The journey from Oslo to Flam is one of the great scenic train rides in Europe, and it doubles as the gateway to Bergen and the western fjords. There is no single direct line to Flam, so the trick is understanding how the pieces connect. Here is exactly how the Oslo to Flam train works, how to buy tickets, and how to continue all the way to Bergen.
The Route: Oslo to Myrdal to Flam
You cannot ride straight to Flam. The trip has two legs. First you take the Bergen Line (Bergensbanen) from Oslo Central Station west across the Hardangervidda plateau to the tiny mountain junction of Myrdal, a ride of roughly 4.5 to 5 hours through some of the highest and wildest rail scenery in Norway. At Myrdal you change onto the Flam Railway (Flamsbana), a steep branch line that drops nearly 900 meters in about 20 km down to the fjord village of Flam, taking around an hour. The Flam Railway is the highlight, twisting past the Kjosfossen waterfall, where the train stops for photos in summer.
How to Buy Tickets
You generally book the two legs separately. Plan it like this:
- Buy the Oslo to Myrdal leg from the national operator Vy (vy.no), where advance Minipris fares are much cheaper than walk-up prices.
- Buy Flam Railway (Myrdal to Flam) tickets directly from the operator's official site rather than a reseller to get the best price and seat availability.
- Leave a comfortable buffer at Myrdal, ideally 20 to 40 minutes, so a delay on the long mountain leg does not make you miss the Flamsbana.
Booking a few weeks ahead in summer matters, because both the Bergen Line Minipris fares and the popular Flam Railway departures sell out.
Continuing from Flam to Bergen
Flam is not the end of the line for most travelers, it is the pivot point toward Bergen. The classic continuation is a fjord cruise from Flam through the narrow, UNESCO-listed Naeroyfjord to Gudvangen, then a bus over the dramatic Stalheim road to Voss, and finally a train from Voss into Bergen. Bundled together, this Oslo to Flam to Bergen sequence is sold as the well-known Norway in a Nutshell route, but you can absolutely assemble it yourself for less by booking each segment.
One Day or Overnight?
It is possible to do Oslo to Bergen via Flam in a single very long day, but you will be rushing the best part. Spending a night in Flam or nearby Aurland lets you take an early, quiet fjord cruise, kayak on the water, or cycle the Rallarvegen mountain road from Myrdal. If you only have time for the rail experience itself, the Flam Railway day trip is still worth it. Either way, build in time at Flam rather than treating it as a quick transfer.
Best Time to Ride
The Flam Railway runs year round, and each season looks completely different. Summer brings full waterfalls and the Kjosfossen photo stop, autumn turns the valley gold, and winter wraps the high Myrdal section in deep snow. The Bergen Line crossing of the Hardangervidda is especially striking in late spring, when snow still lines the track at the highest points while the fjord below is already green. For long daylight and reliable connections, June through September is the easiest window.
Fit the Train Into a Bergen Trip
Most people treat this railway as the spectacular arrival into the fjords on the way to a Bergen base. Once you reach the city, you trade the rails for Bryggen, Mount Floyen, and the Fish Market. To see how the Flam Railway and a Naeroyfjord cruise slot into a full city visit, follow our 3-day Bergen fjord itinerary, which sets out the smartest order to ride, cruise, and explore without backtracking.
