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
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visitnorway.com
View from the Sørlandet Line
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visitnorway.com
Let the journey begin
We board the train at Oslo Central Station.
Boarding the Sørland Line
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Photo:
Tobias Myrland, Maverix / Visitnorway.com
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
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visitnorway.com
The Sørland Line
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visitnorway.com
Kongsberg is a historic mining townwellworth 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
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Photo:
Lågdalsmuseet
The Lågdal Museum
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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
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Vistnorway.com
On the Sørland Line from Oslo to Stavanger in Norway
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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
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Photo:
Bø Sommarland
Bø Sommarland
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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
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Photo:
Finn-Erik Rognan / Visit Norway
Sleep in a wine barrel in the Fruit Village
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Photo:
Finn-Erik Rognan / Visit Norway
Back on the Sørlandet Line, the next station on the line is Lunde.
Travelling with the Sørland Line
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visitnorway.com
Travelling with the Sørland Line
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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
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Photo:
Vidar Moløkken / Visitnorway.com
M/S Victoria passing Sundkil Bridge in Telemark
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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
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Photo:
Foap / Visitnorway.com
Pollen harbour in Arendal
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Photo:
Foap / Visitnorway.com
Experience theatre, music, opera, dance and ballet, and enjoy the view of the fantastic architecture that has gained international acclaim.
Kilden in Kristiansand
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Photo:
Hufton Crow
Kilden in Kristiansand
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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
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Photo:
Adam Read / Visit Sørlandet
Posebyen old town in Kristiansand
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Photo:
Adam Read / Visit Sørlandet
Posebyen old town in Kristiansand, Southern-Norway
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Photo:
Adam Read / Visit Sørlandet
Posebyen old town in Kristiansand
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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
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visitnorway.com
Working at the Sørland Line from Oslo to Stavanger
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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
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
The cafè at the Sørland Line train
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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
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Photo:
kata.kozma/Foap/Visitnorway.com
Idyllic harbour in Flekkefjord
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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.
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
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Photo:
Morten Teinum
Rail biking in Flekkefjord
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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
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Photo:
iEgersund.no
The coastal town Egersund
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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
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Photo:
Arne Ove Østebrøt
The coastal town Egersund
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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
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Photo:
CB / Visitnorway.com
Trollpikken in Egersund
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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
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visit Norway
Cycling at Jæren
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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
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Photo:
Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visit Norway
Jærstrendene
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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
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Photo:
Per Christian Lind / Visit Norway
The Colorful Street, in Stavanger
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Photo:
Per Christian Lind / Visit Norway
Fargegaten, The Colorful Street, in Stavanger
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Photo:
Per Christian Lind / Visit Norway
The Colorful Street, in Stavanger
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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:
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 NordicorEntur.
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