We are looking at options from Oslo to Bergen. Besides the train, are there any fjord cruise from Oslo that go along the coast? We also looked at taking a Hurtigruten or Havila cruise but they seem expensive and spend little time in ports for exploring on ur own. Any thoughts on these cruise lines? We do intend to take NiaN trip back to Oslo from Bergen. Thx, JimS
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3402 posts
The better options to see iconic fjords with high mountains surrounding the water—other than the Naeroyfjord which you’ll see during NIN— are primarily out of Alesund. From Alesund, you can see the Geirangerfjord as a daytrip and also the Hjorundfjord. Bergen also has access to several fjords.
Alesund can be quickly reached from Bergen in a one-hour flight on Wideroe Airlines. (www.Wideroe.no) and a few other airlines.
Oslo doesn’t have spectacular fjords nearby.
Posted by
Chicagoland
1077 posts
When are you planning to travel?
I am unaware of any ship that will take you from Oslo to Bergen via the southern coast.
I believe your easiest options without a car would be fly, direct train (about 6½ hrs) or direct bus (about 9½ hrs through the mountains).
There is also the possibility of bus via Kristiansand, Stavanger and Haugesund along the southern coast.
Kenko's suggestion of visiting the beautiful art nouveau city of Ålesund is excellent. In 2023, as part of our 2 ½ weeks in Norway, we flew from Oslo to Ålesund for 3 nights. One day spent cruising the Geirangerfjord. And a second day on a wonderful day tour to the Trollstigen.
If you're traveling next year and your interested in the Hurtigruten cruise, wait for their Black Friday specials. We were able to get a good deal on the southbound cruise from Kirkenes to Bergen.
Posted by
Lake District, England
10229 posts
Hurtigruten only sail from Oslo every week or so, but you can't do port to port sailings on those expedition voyages such as Oslo to Bergen. They are also controversial in that they are paying 3 communities to accept their ships That can be seen both ways in that the communities repay the gifts by providing local immersive port activities.
The Oslofjord is worth seeing, but is only easily done from the Kiel and Copenhagen ferries. There are local ferries in the fjord but it gets complicated.
However you could go by train to Kristiansand and take the Color line ferry from there to Bergen via Stavanger. Especially from Stavanger onwards it is a pretty interesting passage up the coast.
The other option with that is train to Stavanger then ferry next day. There also used to be small local ferries did Stavanger to Bergen several times a day via all the little coastal communities but the improved highway stopped those.
The bus from Stavanger to Bergen is well worth the ride for scenery, it is a discontinuous road involving several ferry crossings which the bus drives on and off.
On the way, although it would involve another day of travelling, you could take the full day cruise on the Telemark Canal. One I have yet to do, but renowned for its beauty.