Gudrun and Halldis at the Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
Gudrunn and Halldis at the Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
Holiday on rails!
Cities, theme parks, outdoor activities, mountains, fjords.... You don´t need a car to explore Norway, just hop on and off at the stations along the Bergen Railway.
New and exciting adventures await on all of them.
Let the 'queens of the railway', famous train-driving twins Halldis and Gudrun Folkedal, be your guides to...
Dancing at the station
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Photo:
Finn-Erik Rognan / Visit Norway
Dancing at the station
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Photo:
Finn-Erik Rognan / Visit Norway
...one of the most scenic train journeys in the world!
The Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Vy / Øivind Haug
The Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Vy / Øivind Haug
Our journey begins
… at Oslo Central Station …
The Bergen railway from Oslo Central Station
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Finn-Erik Rognan
The Bergen railway from Oslo Central Station
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Finn-Erik Rognan
... the train then heads west through the suburbs of Asker, Bærum, and Drammen, before entering the countryside.
Drammen - The Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
Drammen - The Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
1. Hallingdal valley
After traveling for about two hours, you reach Flå Station in breath-taking Hallingdal, a destination full of activities for the whole family!
Flå - The Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Finn-Erik Rognan
Hallingdal - The Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Finn-Erik Rognan
Say hello to the bears at Bjørneparken bear park, about 2 kilometres from the station. Here, you can also see rare Amur leopards as well as moose, lynxes, crocodiles, and more ...
Next, the train passes Nesbyen before arriving at Gol, where there are good bus connections to ...
Bjørneparken in Flå
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Photo:
Bjørneparken
Bjørneparken in Flå
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Photo:
Bjørneparken
... Hemsedal (30 minutes away),one of Norway’s best ski destinations in winter, and a hikers' paradise in summer.
Try the cool via ferrata or do some downhill mountain biking!
Hiking in Hemsedal
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Photo:
Ove Engene
Hiking in Hemsedal
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Photo:
Ove Engene
The Hallingdal area is a mountain biking mecca, and you can rent bikes near most stations.
Ål, the next station on the line, also has accommodation that's perfect for cyclists, as well as pump tracks, slopes, and tracks.
Mountain biking in Nesbyen in Hallingdal
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Photo:
Lars Storheim
Mountain biking in Nesbyen in Hallingdal
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Photo:
Lars Storheim
... this holiday park is packed with fun activities for the whole family, including a climbing park, ziplines, a big indoor playland, a farm, and much more.
The park is located in one of the best campsites in Norway.
Hallingdal Feriepark
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Photo:
Vegard Breie
Hallingdal Feriepark
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Photo:
Vegard Breie
"We are now climbing up the mountain to Geilo, a very popular ski destination in winter ..."
"... in the summer, you can go mountain biking and hiking there."
Gudrun Folkedal
Geilo - The Bergen railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
Geilo - The Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Finn-Erik Rognan
2. Geilo
The mountain village of Geilo, located midway between Oslo and Bergen (about a 3.5-hour train ride from either city), is perfect for outdoor activities.
Geilo is one of Norway's most popular ski resorts in winter, while in summer, you can …
Alpine skiing in Vestlia, Geilo
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Photo:
Paul Arthur Lockhart
Alpine skiing in Vestlia, Geilo
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Photo:
Paul Arthur Lockhart
... climb the scenic Prestholtstien stair trail to the top of Hallingskarvet mountain.
Or race down one of Northern Europe's longest ziplines in Geilo Summer Park, where you also can try downhill mountain biking and lots of other activities.
You can also go fishing, horseback riding, or rafting: there is so much to choose from!
Hiking at Hallingskarvet
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Photo:
Paul A. Lockhart / Visit Geilo
Hiking at Hallingskarvet
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Photo:
Paul A. Lockhart / Visit Geilo
Indulge with a visit to one of Geilo´s spa hotels afterwards!
Swimming at Vestlia Resort in Geilo
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Photo:
Vestlia Resort
Swimming at Vestlia Resort in Geilo
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Photo:
Vestlia Resort
3. Hardangervidda
After Geilo, the train climbs up to the Hardangervidda mountain plateau.
The route runs past Ustaoset and Haugastøl stations, located in stunning natural surroundings high up in the mountains, before arriving at Gudrun’s favourite stop ...
Finse - The Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Finn-Erik Rognan
Finse - The Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen/ Finn-Erik Rognan
"Finse is located at the highest point on the Bergen Railway ..."
"... the view is always spectacular here, even when it’s raining."
Gudrun Folkedal
Gudrun Folkedal at the Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
Copy of Gudrun Folkedal at the Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
Finse is a tiny mountain village that is only accessible by train.
From here, you can embark on one of Norway's most scenic cycle routes, Rallarvegen, in the summer (you can also start at Haugastøl), or learn to snowkite in the winter.
Spend the night at the cosy hotel Finse 1222, where you can also rent skis, kites, and bicycles, and join guided tours.
Finse - The Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
Finse - The Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
The train now starts heading back down the mountains again.
Fjords, here we come!
The Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Finn Erik Rognan / Visit Norway
The Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Finn-Erik Rognan / Visit Norway
"Myrdal is the station where the Bergen Railway and the Flåm Railway connect."
Gudrun Folkedal
Myrdal Station
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Photo:
Finn-Erik Rognan / Visit Norway
Myrdal Station
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Photo:
Finn-Erik Rognan / Visit Norway
4. Fjord Norway
The historic Flåmsbana is a renowned railway line that takes you down to the village of Flåm by the Aurlandsfjord.
The journey is part of the Norway in a nutshell round trip, which can also include a sightseeing cruise on the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord.
The Flåm Railway
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Photo:
Morten Rakke
The Flåm Railway
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Photo:
Sverrehjornevik.com / Flåm AS
... ride the Voss Gondol gondola directly from the train station ...
Voss Gondol
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
Voss Gondol
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
... to the 820-metre top of Mount Hanguren, where you can enjoy spectacular views.
Don’t forget to bring ski boots in winter!
Voss Gondol - The Bergen Railway
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
Voss Gondol
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
Welcome to Bergen!
About an hour's ride from Voss, you'll arrive at the end station: Bergen.
… or is Bergen maybe your starting point? In any case...
Enjoy your journey!
The UNESCO world heritage site Bryggen in Bergen
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Photo:
Bergen Reiselivslag / Lars Korvald / visitBergen.com
The UNESCO world heritage site Bryggen in Bergen
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Photo:
Bergen Reiselivslag / Lars Korvald / Visitbergen.com
About the trip
The Bergen Railway is a seven-hour trip between Oslo and Bergen that’s been voted one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys.
If you’re traveling from the capital, Oslo, the journey starts in an urban environment and takes you through some of the absolute highlights of Norwegian nature: forested valleys, stunning fjords, and Northern Europe’s largest mountain plateau, Hardangervidda.
With almost 500 kilometres of railway, you have a unique opportunity to experience many of the dramatic contrasts one finds in Norwegian nature.
Due to Norway's northern climate, the Bergen Railway provides completely different experiences depending on the season in which you travel.
Here are the main tourist stops along the line:
Get ready...
Everything you need to know about taking the railway between Oslo and Bergen:
ADS
Find tickets, timetables and more information about the Bergen Railway at VY.
If you don't need your own compartment while travelling, you can book lie-flat seats with the PlusNight ticket.
Ride the Bergen Railway with one of Norway’s most popular round trips: Norway in a nutshell.
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