Hi there
Planning a trip beginning this June, but not sure how to go about it as we prefer not to rent a car as not comfortable in driving anywhere in EU. We will be doing the Norway in a Nutshell starting in Oslo , staying in Flam for 2 nights, ferry to Gudvangen and stay 3 nights in Bergen. From Bergen plan to fly to Alesund and stay in the area 4 - 5 days. While in the area we'd like to visit Geirengerfjord and the village using day tour. Also like to the a scenic bus tour to Trollstingen, Atlantic Road. After 4 or 5 days we'd like to go back to Oslo using the Rauma railway wherever it ends, and connect to other trains that will bring us to Oslo( flying out of Oslo). We need help planning this trip and let us know if this is even feasible. Thank you all for reading.
Posted by
235 posts
You will LOVE the Norway in a Nutshell tour and Flam is magical.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Yes thank you. Read a lot of reviews about NIN. At same time would love to go further up Norway.
Posted by
Chicagoland
1950 posts
In 2023 we did some of what your planning without a car.
After taking the Hurtigruten coastal ferry from Kirkenes to Bergen, we stayed 2 nights in Bergen.
We did a DIY Nutshell (train to Voss, bus to Gudvangen, ferry to Flåm, Flåmsbana to Myrdal, train to Oslo) between Bergen and Oslo with an overnight in Flåm. We added the minibus tour to Stegastein Viewpoint from Flåm.
After 2 nights in Oslo we flew to Ålesund for 3 nights. We did a cruise on the Geirangerfjord one day. We did not get off at Geiranger. The next day we took a wonderful day tour to Trollstigen with
LocalTrips AS that included several other stops along with magnificent views of the Geirangerfjord.
From Ålesund we flew home.
For your trip you could do the following
- bus from Ålesund to Åndalsnes
- train to Dombås on the Rauma Line
- train to Oslo or Lillehammer on the Dovre Line (note bus replacement due to rail works if traveling before 15 June)
Depending on your departure time out of Oslo airport you could spend the night in Lillehammer before your flight.
If you want to spend a night or 2 in Flåm (or elsewhere on the Nutshell route) book your lodging ASAP. There is limited availability in Flåm and the rooms sell out quickly. How will you fill your time in Flåm?
Both Flåm and Geiranger are crowded villages during the tourist season. In Flåm, besides the NIN transportation, you could visit Stegastein Viewpoint, the Borgund Stave Church, go hiking and kayaking. In Geiranger, you can hike and drive to several viewpoints.
The opening of the Trollstigen is dependent on weather and road conditions. You'll need to monitor the expected opening date for sometime in May/June.
For the best rates all rail travel should be booked in advance at vy.no. Also, the company recommends paying via PayPal as not all North American credit cards have 3D Secure. We used PayPal in 2023.