Hi everyone -- would love to get advice / help. My husband and I have reserved 3 nights at the Balestrand Hotel in mid-May. We want to do the Norway in a Nutshell trip on our own (not part of a package), leaving Oslo the morning of May 18. Once in Flam we can get an express ferry to Balestrand. On May 21 we want to travel on the Nutshell route on Bergen. Should we take an express ferry back to Flam, or ...? Thanks for your thoughts.
Posted by
Chicagoland
1863 posts
Hopefully someone will have a better plan. In the meanwhile, here's my idea. BTW, I hate backtracking.
IMO, the highlight of the Nutshell is the Naeroyfjord cruise followed by the bus between Voss and Gudvangen.
Take the early train from Oslo to Voss on May 18, then the scenic bus to Gudvangen and the ferry to Flåm. From Flåm you can take the express ferry to Balestrand.
Yes, you'll miss the Flåmsbana between Flåm and Myrdal, but you'll get the scenery between Myrdal and Voss.
Posted by
Lake District, England
11254 posts
It simply isn't possible to route Oslo to Voss to Gudvangen to Flam, in time for the afternoon Flam to Balestrand ferry.
The first day train from Oslo arrives at Voss at 1203, the cruise Gudvangen to Flam takes 2 hours, and the only Balestrand boat of the day leaves Flam at 1530, so you have to route through Myrdal and the railway to Flam to make the boat at 1530.
The boat from Gudvangen (ex Voss) arrives at 1630, so you miss it by an hour.
There are various ways to do this without backtracking, none of which find favour on this forum unfortunately.
1. Bus Oslo to Balestrand, via Sogndal at 0940, then when leaving on 21 May the morning boat to Flam, arrive 1340, etc.
2. Sleeper train Oslo to Bergen, then morning train connection to Voss, bus to Gudvangen for the 1210 boat, arriving Flam at 1410, then the 1530 to Balestrand, afterwards departing Balestrand on the direct boat to Bergen.
3. Sleeper train to Bergen, the morning boat to Balestrand through the archipelago connecting straight into the Glacier cruise from Balestrand, arriving back at Balestrand around 1700, afterwards on 21 May to Flam, arrive 1340 etc.
If you did that you could swop a night in Balestrand for a night in Flam. On arrival in Flam do a return ride on the Flam railway, then next day the boat to Gudvangen, bus to Voss, train to Bergen.
Posted by
Chicagoland
1863 posts
Stuart, thanks for the correction.
Heidi, with the information Stuart has provided, I would keep your May 18 plans and backtrack to Flåm by ferry on 21st.
With the ferry arriving in Flåm at 1:40 pm, you would have time to take the minibus tour to Stegastein Viewpoint before taking the 5:30 pm ferry to Gudvangen and continuing on to Voss and Bergen.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, Washington
14 posts
Thank you for all these ideas. A lot to think about! I've got my map on my desk, having fun dreaming about this trip.
Posted by
257 posts
I think what I am going to do based on ideas from here :) is take the NIN to Flam from Oslo on May 28th and then take the express ferry to Balestrand for 3 nights and then express boat to Bergen and so no back tracking. Yes we may miss parts but this seems like a good compromise and some down time rather than just rushing. Just my thoughts :)