The spectacular train ride from Bergen to Flåm

The highest mainline railway journey in Northern Europe is an unforgettable one. The scenic train ride from Bergen to Flåm is one of the highlights of a visit to Norway. And, a great way to get a taste of the fjords! But is it really worth it? And what’s the best way to ride those rails?

The journey
Buying tickets
Tips for riding the railway
What to do in Flåm
Where to stay
Where to eat in Bergen and Flåm
When to go

The train journey: from Bergen to Flåm

The first part of the journey includes the main Bergen to Oslo line. It skims past boathouses and red painted cabins before climbing to Norway’s craggy, windswept uplands.

After changing trains at Myrdal onto the private Flåmsbana, you head down into the wild Flåm valley. The Myrdal mountain railway station is already located 867m above sea level.

The most remote sections see few signs of human life. Built between 1923 and 1940, the Flåm Railway is hailed as one of Norway’s top engineering achievements. Spanning 20 kilometers, this last section ranks among the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world. No less than 80% of the track on a 5.5% incline! The route features 20 tunnels, and most were dug by hand.

The Flåms railway is the most dramatic and scenic section of the ride and – in our opinion – the most stomach-churning!

On this final 20km leg, the train has four sets of brakes. Just in case the worst happens as it threads its way down the mountainside. There’s even a switchback turn in the middle of a tunnel to keep the journey interesting.

Approximately 1 hour after leaving Myrdal, you reach your final destination of Flåm. There, you can take in the gorgeous shores of the Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the famous Sognefjord.

Despite being one of Europe’s steepest mountain railways, the train ride from Bergen to Flåm is one of the most beautiful. So, we think it’s well worth the slightly scary steep approach.

How long is the train ride from Bergen to Flåm?

The full journey from Bergen to Flåm takes between 3 and 4 and a half hours. There are eight trains from Bergen to Myrdal daily.

From Myrdal, the Flåmsbana has nine to ten departures daily from May to September. From October to April, there are four to six trains every day.

Where can you stop?

The fast train from Bergen to Myrdal stops at Arna (boarding only) and Dale, home of the eponymous traditional knitwear. Afterwards, you head to the winter resort of Voss, where skiers jump off the train and schuss off. Finally, you arrive in Myrdal, the junction station for the Flåmsbana.

Myrdal is where Flåm’s farmers used to bring their livestock to summer pastures, though no-one lives here permanently today. Pretty much the only building in Myrdal is the station with its Café Rallaren (open April to October).

Stops along the Flåmsbana include the thundering 140m-high Kjosfossen waterfall, where the train halts for a 5 minute photo opportunity. In summer, look and listen out for the Huldra. It’s a mythical forest spirit who (legend has it) sings folk songs in a red dress by the waterfall. 

(Spoiler alert: she’s sometimes actually played by students from the Norwegian ballet School!)

At Berekvam, you can get off and hike down the old road into the valley in two to three hours.

Which side of the train is best?

There’s not really a good and a bad side, both sides are beautiful at different stages of the journey.

However, when travelling from Flåm to Myrdal, we think that the right side has the best views for the first third of the journey. After this, we suggest moving over to the left-hand side of the train for the middle section, and back to the right-hand side for the final third of the trip.

But, if you have a pre-assigned seat you’ll have no choice in the matter anyway. Luckily, you can get up and walk around the train, so that you don’t miss the most scenic sections.

Top tips for taking the train ride from Bergen to Flåm

• The train can get very busy in high season, so we recommend avoiding July and August.
• Most cruise ship passengers ride the railway in the middle of the day, so we suggest travelling early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the crowds.
• Check the Flam harbour website to see if there’s a cruise ship in port when you arrive. If there is, we suggest picking a different day.
• Winter is the best time to ride the railway if you want to avoid the crowds. The surrounding scenery looks beautiful covered in snow and there are fewer people around.
• There are only a couple of public toilets on the train. Still, we suggest using the facilities in Flam or Myrdal, so you don’t spend most of the journey in the toilet queue.
• There’s no buffet car on the train, so bring your own water bottle and food if you need a snack. You can, however, pre-order a lunch pack and pick it up at Café Rallaren at Myrdal Station. Lunch must be ordered online at least 24 hours in advance.

What to do in Flåm

While the journey is easily doable as a day trip, it’s worth staying overnight in Flåm to enjoy the fjord in peace once the day-trippers and cruise passengers have left.

This also gives you time to head out on a guided kayaking trip with Njord Sea Kayak, or go cycling or hiking.

The tourist office has free maps, with trails of various lengths from 45min to five hours.

There are lots of sightseeing trips and fjord cruises too, including a dramatic ferry trip from Flåm to Gudvangen past orchards and farmsteads into the Unesco-listed Naerøyfjord. Return on the same ferry or the cheaper and quicker bus (there are five daily).

We also really like this guided tour from Flåm of the picturesque Laerdal valley, with its fruit farms and rural scenery. It takes in the historic Borgund Stave Church and fantastic views of the Aurlandsfjord from the dramatic Stegastein viewpoint.

Where to stay in Flåm

Lots of people whizz in and out of Flåm, but you’ve come all this way and it would be a shame not to spend some time in this picturesque village.

We really recommend staying the night in Flåm if you have the time – and there are plenty of places to options to choose from.

If you’re on a budget, our first choice would be the Flam Camping og Vandrerhjem (open April to October), a 300m walk from the station. This pine-clad, lodge-style hostel has bunks rooms sleeping up to six (550 NOK per person), plus singles, doubles, twins, and quads, as well as grassy pitches for tents (from 390 NOK).

Alternatively, try Heimly Pensjonat (open late May to September), a quiet guesthouse 500m walk from the station. Converted from a 1930s home and renovated in 2018, it has 22 small rooms (from 3390 NOK), some with fjord views, and all with private bathroom.

And although we didn’t actually get to stay there on our trip, we recommend checking out the lovely Flåm Marina right on the waterfront. They have family rooms and rooms with a kitchenette so great if you’re self-catering.

Where to eat in Bergen and Flåm

Since there’s no buffet car on the Flåm railway, you’ll probably want to eat before your trip or afterwards.

Here are a few options we like in Bergen and Flåm.

If you want to pick up a tasty pastry or sandwich for the journey, we like the Flåm Bakery, right by the train station. It sells freshly made bread, cakes, croissants and pizzas to eat in or take with you.

For something more substantial, the Flåm Marina hotel has a good restaurant with lovely views of the fjord. It serves traditional Norwegian dishes and pizzas – we suggest you try the fish soup.

Bergen has loads of places to eat. If money is no object, our top choice is the Lysverket restaurant at Bergen’s KODE art museum. Specialising in New Nordic cuisine, this Michelin-star restaurant serves a tasting menu (1690 NOK) that features dishes such as brown crab, rice and truffle and langoustine tempura.

And if you’re on a budget, we recommend the Daily Pot for its tasty vegetarian bowls of soups, curries and salads – we particularly like the vegan cheesecakes!

When to go

Several thousand people a day can descend on Flåm (resident population: 350) on summer weekends. Don’t let this put you off, though – there are plenty of ways to avoid the worst of the crowds.

It all comes down to timing: travel in spring or autumn, or at least midweek in the busy months of June to August.

May is one of our favourite months to travel on the railway, as the waterfalls are particularly dramatic and full of melting ice water, and surrounding fields and countryside is lush and green.

Winter is a good option, too, when the deep turquoise of the frozen waterfalls along the route is unforgettable.

Ready to ride the rails?

From the dramatic descent through the Flåmsdalen valley to the serene shores of Aurlandsfjord, the train journey from Bergen to Flåm offers an unforgettable glimpse into Norway’s natural beauty. Whether you’re planning a day trip or an extended stay, this scenic route is a must-experience.

Have you taken this breathtaking train ride? Or do you have questions about planning your own journey? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you!

See also: 
Visiting Bergen on a budget
A guide to Scandinavian rail passes