The Flåm Railway - one of the world's best train journeys
Lonely Planet named it the best train journey in the world. Norway's Flåm Railway is a truly unique experience of breathtaking nature and quaint fjord villages. "It's so powerful and dramatic," says Audrey Olson, who experienced the train journey as part of the Sognefjord in a Nutshell tour.
The family wanted to experience the best of Norway, but only had a couple of days.
When they discovered that the Nutshell tours bring visitors to the most iconic highlights, with seamless transportation, they were sold. They were happy to find a tour they could truly make their own.
“I like the fact that you can do it in a day, or in 2 days or 3 days. And you also get inspiration on where you can stay and what you can eat,” says Audrey.
Instagram-friendly fjord landscapes
The Flåm Railway runs between Myrdal station, located at 867 meters above sea level, and Flåm, a village that is all the way down by the Aurlandsfjord. The trip takes about 1 hour.
On its way, the train winds its way past snow-capped mountains, lush forests, rushing rivers, and waterfalls cascading off steep cliffs. The Instagram-friendly highlights never seem to end.
“It´s so powerful. And I was surprised at how the landscapes changed so dramatically. There was also a lot more snow than I would have thought,” says Audrey.
Audrey's family has Norwegian roots and had long dreamed of a booking a vacation to Norway. Seeing the beautiful scenery from which their ancestors once emigrated was an emotional experience.
Powerful waterfalls and fairytale creatures
One of the indisputable highlights of the family’s Sognefjord in a Nutshell™ tour was the beautiful waterfalls that gush down the mountainsides as the snow melts in the mountains in spring and summer.
There is even a stop at one of the biggest waterfalls on the Flåm Railway, Kjosfossen. Here, the family stepped off the train to experience the waterfall up close. So close, in fact, that a few drops sprayed gently down on them.
This experience was especially memorable for Audrey's son, Graydon. Far up on the mountainside, he saw a forest creature which Norwegian children encounter in fairy tales.
The mythical creature lives inside the mountain singing songs. She looks like an angel, but underneath her beautiful dress she has a tail.
"I was told this creature is called a huldra. She stood up there on the mountainside singing beautifully, trying to lure us to her." says Graydon.
An impressive feat of engineering
It took almost 20 years to build the railway. This is perhaps not surprising as 18 of its 20 tunnels were built by hand. Winding its way through the mountains, the railway is an impressive feat of engineering.
Moreover, it brings you very close to some of the very best nature Norway can offer. National Geographic has named this train trip one of the ten most beautiful in Europe.
Experience more with Sognefjord in a Nutshell™
Enjoy a fjord cruise on the spectacular Sognefjord, the second longest fjord in the world. Experience two of the world’s most beautiful train rides, the Flåm Railway and Bergen Railway.
The trip can be completed in a single day but is best when combined with an overnight stay in Flåm or Balestrand.
The trip can be completed in a single day but is best when combined with an overnight stay in Flåm or Balestrand.
Highlights
- A cruise on the amazing Sognefjord
- Visit Flåm and Balestrand, two traditional villages right by the fjord
- A journey on the scenic Bergen Railway and the historic Flåm Railway
- Start in Oslo, Bergen, or Voss
Step back in time on a historic train
The Flåm Railway is truly a historic train, something which is reflected in its original interiors. As the unspoiled nature and traditional farms glide past your window, you get the sense of travelling back in time.
“The train car was so cool. I had never been in one like it before.” says Audrey.
From your window, you can see historic mountain farms clinging to steep hills. Many were built long before the advent of the railway. Audrey's mother, Lynette, was particularly interested in Norwegian farm life.
“The little houses were just tucked in there. We are from a small place, and we have a lot of farming in Duluth. It was very interesting to see how they do it in Norway,” she says.
Experience more with Norway in a Nutshell®
Our most popular tour shows you the very best of Norway. See the stunning UNESCO-listed fjords. Ride the Bergen Railway and the Flåm Railway, two of the world's most scenic railway lines. The tour includes a visit to several traditional villages, where it's well worth spending an extra night. You can take the tour in a single day, but we recommend taking longer to experience even more.
Highlights
Sip a Viking brew by the fjord in Flåm
The Olson family completed their Sognefjord in a Nutshell tour in two days, adding an overnight stay in Flåm, a quaint village on the Aurlandsfjord. Flåm offers excellent activities that make it well worth spending some extra time there.
“We just wanted to explore the place. We love the culture in Norway, and we wanted to go into the smaller towns and meet the local people,” Audrey says.
In Flåm, you can sample local craft beer with a Viking plank at the Ægir brewery and restaurant, fly along Northern Europe's longest zipline, kayak on the fjords, and more. How about experiencing nature up close on a RIB boat cruise on the UNESCO-listed Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord?
Top things to do in Flåm
Flåm offers a wealth of activities throughout the year. Book an exciting activity as part of your Nutshell tour or as a stand-alone booking. Here are our handpicked favorites:
Kayaking in Flåm
Flåm • 3 hr
From 1235NOK
Available 1 May - 30 September
Best seller
Heritage RIB-boat tour in Flåm
Flåm • 2 hr 15 min
From 1060NOK
Available 1 April - 31 October
Travelers love this!
UNESCO Nærøyfjord hike
Multiple locations • 8 hr
From 3190NOK
Available 20 May - 25 October
Tour to Borgund Stave Church and Stegastein viewpoint
Flåm • 3 hr 45 min
From 1650NOK
Available 15 April - 12 October
Exclusive Experience
Local food tasting in Flåm
Flåm • 1 hr
From 550NOK
Available 15 May - 15 October
Best seller
Electric minibus to Stegastein
Flåm • 1 hr 30 min
From 430NOK
Available 25 February - 31 October
In high demand
Flåm Zipline, Flåm Railway and bike ride
Flåm • 4 hr
From 1802NOK
Available 3 May - 11 October
Fjord Sauna in Flåm
Flåm • 1 hr 30 min
From 425NOK
Available all year
Kayaking in Flåm
Flåm • 3 hr
From 1235NOK
Available 1 May - 30 September
Best seller
Heritage RIB-boat tour in Flåm
Flåm • 2 hr 15 min
From 1060NOK
Available 1 April - 31 October
Travelers love this!
UNESCO Nærøyfjord hike
Multiple locations • 8 hr
From 3190NOK
Available 20 May - 25 October
Tour to Borgund Stave Church and Stegastein viewpoint
Flåm • 3 hr 45 min
From 1650NOK
Available 15 April - 12 October
Exclusive Experience
Local food tasting in Flåm
Flåm • 1 hr
From 550NOK
Available 15 May - 15 October
Best seller
Electric minibus to Stegastein
Flåm • 1 hr 30 min
From 430NOK
Available 25 February - 31 October
In high demand
Flåm Zipline, Flåm Railway and bike ride
Flåm • 4 hr
From 1802NOK
Available 3 May - 11 October
Fjord Sauna in Flåm
Flåm • 1 hr 30 min
From 425NOK
Available all year
Make the Nutshell tour your own
You can experience the Flåm Railway on several of our Nutshell tours, which take you to the very best that Norway has to offer.
You can choose to take the tour in a day or add activities and overnight accommodation. You can even choose the start and end point of your tour to fit your travel plans. All in one easy booking!
Discover all our tours
Whether you're daydreaming about Norway or ready to book your ticket now, it’s always great to explore your options. The journey starts here with our collections of top tours.
Want to see even more on your tour?
There are lots of things to experience in Norway. Learn more about how you can extend your tour.
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In spite of the incredible attractions, it’s never easy to create a travel itinerary for Norway when you only have so much time available. After all, what can you afford to miss when there is so many interesting things to see and do?
Norway´s famous fjords
It’s no secret that Norway is famous for its magnificent fjords. No trip to Norway would be complete without a visit to one of the world-famous fjords! We’ve put together a list of the most famous and beautiful fjords Norway has to offer, so you can plan your next trip to our fair land.
Outdoor Activities in Norway
From the eerie beauty of the Northern Lights to the calm tranquility of the fjords, Norway is a country filled with some of the most spectacular sights in the world. With landscapes which are as dramatic as they are magnificent, Norway has so much to offer anyone looking for a nature holiday. There are many outdoor activities which can be enjoyed in Norway; here are just a few suggestions for all levels of fitness.
Norway in a Nutshell® in 3 days
Don't know where to start planning your Norway itinerary? We've put together a three-day package for our popular Norway in a Nutshell®tour, including wonderful hotels and exciting activities.
Five days in Norway
In spite of the incredible attractions, it’s never easy to create a travel itinerary for Norway when you only have so much time available. After all, what can you afford to miss when there is so many interesting things to see and do?
Norway´s famous fjords
It’s no secret that Norway is famous for its magnificent fjords. No trip to Norway would be complete without a visit to one of the world-famous fjords! We’ve put together a list of the most famous and beautiful fjords Norway has to offer, so you can plan your next trip to our fair land.
Outdoor Activities in Norway
From the eerie beauty of the Northern Lights to the calm tranquility of the fjords, Norway is a country filled with some of the most spectacular sights in the world. With landscapes which are as dramatic as they are magnificent, Norway has so much to offer anyone looking for a nature holiday. There are many outdoor activities which can be enjoyed in Norway; here are just a few suggestions for all levels of fitness.