65) one-way / NOK 750 – NOK 1,050 return (30% discount available with Interrail).
  • Accommodation: €130 – €240 per night for double rooms / standard hotels.
  • Food & Daily Expenses: €60 – €100 per person per day (dining out in Norway is premium-priced; supermarket options help lower costs).

Know Before You Go

  • Border & Visas: Norway is in the Schengen Area; EU/Dutch citizens and residents only need a valid passport or national ID card.
  • Seat Reservations: Compulsory on the Oslo–Bergen line and the Swedish/German long-distance night trains; book these several weeks ahead, especially for summer travel.
  • Cruise Ship Waves: Flåm is a major cruise stop. Midday departures can be crowded; taking early-morning or late-afternoon Flåmsbana runs provides a far quieter atmosphere.
  • Luggage: The train platforms at Myrdal and Flåm have level access, but travel light to make platform transfers between train carriages effortless.

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