Experiences
Flåm Railway: from mountain to fjord, Stegastein and Norway in a Nutshell
Twenty kilometres, almost 900 metres of descent and a waterfall with a dancing huldra. How to experience the Flåm Railway, Stegastein and the Nærøyfjord, and where to stay in Flåm.
The train creeps down the mountainside, so steep you feel it in your stomach. Through the window you see waterfalls, farms clinging to the slopes and the valley opening far below. At Kjosfossen the train stops, everyone steps onto the platform, and in the mist from the falls a huldra appears and dances.
The Flåm Railway is one of the world’s most famous train journeys, and with Stegastein and the Nærøyfjord it is the heart of Norway in a Nutshell. Here is everything you need to know, and the hotels in Flåm.
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What the Flåm Railway journey is like
The Flåm Railway runs between Myrdal on the Bergen Railway and Flåm at the head of the Aurlandsfjord. The line is about 20 kilometres long, and the train takes around an hour to descend almost 900 metres. It is considered one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world.
Kjosfossen: the train stops at the waterfall, where a huldra performs in the spray in summer.
Where to sit: from Myrdal to Flåm the left side often has the best views, but both sides offer plenty.
Book tickets: trains fill up in high season, so buy tickets in advance.
Book the experience: See tickets and tours from Flåm
Stegastein, the Nærøyfjord and Norway in a Nutshell
Stegastein viewpoint
Stegastein is a viewing platform jutting 30 metres out from the mountainside, high above the Aurlandsfjord. It is a short drive from Flåm and Aurland, with buses up in summer. The view over the fjord is one of the most famous in Norway.
Cruise the Nærøyfjord
From Flåm, boats, many of them electric and almost silent, sail through the Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen. The fjord is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and so narrow that the mountainsides almost meet.
Norway in a Nutshell
Norway in a Nutshell is a popular round trip combining the Bergen Railway, the Flåm Railway, the boat on the Nærøyfjord and the bus from Gudvangen to Voss. It can be done in a day from Bergen or Oslo, but is better with a night in Flåm.
Read more about the Oslo to Bergen train in our separate guide.
Where to stay in Flåm and Aurland
Flåm is small, and most hotels are a few minutes’ walk from the station and the quay.
Flåmsbrygga
The beer hall at Flåmsbrygga.
Flåmsbrygga Hotel
Flåmsbrygga sits by the quay, with fjord views and its own brewery with a beer hall inspired by old Norse halls. Breakfast is included and well reviewed.
Book your stay: See rooms at Flåmsbrygga Hotel
Fretheim Hotel
Fretheim is Flåm’s historic hotel, with roots going back to the 1870s and a mix of old and new wings. It has two restaurants and a gym, and sits right by the Flåm Railway Museum.
Book your stay: See rooms at Fretheim Hotel
Hotel Aurlandsfjord
The restaurant at Hotel Aurlandsfjord.
Hotel Aurlandsfjord
Hotel Aurlandsfjord is in Aurland, ten minutes from Flåm and closer to Stegastein. Breakfast is included, and there is a restaurant and bar in the house.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Aurlandsfjord
Stalheim Hotel
Stalheim sits on the edge of the Nærøy valley, a short drive from Gudvangen. A perfect place to end the Norway in a Nutshell trip with dinner and a view.
Book your stay: See rooms at Stalheim Hotel
When is the best time to ride the Flåm Railway?
May and June: the waterfalls are at their biggest and everything is green.
July and August: the most departures, but also the most people and cruise ships in Flåm.
Winter: the Flåm Railway runs all year, and snow turns the trip into a winter fairytale.
Flåm Railway FAQ
How long does the Flåm Railway take?
The journey from Myrdal to Flåm takes about an hour, with a stop at Kjosfossen.
Does the Flåm Railway run all year?
Yes, the Flåm Railway runs all year, with more departures in summer.
What is Norway in a Nutshell?
A round trip combining the Bergen Railway, the Flåm Railway, a boat on the Nærøyfjord and a bus via Stalheim to Voss. It can be done from both Bergen and Oslo.
How do you get to Stegastein?
By car or bus from Flåm and Aurland. In summer, sightseeing buses run up to the viewpoint.
Where should I stay in Flåm?
Flåmsbrygga Hotel by the quay and Fretheim Hotel by the station are the best known. Hotel Aurlandsfjord is in Aurland, and Stalheim is a lovely stop on the way onwards.