We will be in Flam on 17 June 2019 and want to do Norway in a Nutshell, which includes a ride on the Flam railway. The tour is a full day and available privately, but we are concerned about being back at the ship on time. The Royal Caribbean excursions are already sold out. Looking for options to do the Flam railway. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2335 posts
What time do you dock in Flam and what time do you have to be back at the ship? That will determine whether you can fit it in. Note that the full NIN includes train trips from Bergen and Oslo. I presume you'd only want to do the middle section (Flam cruise to Gudvangen, bus to Voss, train to Myrdal, historic train Myrdal-Flam; or the reverse). I believe there is also a bus from Flam to Gudvangen that bypasses the train segments and allows you to just do the cruise.
Aside from hiring a private tour, here is a good summary of how to book it yourself https://trvlmorestore.com/blogs/travel-blog/35303745-do-it-yourself-norway-in-a-nutshell-tour If I remember correctly, there are booking windows for each of the segments - pay close attention so you can book as soon as allowed (June is very busy).
Posted by
Last Frontier aka Alaska 🏔️
3226 posts
This would be two seperate tours, but you could buy tickets on the Flamsbana train (1 hour up to Myrdal train station and 1 hour down). Then you could buy tickets for the fjord safari (2 hours?) that leaves right from the Flam harbor. This is a fun, fast boat out to the fjords. We did both and loved both activities. Although, we biked down from the train station instead of taking the train both ways.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8141 posts
Our favorite part of the Norway in a Nutshell was the train ride down into the fjord.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
1005 posts
If the railway is your #1 priority, then just buy tickets online in advance for the day you're there and don't worry about a Nutshell package. Remember, your cruise ship is going to sail up the fjord, so you'll see some stunning scenery.
Posted by
Berlin
2227 posts
Just book the two things separately online as soon as they give the month free for booking.
Train: https://www.visitflam.com/activities/flamsbana---the-flam-railway/?referrer=4081
Fjord cruise: https://www.visitflam.com/activities/fjord-cruise-naeroyfjord/?referrer=3895
Shuttle bus: https://www.visitflam.com/activities/shuttlebus/
No real need for Royal Caribbean excursion. Flam is a small village.
If you get in trouble with times and a decision is necessary which one you book. In your case I would recommend the train because this is what you will not see when you are on a ship. Do not get me wrong: Nærøyfjord is beautiful but as long as you come along Aurlandfjord already you will see entry to Nærøyfjord on right side of the ship 30-40 mins prior arrival.
From inside end (Gudvangen) Nærøyfjord is very scenic https://goo.gl/maps/nQxrj7gCdr82.
Also Tuftefossen is really beautiful at that time of year: https://goo.gl/maps/5tAkEhmry2q
I ecommend wide angle lense as well as telezoom lenses for best photos.
Posted by
OP
7662 posts
Thanks, I was able to book what I wanted.
Posted by
8 posts
We are really at mercy of RCI. The NIAN package that Rick recommends is about $128US but leaves at 8:30 AM from Flam. Guess when the ship docks (or tenders)? yep. 8:30 AM.
So then we looked at just the train. It's January and our cruise is June. Yet all the trains are fully booked except the one that returens at 4:45Pm and the All on board time is 5:pm. The Train direct is about $58US. RCI will be on same train - but take you for pancakes and aview for $122. So we are stuck with that.
May try for a boat in the AM. We learned in Geiranger a few years ago that the small boats go to the foot of falls and sceneray different from thee view from Ship.