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  3. The Bergen Railway

The Bergen Railway

Explore the Bergen Railway on one of our round trips to the fjords. It is Northern Europe's highest stretch of railway, roughly 100 km of which runs through wild mountain terrain.
The Bergen Railway - passing Voss - Norway
The Bergen Railway is the approximately 500 kilometres (approx. 310 miles) long railway line between Bergen and Oslo. The construction of the Bergen Railway was a huge project in its day and was completed in 1909.
The line crosses both the Langfjellene mountains and the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. The duration of the trip between the two end stations is Bergen and Oslo is approx. 7 hours.
The decision to build the railway line was made in 1894 and it was completed in 1909. The stretch of railway between Bergen and Voss, which was completed already in 1893, really revolutionized life for the communities along the line. It is said that the construction of the Bergen Railway was a huge project in its day and that it can be compared with today's development of the oil industry on the Norwegian Continental Shelf in the North Sea.
One of the railway’s greatest challenges is the harsh and changeable weather. The Bergen Railway line is exposed to deep low-pressure centers from the west, which can mean strong winds and heavy snow for part of the year. Keeping the railway open demands great effort and technical expertise. Today, skilled workers, efficient equipment, tunnels, and snow tunnels make the Bergen Railway one of the safest and most comfortable ways of traveling between Oslo and Bergen.
You can experience the Bergen Railway on many of our tours - have a look below!

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

  • Incredible scenery
  • A fjord cruise on the magnificent Nærøyfjord
  • The scenic Bergen Railway and the historic Flåm Railway
  • The quaint villages of Flåm and Gudvangen
  • Start in Oslo, Bergen, Voss, Geilo, or Flåm
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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.

Highlights

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Train in Norway

Family smiling in front of the Kjosfossen waterfall

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 Bergen Railway - passing Voss - Norway

The Bergen Railway

Explore the Bergen Railway on one of our round trips to the fjords. It is Northern Europe's highest stretch of railway, roughly 100 km of which runs through wild mountain terrain.

Norwegian Railway Heritage and History

Norway has so many incredible attractions and sights on offer that it can be hard to work out how you are going to see them all. Thankfully, the country has over 3,000 kilometres of scenic railways, connecting the north to the south, the east to the west. Many of Norway’s routes have been voted as the most beautiful in the world. Take a look at our overview of the best Norwegian railways and their history!

The Flåm Railway - Sognefjord in a nutshell winter tour

Sustainable travel in Norway - Train

Fjord Tours is Norway's largest tour and activity provider. We collaborate with Vy, the country's largest provider of train travel. Together, Vy and Fjord Tours are focused on providing sustainable travel solutions throughout Norway.