Bergen to the Flåm Railway

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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The Flåm Railway is one of the world's steepest standard-gauge railways, dropping nearly 900 metres through hairpin tunnels and past thundering waterfalls to the edge of the Aurlandsfjord — and reaching it from Bergen is itself part of the spectacle, riding the celebrated Bergen Line over the mountains first. Here is how to put the two together in a long but unforgettable day.

The classic route: Bergen Line to Myrdal, then the Flåmsbana

The journey starts on the Bergen Line (Bergensbanen), operated by Vy, which climbs from Bergen up onto the Hardangervidda plateau before descending towards Oslo — you ride it only as far as Myrdal, a small mountain station roughly 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes from Bergen. At Myrdal, you change onto the Flåmsbana, the Flåm Railway proper, which descends the Flåm Valley to the fjord-side village of Flåm in about 45–55 minutes, dropping around 863 metres over just 20 km — one of the steepest adhesion railways anywhere. If you're arriving into Bergen from the airport before setting off, see our guide to Bergen airport to the city for getting into town first. The connection at Myrdal is timed for onward Flåmsbana departures, and reservations are recommended for the Flåmsbana in peak season given how popular it is.

Doing it as "Norway in a Nutshell"

Many visitors combine the Bergen–Myrdal–Flåm rail journey with a fjord cruise from Flåm along the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord — a narrow, UNESCO-listed arm of the Sognefjord — followed by a bus back to Bergen or onward to Oslo, a combination widely marketed as "Norway in a Nutshell." Done as a single long day from Bergen, this typically takes 10–12 hours door to door and is genuinely one of the most scenic day trips achievable anywhere in Europe by public transport, though it makes for a full and fairly tiring day.

The simpler option: Bergen to Flåm and back

If a full "Nutshell" circuit feels like too much for one day, it's entirely possible to just ride the train to Flåm, spend a couple of hours in the village and by the fjord, and return the same way — a simpler round trip of around 5–6 hours of travel time in total, leaving more relaxed time in Flåm itself without the added cruise and bus legs.

Driving

Driving from Bergen to Flåm covers around 170 km and takes roughly 3 hours, following the E16 and passing through the Lærdal Tunnel, at over 24 km the longest road tunnel in the world. Driving gives flexibility to stop along the way and avoids the need to time trains, but it misses the Flåmsbana itself, which is arguably the whole point of the trip and can't be replicated by road — most visitors doing this specifically for the railway experience should stick to the train. See our guide to driving in Norway for tunnels and toll rings if combining this with a wider road trip.

Organised day tours

Given how popular this route is, packaged day tours from Bergen bundle the Bergen Line, Flåmsbana and fjord cruise into a single booking with fixed connections, which removes any planning effort but generally costs more than booking each leg separately through Vy and the Flåm Railway's own booking system. These suit visitors who'd rather not coordinate several connecting tickets themselves.

What to see in Flåm and along the way

Beyond the railway itself, Flåm is a small fjord-side village with a handful of cafés, a small railway museum next to the station explaining how the line was built, and not much more — most of the appeal here is the setting and the fjord itself rather than the village. The Nærøyfjord, reached by the cruise or ferry from Flåm, is the scenic highlight for many visitors, with near-vertical cliffs and waterfalls dropping straight into narrow, still water.

The Flåmsbana journey itself passes several other notable points beyond the Kjosfossen photo stop, including the small settlement of Berekvam, roughly the line's halfway point, and views back up the valley towards Myrdal that give a real sense of just how much the railway climbs and descends in such a short distance. Many travellers rate the descent as the single most memorable part of the whole day, even set against the fjord cruise that usually follows it.

Booking and timing

Bergen Line tickets and Flåmsbana tickets can both be booked online in advance through Vy and the Flåm Railway respectively, and doing so is worth it in the summer high season when the Flåmsbana in particular can sell out on popular midday departures. Outside peak summer, walk-up tickets are usually available, though booking ahead still guarantees your preferred connection times, which matters more here than on most day trips given how tightly the legs need to line up.

Which should you choose?

The full Bergen–Myrdal–Flåm–fjord cruise combination is the classic choice and worth the long day for most visitors, since it's one of Norway's signature scenic experiences. A simpler there-and-back rail trip to Flåm suits those who want the railway without the extra legs. If you're exploring more of Norway by rail afterwards, see our guide to Bergen to Trondheim, Stockholm to Oslo if continuing into Sweden, or Norway by train for how the wider network and scenic lines fit together.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Bergen to Flåm Railway trip take?

The Bergen Line to Myrdal takes around 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes, and the Flåmsbana descent to Flåm a further 45–55 minutes, so around 2.5–3 hours one way including the connection.

Do I need to book the Flåmsbana in advance?

It's recommended in peak summer season, when popular departures can sell out, though outside that period walk-up tickets are usually available.

What is "Norway in a Nutshell"?

It's the popular combination of the Bergen Line, the Flåm Railway and a fjord cruise on the Nærøyfjord, done as a single long day trip from Bergen or between Bergen and Oslo.

Can I drive instead of taking the train?

You can drive to Flåm in around 3 hours, but this misses the Flåmsbana itself, which is the main reason most visitors make this trip — the train is the better choice if the railway is the goal.