Norway by Train:
The Complete Guide
How do you travel around Norway by train? This is the full answer - the network, the great scenic routes, rail passes, booking, ready-made itineraries and the practical details - for first-time visitors, Interrail travellers, scenic-railway enthusiasts and families alike.
Why Norway is made for train travel
Few countries reward rail travel like Norway. The network is compact - you can sketch the main lines on the back of a napkin - but it threads through some of the most dramatic landscapes in Europe: mountain plateaus above the treeline, valleys hung with waterfalls, and fjord arms that reach far inland from the coast. Here the train is rarely just a way to get somewhere. It is frequently the reason to go.
In Norway, the slow way round is usually the whole point - the journey is the holiday.
Trains are comfortable, clean and genuinely family-friendly, with generous luggage rules and a refreshingly simple product: one standard class that is perfectly pleasant, plus an optional upgrade. Whether you are planning your first Nordic trip, travelling on an Interrail pass, chasing the great scenic railways or bringing children along, Norway is one of the best places in Europe to let the landscape roll past the window. Start with the Norway country hub for the routes and operators at a glance, then read on for how it all fits together.
Norway's rail network, explained simply
Think of Norway's railways as a hub and a handful of long spokes. Oslo is the hub: almost every long-distance journey begins or ends at Oslo Sentralstasjon (Oslo S), and the main lines fan out from there. Get Oslo straight in your head and the rest of the map follows.
Bergen Line (Bergensbanen)
The flagship - across the Hardangervidda plateau to the fjord coast in ~7h.
Dovre Line (Dovrebanen)
North through the Gudbrandsdalen valley and over the Dovre mountains in ~6–7h.
Sørland Line (Sørlandsbanen)
South and west via Kristiansand along the southern coast in ~8h.
Nordland Line (Nordlandsbanen)
The far north of the rail map - crossing the Arctic Circle to the coast at Bodø.
Bergen, on the west coast, is the second city and the terminus of the flagship line. Trondheim sits to the north, reached over the Dovre mountains. Stavanger anchors the south-west. And Bodø is the northern end of the rail map - the Nordland Line crosses the Arctic Circle to reach it, and there is no railway further north than that, so journeys to Tromsø and the far north continue by bus, boat or plane. Most first trips concentrate on the Oslo–Bergen axis, which packs the best scenery into the least distance. The core routes are run by Vy and, on some lines, other state-franchise operators under one shared ticketing system; operators and franchises can change, but your ticket or pass is honoured across the network.
The two journeys to build a trip around
You could spend a fortnight riding Norwegian rails, but two journeys sit at the heart of almost every trip - and Railero has a full guide to each.
Oslo → Bergen
Norway's signature rail journey climbs from the head of the Oslofjord through forest and lakeland onto the treeless Hardangervidda plateau, over the roof of the line near Finse, then down through waterfalls and fjord country into Bergen.
Why it's special: One unbroken day takes you from a city on the fjord to Arctic-like tundra above the treeline and back to sea level - the variety of landscape in a single ride is what earns it a place among Europe's greatest railways.
Oslo → Bergen guideMyrdal → Flåm
A steep branch off the Bergen Line at Myrdal, the Flåmsbana drops around 865 metres in 20 kilometres through a mountain valley, with a scheduled stop beside the thundering Kjosfossen waterfall, to the village of Flåm on the Aurlandsfjord.
Why it's special: It is one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world and the single most dramatic stretch of the whole network - the classic way to reach the fjords by rail as part of "Norway in a Nutshell".
Myrdal → Flåm guideThe scenery, piece by piece
The reputation of Norwegian rail rests on a handful of landscapes that come together on the Oslo–Bergen axis. Here is what you are actually looking at.
The Bergen Line
The 1909 mainline from Oslo to Bergen and the backbone of scenic rail in Norway - nearly 500 km across the high country, and once the highest mainline in northern Europe.
The Flåm Railway
The Flåmsbana branch from Myrdal to the Aurlandsfjord - a short, near-vertical descent past waterfalls that is a destination in its own right.
The Hardangervidda
The largest high-mountain plateau in northern Europe, and a national park. The Bergen Line crosses it above the treeline - bare rock, snowfields and pale lakes.
Finse
At 1,222 m, the highest station in northern Europe - roadless, reachable only by rail, and a base for plateau walking in summer and skiing in winter.
Fjord scenery
Trains are the gateway to the fjords: the Flåm Railway ends on the Aurlandsfjord, and Bergen is the launch point for cruises on the Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord.
All of it is covered in depth in the Bergen Line route guide and the Flåm Railway guide - including which side of the train to sit on.
Interrail & Eurail in Norway
Norway is fully part of the Interrail and Eurail systems. Interrail (for European residents) and Eurail (for visitors from outside Europe) are valid on the national network, including the Oslo–Bergen line, so a pass lets you hop between the main routes on one ticket.
- Validity: Passes cover the state railway network run by Vy and the other franchise operators - the flagship scenic lines included.
- Reservations: Seat reservations are optional but recommended on busy long-distance and scenic trains, especially in summer. Any reservation fee is separate from the pass.
- The Flåm exception: The privately run Flåm Railway is not fully covered by rail passes and needs its own ticket - budget for it separately.
- When a pass makes sense: A pass tends to win for a multi-stop, spontaneous trip; for one or two fixed long journeys booked early, cheap advance fares can be better value.
For the full breakdown of when a pass beats point-to-point tickets, see our rail passes guide, and for how reservations work in practice, the seat reservations guide. Pass conditions can change, so confirm the current rules before you travel.
Booking train tickets in Norway
The state operator is Vy, which runs the Bergen Line and much of the eastern network; some lines are operated by other companies under the same national ticketing, so in practice you book through one system. Tickets and reservations are sold online and via the operators' apps, and Railero's booking links compare fares across providers.
Book in advance
The cheapest "Mini" advance fares are released well before departure and sell out fast - booking early is the single biggest saving.
Mind the season
Summer and holidays are busy on the scenic lines; reserve seats and the Flåm Railway weeks ahead. Shoulder seasons are easier and cheaper.
Leave a buffer
For tight onward links - a fjord cruise or the Flåm connection - allow a sensible margin rather than the tightest possible connection.
We deliberately avoid quoting fixed prices, because Norwegian fares move constantly with demand and season. For the strategy - which fares to target and how far ahead to book - read our booking advice guide. Schedules and fares can change, so always confirm current details when you book.
Norway by train: 3, 5 & 7 days
Three ready-made plans, each built around Railero's existing route guides. Mix and match to taste - and book the individual legs separately for the best fares and flexibility.
- Day 1Oslo - explore the capital: the harbour, the Opera House and the museums on the Bygdøy peninsula.
- Day 2Oslo → Bergen on the Bergen Line, breaking at Myrdal for the Flåm Railway down to the fjord and back - the "Norway in a Nutshell" idea in a single day.
- Day 3Bergen - Bryggen wharf, the fish market and the Fløibanen funicular before you fly or train home.
- Day 1Oslo.
- Day 2Oslo → Myrdal → Flåm Railway to the Aurlandsfjord; overnight in Flåm.
- Day 3Fjord cruise on the Nærøyfjord, then continue by rail via Voss into Bergen.
- Day 4Bergen and a day cruise on the wider Sognefjord or Hardangerfjord.
- Day 5Bergen → Oslo back over the Bergen Line - the same great ride in reverse light.
- Days 1–3The 5-day fjord itinerary as far as Bergen and its fjord cruises.
- Day 4Bergen → Oslo on the Bergen Line.
- Day 5Oslo → Trondheim on the Dovre Line, over the Dovre mountains.
- Day 6A Rauma Railway day trip from Dombås to Åndalsnes, beneath the Trollveggen rock face.
- Day 7Trondheim, then onward - or the overnight train back to Oslo.
The backbone of all three is the Oslo–Bergen line and its Flåm Railway branch. The 7-day loop adds the Dovre and Rauma lines to the north - all reachable on the same national network.
The best time to travel
There is no bad season for Norwegian rail - only very different ones. The landscape you came for changes completely across the year.
The Hardangervidda becomes a single Arctic-white sheet - extraordinary from a warm carriage. The core lines run year-round, but some connecting fjord and branch services are reduced. Dress warmly and check what is operating.
Snowmelt sends the waterfalls to full volume and the high country stays white into June, while the valleys turn green. Quieter and often cheaper than high summer.
Long daylight, green valleys and full fjord connections - the classic season, and the busiest. Book seats and the Flåm Railway well ahead, especially July and August.
Golden birch in the valleys and the first snow dusting the tops, with softer light and easier booking. A superb, underrated time to ride the mountain lines.
Practical tips for the ride
Luggage
No airline-style weight or size limits - bring what you can carry. Overhead shelves and end-of-carriage racks take larger cases, and there is room for skis and bikes on most long-distance trains.
Food onboard
Long-distance trains carry a café/bistro area for hot drinks, snacks and simple meals, with at-seat power. On a seven-hour crossing many travellers still bring their own provisions and a water bottle as backup.
Family travel
No security or check-in, room to move about, and family-friendly carriages with a small play area on many services. Reduced or free child fares are common - a genuinely easy way to travel with children.
Accessibility
Long-distance trains and major stations offer step-free access and wheelchair spaces, and assistance can be arranged in advance with the operator. Smaller mountain halts are more basic, so request help when you book.
Weather
Mountain weather changes fast and Finse sits above 1,200 m - dress in layers even in summer, when the plateau is cold while the valleys at each end are mild. Rain is a fact of life on the west coast around Bergen.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Norway good for train travel?
- Norway is one of the best countries in Europe for scenic train travel. Its network is compact but reaches extraordinary landscapes - the Bergen Line crosses a mountain plateau above the treeline, the Flåm Railway plunges to a fjord, and the Rauma Railway runs beneath Europe's tallest vertical rock face. Trains are comfortable, clean and family-friendly, with generous luggage rules and simple, single-class-plus-upgrade seating. For anyone who wants the journey to be part of the holiday rather than just a transfer, Norway is hard to beat.
- Can I use Interrail or Eurail in Norway?
- Yes. Interrail (for European residents) and Eurail (for non-Europeans) are valid on the national Vy network and the other operators that run Norway's state railways, including the flagship Oslo–Bergen line. Seat reservations are optional but recommended, especially in summer, and any reservation fee is separate from the pass. The one notable exception is the privately run Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana), which is not fully covered by rail passes and needs its own ticket. Always check current pass conditions before you travel.
- Do Norwegian trains require reservations?
- On most Norwegian trains a seat reservation is optional rather than compulsory - you can travel on a valid ticket or pass without one. In practice, a reservation is strongly recommended on popular long-distance and scenic routes such as Oslo–Bergen, particularly in summer and around holidays, because trains do fill and a guaranteed window seat is worth having. Reservation rules can change by operator and season, so confirm when you book. See our seat reservations guide for how it works.
- What is Norway's most scenic train route?
- The Bergen Line (Bergensbanen), Oslo to Bergen, is the one most often named the most scenic - nearly 500 kilometres from the Oslofjord across the Hardangervidda plateau to the fjord city of Bergen, in around seven hours. Its branch, the Flåm Railway, is the most dramatic single stretch, descending to the Aurlandsfjord. The Rauma Railway to Åndalsnes is a third contender. Most travellers combine the Bergen Line and Flåm Railway in one trip; there is no single right answer.
- How expensive are trains in Norway?
- Norway is a high-cost country, but train fares are more reasonable than its reputation suggests - especially if you book early. The cheapest advance ("Mini") fares are released well before departure and can be very good value, while walk-up fares closer to the day cost more. A rail pass can also make sense for a multi-stop trip. Prices change constantly with demand and season, so we do not quote fixed figures; book ahead and compare. Our booking advice guide covers how to find the best fares.
- Is the Flåm Railway worth it?
- For most travellers, yes. The Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) descends around 865 metres in 20 kilometres - one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world - through waterfalls to the Aurlandsfjord, with a scheduled photo stop at the Kjosfossen waterfall. It is short, busy and not covered by rail passes, but the scenery is exceptional and it connects seamlessly with the Bergen Line at Myrdal as part of the classic "Norway in a Nutshell" route. Book ahead in summer, when specific departures sell out.
- Can I see fjords by train in Norway?
- Yes, though the train is often the gateway rather than a fjord-side ride the whole way. The Flåm Railway terminates right on the Aurlandsfjord, an arm of the vast Sognefjord, and the Rauma Railway ends at the fjord town of Åndalsnes. The Bergen Line delivers you to Bergen, the "gateway to the fjords," where boat cruises depart for the Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord. Combining a train leg with a short fjord cruise - the "Norway in a Nutshell" idea - is the classic way to see the fjords by rail and water.
- Is Norway suitable for family train holidays?
- Very. There is no airport-style security or check-in, children can move around freely, and long-distance trains have space for prams and luggage - many also have a dedicated family carriage with a small play area. The scenery holds children's attention in a way a motorway never will, journeys can be broken into manageable legs, and reduced or free fares for children are common. Pack layers and snacks and the Bergen Line makes an outstanding family day out.
- When is the best time to travel Norway by train?
- Every season is worthwhile and completely different. Summer (roughly June–August) brings long daylight, green valleys and full fjord connections, but it is the busiest and needs booking ahead. Late spring and early autumn are quieter, with snowmelt waterfalls or autumn colour. Winter turns the high plateaus into an Arctic-white landscape that is extraordinary from a warm carriage, though some connecting fjord and branch services run reduced. There is no bad season - only different ones.
- Are Norwegian trains punctual?
- Norwegian trains are generally reliable and reasonably punctual, and long-distance services are well run. That said, this is a mountainous, weather-exposed network - heavy snow, landslips or engineering work can occasionally delay or replace services, particularly on the high mountain lines in winter. If you have a tight onward connection, such as a fjord cruise or the Flåm Railway, leave a sensible buffer rather than relying on the tightest link, and check for planned works before you travel.
Norway rewards the slow way round. Build a trip around the Bergen Line and the Flåm Railway, add a fjord cruise, and let the landscape do the rest.
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