Overview
What is the Flamsbana?
The Flåm Railway, also known as Flåmsbana, is often regarded as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. This 20-kilometer route from Myrdal to Flåm offers breathtaking views of Norway’s stunning landscapes, including towering mountains, deep valleys, and cascading waterfalls. It is an impressive piece of engineering, with steep gradients and tunnels that showcase the ingenuity of its construction nearly a century ago.
Is it worth the time and money?
If you are attracted to trains, and love nature and photography, the answer is a resounding yes. If you appreciate iconic, bucket-list experiences and don’t mind the cost, the Flåm Railway will likely be a highlight of your trip. On the other hand, if you’re on a tight budget or dislike crowded tourist attractions, you might want to weigh your options carefully. The Flamsbana is not cheap – but then again, nothing is in Norway, so the additional cost of the experience will probably be within your planned budget.
How to visit
There are two ways to visit Flåm and ride the Flamsbana, either as a day-trip with the very famous Norway in a Nutshell tour (from Bergen or Oslo), or as a DIY trip by buying train tickets separately.
Flam as a day trip
You can even replicate the entire Norway in a Nutshell tour yourself, which will be significantly cheaper, but involves some planning – see my dedicated post about how to do this.
En route from Oslo to Bergen
The full price of the Flamsbana one way is around 42€. If you have an Interrail or Eurail pass you can get 30% off, but you need to call to book your ticket or do it in person. The best way to do it yourself is to stop on the way from Oslo to Bergen (by the way, this stretch called the Bergsbanen is also a famously beautiful train ride in its own right!), take the round trip with the Flamsbana and continue to Bergen from Myrdal. The Oslo – Bergen ticket usually costs around 100€ full price (included in Interrail and Eurail).
Experience
The Flåm Railway is one of the highlights of a Norway trip, and is thus very crowded. It is essential to book in advance, otherwise you get stuck at the Myrdal train station in the middle of nowhere waiting for hours. The train itself is an old style nostalgic train with a wooden interior and benches.
Tips
– Go out on the platform 10 min before the train arrives so you can get on early and secure a window seat (the FLamsbana has free seating).
– From Myrdal to Flåm, sit on the left side, which has slightly better views (don’t worry, both are great though)
– Some windows open on the Flåm train but not all of them (about every third window). If you want to take photos try to grab a seat by an opening window to avoid the reflections – there are some tunnel sections on the ride where it can get really loud with the windows open, it’s better to close it for these short sections.
When to Visit
All seasons offer something unique, though summer and early autumn being the easiest to do the trip (it gets very cold!) In summer you can see neon green landscapes and can visit until late due to the long daylight hours, but it’s also the busiest time. In autumn you can enjoy vibrant fall colors and fewer crowds as it starts to get more chilly. Winter is exceptionally atmospheric all across Norway when there is snow – you will have a peaceful and unique experience but will probably freeze your ass off. In spring the melting snow feeds into roaring waterfalls, and the landscape becomes green, but there’s a(n even) higher chance for rain.
Quick links
– Purchase your Flåm train tickets from Myrdal to Flåm (unless you have a Eurail/Interrail Pass). If you hold a Eurail/Interrail Pass, you can receive a 30% discount on your Flåmsbana ticket, but note that these discounted tickets must be booked at a staffed train station in Norway or via the VY Call Centre (+4761051910) – they aren’t available for online booking.
– Consider buying a Eurail Pass or Interrail Pass if you’re planning more extensive rail travel.
– Book your train tickets from Oslo or Bergen to Myrdal in advance. Alternatively, you can opt for a guided tour from Bergen to Flåm that includes the scenic railway and a fjord cruise, or embark on an epic day trip from Oslo to Flåm.
– For accommodation in Flåm, check out the best options on booking.com. The most budget-friendly stay is Flåm Cabins & Camping, but it sells out fast!
