Crossing the very heart of Norway, the train ride connecting the cities of Oslo and Bergen is one of the most scenic ones in the world. In summer or winter, catching a train in either direction will reward you with stunning Norwegian landscapes. It’s the best and most sustainable way of traveling across the country. Also, if you book well in advance it’s relatively cheap. And by that, I mean for Norwegian standards. So make sure to book a window seat and get ready for the ride!
Admire the Norwegian landscape
In summer or winter, the landscape unraveling outside of your window has the potential to keep your forehead stuck to the glass for the whole trip. There is no boring moment as the view keeps changing. Lakes and mountains alternate and give space to wide plains, rivers, and forests.
Lush green in spring and summer, reddish-brown in autumn, and bright white in winter, the landscape is worth the seven hours sitting. And even the highest price you could potentially pay for the ticket.
I took the trip during winter and got the chance to see a beautiful winter wonderland landscape. There was even an issue and due to some works the railway until Arna, the first stop after Bergen, was closed. A replacement bus was promptly provided and in Arna, the train was waiting to take us to Oslo! Everything was super efficient, the inconvenience didn’t even bother me.
As the train traveled more towards the inland, the landscape became progressively whiter. Small villages with colorful houses, lakes, rivers, mountains, and forests. I didn’t even get bored as I was always looking out the window in awe.
Sustainable travel between Oslo and Bergen
There are regular flights between Bergen and Oslo and sometimes they might even be cheaper than the train. But, believe me, you won’t regret making the more ecological choice. The CO2 emissions of the flight compared to the train ride are of 119,7 kilograms versus 0,44 kilograms. That is quite crazy to think about it.
By the way, if you’re ever wondering about the energy consumption and CO2 emissions for different means of transportation, check out Eco Passenger. You just need to choose your route and it will give you all the data for your trip by train, car or plane. Really useful and interesting!
Between the beautiful Norwegian landscape and the sustainability, the train ride between Bergen and Oslo is the best choice you can make when it comes to traveling within Norway!
Make a stop for the Flåm railway
If you have enough time on your hands, you can make a stop in Myrdal, about two hours from Bergen. From here, take the Flåm railway. This is probably even more scenic than the Bergen-Oslo ride and it will take you further north to the village of Flåm, at the end of Aurlandsfjord. This is just a small branch of the bigger Sognefjord.
The 20 kilometers ride takes almost one hour on what is the steepest railway in Europe. Crossing valleys, tunnels, and a bridge, the railway crosses some of the most picturesque landscapes in Norway. For a good reason, it’s the third most visited tourist attraction in Norway.
During summer months there are up to 10 daily departures while during winter there are only around 4.Chek out more information about schedules and fare on the official website.
Oslo in short
The capital and largest city in Norway, Oslo is a modern, cultural city. Founded at the end of the Viking Age in the year 1040 as Ánslo, it was destroyed in a fire in 1624 and later rebuilt closer to the medieval Akershus Fortress.
The city is famous for its many museums, like the Munch Museum, the Viking Ship Museum, and the Fram Museum, among others. It is also known fo the Oslo Opera House that won the culture award at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona in 2008. The building, covered with marble from Carrara and white granite, appears to be rising from the water.
Oslo was named one of Lonely Planet’s Top Ten Cities in 2018 for the museums, cultural events, cafés, and bars. Definitely a city to visit!
Bergen in short
Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway, after Oslo, although at a first glance it looks more like a small town. This gateway to the fjords of Norway has a lot to offer. Situated on what is called the “city fjord”, Bergen is the home of the renowned Bryggen wharf, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
But that’s not all there is to see in Bergen. With a mountain right in the middle of the city, Mount Fløyen, offering stunning views from above, characteristic Norwegian houses, a historic fish market, and many museums, you could easily spend several days here and still have plenty to do or see. Not to mention all the fjord tours you can do. Check out this article on what to do in Bergen in 48 hours for a more detailed guide to the city.
Practical information about the Oslo-Bergen train ride
You can find tickets for the train ride between Oslo and Bergen on the Norwegian rail website. There are between three and four daily departures in both directions, with one of them being an overnight ride. Overall the ride is between six hours and a half and seven hours and a half.
The tickets become available 90 days prior to departure and prices vary between 249 and 994 NOK (roughly between 25€ and 100€ or 28-111 USD). Prices tend to be higher during the weekends, especially in spring and summer. Also, they are generally lower for the overnight ride. However, I highly recommend taking a daytime train, especially during winter, to enjoy the beautiful landscape.
I am the kind of person that gets quite easily bored during long train or bus rides but this one just flew. I didn’t even realize when the seven hours passed and I had to get off in Oslo. The beauty of the landscape was enough to keep me busy looking out the window.
If you’re wondering on which side of the train to sit, it’s honestly hard to get it wrong. I was facing the south (right side in direction to Oslo) but every time I took a glance at the other side I saw equally beautiful landscapes.
So what are you waiting for? Get ready for some beautiful Norwegian landscapes. Go ahead and book your tickets for the most scenic train ride ever! Enjoy the trip!
