Bergen–Oslo Train in Xmas 2024: Recommendation on (i) Time and (ii) Seats

Posted by psychicdelico on 11/15/24 08:02 AM

Dear Community,

We are two travelers going to take a train from Bergen to Oslo. We are doing it in Xmas or mid-December this year.

In booking our train tickets, we start to wonder which might be the best (i) time of the day and (ii) seats of the train for the train journey. For example, for time, there are two options: 08:08–15:05 vs. 11:49–19:05. For seats, we may choose to sit on the left or on the right.

We would like to seek your recommendations, tips, or advices. Thank you very much, happy travel!
Robert

Posted by Camborne2018

Cornwall

11/15/24 09:05 AM

646 posts

If you take the later train you will be doing most of the trip in the dark, so you may as fly,

Posted by isn31c

Lake District, England

11/15/24 10:33 AM

9139 posts

There is no optimal side for the whole of the trip. Some is on the right and some is on the left. Like most scenic journeys of that length the "best" keeps on switching sides of the train.

And, yes, at that time of year, the 8am train pretty much spans the whole of the daylight hours which there are at that time of year

Posted by Threadwear

Fort Myers, FL

11/15/24 02:18 PM

1997 posts

I took the Norway in a Nutshell tour from Oslo to Bergen. Spent a few days in Bergen. I then returned to Oslo directly by train. Honestly, if I had to do it over again I would fly from Bergen to Oslo. While the scenery is very nice in many places along the way by train, the 7 hour trip is very long and the scenery becomes redundant. Unless you are stopping along the way to enjoy Flam or do a fjord cruise, I would recommend flying from Bergen to Oslo. The flight is an hour long.

Tough decision. As others have said, if you can't leave on an early train, then you may want to fly because in the dark the train ride will seem even longer. Whichever you choose, you will enjoy Bergen and Oslo.

Posted by psychicdelico OP

11/17/24 02:36 PM

2 posts

Wow, many thanks to all of you who've kindly replied to recommend on this matter, we really appreciate that. Wish you all the best, happy travel!

Posted by acraven

Washington DC

11/17/24 07:25 PM

28929 posts

Definitely the early train. The most scenic part of the trip is at the eastern end.

Posted by donnellyjen74

11/20/24 10:48 PM

182 posts

This past week's Monday Night Travels episode would be worth a watch for you. Pal, Rick's Norway guide was the guest for this episode on Norway in a Nutshell experience. He has great videos detailing how it all works including during the winter on his YouTube channel Norway with Pal with great tips too!

Posted by Carrie

Chicago

11/20/24 11:47 PM

3455 posts

Adding the link to the Monday Night Travel episode mentioned above:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ_ky5hQlkU

Pal’s You Tube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@norwaywithpal

Pal’s website:

https://norwaywithpal.com/about/

Posted by palj

11/27/24 07:54 PM

5 posts

Hi Robert, you def wanna take the 08:08 train so you can have more daylight. Sitting on the left you'll see more of the lowlands, while on the right hand side you'll have slightly better views up in the mountains. But whatever side you take you can also move around on the train, sit in the café etc.

Have a nice trip!
Pål