9 days Bergen -> Fjords -> Oslo / with or without a car?

Here's something copied from an older thread you might consider, but of course working from Bergen to Oslo rather than Oslo to Bergen. You would take public transportation to/from the car rental in Voss or Sogndal.

"When we did the Norway in a Nutshell tour from Oslo, we rented a car from the end point in Voss. We then drove back to Aurland where we stayed overnight and toured the Sognefjord from there. I think either Voss or Sogndal (across the fjord) will be the closest rental office to Flåm."

You are very late in planning and booking. Accomodation capacities in the fjord area are not endless and expensive to book now.

Imo 3 nights in Bergen are maybe 1 or 2 nights too much. Bergen is a small town.

Renting and returning car in Voss is nearly the only option. Check scenic routes in the area.

Put the NiN /Flåm and Oslo part at the end - if still bookable. If possible try to reach Flåm without cruise ship in port (list).

Thanks for the input so far! I realize I'm late booking. I'm considering these 3 alternative itineraries that seems to have availability for hotels and rental cars at least (haven't confirmed other transit yet). Leaning towards #1 because it includes both boat cruise and rental car exploration but I don't know if stopping in Sogndal is wise as it seem to be off the tourist track...(but maybe that's why it has availability and low prices)?

Option 1: (24 hr rental car & stop in Sogndal)
- 3 nights in Bergen, then 8am boat into Sognefjord to Leikanger (between Balestrand and Sogndal)
- 1 night in Sogndal. (after short bus ride to pickup car rental in Sogndal at 1pm)
- drive around the area for ~3 hours just to enjoy the scenery (up to Hafslo, part way to Aurland, etc)
- return the car after 24 hours and pickup the boat to Aurland or Flam
- enjoy Flam for a couple hours
- catch last train up to Myrdal (6:30pm)
- 2 nights next to Myrdal - I found a nice looking cabin available - next to a lake. next to hiking, zip line; somewhat isolated so won't be going back and forth down to Flam probably.
- train from Myrdal to Oslo
- 3 nights in Oslo

Option2: (24 hr rental car and stop in Voss, no boats)
- 3 nights in Bergen
- Bus or Train to Voss. Pickup rental car for 24 hrs and drive around for ~3 hrs to enjoy the scenery (maybe all the way past Flam?)
- 1 night in Voss (there are still rooms available)
- drop- off rental car, bus or Train to Flam
- old train to Myrdal
- 2 nights next to Myrdal - I found a nice looking cabin available - next to a lake. next to hiking, zip line; somewhat isolated so won't be going back and forth down to Flam probably.
- train from Myrdal to Oslo
- 3 nights in Oslo

Option 3: (no rental car, no Voss, but simplest option so maybe least stressful)
- 3 nights in Bergen
- Boat to flam
- 1 night in Aurland. I found an apartment available one night. Not sure what we'll do here. maybe can rent kayaks, or maybe find an excursion to drive us around for couple hours to look around?
- old train to Myrdal
- 2 nights next to Myrdal - I found a nice looking cabin available - next to a lake. next to hiking, zip line; somewhat isolated so won't be going back and forth down to Flam probably.
- train from Myrdal to Oslo
- 3 nights in Oslo

None of your itineraries include the Naeroyfjord ferry between Flam and Gudvangen, which covers the most scenic arm of the Sognefjord, or the scenic bus ride between Gudvangen and Voss. I don't think the ferry from Bergen is a good substitute for the Naeroyfjord trip, and I wouldn't choose that mode of travel over the faster and cheaper train from Bergen to Voss unless my destination was on the north side of the Sgnefjorr.

Interesting, @acraven. I was actually just thinking the same thing "I wonder if it's ok that I'm missing Naeroyfjord?"

It seems like you are saying that Naeroyfjord is significantly more spectacular than Aurlandsfjord (the last portion of the boat ride from Bergen to flam).

If I go with option 2, I'd be stopping in Voss and I had mentioned "take bus or train to Flam". But maybe I could take bus + cruise instead? (if it's still available just 3 weeks from now).

It seems like you are saying that Naeroyfjord is significantly more spectacular than Aurlandsfjord

There is a reason why one of both is a UNESCO World Nature Heritage - just look into pictures if it is worth for you.

btw: From Aurlandsfjord you also miss the best view (Stegastein).

Sognefjord is in most parts very nice but not that spectacular because human beings are not able to recognise its majesty - the length of over 200 km and the depth, e. g. over 1,100 metres near Vangsnes. Therefore I am not a fan of the boats from Bergen, so option 2.

With option 2 there is no need to overnight in absolutely over-priced Flåm. I prefer Myrkdalen.

Hardangerfjord is more spectacular in some corners, e. g. Sørfjord.

Did you check the availability of tickets of Flåmsbana?

We did Norway on a cruise up the coast to the North Cape. Advantage, our ship came through so many great fjords and then we did great excursions.

You plan only three place and only two with fjords.

Bergen is great but Geiranger has the best fjord in Norway, it is amazing.
Aslesund and Flam are also wonderful and there is much more to see.

Although Geirangerfjord is a very scenic and also a World Heritage fjord maybe we shall be a little careful with words like "the best" based on the existence of over 1,700 fjords. Especially with cruise ships in port producing air pollution Geiranger can also look ugly.