The Flåm Railway:
Is It Worth It?
The Flåmsbana is one of the most famous scenic railways on earth - one hour, 865 metres of descent, waterfalls and a fjord at the bottom. Here is the honest answer to whether it lives up to the hype, and everything you need to plan it: for first-timers, scenic-rail enthusiasts, Interrail travellers, families and cruise passengers.
What the Flåm Railway is - and why it's famous
The Flåm Railway - the Flåmsbana in Norwegian - is a 20-kilometre branch line that drops from the mountain station of Myrdal, high on the Bergen Line, down to the village of Flåm at the head of the Aurlandsfjord. In a single hour it descends around 865 metres through a steep, waterfall-lined valley, making it one of the most dramatic standard- gauge train rides anywhere in the world.
One hour, 865 metres down, a waterfall the train stops for, and a fjord at the bottom - few railways pack this much in.
It is famous for good reason: the sheer steepness achieved without a rack railway, the scheduled stop at the thundering Kjosfossen waterfall, and the way it delivers you from bare high country to a deep-blue fjord in the time it takes to watch a film. It regularly appears on lists of the world's most beautiful train journeys, and it is one of Norway's most visited attractions. This guide covers the whole picture - including an honest take on whether it is worth it. For the wider context, see our Norway by Train guide and the Norway country hub.
History, engineering & the facts
Construction began in the 1920s and the line opened in 1940 after roughly two decades of work, much of it by hand. The challenge was extreme: to lose almost 865 metres of height in just 20 kilometres using ordinary adhesion - no rack-and-pinion, no cable - the engineers threaded the line through twenty tunnels, several curved and spiralled inside the mountain to gain length and shed altitude safely. The result is a maximum gradient of about 5.5% (one in eighteen), among the steepest for any standard-gauge railway on the planet.
Route
Myrdal (867 m) → Flåm (sea level)
Length
20.2 km · about one hour each way
Descent
~865 m - one of the steepest standard-gauge lines
Opened
1940, after around 20 years of construction
Gradient
Up to 5.5% (about 1 in 18) on adhesion alone
Operator
Vy - on a privately owned mountain line
Crucially, the Flåmsbana is a branch of the Bergen Line (Bergensbanen), meeting it at Myrdal. That relationship is the key to planning: you almost never ride the Flåm Railway in isolation, but as the spectacular detour off the Oslo–Bergen mainline. Read the full Oslo → Bergen route guide to see how the two fit together.
Myrdal to Flåm, viewpoint by viewpoint
From Myrdal the train tips almost immediately into the valley, and the descent is a rapid succession of highlights - culminating in the waterfall stop that everyone remembers.
The high start at Myrdal
The line begins at 867 m on the bleak, often snowy shelf where the Bergen Line pauses. Within minutes the train tips over the edge and the enclosed Flåm valley opens below.
Kjosfossen waterfall
The signature stop: the train halts for about five minutes beside the roaring Kjosfossen - a cascade of roughly 225 metres - and everyone steps onto the viewing platform into the spray.
Spiral tunnels & engineering
Twenty tunnels, several curved and spiralled by hand inside the mountain, let the line lose height safely without rack-and-pinion assistance - a feat of 1920s–30s engineering.
Waterfalls & river gorge
Snowmelt cascades line the valley walls in late spring, and the Flåm river tumbles through the gorge below the track for much of the descent.
Arrival on the Aurlandsfjord
The train ends at Flåm, at the head of the Aurlandsfjord - an arm of the vast Sognefjord - where fjord cruises to the UNESCO Nærøyfjord depart from the quay beside the station.
For a station-by-station account with the seat guide, see the dedicated Myrdal → Flåm route guide.
Is the Flåm Railway worth it?
Short answer: for the vast majority of travellers, yes - but it helps to know exactly what you are buying. It is a concentrated hit of scenery, not a long journey, and it is popular enough to be busy. Here is the balanced view.
The case for
- Extraordinary scenery-per-minute - waterfalls, gorge and fjord in one hour
- The scheduled Kjosfossen waterfall stop is a genuine, memorable event
- Short and easy: no security, family-friendly, wheelchair spaces on board
- Connects seamlessly with the Bergen Line and the fjord cruise network
- Runs year-round, so it works in every season
The case against
- Not fully covered by rail passes - you still pay a reduced fare and reserve
- Very popular: midday and cruise-ship hours can be crowded
- It is a there-and-back scenic ride, not efficient point-to-point transport
- Peak-summer departures sell out weeks ahead
- One hour is short - some expect a longer journey for the fame
You'll love it if…
you love scenery for its own sake, you're travelling with children, you're combining it with the Bergen Line or a fjord cruise, or you simply want one unforgettable hour on a train.
You may be underwhelmed if…
you expect a long, remote wilderness journey, you dislike crowds and can only travel at midday in peak summer, or you were hoping a rail pass would make it free.
The best time of year
There is no bad season - the valley simply changes character through the year.
May–June is arguably the sweet spot: snowmelt sends every waterfall to full volume while the valley greens up, and crowds have not yet peaked.
June–August is greenest, sunniest and busiest, with full fjord-cruise connections. Book the train and any cruise well ahead, and ride early or late to dodge the cruise crush.
September brings golden birch on the valley walls, strong waterfall flow and noticeably thinner crowds - an underrated time to ride.
The line runs year-round; winter turns the upper valley into a quiet, snow-hung world. Some connecting fjord services reduce, so check what is operating.
The Flåm Railway and Interrail / Eurail
This is the one place the Flåm Railway differs from the rest of the Norwegian network. Because the Flåmsbana runs on a privately owned line, Interrail and Eurail passes do not cover it in full: pass holders get a reduced fare rather than free travel, and a seat reservation is still required. By contrast, the Bergen Line that connects at Myrdal is an ordinary Vy service your pass does cover.
- Pass validity: A pass earns a discount on the Flåmsbana, not free travel - you still buy a (reduced) ticket.
- Reservations: A seat reservation is required for everyone, pass holder or not, and is worth having in summer.
- Supplements: The reduced pass-holder fare is effectively the supplement; there is no panoramic add-on to buy separately.
For when a pass is worth it at all, see our rail passes guide. Pass conditions can change, so confirm the current terms when you book.
How to book the Flåm Railway
Tickets are sold by the operator, Vy, and through the usual booking channels; Railero's links compare fares across providers. The single most important rule is to book ahead in high season.
Book early
In July and August specific departures sell out weeks ahead - reserve your ticket and seat as far in advance as you can.
Beat the ships
Flåm fills when cruise ships are in port. The earliest and latest departures are quieter than the midday peak.
Leave a buffer
Connecting to a fjord cruise or back onto the Bergen Line? Allow a sensible margin rather than the tightest link.
For fare strategy across Norway and beyond, see the booking advice guide. Schedules and fares can change, so always confirm current details when you book.
Three ways to ride it
However much time you have, the Flåm Railway slots in neatly. Book the legs separately for the best fares and flexibility.
- MorningFrom Bergen, take the Bergen Line to Myrdal, then the Flåm Railway down to the fjord.
- At FlåmCoffee by the quay and the small, free Flåm Railway museum beside the station.
- ReturnRide the Flåmsbana back up to Myrdal and the Bergen Line - a half-day round trip.
- RailBergen → Myrdal on the Bergen Line, then the Flåm Railway down to Flåm.
- FjordCruise the Aurlandsfjord and UNESCO Nærøyfjord from Flåm to Gudvangen.
- Loop backBus to Voss, then train back to Bergen - the classic one-day fjord loop.
- Day 1Ride the Flåm Railway down and stay overnight in Flåm once the day-trippers leave.
- EveningThe Aurlandsfjord at dusk - quiet water, dark valley walls, almost no one about.
- Day 2A morning fjord cruise or kayak, then the Flåmsbana back up to rejoin the Bergen Line.
Building a longer trip? The Norway by Train guide sets out three-, five- and seven-day itineraries that fold the Flåm Railway into the wider network.
Practical tips for the ride
Which side of the train
Descending Myrdal → Flåm, the left side generally has the edge for the gorge and Kjosfossen; sit right on the climb back. Windows are large and highlights appear both sides, so a window seat matters more than the side.
Luggage
No airline-style limits - overhead shelves and end-of-carriage racks take larger cases. Most day-trippers ride with just a small bag and leave the rest at their hotel or on the cruise.
Food
It is only about an hour, and the on-board offering is limited, so bring a drink and a snack. Flåm itself has cafés and a bakery by the quay for before or after.
Photography
Clean the window with a cloth, shoot through it without touching the glass, and expect spray at the Kjosfossen platform - a lens cloth is worth having. Overcast days actually help the waterfalls.
Families
An easy win: an hour long, no check-in, big windows and a waterfall that delights children. Prams and day bags travel free, and child fares are reduced.
Accessibility
Trains offer wheelchair spaces and Flåm and Myrdal are served with assistance if arranged in advance. The Kjosfossen platform is a brief outdoor stop, so plan for uneven ground there.
How it compares to other great scenic trains
If the Flåm Railway has whetted your appetite, three other rides invite comparison - one in Norway, two in the Alps.
The mainline the Flåmsbana branches from - a full day across the Hardangervidda plateau. More variety and distance; ride both together.
Switzerland's panoramic classic across the Alps - a slow, all-day dome-car experience rather than a short, steep descent.
The highest Alpine crossing without a rack railway, over the Bernina Pass into Italy - another UNESCO-calibre scenic ride to compare.
Browse them all on the scenic railways hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Flåm Railway worth it?
- For most travellers, yes. In one hour the Flåmsbana descends around 865 metres through a steep mountain valley, past waterfalls and a scheduled stop at the thundering Kjosfossen, to the fjord village of Flåm. It is short, busy and not fully covered by rail passes, but the scenery is genuinely exceptional and it slots seamlessly into the Bergen Line and the "Norway in a Nutshell" fjord route. If you want raw drama per minute of travel, few railways anywhere match it.
- Is the Flåm Railway included in Interrail or Eurail?
- Not fully. The Flåmsbana is privately operated, so Interrail and Eurail pass holders receive a reduced fare rather than free travel — you still buy a ticket, and a seat reservation is required. This differs from the Bergen Line, which your pass covers as a normal Vy service. Pass discounts and conditions can change, so confirm the current terms when you book.
- How long is the Flåm Railway journey?
- About one hour each way over 20 kilometres between Myrdal (867 m) and Flåm at the fjord (sea level) — a descent of roughly 865 metres. Many people ride it one way and continue by fjord cruise, or ride down and back up if they are connecting through Myrdal on the Bergen Line. Timetables vary by season, so check current departures with the operator.
- What is the best time of year to ride the Flåm Railway?
- Every season is different. Late spring (May–June) brings snowmelt and the waterfalls at full roar; summer (June–August) is greenest, sunniest and busiest with full fjord connections; autumn adds colour and thinner crowds; winter turns the valley into a white, quiet, snow-hung landscape. There is no bad season — only different ones — though summer needs booking well ahead.
- Which side of the train is best on the Flåm Railway?
- Heading down from Myrdal to Flåm, the left-hand side generally has the edge for the valley, the river gorge and the Kjosfossen waterfall; on the climb back from Flåm to Myrdal, sit on the right. That said, the train has large panoramic windows and highlights appear on both sides, and everyone piles onto the viewing platform at the Kjosfossen stop regardless of seat, so do not stress about it.
- Can I do the Flåm Railway as a day trip?
- Yes — it is one of the most popular day trips in Norway. From Bergen you take the Bergen Line to Myrdal, the Flåmsbana down to Flåm, and either return the same way or add a fjord cruise and loop back via Voss (the classic "Norway in a Nutshell" day). It can also be done as a very long day from Oslo. Book the legs separately for the best fares and flexibility.
- Is the Flåm Railway suitable for children?
- Very. There is no security or check-in, the journey is short at about an hour, the windows are large, and the waterfall stop is a genuine highlight for kids. Trains have space for prams and luggage, and reduced or free child fares are common. It is one of the easiest and most rewarding rail experiences in Europe to do with a family.
- Do I need reservations for the Flåm Railway?
- Yes. A seat reservation is required on the Flåmsbana, including for Interrail and Eurail holders, and in peak summer specific departures sell out weeks ahead. Book your ticket and reservation together and as early as you can if you are travelling in July or August. Reservation rules can change, so confirm when booking.
- How much luggage can I bring on the Flåm Railway?
- There are no airline-style weight or size limits — bring what you can carry. Trains have overhead shelves and end-of-carriage racks for larger cases, and there is room for backpacks and day bags at your seat. If you are day-tripping from a cruise or a hotel, most travellers ride with just a small bag and leave the rest behind.
- Is the Flåm Railway crowded?
- It can be, especially midday in summer and when cruise ships are in Flåm, as it is one of Norway's most visited attractions. To dodge the crush, aim for the earliest or latest departures, travel in the shoulder seasons (May, September) or on weekdays, and reserve a window seat in advance. Even at its busiest the scenery still delivers — you just share it.
- Can I stop along the Flåm Railway route?
- The main scheduled stop is at the Kjosfossen waterfall, roughly five minutes where everyone steps onto the viewing platform. You cannot freely hop on and off at every point, but you can break your wider journey at the two ends: Myrdal (the Bergen Line junction, and a start point for cycling the Rallarvegen) and Flåm itself, which is well worth an overnight once the day-trippers leave. Services and connections can change, so confirm times.
- Is the Flåm Railway better than the Bergen Line?
- They are different experiences and best enjoyed together. The Flåm Railway is a short, intense, near-vertical descent — pure scenic drama in one hour. The Bergen Line (Oslo–Bergen) is a full day across the Hardangervidda plateau, with more variety of landscape and the practical job of linking two cities. The Flåmsbana branches off the Bergen Line at Myrdal, so most travellers ride both rather than choosing. If you only have time for one, pick the Flåm Railway for concentrated wow, the Bergen Line for the epic journey.
The Flåm Railway earns its fame. Ride it as the dramatic centrepiece of a Bergen Line trip, add a fjord cruise, and give the crowds the slip by travelling early, late or in the shoulder seasons.
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