The best stops on the

Sørlandet Line

The Sørland Line .
Photo: Go-Ahead

All aboard!

From Norway's bustling capital, Oslo, through the valleys of Telemark, down to the beautiful southern coast, and further west to Stavanger in Fjord Norway – this 8-hour train journey is packed with treats.

With a few stops, you can make the trip a whole train holiday – no car required.

The journey is also perfect if you're travelling with children, with many family-friendly adventures close to the stations.

Let's go!

View from the Sørlandet Line .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Visitnorway.com

Let the journey begin

We board the train at Oslo Central Station.

Boarding the Sørland Line .
Photo: Tobias Myrland, Maverix / Visitnorway.com

Boarding Sørtoget .
Photo: Tobias Myrland, Maverix / Visitnorway.com

Sit back and relax as the train takes you west, through Asker, Bærum and Drammen.

Didn't bring your own coffee? No worries! Step by the café car for something good to drink.

Within the next hour, you'll arrive at Kongsberg.

The Sørland Line .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Visitnorway.com

Kongsberg is a historic mining town well worth exploring. A fifteen-minute walk from the train station, you'll find the Lågdal Museum, a family-friendly destination that showcases local history and traditions.

In summer, you can say hello to all the traditional farm animals in the fields – perfect if travelling with small children.

The Lågdal Museum .
Photo: Lågdalsmuseet

From Kongsberg, the Sørlandet Line continues through Telemark county, a part of Norway known for its varied nature and warm summer climate.

The train winds its way through large forests, and between mountains and green hills, before stopping at idyllic Bø, which offers plenty of experiences for nature lovers, as well as family fun!

On the Sørland Line from Oslo to Stavanger in Norway .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Vistnorway.com

It's just a short drive from the station to the largest water park in Scandinavia, Bø Sommarland! Take a taxi or local bus straight from the station for a fun water adventure.

Bø Sommarland .
Photo: Bø Sommarland

Travelling with a special someone?

From the train station in Bø, you can also take a bus or taxi to the Fruit Village, Gvarv. Here, you can spend a romantic night in a wine barrel at Lerkekaasa Vineyard.

Sleep in a wine barrel in the Fruit Village .
Photo: Finn-Erik Rognan / Visit Norway

Back on the Sørlandet Line, the next station on the line is Lunde.

Travelling with the Sørland Line .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Visitnorway.com

From Lunde, you can glide through the beautiful Telemark Canal, where there are several boat trips and roundtrips to choose from.

Afterwards, get back on the train!

M/S Victoria passing Sundkil Bridge in Telemark .
Photo: Vidar Moløkken / Visitnorway.com

A few stops later, you'll arrive in Southern Norway and Nelaug Station.

From Nelaug, you can switch trains and take the Arendalsbanen Line, a branch line that takes you to the idyllic coastal city of Arendal.

But, don't miss the rest of the Sørlandet Line!

Pollen harbour in Arendal .
Photo: Foap / Visitnorway.com

Vennesla is up next. Here, you should definitely visit the town's library and culture hall, which has won prizes for its extraordinary wood architecture.

Fantastic, don't you think?

Vennesla bibliotek .
Photo: Hufton+Crow

Now, enjoy the view before the train takes you to one of the key stops along the Sørlandet Line, the summer capital of Norway, Kristiansand.

On the Sørland Line from Oslo to Stavanger .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Vistnorway.com

Kristiansand is the biggest city in Southern Norway, and is packed with family fun and adventures, including fantastic swimming spots, fun museums, and delicious seafood.

You should definitely plan on spending a few days here!

Posebyen in Kristiansand .
Photo: Adam Read / Visit Sørlandet

Kristiansand Zoo and amusement park, Dyreparken, is a must if you're travelling with children.

The Badelandet water park is right next door – so plan for a full day of fun!

Fun at the zoo Kristiansand Dyrepark in Southern Norway .
Photo: Dyreparken

Kilden Performing Arts Center is an architectural landmark in Kristiansand, and also well worth a visit.

Experience theatre, music, opera, dance and ballet, and enjoy the view of the fantastic architecture that has gained international acclaim.

Kilden in Kristiansand .
Photo: Hufton Crow

Kristiansand has one of Northern Europe's biggest collections of charming, old, white wooden houses, in a neighbourhood called Posebyen. This is the perfect place for a stroll. On Saturdays during summer, you can visit local markets here.

Posebyen old town in Kristiansand, Southern-Norway .
Photo: Adam Read / Visit Sørlandet

Posebyen old town in Kristiansand .
Photo: Adam Read / Visit Sørlandet

Posebyen old town in Kristiansand, Southern-Norway .
Photo: Adam Read / Visit Sørlandet

Posebyen old town in Kristiansand .
Photo: Adam Read / Visit Sørlandet

Now, you are ready to head west with Sørtoget, as the journey along the Sørlandet Line is known. Get cosy with a book, or get some work done.

Working at the Sørland Line from Oslo to Stavanger .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visitnorway.com

The train takes you from Kristiansand to Sira in about an hour and a half. In the meantime, how about a snack from the café?

The cafè at the Sørland Line train .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway

At Sira Station, you can take the bus to the beautiful coastal town of Flekkefjord, located midway between Kristiansand and Stavanger at the mouth of the Lafjorden fjord.

Idyllic harbour in Flekkefjord .
Photo: kata.kozma/Foap/Visitnorway.com

You'll find plenty to explore in the cosy town centre. Check out picturesque Hollenderbyen, The Dutch Quarter – a small neighbourhood with old, white, wooden houses. Here, you'll also find fantastic street art by Norwegian and international artists.

Hollenderbyen in Flekkefjord .
Photo: Hildegunn Skage Teinum / Visit Sørlandet

If you're looking for an adventure for the whole family, try rail biking on the old Flekkefjord Line. The trip takes you through beautiful nature, as well as several tunnels!

Trips on the tracks are available every day during summer.

Rail biking in Flekkefjord .
Photo: Morten Teinum

Back on the Sørlandet Line, get ready for 45 minutes of winding tracks as the train takes you further west and back to the coastline, towards the town of Egersund.

The coastal town Egersund .
Photo: iEgersund.no

Egersund is a charming town with cosy, wooden houses, and lots of nature experiences, perfect for those looking for an excellent combination of coast, town, forest, and mountains!

The coastal town Egersund .
Photo: Arne Ove Østebrøt

While in the area, you should hike to the spectacular rock formation Trollpikken, located just outside of town.

Egersund Taxi offers a fixed-rate service from the train station to the car park by Trollpikken.

Trollpikken in Egersund .
Photo: CB / Visitnorway.com

At Egersund Tourist Information, you can rent a bike and cycle the idyllic Nordsjøveien, a coastal trail between Egersund and Hellvik.

Cycling at Jæren .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visit Norway

If you want, you can switch trains in Egersund to the Jærbanen branch line, which takes you to Stavanger.

The Jærbanen Line stops at the train stations Ogna and Brusand, close to the beautiful Jærstrendene beaches.

Ready for the grand finale?

Jærstrendene .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visit Norway

Welcome to Stavanger!

One hour and ten minutes later, you will arrive at the end station:

Stavanger – a city of colourful streets, cool art, and beautiful nature.

Or maybe Stavanger is your starting point? In any case...

Enjoy your journey!

Fargegaten, The Colorful Street, in Stavanger .
Photo: Per Christian Lind / Visit Norway

The Colorful Street, in Stavanger .
Photo: Per Christian Lind / Visit Norway

Fargegaten, The Colorful Street, in Stavanger .
Photo: Per Christian Lind / Visit Norway

The Colorful Street, in Stavanger .
Photo: Per Christian Lind / Visit Norway

About the Sørlandet Line

The train journey from Oslo in Eastern Norway to Stavanger in Fjord Norway takes about eight hours. The train passes through a varied landscape, consisting of large forest areas, mountains, coast, and idyllic Southern Norwegian nature to the dramatic western coast of Fjord Norway. The Sørlandet Line runs on the Sørlandsbanen Railway, a line that stretches from Drammen to Stavanger.

Here are the main tourist stops along the Sørlandsbanen Railway:

A illustrated map of the Sørlandsbanen Railway from Oslo to Stavanger

Map of the Sørlandsbanen Railway.
Photo: Maverix / Visitnorway.com

The train, Sørtoget, connects to the Arendalsbanen Line, which runs between Nelaug and Arendal. The branch line, the Jæren Line, also runs on the Sørlandsbanen Railway, but only runs between Egersund and Stavanger.

The nigh train from Oslo to Stavanger is also an option. If you want your own sleeping compartment, you should book early, as these sell out quickly. Get more excellent train travel tips from a train expert.

Get ready! Here's everything you need to know about the Sørlandet Line:

Book your trip on the Sørlandet Line

Find tickets, timetables and more information about the Sørlandet Line at Go-Ahead Nordic or Entur.

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Flekkefjord

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Things to do along the Sørland Line

The Lågdal museum

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Bø Sommarland Waterpark

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Fruitvillage

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Lerkekaasa Vineyard

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The Telemark Canal

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Kragerøbanen

Just over 1 kilometer of the old railway track from Neslandsvatn has been converted into a new pedestrian and bicycle path. Read more

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Vennesla library and culture hall

Vennesla library and and culture centre has won prices for it's extraordinary architecture. Read more

Vennesla library and culture hall

Dyreparken - Kristiansand Zoo and amusement park

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Fishing in lakes in Marnardal

Most of the seas have nice population of trout, and in some lakes you can also catch perch. Read more

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Trollpikken

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Kilden teater og konserthus performing arts centre

Kilden Performing Arts Center have a unique architectural presence and stand as a landmark building of arts in Kristiansand. Read more

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Fargegaten - Øvre Holmegate - The colourful street

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Posebyen old town in Kristiansand

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Posebyen old town in Kristiansand

The Jæren beaches - protected landscape area & Hope Spot

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Egersund Tourist Information

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Rail biking tour at Flekkefjordbanen

Explore the Flekkefjord railway line. Stunning nature scenes offer visitors a great day out. Suitable for the whole family, young children included.… Read more

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The best stops on the

Sørlandet Line

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About the Sørlandet Line

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The best stops on the

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Let the journey begin

Welcome to Stavanger!

About the Sørlandet Line

Travel by train

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Experience Norway by train

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