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Itinerary for Oslo, Flam, Bergen, Stavenger and back to Oslo

My friend and I are planning a two week trip to Iceland and Norway. We have a very packed itinerary in Iceland and will be landing in Oslo around 11:15pm on a Sunday (I almost wish we were flying to Oslo on Saturday, but I guess it's too late now). We are planning to stay in Oslo one more night so we have time to explore and aren't rushing off after a late night.

We have train tickets to Flam on Tuesday and here's my first question: should we stay overnight in Flam, or continue on to Bergen? I watched this YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxua1U1Ke84) and he makes it seem very doable to go from Oslo > Flam > Voss > Bergen in a day between a train, ferry and bus (and another train, haha).

Next question: We really want to check out Stavenger but are wondering if it's worth the long ferry or even flying there just for a night or two max. Our flight home leaves from Oslo at 6:00am on Saturday so we'd have to fly back to Oslo Friday night at the latest.

To break it all down, here's where my head is at 🤯 :
Sunday: Arrive in Oslo, go to bed ha
Monday: Explore Oslo
Tuesday: Flam Railway, perhaps go onto Bergen?
Wednesday: Explore Bergen
Thursday: Fly to Stavenger
Friday: Explore Stavenger, fly back to Oslo that night
Saturday: Fly home

Are we trying to cram way too much in? Is it possible to see all of these beautiful places in 5 days, 6 nights? Any tips or advice are much appreciated!

Posted by
409 posts

I'll answer your first question about overnight in Flåm. There are 2 things to consider.

Can you find a room for the night that is in your budget? Flåm has a short tourist season with very high prices for their limited accommodations. Availability may dictate whether you stay overnight.

What would you do with your time if you did spend the night. Go hiking, kayaking, take a rib boat ride, go to Stegastein Viewpoint? The town of Flåm itself doesn't offer much but a small railway museum, it is really a transportation hub.

I have never been to Stavanger, others will have to help with that. But I would think there may be a better use of your limited time in Norway.

Posted by
3852 posts

When? Which date of travel?

General doable but tight. By car you will have a better experience because landscape is stunning but most of it you will not see, e. g. Heddal stave church or great waterfalls such as impressive Låtefossen or the walk behind waterfall Steinsdalsfossen. Also: instead of Stavanger you could explore Lysefjord or do a hike. You will also have more choice of places to stay.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks for getting back to me! We'll be arriving in Oslo on June 1 (arriving late) and departing Oslo on June 7 (super early). We did find that Flam hotels are very pricey, but we're willing to splurge for a night if it's worth it! We're interested in taking a cruise and hiking mostly.

The YouTube video I listed above recommends taking the Fjord Ferry Cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen then a bus to boss and another train to Bergen. That feels like a lot in one day but we're open!

If we spend June 1 and 2 in Oslo, June 3 in Flam, what else would you say are must do's?

Posted by
409 posts

The journey from Oslo to Bergen using trains, ferry and bus is known as the Norway in a Nutshell route. You can do it all in 1 long day or you can break it with an overnight along the way. The most popular stopover is Flåm.

You can either book a package through FjordTours or you can DIY.

Here are a few posts that may help you.

Norway in a Nutshell or DIY

NIN tickets

Norway Itinerary

Assuming you won't have a car, I suggest spending 2 nights Bergen and then direct train or fly back to Oslo for your last night before your flight home.