We will be doing the round trip Norway in a Nutshell from Bergen. Which side of the train is best from Bergen to Myrdal? How about from Myrdal to Flam? I'm assuming it doesn't matter on the boat from Flam to Gudvangen? Then how about the bus from Gudvangen to Voss, and finally the train from Voss to Bergen?
Thank you!
Nancy
This prior thread might help https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/norway/nin-what-side-of-train-bus-has-best-view-of-scenery
As I recall the Flam/Myrdal train and the bus from Voss to Gudvangen were the only two that a side might be preferable. On the Flamsbana people were switching sides to take pictures even if they were seated on the opposite side (but our train wasn't sold out, YMMV).
We did NiN from Oslo to Bergen in March.
On the Flamsbana from Myrdal to Flam the left side might be slightly preferable but no-one stayed in their seats. People just got up if they wanted to take photos. There are no reserved seats on this train. The windows open so you can get good photos.
On the bus from Gudvangen to Voss it didn't matter which side as the road is windy and the view is mostly mountains. From memory we sat on the left immediately behind the driver. As I get bus sick we try to sit where I can see out of the windscreen.
On the train from Voss to Bergen we sat on the left. I don't think it would have mattered which side we were on as our view was mostly snow. The windows are very large (but quite dirty) so most of my photos look blurry.
Just a thought if you have not booked it, take the ferry! When I went last year, the train was cancelled due to weather. Took a bunch of juggling but I managed to get a ferry from downtown Bergen to Flam and it was the best decision ever. Fjord views, boat ride, comfy seats. Still took the Flamsbana up and did the zipline/bike trip down.
I would not give up the Naeroyfjord ferry trip between Flam and Gudvangen (or vice versa) for the express boat trip between Flam and Bergen. However, it would be nice to take the express boat in one direction while retaining the Flamsbana, Naeroyfjord ferry and Gudvangen-Voss bus cocomponents of the classic Nutshell trip--assuming you have extra time. I think the express boat is a lot slower.
Most components of the Nutshell trip are highly scenic--that's what's great about it. It's really just the mainline train between Voss and Bergen that's not all that special.
Thank you for the replies, very helpful!
