Sustainable travel in Norway - Train

- We take you through idyllic places and spectacular scenery that deserve protection, says Kristin Lorentzen, Product Director at Fjord Tours.

With more and more travelers being aware of their carbon footprint, trains are enjoying a comeback and becoming the preferred choice of conscientious backpackers. A train journey is about so much more than just getting from A to B. A train journey is an experience in itself, affording you the luxury of stopping and restarting your journey as you please. Aside from the obvious climatic benefits in your quest to save the world, the views from the tracks in Norway are simply stunning, so to us, it is a no-brainer and full steam ahead to traveling and exploring by rail!

The finest train tours in Norway offer stops such as Flåm, Bergen, Oslo, Røros, Dovre, and Rauma (and many, many more). On the journey, you can also add some exciting activities that will get the adrenaline pumping in the blood. A kayaking trip, rafting, via Ferrata or zipline can really top the trip.

Stop where you want and when you want. Continue your trip at your own pace. Arrange accommodation and activities along the way making the journey as relaxing or exciting as you want.

In Norway, as in most places, airports are often located away from the towns and cities you want to visit. With train travel, you can arrive in the heart of your preferred destination with no need to arrange costly airport transfers. Simply find your accommodation and head out to explore.

It’s much easier to move around in trains compared to the tight aisles in aircraft. Take the opportunity to meet fellow travelers or engage with the locals. Norwegians can be a little shy or guarded at first but we are genuinely proud of our landscape and heritage and happy to share once a conversation is struck.

Explore the Bergen Railway, Northern Europe's highest stretch of railway, which runs through the wild mountain terrain. The Bergen Railway is a line between Bergen and Oslo. The line crosses both the Langfjellene mountains and the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, with several famous stops such as Voss, Myrdal, Finse, and Geilo.

The Flam Railway (Flåmsbana) is a spectacular train journey that offers a panoramic view of some of the wildest and most magnificent nature in the Norwegian fjord landscape. The train ride taken is one of the steepest standard gauge railway lines in the world.

The Røros Railway runs between Hamar and Trondheim. The tour goes through the beautiful wilderness in Østerdalen and across Røros to Støren. It is also a stretch of railway with lots of opportunities to see wildlife along the way, esp. as it is «moose country».

The Dovre Railway runs between Oslo and Trondheim. The railway line passes through the stunning Gudbrandsdalen valley and across the mighty Dovrefjell mountain range. Here it is not uncommon to see the powerful musk oxen that often graze in large herds.

A trip on the Raumabanen Railway from Dombas to Åndalsnes is a unique opportunity to experience some of the most spectacular scenery in Norway. Åndalsnes is often referred to as "The Alp town by the fjord" and situated on the Romsdalsfjord. From Dombas you can experience Hjørundfjord and Geirangerfjord.

From your seat, you can admire well-known attractions such as the Kyllingbru bridge, the Trollveggen cliff, the fantastic Rauma river, and the Romsdalen valley.

This is a world-famous tour that has attracted tourists from over 130 countries. On this trip, you will experience the Bergen railway and Flåmsbana, a full electric fjord cruise on the spectacular Aurlandsfjord and the narrow UNESCO-protected Nærøyfjord. Did you know: The carbon emission on a Norway in a nutshell® trip from Oslo to Bergen is one-tenth of the emission for a similar flight?

This experience can be taken as a day trip from Bergen and the perfect way for foodies to see the area is on a cider tour sampling a wide variety of Hardanger delicacies including orchard visits tasting locally produced cider. The area itself is worth the trip - with fjord landscapes, green mountains, and views to glaciers and waterfalls.

In the heart of Western Norway, you can spend as many days as you want to explore high mountains, deep valleys, mighty waterfalls, and magical forests. The tour includes travel with the Bergen railway, the legendary Flåmsbana, and express boat on the Sognefjord.

This tour is a perfect base for your holiday in Western Norway. It takes you to some of the most beautiful places in Norway with both train and boat as a means of transport. You can choose when you want to get off to spend the night or explore the different places.

The Sognefjord extends 200 kilometers into the Norwegian fjord landscape and is the country's longest and deepest fjord.

Stop in idyllic Balestrand with its distinctive architecture and the church that inspired the filmmakers in Frozen, a popular choice for families with kids addicted to the movie. You can tailor your own journey. It is easy to add hotel accommodations and activities along the route.