Oslo, Bergen and NiN 9 days split

That works, but I will toss out another idea.

I suggest skipping the one day marathon Nutshell and simply divide your time between Oslo and Bergen - connect from Oslo to Bergen via plane - and then avail yourself of the ferries that go up the Sognefjord. In truth, the Norway in a Nutshell is mostly about the fjord, and the initial part of the itinerary from Oslo is getting you over to the fjord area - not saying there aren't scenic aspects prior to that, but it really isn't the "prize" that being in the fjord is.

One other point: we spent one night in the fjord at a resort, and that was the highlight of the trip to Norway - if I went back, I would spend at least 2 nights in the fjord. Which is another reason I would say you could skip the long and arduous and kind of superficial exposure to the fjord one gets from doing the one day Norway in a Nutshell - people do it if they don't have enough time to immerse in the fjord - frankly, you have enough time, and you might kick yourself if you don't spend more time, including one or two overnights, up in the fjord.

thanks Is NiN the only way to reach from Oslo to Bergen? Is there a direct high speed train from Oslo to Bergen without the stops that NiN has?

Flight option also make sense if we can do the Fjord cruise during our time in Bergen as a day trip?

Are there other options for scenic train rides as a day trip from Bergen?

Assuming if we do the train journey on NiN what would be the ideal place for overnight stop on the way ?

Lastly, any place we can see snow in July as a day trip from Bergen?

Assuming if we do the train journey on NiN what would be the ideal place for overnight stop on the way ?

You can 'break' the Nutshell itinerary and overnight at Flam. That gives you a base to explore the fjord, go on hikes, ride the ferry, and then to get on to Bergen you take the ferry that goes all the way. We stayed overnight at the Kviknes hotel / resort on the north side of the fjord, across from Flam. We got to Flam via ferry from Bergen, and then we hooked back up with the NIN from Flam to Oslo. So we effectively did about half of the official NIN itinerary.

I hope others will chime in with ideas because I think that the fjord region of Norway is where you want to spend as much time as possible. For most people who do the Nutshell in a day, it is better than nothing, but it will leave you wanting more.

You can take the train direct Oslo to Bergen - there are 4 daytime trains for the July date I picked, 6.5-7 hours travel time. The train is very scenic and you might see snow in the mountains (I was there in May however so not sure about July).

The only train route from Bergen is the line to Oslo so no other scenic train rides.

It might be hard to find hotels for July along the nutshell route, this is peak season for the fjords and there are not many hotels to begin with. Flam is the most convenient stopping point because you’ll almost inevitably pass through it. Some people stay in Aurland or Balestrand but transportation logistics to those areas are more complex.

I'm in Norway right now so I can offer some suggestions.

The fjords are really nice and you should consider spending at least one night in Flam. This also makes it less of a marathon. From Flam you can take a bus to Stegastein viewpoint which is spectacular.

Oslo ideas- Norwegian Folk Museum, not sure what else would be good for children

Bergen ideas: Funicular up Mt Floyen and walks (easy walking), not sure what else would be good for children

Fjords from Bergen: Trip to Rosendal on the Hardanger fjord with Rodne, trip to Sognefjord (Hopperstad Stave Church in VIk is really nice)

It might be hard to find hotels for July along the nutshell route, this is peak season for the fjords and there are not many hotels to begin with.

Somehow I failed to notice that this trip is next month, and I agree with you, my suggestion to break the trip at Flam and stay in a hotel may be a tough proposition on this short notice. Not sure, but the OP might have difficulty getting one day Nutshell reservations, too, at this short notice.

Thank you everyone for all very useful points. The reason I am reluctant to break the journey in Flam is due to the hassle of an additional check-in. We want to use Bergen as a base for Fjord tours. Flam and the viewpoints nearby I believe are doable as a day trip. Which Fjord day tours from Bergen would you recommend and with which operators.?

You can buy tickets yourself without having to go through a tour operator. You'd start with the regular teain from Bergen to Myrdal. The most scenic segments between Bergen and Flam are:

• Flamsbana train between Myrdal and Flam (buy through ticket from Bergen to Flam from vy.no).

• Naeroyfjord ferry between Flam and Gudvangen (buy from NorwaysBest.com).

• Bus from Gudvangen to Voss (pay the driver--probably only by credit card).

You'd also buy the return train ticket from Voss to Bergen from vy.no.

Alternatively, you could do the fjord detour part of the trip in the other direction, seeing the same scenery:

• Train from Bergen to Voss (buy from vy.no).

• Bus from Voss to Gudvangen (pay driver).

• Naeroyfjord ferry from Gudvangen to Flam (NorwaysBest.com).

• Flamsbana from Flam to Myrdal (buy through ticket from Flam to Bergen on vy.no.

• Regular train from Myrdal to Bergen.

NorwaysBest sells Nutshell packages at a mark-up, but you might want to consider going that way since you're getting a late start on putting the pieces together.

Thanks. Are there any rail ferry passes which will give me access at a discounted rate?

In Oslo even with kids I would recommend the National Museum. Here is link https://www.nasjonalmuseet.no/en/visit/locations/the-national-museum/children--families/. The space is beautiful and the activity benches for kids were fun even for adults. And in looking it up to give you the link I also found the International Museum for Childrens Art is in Oslo. https://barnekunst.no/en/

You might also enjoy in Oslo the Fram museum. You take the ferry over to "museum island" and they have the ship that the explorers used for North and South Poles you can go in.

In Bergen I would recommend the Bryggen Museum. I would do the guided tour which includes the museum and some other related buildings. Then return to the museum to spend more time. They have some parts designed especially for kids including the "smells" room. Bergen also has an aquarium. We didn't go but we were talking with another couple at dinner one evening who had enjoyed it.

Did you abandon the plan to stop in Gothenburg?

You can do Norway in a Nutshell in a day if you want to. But making a stop along the way is a nice way to break up the journey. However, trying to find a place to stay in Flåm or the surrounding area on short notice is not always easy.

It is a tour, but most of it is done on regular trains and buses. If you prefer to just get to Bergen, you can just take the train direct to Bergen. Not a high speed train, pretty slow to be honest by European standards (although probably high speed by North american standards). But a very scenic ride. So flying from Oslo to Bergen is a bad idea in my opinion.

Another option for a stop along the way is Finse, a small village in the mountains. There is a large chance you will see snow in some areas from train between Oslo and Bergen, and stopping in Finse means you might be able to find some snow patches. There is also a glacier withing hiking distance, 2 km or so if I'm not mistaken.

@Badger Yes for now no Gothenburg. It is is turning out to be 5 days in Stockholm > Flying to Oslo > Thereafter the itinerary is as mentioned above. Not too keen on breaking the journey purely out of convenience with kids so will rather go directly from Bergen, base myself there and then do the Fjord tours.

What are the must see Fjord, Fjord tours that should be done first from Bergen as a day trip? There are few listed on Fjord Tours website but looking for expert recommendation. We would like to be back in Bergen in our hotel by evening.

Anyone has any views on 6bed cabin on Vy trains between Oslo - Bergen? how are the windows and views from those windows?

To be perfectly honest, I really don't think Bergen is a good base for fjord tours. But if that's what you are planning I'd suggest a trip to Flåm one day, with either boat both ways or boat one way and train one way. Not sure what website you are refering to but I'd recommend using https://www.norled.no/

I did find a press release about the Vy's couchettes, not the best images but better than nothing. https://euromaint.se/nu-rullar-fler-tag-mellan-oslo-och-bergen-nya-ombyggda-vagnar-som-euromaint-underhaller-at-vy/