How To Plan The Perfect Trip On Norway’s Incredible Flåm Railway

17.12.2023 - 11:51 / forbes.com

Travel from a remote snow-covered station high on a mountain plateau, through a lush valley packed with astonishing views, remarkable tunnels, and powerful waterfalls, down to a picturesque fjord-side village nestled beside classic Norwegian fjord landscape all in less than one hour. This is what awaits you on Norway’s incredible Flåm Railway.

Also known as Flåmsbana, the 12.5-mile-long line features a steep gradient with a total elevation difference of 2,841 feet, making it one of the steepest standard gauge railway lines in the world.

However, with just a handful of departures each day, it can get very crowded onboard especially in the summer, which is high season for tourism in the Norwegian fjords.

Tourists travel from all over the world to ride the Flåm Railway, whether on a longer train trip from Oslo or Bergen, a road trip through the fjord region, or arriving by cruise ship. As such, it’s a good idea to plan as much as possible to ensure the best possible experience on one of Europe’s best railway journeys.

Although the railway is the highlight of the trip for many, it shouldn't be the sole item on the itinerary. Although the rail line is relatively remote, it is ideally situated to be combined with several other major tourist attractions in Norway.

For true railway enthusiasts, arriving to the Flåm Railway on the Bergen Line from Oslo or Bergen is a must. This journey extends your experience of Norway’s scenic beauty as it soars over one of Europe’s highest mountain plateaus and alongside raging rivers.

The views on the Bergen Line an hour or so either side of Myrdal, where the Flåm Railway begins, are especially notable.

Flåm’s location on the Aurlandsfjord also opens up the opportunity for a fjord cruise or a RIB-boat adventure along the Nærøyfjord, a centerpiece of the Norwegian fjords’ UNESCO World Heritage site listing. For those using Bergen as a base, the Flåm Railway is a great precursor to a trip on the Norwegian coastal ferry.

Consider also the season for travel. Although June to August offers the best weather (although by no means a guarantee of good weather!), the summer season is also the busiest, with numbers boosted by visitors from cruise ships.

The shoulder seasons are ideal for travel, whereas winter carries some weather risks but can also offer spectacular snowy scenery.

For cruise ships sailing a Norwegian fjords itinerary, the Flåm Railway is often the first excursion to sell out. But just because the cruise line’s excursion is fully booked, that does not mean the train is full.

Tour operators reserve a number of carriages for use by cruise line excursions. They can often be packed, while the regular carriages range anything from sold out to virtually empty.

Tickets can